Winter is well and truly upon us, and with that brings a whole new season of knitwear. The past year or so has seen a significant rise in hobbies such as knitting, crocheting, and overall self-production of clothing. So why not pick up a new, sustainable skill whilst revamping your closet?
One of the biggest knitting success stories of the year has to be Olympian Tom Daley. During the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the gold medalist was seen poolside knitting his Team GB cardigan as a souvenir to remember the event. His unusual hobby made headlines on hundreds of platforms, and his finished product circulated all corners of the internet.
He now has his own knitting Instagram account (@madewithlovebytomdaley) and a website where you can buy garments, kits, yarns and so on (https://bytomdaley.com/).
A smaller name making waves in the knitting community is Freya Mckee. She makes bespoke pieces using deadstock and second-hand yarns, combating fast fashion whilst simultaneously producing affordable designer goods. Her recent work has been featured by Dazed Magazine and worn by the likes of musician Beabadoobee and model Mia Regan. You can check out her work on her website (https://www.freyamckee.co.uk/)!
Maisie (otherwise known as @cowgrlcrochets on Instagram) is one of many amongst the knitting community who create and sell crochet accessories. You’ve probably seen her hat designs on all your favourite influencers (Suede Brooks, Olivia Neill, Olivia Grace Herring), as well as the one and only Dua Lipa herself, and rightly so. Her cute, colourful pieces are perfect for all seasons and made to order, so you can pick the perfect style for you!
More of her work can be seen on her website (https://www.cowgrlcrochets.com/)
Not only is knitting a fun pastime, but also a great way into sustainable fashion. The number of eco-friendly wools and yarns outnumbers those that are harmful. Additionally, wool is easy to recycle and can be made into other garments, often meaning there is zero waste. Knit items also need hand washing, meaning no washing on high temperatures or small loads, which of course is better for the environment.
Knitting your own clothes or buying handmade from others has an unending list of advantages too. Firstly, you have access to one of a kind pieces, more often than not, made specifically for you. You are able to dictate almost everything about how you make pieces, and even when buying from others, you have a lot more agency in the production process than you would when buying from larger brands. Buying from individuals means you can support small, local businesses and their causes, this is another sustainable aspect of knitting! Quality is also ensured with handmade garments, and once you’re bored of them, they’re easy to recycle.
Happy Knitting!
