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What is sustainable crochet?

There are many factors that plays into what makes something sustainable. To be 100% sustainable we would have to not buy anything and only use what we already have, to not create any more waste. But to be more realistic we can look at the work environments, the water usage, the production chain and CO2 emissions from the factory, the production and the transportation from where the yarn was created to where it ends up.

At the same time we can look at the materials of the yarn and its longevity. Fibers that are natural and derived from animals (without chemicals and unnatural dyes) are 100% compostable and will return back to earth again in a couple of months, whereas yarn fibers with plastic can take hundres of years.. Finally there is our day-to-day lifestyle, how often we buy yarn or crochet an item, how we care for it, how long we use it before replacing it or giving it away as well as where it ends up, when we no longer need or want it.

Crochet and sustainability

Making your own clothes is already a great way to reduce your CO2-emissions. A hook will last you basically a lifetime, if you are using a good quality. But there are also other steps you can take to make your crochet projects even more sustainable.

First of all, unnatural fibers like polyester, elastance, acrylic and nylon are made of plastic and plastic takes hundreds of years to dissolve. So when you go out to purchase some polyester yarn you are voting with your money and telling the factory to create more plastic yarn. Supply and demand.

Here is some information about natural yarn and how much water is used in production.
Cotton uses approx. 5-10.000 liters of water per 1 kilo of yarn. Wool takes 170.000 L per 1 kg.
For a reference, to produce 1 kg of wheat it takes 500-1.000 L of water, and 5.000-20.000 L of water to produce 1 kg of beef.

So even though unnatural fibers might use less water than natural, they also take several lifetimes to disappear again.

Look for organic, GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified yarn and choose yarn fibers that are the most environmentally friendly:

Tencel and most viscose fibers (link to yarn)
100 L of water per kilo, which is 20 times less than conventional cotton.
Bamboo (link to yarn)
3.000 L of water per 1 kg of yarn.
Hemp or jute (link to yarn)
2.000 and 1980 L per 1 kg of yarn.
Linen (link to yarn)
7.100 L per 1 kg of yarn.

Keri skirt and Florence top in cotton. Buy crochet pattern here>>

6 tips on how to become a sustainable crocheter

1. Download your PDF-file after purchasing a pattern. Save it to your phone or computer so you can access it without internet. The amount of CO2 emission that is produced by surfing on the internet is equivalent to all air traffic in the world.
   
2. Take your time with each product. Think about whether this is a design that you really love and can see yourself wearing for years.
   
3. Choose wisely when it comes to the yarn materials and use a hook (link to hook) that you find really fits in your hand so you won’t have to replace it.
   
4. Choose timeless designs, styles and colors that will never go out of style. This way you will be less likely to change out your sweater or summer top every year for something else.
   
5. Honor, think about and respect the process of you creating it as well as the workers who created the yarn and hook that you are using. This will also make you really appreciate the finished result. Many fast fashion brands have many seasons within each year, H&M for instance have 16 new collections each month. Make your own mini collection that you can see yourself wearing year after year.
   
6. Avoid washing your crochet too often, dry it flat, handwash it, avoid direct sunlight.
   
7. Gift crochet items to friends or family or give to secondhand shops if you no longer want to use it yourself. You can also do as I do and unravel the project to make something new. This way you can have many items using the same yarn.
   
8. Buy secondhand yarn instead of new yarn. Make sure to smell it before buying, as some yarn will have a foul smell that is hard to get rid off.

We can do many things to help the environment and create a more sustainable lifestyle, but it is also important to remember that it’s okay to not be perfect, being aware of how our consumption and shopping impacts the world is the first key to making a change. And even the smallest steps still matter.

Sustainable crochet projects you can make today:

Use yarn scraps to avoid waste:

Crochet produce bags or shoppers instead of using the plastic ones:

Make jute scrubbers for dishes and cleaning:

Crochet lipstick leaves and make a reusable, zero-waste, biodegradable lipstick:

Make crochet cloths and towels in cotton ot other natural fibers to avoid plastic in your drain – they also last longer than knitted cloths or cloths from the store.

and…

Create your own capsule crochet wardrobe:

Go for neutral and simple crochet clothes that you can use year after year and style in endless ways (also style up and down for everyday and special occasions). Here are some ideas for a capsule wardrobe with crochet clothes:

Spring/Summer

Autumn/Winter

MOST SUSTAINABLE YARNS (vegan)

Reduce your CO2-emissions and go for environmentally-friendly yarn materials and read about becoming a more sustainable crocheter here.

