Vegan choices for crafters within knitting and crochet can be difficult to find, but there are options out there for vegan fibre artists. I interviewed some vegan knitte
When you think of knitting or crochet do you imagine a warm merino wool scarf, a soft angora sweater, or a luxurious silk tank top? For vegans, however, these fibres aren't an option. They've made the lifestyle choice of not only taking meat out of their diet, but also not using any animal by-products, including yarns that are animal-based. So what options are there for the vegan fibre artists, and what roadblocks are they faced with?
There are a plethora of plant yarns that make exceptional choices for vegans, some are old classics like cotton or acrylic, others are far more exotic and not widely known, like soy silk, banana silk, and pineapple. There is a wide range of non-animal based fibres available for those wishing not to use them, however they can be expensive and difficult to find. Cotton is by far the easiest to acquire, but some have found it difficult to find cotton not blended with animal fibres to help it retain elasticity. Other problems are economical; while some wool can be expensive, it's easier to find animal fibres at a discount. Compare a skein of merino wool from a retailer for $2.99 USD to the same yardage of a bamboo or soy silk skein that ranges in price from $10-15 (and up) USD.
Economical considerations aside, this industry is an animal-fuelled one. Traditionally the crafts began with wools - most manufacturers still primarily produce animal fibre yarns, and designers primarily design for animal fibre yarns, making substitutions difficult for vegans. Linen and cotton react differently than wool, and the pattern will have to be changed accordingly to help the garment retain fit. Finding a plant-based yarn with similar elasticity to an animal one seems to be a difficult part of the knitting or crocheting vegan, as most plant fibres drape more heavily than animal fibres.
I posed a question to some vegans, asking if they would be willing to use an animal fibre if the supplier treated their animals with respect and care. For some, it is a possibility - Laura Sylvis states "If I knew the animal and knew it were treated well and the people shearing it are getting fair money for their work, etc. I might work with the wool." However, Emily Durrant says "[I wouldn't use them], even if a farm treats the animals humanely... I feel that it would compromise my ethics to do so." Elena C states "...I have expanded the wool I use to local sources or humane rescue sources. If the seller knows the sheep personally and can verify their care, I'm okay with it."
Veganism is a personal choice, one based in the individual ethics of the person. There are options for vegans who choose to use no animal fibres regardless of the treatment of the animal, and there are others who will use recycled or verified humane wools. While it can be difficult for a vegan to work in a craft rooted in animal fibres, there are lots of options out there. I have included a list of vegan-friendly yarns, some links for more information, plus some resources one might go to for economical vegan yarn options.
Vegan Yarns
Cotton
Linen or Flax - One of the oldest fibres first used by humans
Hemp - Made from the cannabis plant
Bamboo - Processed fibres from bamboo stalks
Soysilk - Made from the leftover of the tofu making process
Banana Silk - Spun from the abaca plant
Synthetic Plant fibres - Rayon, Viscose and Modal are plant fibres that have gone through a chemical process
Synthetics - nylon, polyester, acrylic - "petro-based" yarns with a base of petroleum
Resources
Fake Sheep: A Vegan Knitting Website
Ebay - a great place to find cheap yarn
Peace Silk - a method of acquiring silk that doesn't kill the worm
A special thank you to Emily, Laura, Corrina, and Elena for answering my questions.
© Kelly Gilliam, text and images, 2006. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
