This is an ongoing list of ways in which we crocheters and knitters can use our art and skills to promote sustainable living, because face it, we’re a creative bunch, if anyone could save the planet, it would be us. One tangled mess at time of course.
Send fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate in your swap/secret pal packages, or have a supply/yarn swap instead of trading gifts.
Ask your LYS owner to try out some of the new eco-friendly fibers if they don’t carry any already.
Share your passion – teach somebody to crochet or knit!
Make gifts from your stash instead of rushing to the department store.
Support eco-friendly crafters instead of buying mass-produced junk. I’ve found wonderful things at local art and craft fairs or boutiques, which is great because I’m supporting local artists, too, often women. My favorite place for this type of thing online is Etsy.
Shop with reusable bags, made by you of course. There are tons of patterns out there, for starters check out this crochet market bag, or this knitted mesh bag. I also have a crochet one here. Or if you’re that good, create you own.
Learn more about sustainable living here, here and here.
Trade the pattern books and magazines you don’t use anymore at exchanges like bookins, or send them into the wild with Bookcrossing, or better yet, share the wealth by donating them to your local library, where everyone can have access to them including you.
Get your creativity going and make something fresh, funky and functional from unused fabric, yarn, clothing, plastic bags, whatever. Here are just a few of the tons of places to look for inspiration: badbad magpie’s recycled bag rug, handmade girl’s t-shirt rug, Goosey’s Plastic Bag Yarn tutorial, Annette Petavy’s tips for not wasting yarn, (the whole current issue of Crochetme is about sustainability, actually) Kristi’s Surf & Turf recycled skirt, Bestriska’s recycled sweater purses, Maddy Spadola’s knitting with fabric strips tutorial, and Lauren’s Sack Dress Sack.
Shop second had for supplies and tools – yard sales, thrift shops, online auctions. It’s easier on the earth and the wallet than buying new, plus bargain hunting is just plain fun, especially if you take a friend and make a whole day of it, hit the farmer’s market while you’re out, etc. and with so many fundraiser-sponsored rummage sales around, many times you can help out a good cause as well as get what you need.
Swap supplies or get rid of yarn from your stash at Freecycle or start an Earth Day yarn swap online or at your LYS and not only declutter but meet like-minded folks.
Host your crochet/knit group at a local coffee shop (one that brews fair trade beans would be even better!) instead of that big chain with the deceptively cute mermaid logo - you know who I’m talking about.
Carpool to your crochet/knit group and save on gas…or bike or walk.
Take it outdoors! To the backyard BBQ, your balcony or deck, the park, the hiking trail, campground, your kid’s soccer practice, the street cafe, the beach or poolside. Have an Earth Day edition of your local knit/crochet group at a favorite outdoor spot and watch the sunset while you chill out and share your craft.
