Sustainable Crafting: Yarn Guide

4/27/2022

From Hermione’s hats and Molly’s jumpers to Dobby’s socks and Hagrid’s blankets, you would be forgiven for wondering why there wasn’t a single mention of a “Hogwarts Witchcrafting Society” or even a yarn shop throughout the seven books.

However, like vegan butterbeer and plant-based potions, just because something exists inside our heads, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t real (as a certain famous collector of knitting patterns would say!).

That being said, just like butterbeer and potions, yarn often isn’t inherently vegan - and that is where we need to channel our inner Trelawney and broaden our minds! What’s more, here at Protego, we like to think that no character would have done this with more enthusiasm than everyone’s favorite free elf (and our chosen animal rights champion), Dobby!

In Goblet of Fire, Dobby proudly tells Harry that he is buying wool with his wages and, given what we know about him, we solemnly swear that he would only choose yarn that protects the rights and freedoms of all beings.

When we hear “vegan” yarn, we instinctively think of anything that isn’t wool (which is made from the fleece of animals). However, when we look at the wider subject of sustainability, common wool substitutions such as acrylic and polyester can also leave much to be desired. Their production process requires fossil fuels, can be toxic to manufacturers, and the end product is also not as durable.

So, we’ve created a comprehensive guide of planet-friendly yarns that can be used to make long-lasting blankets, sweaters, bobble hats, and yes, you guessed it, socks!

Organic Cotton Yarn

O.W.L. rating: Exceeds Expectations (E)

Cotton is a traditionally hard-wearing material and is biodegradable, which makes it a far more sustainable choice than acrylic. Have you ever noticed acrylic items getting misshapen after a handful of washes? It’s no coincidence! However, standard cotton can require a lot of water in the manufacturing process, so we recommend seeking organic or recycled varieties to make it more Earth-friendly.

Cotton is a popular yarn choice for “amigurumi” (examples include crochet toys and dolls, including The Chosen One himself), as it is anti-pilling and produces very defined stitches. It’s also wonderful for summer clothing, pieces with color blocking (like this exceptionally extraordinary House shawl), or display pieces such as crochet flowers. We can see Luna using it to make some dirigible plum earrings, like the ones from this pattern.

Our chosen yarns:

‘Ultra Pima’ by Cascade Yarns (US)
‘Billie Jean’ by Wool and the Gang (UK)
‘Eco Baby’ by Debbie Bliss (UK)
‘Rainbow Cotton’ by Hobbii (Europe)

Credit: Emily Banaszynski

Credit: Daisy and Storm

Credit: Interweave

Cotton-blend Yarn

O.W.L. rating: Acceptable (A)

As mentioned above, while cotton is a brilliant yarn for many projects, by nature it is quite rigid and therefore may not be suitable for cozier and softer items such as socks, scarves, sweaters, jumpers, or this magical ‘bluebell flame’ shawl. This is where mixed yarns, which are mostly cotton but are “softened” by the addition of another material, can be a good alternative. As Ginny Weasley actress and eco-friendly activist, Bonnie Wright, says, “We cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” Ready to witchcraft a jumper worthy of a Weasley?

Our chosen yarns:

‘Whirl’ by Scheepjes (US)
‘Daydreamer’ by Stitch and Story (UK)
‘River Washed XL’ by Scheepjes (UK)

Organic Bamboo Yarn

O.W.L. rating: Exceeds Expectations (E)

Like cotton, bamboo can be a very sustainable choice, but this is highly dependent on the manufacturing process. The mechanical process, which uses natural enzymes to crush the bamboo and spin it into fiber, is far more sustainable. Yet chemical production is more cost-effective and therefore more frequently chosen.

While both materials are still more acceptable than synthetic options such as acrylic and nylon, we recommend organic varieties if possible!

Bamboo is a lovely material to work with and feels like silk without harming our silkworm friends. It’s the “Beyond Meat” burger of the yarn world!

Due to its delicate nature, bamboo would be perfect for lightweight projects such as this ‘Invisibility Cloak’ or Queenie-inspired ‘Gigglewater’ shawl.

Our chosen yarns:

‘Capri’ Yarn by Loops and Threads (US)
‘Tina Tape’ by Wool and the Gang (UK)
‘Tencel Bamboo’ by Hobbii (Europe)

Credit: Insight Editions

Credit: Cintia Gonzalez

Tencel Yarn

O.W.L. rating: Exceeds Expectations (E)

The “Beauxbatons on the block” (or “stylish option” in Muggle speak), Tencel is not as common as other yarns, yet is fast-growing in popularity. For one, it’s made with sustainability at its heart. Tencel is harvested from eucalyptus tree fiber using renewable energy. Its silky softness is worthy of a Yule Ball bolero, and it is also durable enough to whip up a book bag sturdy enough to carry you through all of your Hogwarts classes and beyond . . . with the possible exception of Hermione’s third-year course load!

Our chosen yarns:

‘Capri’ Yarn by Loops and Threads (US)
‘Tina Tape’ by Wool and the Gang (UK)
‘Tencel Bamboo’ by Hobbii (Europe)

Recycled Yarn

O.W.L. rating: Outstanding (O)

Just like thrifting for ready-made garments rather than buying new, recycling and reusing first is the Golden Snitch of sustainability. If you catch a ball (or seven) of recycled yarn, then it is a win for you and a win for the planet! This is becoming more and more popular in recent years, but the key is to choose yarn that isn’t too coarse. For this reason, we highly recommend sourcing “t-shirt” or “ribbon” yarn with a jersey-like feel, like the ones below.

Our chosen yarns:

‘Wavy’ recycled yarn by Hoooked (US)
Recycled ribbon yarn by Paintbox (UK)
‘Wavy’ recycled yarn by Hoooked (Europe)

Other Crafting Keepers

If you are looking to knit or crochet toys, or perhaps want to craft your own cushion, you are going to need stuffing! The vast majority of options out there are polyester. Yet with a bit of searching, you’ll find that there are magical alternatives.

Our personal favorites are the 100% recycled cotton filling by Hoooked (available here in the US) or recycled polyester filling that is made from old plastic bottles!

In terms of your Witchcrafting tools, this is another area where you can step up your sustainability gain! Switch up that plastic hook for a bamboo alternative or swap those dreary gray knitting needles for a shell-cottage ready beechwood set.

Are you into Witchcraft? Show us your creations by contacting us or tagging us on social!

Written by Sophie Harrison