Overconsumption as a Creator
Trying to answer the eternal question - can I do better or is it just climate anxiety?
Last year, Sandi Rosner (A Good Yarn) wrote an article comparing two yarns. As a response, I spent a lot of time researching the yarn for my next project, which I posted here. Since then, yarn choice, overconsumption, and our environmental impact as crafters has been on my mind.
Making my own clothes, it is all too easy to tell myself that I am already being as environmentally conscious as possible. A garment that I make myself will have taken more time and be looked after and loved for years. So yes, while home-made garments are better than many store-bought alternatives in terms of their environmental impact, crafters are not completely innocent when it comes to overconsumption and the environment.
First things first
I always live by the fact that the most environmentally friendly thing you can use is the thing you already own. So I’m absolutely not advocating for anyone to get rid of their stash to replace it with hyper-environmentally friendly yarns.
Also, I want to acknowledge that of course, consumers are not REALLY the issue when it comes to sustainability. However, consumers do have the power to change what is considered in demand. This shift has been seen in so many ways over recent years, and I think it is a bit naïve to believe that a consumer is powerless to help the environment.
Furthermore, there is a large privilege that comes with being able to spend time and money to ensure that the yarn you purchase is environmentally friendly. I don’t think that anyone who doesn’t have this privilege should at all feel guilty.
The privilege of research
Personally, I have the privilege of time and energy with which to research. I also have the privilege of spending slightly more money on yarn for about 70% of my yarn purchases. Therefore, I feel a sense of obligation to direct my attention and capital to more ethical yarn choices.
In an ideal world, in which of course we are not living, a consumerist direction toward more environmentally-friendly yarns will slowly ensure they become more widely available and more affordable for the average crafter. This can be seen in things such as food packaging, where more and more food on the grocery store shelves are being sold in entirely recyclable packaging as consumers become more aware of their personal environmental impact.
The impact of the local yarn store
In this venture, I think it’s incredibly important to build a sense of community. One of my local yarn stores is good at highlighting the impact of the yarn that they sell. So, I use their expertise to make my own informed decisions.
If you have a good relationship with your local yarn store, don’t hesitate to ask them if they know a bit more (or can help you find out a bit more) about the environmental impact of the yarn they sell. For example, asking a simple question of “do you know if this yarn is processed close to where it is grown?” or “do you know what kind of dye is used and how the producer ensures that it doesn’t impact the water ways?” can get important conversations started.
Anecdotally, people who are spending months making a garment understand the importance of slow fashion and the negative environmental impacts of fast fashion. I believe that, where they have the financial ability to do so, many crafters would choose a more eco-friendly option should it be available and should they be correctly informed. Local yarn stores are at the front of this change.
Some practical tips for reducing your overconsumption
Choose projects that use a fine gauge, if you can and have the patience. It takes longer to make one garment.
Don’t be afraid to use “knitting time” as yarn/project research time.
Choose a garment that you will wear and love, that will ADD to your wardrobe. (Maybe even aim to choose garments that will allow you to finally wear some forgotten items in your wardrobe, like a cardigan that’s colour matches those crazy pants you bought and couldn’t find a matching top for).
Be okay with frogging to get the perfect fit. Not only do you get more knitting time, but you are also ensuring that you are creating a garment that you will love and wear. Plus, the yarn will not go to waste.
Connect with a community. Finding a yarn community will usually have some benefits like yarn swaps, or garment donation/selling. Therefore, you can purchase less yarn, discard less garments, but still knit a lot. Plus, you will probably get a lot of extra tips from your fellow knitters.
A Final Reminder
In all of this remember: you are not perfect and you do not need to be. Climate anxiety is real and knitting shouldn’t increase your climate anxiety. Be okay with doing the best you can. If you’re trying, you’re doing a good job. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses.
Thank you for reading. Please let me know how you feel about overconsumption from a maker’s perspective. This is just the first article I’ll post about this topic and I want to gain further knowledge from this amazing crafting community.
Until next time,
Jane
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Such great points, thank you. This is something that has been on my mind a lot recently and especially when I was at a recent yarn show.
Obviously I want to support fellow small businesses but I already own more project bags and stitch markers than I can possibly use and I am trying to be much more mindful of the 'stuff' I bring into the house - knowing how much yarn I already own and still am yet to use. It feels like a constant battle.
Thank you, Jane, for spreading the message about the environmental impact of our craft. Awareness is the first step to making mindful, informed yarn purchases. And those purchases support and encourage thoughtful, ethical yarn manufacturing.