As crafters, each time we purchase a yarn, we are voting with our dollars to support the growth or destruction of the earth. By choosing yarns that support organic farming and processing, that are not cruel to the animals or the people who are involved in its creation, that use low-impact or no dyes, or have a low-carbon footprint we are helping to reduce the amount of damage done to the earth through the processing of yarn. With each eco-friendly yarn purchase, we’re encouraging yarn manufacturers to continue producing yarns in this manner, and we continue to help our earth. ~ Caterpillar Knits
Green, Organic, Natural. All three have been the biggest “buzzwords” of the last few years on how we can live healthy and have better lifestyles while taking care of our precious earth. Knitting has now found it’s way into this line of thinking by offering many new fibers to compliment our need not only to be more environmentally conscientious, but to be more attune to what we put next to our skin. Who wants to knit a gorgeous sweater and find out it is filled with toxic chemicals or dyes that will irritate or skin, or even more so, has harmed the earth during the growing or preparation of these fibers.
Organic cottons are now harvested without the use of agrichemicals and even wool is spun and processed in accordance with the Organic Trade Association’s Fiber Processing Standards. In their natural state, these organic fibers offer warm, earthy colors and some brands do provide a wider variety of colors, usually obtained from the use of natural dyes. Many of our favorite designers like Rowan, Plymouth and Debbie Bliss have jumped onto this band wagon and now offer many eco-friendly fibers to temp our palettes , some we are used to, like cotton or wool, but we have now be introduced to bamboo, shell-fish, soy and corn.
Knitwear designer Kristen TenDyke has launched Caterpiller Knits, a company dedicated to providing patterns that support eco-friendly yarns which are animal friendly, dye friendly, organic, and leave a low-carbon footprint.
With her fall 2010 line of patterns that she just released, Kristen features six gorgeous designs, in both crochet and knit, that will entice you to try eco-friendly yarns such as O’Wool, Manos del Uruguay, Quince & Co., Cascade Eco-Wool, and Plymouth’s Homestead. These designs include a scarf, a shawl, a top-down knitted raglan cardigan, a bottom up knitted pullover with a front lace stitched panel, crocheted hoodie and a crocheted hat.
Photos: Courtesy of Kristen TenDyke of Caterpillar Knits
Photographer: Carrie Bostick Hoge
I’ve had the fortune to review one of Kristen new designs, Kukui. Knitted in O’ Wool Balance (50% organic merino wool, 50% organic cotton), this pullover with an elegant lace panel, along with a lovely scoop neckline is perfect for end of summer or those chilly fall days. This pattern is available in bust sizes 33 1/4 to 54 1/4 (84.5 - 138 cm), will require 7 to 11 hanks of O’ Wool Balance or 850- 1440 yards in a comparable earth-friendly yarn, one pair each size US 5 and 6 (3.75 and 4 mm) and one 29″ circular needle size US 5 (3.75 mm). Instructions are both written and charted, and like all of Kristen’s patterns, very easy to read, easy to understand and easy to follow.
To celebrate the launch of her new website, Kristen is offering a pattern as a prize for a giveaway to my blog reader’s, which starts today and ends on Friday, September 3rd at 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.
Rules of this giveaway:
1. What way are you trying to help our earth?
2. What is your favorite eco-friendly yarn?
3. What is your favorite pattern listed on Caterpillar Knits (the winner will receive the pattern they favor) ?
You can find Caterpillar Knits online at FaceBook, Twitter and Raverly!
Kristen TenDyke, knit and crochet designer, holds a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her designs can be found in various well-known publications such as Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, Interweave Crochet, Knit Simple and in many of Classic Elite’s pattern collections.
For those of you interested, here’s a list of a few companies that offer eco-friendly yarns :
You can also find eco-friendly yarns online at Crafts In Bloom, The Hardy Supply Co., The Water Farms, Marr Haven Wool Farm, Green Sheep Shop, One Planet Yarns, Eco-Butterfly, Nature Song Yarn and the Yarn Market.
If your LYS does not carry any of these brands, urge them to do so. Knit and crochet for a better world today!
I just replaced all the bulbs in my house the energy-saving bulbs! Haven’t actually tried any organic yarn. The concept is new to me, but I’m looking into buying some Malabrigo Cotton. Loved the raglan top-down cardigan- Waipi’o. Her pattern names are quite interesting!
I use only cloth diapers for my newborn
O-wool classic is one of my favorite yarns for knitting wool longies that I sell. Love the Petrel shawl 
Thanks! This is super fun!!!
