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 more ethical.

Our Fave Ethical Yarn Brands

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.

We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.

Index: Eco-Friendly Yarn Brands

  1. Darn Good Yarn Jump to section
  2. Natural Recycled Yarn Jump to section
  3. GANXXET Jump to section
  4. Spindle and Skein Jump to section
  5. We Are Knitters Jump to section
  6. Max + Herb Jump to section
  7. Selfmade Jump to section

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 tohemp 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.

Natural Recycled Yarn

About Natural Recycled Yarn

The name Natural Recycled Yarn is a bit of a giveaway. This Etsy shop is a top pick for sustainable yarn shopping in the US.

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.

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 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 forvegan 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.

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”.

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.

We Are Knitters Ethical and Sustainability Practices

Materials:

Choose between cotton (pima, organic, and recycled), alpaca, Peruvian wool, mohair, bamboo, linen, and mulesing free Merino wool yarn.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

Their ethical wool yarn 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 of their yarn manufacturers and worker protections are behind these stunning skeins but will be reaching out to ask.

Green business practices:

The 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.