With the goal of fleshing out my me-made wardrobe with cosy garments, I’ve taken up knitting. However, even at this beginner stage, I really want to make more sustainable and ethical choices. In this episode, knitting expert and previous-guest Saskia de Feijter metaphorically holds my hand and talks me through what to look for when selecting yarn for my next project. Saskia tells me about how fibre type and location can be an indicator of animal welfare, how the weight and yarn structure affect the suitability for a particular pattern, and how ply affects longevity of a knitted garment. She was also kind enough to answer questions posed by my colleague Phoebe about deadstock yarn, best practices for caring for your handknits, reusable products you can knit for the home and yarn scrap busting ideas in a segment we’re calling ‘Phoebe Asks’!
Support the podcast over on Patreon!
Find out more about Saskia, her business ‘Ja, Wol’, her knitting community, business mentoring AND podcast!
Listen to my first conversation with Saskia for the podcast in Episode 48: How to Knit More Sustainably with Saskia de Feijter.
The knitting community database where I hunted for patterns is Ravelry.
‘Let’s Boogie’ Cardigan by A Honey Knits is the pattern I’ve chosen to make next.
image source: A Honey Knits
Saskia recommends the Craft Council Standard Yarn Weight System for guidance.
Check out Bart & Francis for deadstock yarns.
#135: How to Triage your Mends with Jeanna Wigger
#134: You Can Mend Clothes
#133: Mending in Public
#132: A season of mending with Jeanna Wigger
#131: Self-Drafting for Fitting Success with Elisalex Jewell
#130: Zoe & Kim go to The Stitch Festival
#129: How to Sew Clothes From Fabric Scraps
#128: Scrap Strategies, Part 2
#127: Scrap Strategies, Part 1
#126: Sew the Precious with Stephanie Canada
#125: Vintage Sewing Not Vintage Values with Stephanie Canada
#124: Fearless Sewing with Tony Rea
#123: Sewing When Your Wardrobe is Full
#122: Zero Waste Sewing for Kids with Liz Elliott
#121: Creative and Resourceful Sewing with Judy Williment-Ross
#120: How to care for your sewing machine with Bizz McKilligan
#119: Seasonal Stash Organisation
#118: Last Sewist Standing with Lise Bauer
#117: Fabric Goals for 2024
#116: Improv Scrap Play with Sherri Lynn Wood
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