I buy 90% of my clothes second hand, don’t drive, don’t eat meat and am experimenting with more cooking and gardening, including two HUGE pots of apple sauce last weekend
There was a sale at my LYS lately so I finally got my hangs on some GReen Mountain Spinnery Mountain Mohair, and CAscade Eco wool is also a favourite (made ysolda teague’s Liesl from less than one skein). I love, love, love Anthurium though I will need to crack down on my crochet skills. nice work all!
1. I’m trying to help our earth by eating local produce when possible, by growing my own produce, by reducing energy useage and by making my family’s clothing.
2. My favourite eco-friendly yarn was a Merino handspun that I washed (water went on compost heap), combed and then spun myself. It was locally grown by well treated sheep.
3. My favourite pattern is Anthurium, I haven’t done much crochet but that looks nice and snuggly.
Well, we are as green as we can be for the area in which we live. We compost all of our organic waste. We recycle (paper, plastic, aluminum), we have downspout barrels for watering the yard & plants, we have a huge garden done organically (no pesticides), I knit with recycled yarns, handspun (mine) and hand-dye my own yarn collections, we limit our use of heat/air via pre-sets on the thermostat and the use ceiling fans, all lighting fixtures are energy-efficient, my blog is carbon-neutral and supports electricity via wind machines … We try to be green around here.
My favorite organic yarn is the alpaca/soy silk that I spin for my own self, which is lovely on its own or with a little boost from organic dyes like beet and coffee grounds. The alpaca comes from local farms, and I clean, card, and spin it myself with undyed soy silk. Softest handspun on the planet!
My favorite pattern at Caterpillar Knits is the Waipi’o. On a top-down kick right now.
ok, what do we do to try to help the earth?
we recycle, we don’t eat out, we reuse as much as possible, if close does not fit anymore or is torn, it will become something new. We have an electric lawnmower.
Lights are off and doors are closed if no body is in the room. Trying to limit our driving as much as possible, don’t use plastic bags. we have a veggie garden (if the plants don’t get eaten), our light bulbs are engery efficient, use 7th Generation products, not many though, because alot you can get clean with water and vinegar…..oh, and I use the Diva cup, most of the times.
2. I am waiting for some angora yarn from a friend who has some angora bunnies.
3. and my favorite pattern would be Kukui.
Thank you!
I am learning new ways to be green everyday. I am a vegetarian, I have a 4 season garden, an indoor herb garden. We recycle, and compost. We only use energy saver bulbs.
I love to recycle yarn from sweaters I get from the Good Will.
The only eco friendly yarn I’ve worked with so far has been the Merino handspun and my favorite pattern is Anthurium!
1. I am a clothdiapering mama. I take my own bags when I shop. I buy my produce and dairy from a small farmer down the road. Little things like that are my contribution.
2. I don’t know if I have used any eco-friendly yarn. That hasn’t ever really been a priority for me, I guess, and therefore I haven’t looked for it. I still have so much to learn.
3. Kukui is so beautiful!
1. We’re trying to be more self-sufficient. Growing our own food, raising chickens. I try and supplement what we grow with buying from farmer’s markets. This winter we’re expecting our first child and are planning to use cloth diapers.
2. The only eco-friendly yarn I’m familiar with is Bernat Bamboo. It is SO soft!!
3. Anthurium is my favorite.
1. I carpool to work everyday. We try to consolidate errands into one big trip. I’m big on re-using things, especially paper at work. I constantly police the garbage cans and grab out recyclables. We grow vegetables in the summer and share with our neighbors. I love thrift store shopping and watching the curbs on garbage days. Freecycling is a new hobby.
2. I have tried the Caron Simply Soft Eco. I have two sweaters from a thrift store that I got on clearance for just $1.50 each – I’m looking forward to using that wool for some winter projects.
3. I am completely and madly in love with the Anthurium crochet hoodie!
Thank you for the chance
1. Carpooling, bringing bags to the supermarket, recycling, wearing handknitted socks and a sweater in the winter to use less heat.
2. I like Blue Sky Alpacas, their Organic yarn is great for baby knits.
3. I love the Kukui pullover!
I compost all possible vegetable material, recycle with a vengeance, and buy local produce.
My favorite eco friendly yarn is Rowan, though whe I can I buy from local producers.
I love the patterns. At this moment my favorite one is Waipi’o, but the shawl is beautiful, as well.
Thanks for offering this contest.