Unravelled and Renewed: A Guide to Recycled Yarns for Eco-Conscious Crafters

In recent years, the world of crafting has begun to intertwine more deeply with sustainability. As more people look to make environmentally conscious choices in all areas of life from what they eat to what they wear, makers and fibre artists are also looking more closely at the materials they use.

Among the most exciting developments in the yarn world is the rise of recycled yarns: fibres that have been reclaimed, reprocessed and given a second life.

Whether you're a seasoned knitter, a new crocheter or a curious weaver, embracing recycled yarns is a creative way to care for the planet without sacrificing beauty, texture or versatility in your work.

What Is Recycled Yarn?

Recycled yarn is made from existing textile fibres that have been reclaimed from either pre-consumer or post-consumer sources.

• Pre-consumer waste refers to material left over from manufacturing processes. Think fabric off-cuts, spinning waste, or unused stock.

• Post-consumer waste, on the other hand, is made up of used clothing and other textile products that have been collected, cleaned and processed into usable fibre again.

These fibres are broken down (either mechanically or chemically, depending on the material) and then spun into new yarns, often blended with other fibres to improve strength, softness or durability.

Recycled yarns come in a wide range of compositions - recycled cotton, recycled wool, recycled denim, recycled PET plastic and even blends made with upcycled banana or sugarcane fibres. Each brings its own set of characteristics, benefits and quirks.

How Recycled Yarn Is Made

Creating recycled yarn is a detailed and thoughtful process. While the steps can vary depending on the fibre source, the general process follows these stages:

1. Collection

Fibre producers collect textile waste from mills, clothing manufacturers, recycling facilities or second-hand garments. Some materials, such as denim jeans or PET plastic bottles, are gathered specifically for their fibre potential.

2. Sorting and Cleaning

The materials are sorted by fibre type and colour. Sorting by colour reduces the need for dyeing, which in turn saves water and reduces chemical use. The materials are then thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt, dyes or residues.

3. Processing

• For natural fibres like cotton or wool, the textiles are mechanically shredded into fibre. This process shortens the fibre length, which is why recycled yarns are sometimes blended with longer-staple fibres for strength.

• For synthetic materials, such as PET plastic, the process may involve melting down and extruding the material into new filaments, which are then spun into yarn.

4. Spinning

The cleaned and processed fibres are carded and spun into yarn. This may be done using traditional spinning methods or modern machinery depending on the fibre type and scale of production.

The end result is a skein of yarn that carries with it a story of transformation, one that’s not only beautiful but impactful.

Why Choose Recycled Yarn?

There are many reasons to embrace recycled yarns, from environmental to social to creative.

Let’s explore some of the key benefits:

Environmental Impact

• Reduces textile waste: The fashion and textile industries generate millions of tonnes of waste each year. Recycling keeps this waste out of landfills and gives it new purpose.

• Saves water and energy: Producing virgin cotton, for instance, is incredibly water-intensive. Recycling cotton uses far less water and often skips the dyeing stage, conserving even more resources.

• Lowers carbon footprint: Reprocessing existing fibres uses significantly less energy than growing, harvesting and processing virgin materials.

Social Responsibility

Many recycled yarns are produced by companies committed to fair labour practices, community empowerment and ethical supply chains. Some even support social enterprises or women’s cooperatives in developing regions, helping to create positive ripple effects beyond sustainability.

Creative Potential

Recycled yarns often have unique textures and tonal variations that add richness and depth to your projects. Some yarns are speckled with flecks from their former life, like denim yarns that retain the natural variation of the jeans they once were, giving every ball or skein a story of its own.

What to Keep in Mind When Using Recycled Yarn

Recycled yarns can be incredibly rewarding to work with, but they do come with a few considerations to keep in mind when planning your projects.

1. Texture and Fibre Length

Since recycled fibres tend to be shorter, the texture can feel slightly different to that of virgin fibres. Some recycled yarns may feel slightly more rustic or have a looser ply. If you're used to ultra-smooth, tightly-spun yarns, take a moment to swatch and see how the yarn behaves on your needles or hook.

2. Swatching Is Key

With any new yarn, especially one with a unique fibre blend or construction, it’s a good idea to swatch before starting your project. This helps ensure your gauge is accurate and that the fabric drapes the way you want it to. This is especially important if you’re substituting recycled yarn into an existing pattern written for a traditional fibre.

3. Ideal Uses

Because recycled yarns come in a wide range of weights and textures, they can be used for just about any project - from accessories and garments to homewares and baby items.

• Recycled denim yarns are perfect for durable home décor, bags or modern garments.

• Recycled cottons and blends are great for summer garments, face cloths and accessories.

• Recycled synthetics, like those made from PET bottles, can be surprisingly soft and strong - ideal for hats, home décor, market bags and sporty projects.

Why Recycled Yarns Are Perfect for Mindful Makers

For many of us, yarn crafts aren’t just about the finished product; they’re about the process. They’re about slowing down, engaging our hands, quieting our minds and creating something meaningful. Recycled yarns take that mindfulness one step further.

When you choose recycled yarn, you’re embracing materials that were given a second life. You’re participating in a cycle of reuse, respecting the energy that went into making the original fibres and reducing demand for new resource extraction. You’re also celebrating the imperfections - the flecks of colour, the slightly slubby textures, the way no two skeins are ever quite the same.

In a world that often pushes for more, faster and newer, recycled yarns are a gentle reminder that what already exists can still be beautiful, useful and deeply valuable.

And beyond the environmental benefits, choosing recycled yarns allows us to align our crafting with our values. It’s a small act of resistance against wastefulness and a powerful gesture of care for the earth, for others and for the generations of makers still to come.

The growing availability and variety of recycled yarns is a hopeful sign for the future of fibre arts. As more crafters make conscious choices, the industry continues to evolve, offering sustainable alternatives that don’t compromise on beauty, function or joy.

If you haven’t tried recycled yarn yet, consider making your next project an eco-friendly one. Whether it’s a top made from recycled cotton, a scarf woven from upcycled denim or a statement tote from repurposed fibres, every stitch becomes part of a larger story, one where creativity meets responsibility.

Check out our range of recycled yarns to discover your next project!