Sustainable Knitting 101
Truth: Warm mittens, heat preserving gloves and wooly hats are fun to buy. But, these wintery items are knitable, too. Now, you (like me) may be a bit skeptical about knitting your own winter wear, but worry not; learning how to knit is not as difficult as you think. Sure, it may be hard to grasp at first, but what isn’t? Get inspired, buy some vibrant eco-friendly yarn, and join a local knitting circle — start practicing sustainable knitting know!
Organic yarn
Many online yarn stores carry different organic yarns, organic cotton yarn, organic fabrics and organic dyes. Here are a few places to start your search:
FabulousYarn‘s Blue Sky Alpacas Cotton and Organic Fiber Yarn
Knit Picks‘ organic cotton yarn
How to Knit with a Conscience
You’re creating your own concoctions and not buying new, but there are still a few things you can do to make knitting even greener:
Reuse yarn from other projects (think an old afghan).
Use eco-friendly knitting needles made from bamboo and recycle yarn scraps.
Go to a thrift store to find old knitted garments to upcycle. Thrifting is fun — and cheap.
Local Knitting Circles
Yes, you can teach yourself how to knit, but really, where’s the fun in that? Website meet-up services, such as Stitch ‘n Bitch, help knitters (and crocheters) find local knitting groups. The meetings are open to the public and free!
How Else Can I Learn?
Still need some help? Many online knitting help sites are out there. Try Ravelry (it’s free) or Knitty. And surely you have an aunt who would smile brightly at the opportunity to teach you her trade!
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