7 Sustainable Yarn Brands Knitting You A Better Future
Let’s have a yarn about sustainable yarn.
But first, is yarn sustainable?
That would be a no, from us.
It’s usually made with synthetic materials (namely acrylic) and treated and dyed with harsh chemicals.
In fact, even natural yarns, like wool and traditional cotton, come with a list of sourcing concerns.
These sustainable yarn brands realize eco-crafters needle something ethical.
Like Darn Good Yarn, who uses herbal dyes and upcycled wool in some of their skeins of fair trade and sustainable knitting yarn.
Natural Recycled Yarn unravels old garments from thrift stores to provide affordable and eco friendly yarn for knitters.
Sustainable yarn certifications by the ball, GANXXET is backed up by a few of them, like OEKO-TEX and DETOX TO ZERO.
For a swift (winder) understanding of how we found these sustainable yarn manufacturers, knit one and purl two down to the end of the article.
*This post contains affiliate links
QUICK LINKS TO ECO FRIENDLY YARN BRANDS
1. DARN GOOD YARN
About Darn Good Yarn
A paradise for pattern-following knitters, Darn Good Yarn has many unique yarns to choose from—in all kinds of weights, styles, textures, and colors.
A lot of them pay respect to the cultural use of the material, like traditional African Banana silk yarn.
You can shop their extensive sustainable yarn catalog by fabric or weight.
In addition to natural and recycled yarn, they sell project kits, craft tools, and clothing.
Darn Good Yarn’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
In addition to sustainable hemp yarn, DGY uses banana fiber, chiffon, cotton (some organic), linen, silk, upcycled wool, and nettle (without the stinging part).
Many of these are recycled, too.
Undyed options are available but most feature natural, herbal dyes.
Supply chain & labor practices:
The yarns are ethically sourced from Nepal and India, where they’re hand-dyed and woven in a fair trade women’s collective that supports its artisans’ economic independence.
All in all, they support 600+ artisans around the globe, sharing more than 4,000 patterns designed by them.
Green business practices:
Darn Good Yarn’s use of recycled fabric means they’re able to keep more than 2,000,000 pounds of waste out of landfills.
Community & charitable giving:
The brand prioritizes artisan partnerships in India where women face discrimination.
They work with 4 organizations to ensure that a portion from every sale helps to provide meals, medical care, and education for the communities they serve.
Currently, 20% of sales from the Pride Collection are donated to the Capital Pride Center of Albany, the oldest LGTBQIA+ center in the US.
Available: Darn Good Yarn
2. NATURAL RECYCLED YARN
About Natural Recycled Yarn
With a name like Natural Recycled Yarn, it’s no wonder this Etsy shop is a top pick for sustainable yarn USA shoppers.
Based in Richmond Virginia, the shop focuses on 100% recycled natural fiber yarn sold at affordable prices.
Founder Misti began by unraveling thrifted men’s sweaters for her own creative needs in art school, and she eventually began to sell them to other crafters as a full-time job.
Natural Recycled Yarn’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Sustainable cashmere yarn, as well as cotton, linen, Merino wool, mohair, Shetland wool, wool, Lambswool, angora rabbit fur, and natural fiber blends are on offer.
While not vegan, these 100% upcycled skeins are as close to ethical wool as you can get.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Everything is sourced secondhand from local thrift shops.
Green business practices:
The recycled yarn comes in recycled packaging, often in shipping boxes the owner has received herself.
Available: Etsy
3. GANXXET
About GANXXET
GANXXET got its start when the owner Nuria was overwhelmed by her career in the international food industry—and turned to knitting to save the day.
Now the Florida-based Etsy shop sells sustainable fibers for knitting, crocheting, weaving, and macrame.
“Ganxet” means “crochet” in Catalan, but the double X adds a hidden message of “girls united,” which speaks to the sense of community that comes with knitting stories along with ethical sustainable yarn.
GANXXET’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Natural OEKO-TEX certified wool, Merino wool, DETOX TO ZERO certified bamboo viscose, recycled denim, lambswool, alpaca, linen, and 100% recycled cotton yarn are available.
For those looking for sustainable vegan yarn, they also have vegan roving wool made from bio-nylon, a biodegradable nylon alternative fiber produced with a recycled water system.
All dyes are OEKO-TEX certified, though, in the case of their recycled yarn, the only dyes involved are those which were originally used to color the garment.
Green business practices:
For each recycled sustainable yarn, clothes are broken down into cotton fiber, then spun into thread (no dyes added).
This saves CO2 emissions and halves water requirements.
Available: Etsy
4. SPINDLE AND SKEIN
About Spindle and Skein
Spindle and Skein was inspired by a move to the green rolling hills of Devon, an area with a rich weaving history.
Respectful to the region’s abundant pastures, this Etsy shop prioritizes ethical wool yarn sourced from a diverse range of sheep breeds.
You can choose from a variety of styles and gray/dark, ecru/white, or undyed colors.
Spindle and Skein’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Organic Merino wool is the superstar but you’ll also find other wool from several different sheep breeds.
Supply chain & labor practices:
The wool is handspun and responsibly sourced from British mills and local farmers.
Green business practices:
Using herbal soap and open-air drying, the wool is processed in a low-impact way—which sometimes means that it may smell a little “sheepy”.
Packaging is minimal and made from recycled sources.
For local deliveries, shop owner Annabelle uses her “trusty ol’ green bicycle”.
Available: Etsy
5. WE ARE KNITTERS
About We Are Knitters
We Are Knitters is a sustainable DIY one-stop-shop.
In addition to a wide range of tools, fibers, and yarn bundles, they also sell project kits which include the yarn, pattern, and needles required for tees, blankets, sweaters, and more.
