Are you an eco-friendly consumer looking for green materials to craft with?
Maybe yarn is your go-to material. But have you ever paused to ask, "Is yarn recyclable"?
In this article, I look into whether or not you can recycle yarn and discuss other factors involved in ensuring your crafting isn't detrimental to the planet.
From understanding how best to recycle yarn to cute upcycling projects, this article will give you an insight into what you need to know when choosing your next green crafts session.
Contents
Yarn is a natural or synthetic material made up of fibers or strands twisted together to form a continuous length.
It's often used for knitting, crocheting, and weaving fabrics for clothing, blankets, bedding, and home decor items (such as carpets and rugs).
You can make yarn from many materials, such as wool, cotton, acrylic, and even bamboo.
The thickness of yarn also varies depending on its material and how tightly it's twisted. This is known as the yarn weight.
The yarn weight will determine the size of needles and hooks you use when knitting or crocheting.
Generally, thicker yarns require larger needles/hooks, while thinner yarns require smaller ones.
Yes, you can recycle yarn…sort of!
Depending on the materials used to make your yarn, some recycling centers might take it and recycle it. However, check with your local center before tossing your unwanted yarn into your curbside recycling bin.
Several fashion brands make upcycled clothing from discarded yarn, which proves it can be reused on a commercial scale. And you can do the same at home.
Mrs. M is a keen knitter (the skill has been passed down through generations), and she recycles her yarn to be used repeatedly.
If you master this skill, you'll never have to worry about how to dispose of yarn again. Saving you money along the way. Win-win!
Unpick the strands of the old yarn garment you want to recycle until you have one (or multiple) long strands of yarn.
If you're recycling an old ball of yarn, simply unwind it until you have one long stand.
Cut your recycled yarn into pieces approximately 6" long.
Your yarn will have been made up of multiple single stands of fiber twisted together.
You now need to pull these single stands apart from the yarn, so they're single again.
Grab a hairbrush (Mrs. M used one of Millie's old dog brushes) and keep brushing the freshly separated strands of fiber until they resemble soft, well-brushed hair.
Some fibers might get stuck in the brush. Don't worry. Just pull them out and place them on a flat surface along with the other thoroughly brushed fibers (or brush them a bit more if required).
Keep going until you have a good amount of brushed fibers lying on the flat surface (Mrs. M likes to have three handfuls piled up next to each other).
A Rolag is just a long sausage of rolled fiber used to spin new yarn.
To create your rolag, simply tightly roll the three handfuls of brushed fiber away from you to form a long and relatively tightly packed sausage.
The whole process of making your rolag is straightforward but challenging to explain fully in words.
There are lots of YouTube videos that will help put my words into pictures for you.
This one from Looming Crafty Fiber Arts sums it up quite nicely.
Now you have a rolag, you can start spinning new yarn.
This is done on a spindle or a wheel if you have one available.
If not, there are lots of online tutorials that will provide guidance and help get you started.
I'm afraid this is a bit of a yes/no answer.
When yarn is made from 100% natural materials (with no toxic dyes or other additives), then there is no reason why you can't add small amounts to your home compost heap.
However, I wouldn't overload the heap with yarn.
Also, it's best to cut it into small pieces to give the microorganisms in your compost heap the best chance to break down the yarn.
If your yarn has been made with synthetic materials that aren't biodegradable (such as nylon, acrylic, and polyester), it's best to keep it away from your compost.
It will eventually break down but will likely pollute your compost and even kill off the microorganisms altogether.
Most yarn will eventually break down under the right conditions, so it is technically biodegradable.
However, issues arise from how long it takes (potentially hundreds of years if it contains plastic materials) and what toxins are left behind and leached into the ground.
So, the same answer applies here as with composing. 100% natural yarns will biodegrade safely, but synthetic yarns will cause issues.
Making pom-poms with yarn is a fun and creative way to use recycled or scrap yarn.
It's also an excellent way to pass the time with children (our girls used to love making pom-poms when they were younger).
All you need is some yarn, a fork, and scissors.
Start by tightly wrapping yarn around your fork at least 20 times (the more times, the bigger the pom-pom), making sure there is space left on the top and bottom of the prongs.
Then thread a piece of yarn through the center to securely tie off your pom-pom.
Once you have tied it off, slide all the loops off the prongs and cut them evenly to create an even pom-pom shape.
Finally, fluff and trim as needed.
Weave a rug or wall hanging from leftover yarn.
Simply wrap the yarn around the frame of your loom and start weaving it over and under to create an interesting pattern.
You can use yarn to decorate just about anything.
Make a design or pattern from yarn and glue it onto your chosen item for an instant upgrade.
This is a great way to give old items a new lease on life, and can be a nice way to complement your ethical artwork.
Give yourself a new winter look by crocheting or knitting a fashionable hat, scarf, or mittens with old yarn.
Use leftover yarn scraps to make bespoke jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
Donate your old yarn to a charity that can use them to make items for sale.
Many charities accept donations of wool and yarn, so check out local ones in your area that could use the help.
Turn your extra yarn into little pocket sachets.
Then, fill them with your favorite herbs and spices and add some frayed yarn for a decorative touch.
Create teddy bears, cats, and dogs from scrap yarn.
You can make adorable little creatures with just a few simple tools like needles, scissors, and stuffing.
If you don't have the budget to buy a new non-toxic dog bed for your four-legged friend, why not make one?
Weave or knit two large rectangles out of yarn. Sew up three sides. Stuff with eco-friendly stuffing materials (an old organic woolen duvet or pillows work well). Then sew up the remaining side.
Crochet a colorful afghan or blanket to stay warm in the colder months.
Make coasters and placemats as part of a homemade dinnerware setting.
Move your crafty expertise away from the table and make knitted dishcloths and oven mitts for use in the kitchen.
Use extra yarn leftovers to craft festive holiday decorations, such as wreaths, garlands, and ornaments.
Make a planter hanger with colorful yarn scraps and spare repurposed plant pots.
This is an easy and fun way to add a bright touch of color to any room in your home.
Both yarn and wool have become a bit muddled, and people often use them to mean the same thing. Yarn is a generic term for any type of thread or fiber used in knitting, weaving, and other textile crafts.
Wool, on the other hand, refers specifically to the hair of certain animals (usually sheep), which has been spun into fibers for use in yarn.
Compared to other types of yarns, such as cotton or acrylic yarns, wool yarns are much warmer and more insulating due to their structure and natural oils.
Wool is also naturally flame-retardant and water-resistant, making it ideal for garments that need extra protection against the elements.
The most important thing is to make sure that you use only cold water. Heat can cause acrylic fibers to break down over time and cause colors to fade or run.
So, can you recycle yarn?
Yes, but don't assume you can toss it in with the rest of your standard recycling materials.
Yarn recycling is one where you can take the lead and recycle it yourself.
With a bit of creativity and imagination, you can upcycle your leftover yarns into colorful crafts and decorations.
From cozy afghans to decorative jewelry, the possibilities are endless.
So grab those scissors, needles, and hooks, and get creative with your extra yarn today…happy crafting!
If you need some more inspiration, check out the recycled clothing companies that are creating amazing designs with discarded yarn and other materials already.
Are you an acrylic yarn fan? Or do you prefer more sustainable yarn materials and natural fibers (such as wool yarn)? Do you reuse and recycle yarn? Do you have any unique ways to recycle yarn I've not covered? Drop me a line and let me know.