Tencel

This crochet dress is made in 100% tencel and it is really soft and slightly shiny. It is great for dresses and tops where you want to stand out.

Buy crochet pattern here>>

Bamboo

This crochet top is made in 100% bamboo. It has a more shiny look than cotton and does not absorb water like cotton, this makes it great for summer clothes where you want to be able to have your skin breathe through the clothes when it’s hot out. The skirt is made in regular cotton.

Buy crochet pattern here>>

Viscose

These crochet earrings made in 100% viscose have a beautiful shine and are very light weight. Viscose is made of wood fibers and is, like other natural fibers, biodegradable.

Buy crochet pattern here>>

Linen blend

The Marilyn Monroe cable sweater is made in a mix of viscose, cotton and linen. Find the yarn here. You can also try this alternative with 47% linen.

Get the free crochet pattern and learn how to crochet this cable sweater here >>

Hemp or jute

A scrubber for skin, vegetables or cleaning in 100% jute.

Buy crochet pattern here>

Linen & viscose blend

This crochet set has a great texture and look. There is something very natural looking about linen. There is also cotton and viscose in this yarn and there is a ton of beautiful colors to pick from. It is almost like you are looking at the actual plant fibers, when you look close to the yarn.

Buy crochet pattern here>

Bamboo

These crochet pants are made in bamboo and has a soft feel and shine to them. Super comfortable and breathable.

Buy crochet pattern here >>

MORE YARN

Learn how to crochet beautiful, simple and romantic clothes for women and girls

Here you’ll find all crochet patterns for crochet clothes and crochet accessories. Learn to crochet clothes for girls and women, such as dresses, bags, crochet sweaters, pants, shorts and skirts. Always make sure to measure the first row or round against your body – and stretch it – as the measurements and calculations given are only suggestions.
Explore the many timeless crochet designs made for simple people who want beautiful crochet clothes for everyday and party. Whether you are a seasoned crocheter or completely new, there are crochet patterns for you. So look around, get inspired and find your own self-love and confidence while crocheting something beautiful for yourself.

Crochet patterns for crochet tops and vests

Here you will find crochet tops – both a simple crochet strap top, a crochet top with a cowl neckline or a crochet vest. You will find both sleeveless crochet tops, crochet long-sleeved blouses and if you look under crochet sweaters you will also find crochet summer sweaters that can easily be used as a long-sleeved top.

Patterns for crocheted skirts and dresses

In this crochet category you will find, for example, a crochet wrap dress, a crochet bodycon dress, a crochet rock romantic dress or, for example, a crochet tunic for the beach or to wear over jeans. You will also find crochet skirts – both a pattern for a crochet beach skirt with unique crochet stitches, a tight-fitting crochet skirt in a rib pattern (crochet that looks like knitting) as well as a crochet mini skirt with elastic at the waist and a slit in the side.

Patterns for crocheted sweaters, jackets and cardigans

Here are both crocheted sweaters for summer and winter, crocheted striped sweaters (if you want to crochet a sweater in scrap yarn, for example), a crocheted chunky sweater that resembles a chunky knit, and light, crocheted sweaters with a lace pattern.

Crochet accessory patterns

Crochet accessories, for example, crochet for the home such as crochet dishcloths and crochet tea towels, a crochet plant hanger, learn to crochet a jute scrubber for cleaning in the home, a crochet net that can handle a lot of weight or a crochet tote bag or crochet task for the beach or city trip. You will also find a crochet pattern for a crochet hat – both with a wide brim and a crocheted bully hat. Learn to crochet socks in a super simple way and learn to crochet a mini scarf or, for example, a crocheted rose or crocheted earrings that look like leaves and flowers.

Patterns for crocheted shorts and pants

Whether you like crochet that looks like knitwear in the form of a pair of ribbed crochet shorts with an elastic waist, or a more romantic style such as crochet shorts with embroidered flowers, crochet biker shorts or crochet pants with a seashell pattern, there is something for you. With these simple crochet patterns you can learn how to crochet pants and shorts in any style and size.