Most of us knit or crochet as an enjoyable hobby that connects our hands and minds. For some, including me, it can serve as a form of meditation that provides a moment of calm in an otherwise busy and stressful day. Lately, it’s been a bit of an escape from all the chaos and upheaval in our country. But do we consider knit & crochet as sustainable practices?
For many, the idea of knit & crochet as sustainable practices is but a secondary thought, if it’s considered at all. What an amazing bonus, though! We all know that our hand made items are far superior to mass-produced and fast fashion items, but knowing that they also can be better for our communities and the planet only increases their value. We outline some of the ways your crafty practice can be sustainable and eco-friendly below.
Hand made garments are likely to have a longer useful lifespan.
That isn’t to say you will hold onto your hand knit/crochet items longer, necessarily (hello friends and relatives who are the lucky recipients of our handi-work!), but when you create something with quality materials, you end up with a product that tends to last. Hand-made items are often more durable than their machine-made/large-scale counterparts.
Hand made items are often more easily repaired and tailored to fit, leading to a decreased need for new replacement garments. The love that goes into each project ensures that the maker is more inclined to put the extra effort in to make sure they are made right. When you make your own garments, you are less likely to bend to all the fast changing fashion trends (though you may still end up falling victim to your sit and knit/crochet group’s peer pressure). Handmade items are timeless pieces that can be passed down from generation to generation. Each carries the memories of the process. This longer useful life span helps us consider knit & crochet as sustainable practices.
Hand made items produce less fiber waste.
Mass-produced garments are often not concerned with minimizing waste. With the prices for quality yarn as they are, knitters and crocheters are more likely to be frugal – using left over yarn for other ‘scrappy’ projects down the line. Less waste ends up in the landfill.
You won’t find many knit/crochet aficionados with overstock of their hand-made items – we create what we need/want and don’t end up with all the extras that mass production often experiences. When we do have extra, we work hard to find loving homes for each item – again, the love put in leads to more care with where the item ends up! Less waste lands knit & crochet as sustainable practices! If you are one of those lucky individuals with extra hand-made items, consider charity knitting! The Autumn Acorn put together a great list of charity craft opportunities!
Many yarns are made using natural fibers and sustainable materials.
These include materials such as cotton, wool, alpaca, linen or bamboo. These fibers have a lower environmental impact than synthetic fibers. Most are biodegradable and can be sustainably sourced and processed from farms/agriculture that prioritizes ethical and regenerative farming practices. Some yarns are made from recycled materials as well, helping to divert waste from landfills and reducing the need for production/use of new materials.
The majority of the yarns carried at The Loopy Ewe fall into this more sustainable bucket! We favor natural fibers and do our best to source ethically and sustainably when possible. Using sustainable materials adds to the credibility of knit & crochet as sustainable practices.
Hand-making items slows down creation and consumption.
Creation through knit and crochet is slower, more well-planned and thoughtful than fast fashion. When you know it will take you a month to make a sweater, you definitely will deliberate more over the pattern and yarn you choose – and the garment will be worn and loved much longer.
Making an item yourself also allows you to customize your garment. It can fit just right and have all the colors in all the places you want them! With all the customization, hand-made items have greater sentimental value, which is a strong counterpoint to fast fashion’s throwaway culture.
Knit and Crochet can support local business.
From the local yarn store to the small local dyer, these crafts can support small business and local artistry that help keep your community vibrant. When we purchase through large corporations, financial resources no longer remain local, and communities can suffer. Buying from small/local businesses ensure that individuals (not just investors) share in the benefits. Buying from minority and/or women-owned businesses makes an even bigger impact! We encourage you to seek these small businesses out. Consider checking out BIPOC in Fiber for your next fiber purchase! I know we at The Loopy Ewe would love to support some of these artists along with the local artist we have in the store (Shoutout to Little Squirrel Yarn, Makerwool and Babycat Yarn!). We can all do better in this arena.
Keeping small business flourishing ensures that the wide variety of products available is maintained and that no one corporation controls all the choices. There is character in each small shop that comes through the shop’s individual atmosphere, the product selection, and the people working there! Supporting small business is yet another way to consider knit & crochet as sustainable practices.
Knit & Crochet create community and bring people together.
The act of creating provides opportunities to share knowledge of the craft, ideas, patterns, and advice. This can happen online or in person, and both keep these important skills alive and sustainable through generations. Crafting together also serves to build a sense of appreciation for the craftsmanship required to create a garment This sense can help shift mindsets about the clothing industry. Hopefully this works to move people away from disposable clothing and toward more sustainable and ethical options!
Many yarn companies are moving to lower impact, eco-friendly production methods
Some methodologies include things such as organic farming, fair trade practices and more eco-friendly dying processes. This can lead to a smaller carbon footprint than fast fashion provides. Additionally, while slower, knit and crochet use less energy to make than mass produced garments.
Conclusion.
Taken together, the act of creating your own clothing make it obvious to consider knit & crochet as sustainable practices. We here at The Loopy Ewe love the idea that we can help our communities and our planet one stitch at a time!