Compassionate Crafters Unite!

Starting a kind of arts and crafts revolution a growing legion of do-it-yourself crafters is taking the modern world by storm. Ultra hip and affordable craft projects, patterns and supplies, kitschy and clever craft books and a growing desire for unique alternatives to mass-produced goods, have inspired more and more people to partake in "domestic" activities of the past and make them their very own. Becoming vessels for individual creativity and spirit, everything from embroidery to paper crafts have now become an obsession that transcends age and gender.

Some of the most popular of the traditional crafts "gone wild" are knitting and crocheting. This newly emerged "fiber arts fever" is evidenced by the sheer number of trendy "how-to" and pattern books, fashionable monthly magazines, chic yarn shops, meet-up groups and classes, and even whole discussion boards devoted to yarn lovers. As exciting as this crafty revival is, knitting in particular also has a long history of being animal-based, and many new and longtime artists continue to use wool from sheep, goats, rabbits, and other animals to make their goods.

Fortunately, cruelty-free fibers have also begun to gain popularity and are increasingly admired for their superior qualities. And with a little ingenuity, these fibers can be used as a substitute for animal-based yarn in most patterns. Best of all, these alternative fibers also allow vegetarians to do their part to change the face of traditional crafting by refusing to exploit innocent animals and educating others about ethical alternatives. So, if there's a pair of socks or a doggie poncho you always wanted to make, check out the information below, grab your hooks and needles and let your handcrafted, veg flag fly!

Cruelty-Free Fibers
Plant-based fibers and synthetics are as varied as the diverse group of people who work with them. Whether you are a beginner or an old hand, you can find the exact type of fiber you need to get the results you want. From the basic to the more exotic, below is a list of some of the yarn fiber types you can find:

Bamboo is an eco-friendly fiber made from the pulp of the bamboo plant and is very permeable, soft and silky.

Banana Silk is a high-quality, sustainable fiber made from banana stalks and is often exquisitely soft and very yielding.

Cotton is one of the most easily found animal-free fibers and is available in earth-friendly organic and recycled varieties.

Hemp is a versatile, durable and sustainable fiber made from the cannabis plant.

Ingeo, or corn silk, is a cutting-edge, wrinkle and stain resistant fiber made from cornstarch.

Linen, made from flax stalks, is one of the oldest fibers used by humankind.

Rayon, manufactured from plant cellulose, is a very versatile fiber that can be used to imitate silk or wool and can be found in recycled and natural varieties.

Soy Silk is very lustrous, warm and durable and is made from the pure soybean fiber that's leftover from the tofu-making process.

Synthetics, made from various man-made materials, are widely available and often used to make all kinds of unique "novelty" yarns. Common varieties include acrylic (often used as a wool alternative), nylon and polyester.

Tencel is an earth-friendly material made from the cellulose in wood pulp and can be used to make delicate, silky garments.

Ethical Yarn
Purely vegetarian yarn varies in availability, quality and price range. Cotton, rayon, linen, and synthetics are some of the easiest yarn types to find, but yarns types like banana silk, soy silk and bamboo may take a little more search time. The online vendors below are convenient places to order many the ethical yarns of your dreams. (Please note: none of these vendors are solely veg, so double-check content listings to ensure that you are getting the products you want.)

Artspun
Offers yarn varieties made from 100 percent hemp and bamboo.

Earth-Friendly Yarns
Offers yarns made from corn, soy, bamboo, and more.

Elann
Offers a huge selection of rayon, nylon, acrylic, cotton, and polyester yarns.

Got Yarn
Offers yarn made from cotton, bamboo, rayon, tencel, and more at discount prices.

Knit Picks
Lets you search for 100 percent cotton or synthetic yarns, and all results are accompanied by recommended projects.

Midnight Sky Fibers
Devotes an entire web page to handmade, hand-dyed vegetarian yarns.

Motomo Hand-Dyed Yarns
Offers limited edition, hand-dyed and handspun yarns made from a variety of plant and synthetic fibers.

One Fine Yarn
Offers discounted yarns, some of which are veg, and lets you search by type.

PurlSoho
Offers yarn made from bamboo, cotton, hemp, linen, microfiber, nylon, soy, and tencil.

Smiley's Yarns
Offers lots of synthetic and cotton fiber yarns at incredibly cheap prices.

YarnXpress
Offers novelty yarns at discounted prices, and allows you to search by type.

Ethical Embellishments
Looking for veg-friendly materials to further beautify your crafty creations? Perhaps you'd like to add some "fur" trim to a pair of mittens or a felted flower to the end of a scarf? Check out the vendors below for faux fur and wool-free felt that can help make your fashion daydreams a reality. (Please note: none of these vendors are solely veg, so double-check content listings to ensure that you are getting the products you want.)

Aetna Felt Corporation
Offers a huge selection of synthetic craft felt.

Big 4 Fabrics
Offers fake fur.

Center Shippee
More 100 percent synthetic felt!

Denver Fabrics
More faux fur fabric!

Veg Knitting Resources
Don't go it alone! Before you start a project, check out some the resources below to get the "low-down" on working with animal-free fiber and connect with some experienced and adventurous crafters for helpful tips.

Fake Sheep
A great site all about veg knitting, including information on cruelty-free yarns and where to purchase them.

Vegan Knitters
Message board for vegan knitters.

Vegan Yarn
Extensive lists of available veggie yarns sorted by material and weight.

Veggie Knitters
Network with other vegan knitters for advice, new products, etc…!

The World of Vegan Knitter
Great blog by a knitting obsessed vegan.