You can even sew in an embroidered We Are Knitters label.
With all the weights and textures under the sun, you can turn your eco friendly chunky yarn scarf dream into a reality.
[Brand’s] Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Choose between cotton (pima, organic, and recycled), alpaca, Peruvian wool, mohair, bamboo, linen, and sustainable wool yarn like mulesing free Merino.
Their sustainable knitting needles are made from FSC-certified beechwood.
Supply chain & labor practices:
We Are Knitters sources materials in a way that creates opportunities for communities around the globe. We’ll reach out to get more insight here.
Green business practices:
This slow fashion-loving company wants us to value handmade garments.
When we make our own single hat or sweater, it can help us appreciate the cost (human and financial) that fast fashion has on workers and our planet.
Shipping bags are recycled and recyclable.
Community & charitable giving:
In addition to offering some of the best sustainable yarn online, they have a community forum, share video tutorials, and host regular knitting parties.
If you can’t find a knitting party near you, you can host one in your city.
Available: We Are Knitters
6. MAX + HERB
About Max + Herb
A popular source for sustainable crochet yarn, Max + Herb is an ethical, community-oriented company.
Sourced from a range of artisans, they sell high-quality and fairly traded fibers and tools for both beginner and expert crafters.
The brand’s name comes from Max (Manx Loaghtan) and Herb (Herbridean), two previously-endangered sheep breeds—so you know theirs is some of the most ethical wool yarn around.
Max + Herb’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Max + Herb combines eco-friendly, recycled, and low-impact fibers.
The selection includes linen, silk, alpaca, wool, cotton, Merino wool, cashmere, recycled washi fabric, Pima cotton, mohair, organic wool, organic cotton, and paper twine yarn.
In most cases, the yarn is hand-dyed with low-impact dyes.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Their partner artisans are located in small, family-run workshops in Europe, Argentina, and Peru.
Fibers are sourced using fair trade principles that preserve local traditions and culture.
The wool is sourced from sheep-loving farmers who ethically raise and care for their animals.
Green business practices:
They’re constantly working on reducing their carbon footprint and eliminating plastics from their packaging and shipping processes.
Community & charitable giving:
In addition to offering tutorials, the ethical yarn brand offers classes online and in their brick-and-mortar Atlanta location.
Available: Max + Herb
7. SELFMADE
About Selfmade
Looking for sustainable yarn in the UK?
Selfmade (formerly Stoff & Stil) is here to help.
They’ve got a massive selection of tools, yarn, patterns, haberdashery, and fabrics—including eco friendly organic yarn.
Their particular yarn brand is called FRAYA, though Selfmade is the company behind it all.
Selfmade’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Selfmade’s yarn range is impressive and includes alpaca, bamboo viscose, cashmere, BCI-certified cotton, Merino wool, mohair, wool, and less-sustainable acrylic.
As far as eco friendly yarn options go, their organic range includes both wool and GOTS-certified cotton in tons of different colors.
They also have a smaller selection of recycled cashmere yarn and lyocell yarn.
Supply chain & labor practices:
We’re not sure what eco friendly yarn manufacturers and worker protections are behind these stunning skeins but will be reaching out to ask.
Green business practices:
The eco friendly yarn brand is working hard to expand its range, which has already increased 72% in the last three years.
Community & charitable giving:
Not only do they offer kits, projects, and free patterns, but Selfmade has a virtual workshop for DIY fashion—check it out if you’re wondering what to do with old clothes.
Available: Selfmade
HOW WE FOUND THE BEST SUSTAINABLE YARN
Our sustainable ethical fashion criteria typically focuses on the end product.
But (tonhole), we can also use it when considering the materials that end up creating our favorite garments—like eco friendly yarn.
Materials:
So, what is the most sustainable yarn made with?
Natural and low-impact dyes and a bunch of sustainable fabrics, as it turns out.
These include natural fibers like linen, hemp fabric, organic cotton, silk, nettle, and ethical cashmere or wool from a large range of lamb, alpaca, and sheep breeds.
Upcycled and recycled versions of these materials are better yet, especially for the animal-derived ones.
To a lesser extent, bamboo fabric, vegan-friendly eco-nylon, and lyocell are also used.
- Certifications: Global Organic Textile Standard, Fair Trade, OEKO TEX, Global Recycle Standard, Recycled Content Standard, DETOX TO ZERO, Better Cotton Initiative, Forestry Stewardship Council
Supply chain and labor practices:
Instead of greenwashing, we seek brands who are able to unravel their supply chain to allow us to see proof of things like ethical wool yarn coming from humanely-raised animals and products being made in a way that supports people.
It’s especially nice to see affordable sustainable yarn spun out of fair trade arrangements, international artisans, thrift shops, family-run workshops, local mills, and women’s collectives.
Green business practices:
The best sustainable yarn companies are trying extra hard not to drop the yarn ball by using low-impact processing and dyeing practices that save energy and water.
That’s in addition to recycled and eco friendly packaging or some smaller brands that ship via Etsy’s carbon offset mailing service.
Community & charitable giving:
Ethical yarn and community go hand-in-hand, which is why many of these brands provide support for artisan communities and customers alike.
In addition to donations, many host knitting parties, tutorials, classes, and community forums.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON ETHICAL YARN
For planet-loving loops, you can knot go wrong with these sustainable yarn makers.
But what yarn is most environmentally friendly?
The one that’s sitting at the back of your cupboard.
As always, it’s best to use the yarn you currently own (including finding creative ways to use scraps) before buying new.
But when knit hits the fan and you’re in need of a new ball (or three) of sustainable yarn, show these companies some love.
If someone in your knitting circle is in a similar predicament, thread this article to them so we can all get hooked on knitting that won’t tie the planet in knots.
