When I first started crocheting with recycled yarns way back in 2018, there really wasn’t much choice. But I’m very happy to report that things have changed. There are now lots of recycled yarns available with more polyester and acrylic yarns being made from plastic waste products like bottles. So there are now plenty of yarns made from recycled plastic.
While reducing plastic production in the first place is still the ideal way to go, it is a huge step in the right direction to see more companies reusing existing plastic to create polyester and acrylic fibres. This isn’t just for yarn, I see it more and more in clothing on the High Street now too.
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This Earth day for 2024 is themed Planet Versus Plastics and so I wanted to write a blog post to help spread the word to other fibre artists that we have lots of sustainable yarn choices. There has recently been a few eco yarn newcomers that people may not know about. I never seem to see any big promotional campaigns launched promoting these new eco lines which is so disheartening. I’m sure if more of us knew about them we’d give them a try.
I’ve also noticed that recycled yarn lines are often discontinued after a few years, while that’s frustrating when it’s a good one, it is likely due to a combination of availability of materials and consumer popularity (or lack of). It brings it back to that issue mentioned above, if we don’t know about it, we aren’t going to buy it!
So I’ve written this post to share with you my current top 10 favourite yarns made from recycled plastic, and spread some good news that there are yarn companies trying to make a difference so that we can make a difference too in our crafty pursuits the next time we go yarn shopping.
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Top of the list is Lionbrand Basic Stitch Antimicrobial (In both Worsted weight #4 yarn and Thick & Quick Super Bulky #6 weight). While the product information is focussed on the Amicor content (35%) and it’s anti-bacterial/anti-odour and longevity properties, it is also made from 65% recycled polyester! Isn’t that absolutely fantastic? The colours are all gorgeous heathery tones and the uses for this yarn are just the same as your favourite worsted or aran weight yarn for making garments, blankets and baby items. This yarn should be easy to get, as it is widely available. Here are some places to buy it: directly from Lionbrand, Lovecrafts US and Lovecrafts UK.
This one is so super soft, I adore it! It’s Wendy Wools Knits Recycled, made from 100% recycled polyester from post consumer plastic bottles so this is really doing it’s bit to reduce plastic waste. The yarn is utterly gorgeous too. It’s a roving yarn that’s soft and silky and although a little trickier to work with than plied yarn it is absolutely worth it. It’s still pretty new to the market so may not be easily available outside the UK. Ask your local yarn store to stock it if you can’t get it delivered. Try Hobbycraft or Woolwarehouse in the UK, both stock it online and offer international delivery, You might want to read my review of this yarn too.
It’s another by Lionbrand! Re-Spun (In both Worsted weight #4 yarn and Thick & Quick #6 Super Bulky. This yarn is made from 100% recycled plastic waste! Its 100% polyester that feels just the same as soft acrylic. It is a workhorse stash staple, and does exactly what you’d expect from your favourite acrylic. It’s great value too and offers an excellent sustainable option over standard non-recycled acrylics. This has been on the market for a couple of years now and has finally found it’s way to the UK. You can get it directly from Lionbrand, and The Knitting Network in the UK.
Another of the “big” brands also has a worthy sustainable offering with Stylecraft Recreate 40% Wool 30% Acrylic 30% Polyester. It is made entirely from recycled materials, and the polyester comes from recycled bottles. A very commendable ecofriendly yarn effort and it comes in two different yarn thicknesses too, DK #3 and Chunky #5 weight. This a widely available yarn so should be easy to find. Online you’ll find it at Lovecrafts US and Lovecrafts UK as well as lots of other online stores.
I spotted this gorgeous yarn at Lovecrafts UK, Schachenmayer Denim Tweed is a Sport weight recycled cotton blend. The cotton portion is sourced from textile scraps from denim production, while the polyester comes from recycled PET bottles. Big thumbs up to German brand Schachenmayer who have a number of sustainable yarns in their MEZ Green series of recycled yarns. The colours look absolutely gorgeous on screen and perfect for warmer weather clothing. This is definitely on my must try list. Also available on Lovecrafts US.
Big yarn brand King Cole has it’s 100% recycled King Cole Forest as a super popular Aran #4 weight in a very pretty range of heathery tones. It’s composition is 35% Wool 20% Acrylic 20% Polyamide 25% Viscose with the polyamide coming from recycled plastic bottles. This one should be easily obtainable and is available in lots of online yarn shops including Lovecrafts US and Lovecrafts UK.
I had to include this new and unique recycled yarn, Berroco Seaspun. It is an aran #4 weight cotton blend with reclaimed plastic from the ocean, how amazing is that? It has a different look with a chainette construction and, according to the manufacturer, has a smooth-to-the-touch quality which gives the finished fabric a beautiful drape. Another one going on my want list! Obtainable from Lovecrafts US and Lovecrafts UK.
Whoa now here is an acrylic blend in a huge range of gorgeous colours that I just can’t get over. Scheepjes Scrumptious 50% Polyester 50% Acrylic is made from plastic bottles for the polyester content and boy is this an amazing range of colours for a recycled yarn. It is definitely the best range I have ever seen! It is described as “deliciously soft” so I will be adding this one to my stash for sure. It’s easily available online at Lovecrafts US and Lovecrafts UK and Woolwarehouse amongst others.
New to the recycled yarn market is Brava Recycle DK by Knit Picks/We Crochet. This 100% recycled acrylic yarn is made from reusing the scraps of acrylic (plastic) fibres from the production of their other yarns, a very responsible sustainable approach for dealing with waste from yarn production. The colours are all limited edition as may not be reproduceable in future batches, so the site advises to ensure you buy enough to complete your project. The colours are very pretty lightly heathered and for a fun touch of quirkiness they are all named after the beloved pets of Staff. How cute? It is already proving very popular with Knit Picks/We Crochet customers with several 5 star reviews. I love that crafters are embracing I have some on their way to me as I write this and can’t wait for my squishy parcel to arrive!
I just adore the look of this new 100% recycled DK yarn, Berroco Gaia in 70% Cotton 30% Polyester. The colours are so gorgeous, I’m seeing stunning lightweight clothing and shawls. It’s a bit on the pricey side but I think I might have to spurge to get my hands on some to try (Lovecrafts UK do currently have it on discount…). You can get it at Lovecrafts US and Lovecrafts UK and other online stores.
Aren’t they all just gorgeous? Who knew there were so many gorgeous yarns made from recycled plastic?!
For lots more recycled yarns see my post The Definitive (ish) List of Recycled Yarns
For eco yarn reviews see the page Eco Yarn Reviews