Wildfish Crafts choice of yarns and fabrics

One of the things that has evolved along with Wildfish Crafts is the desire to make functional, quality products that have a sustainable aspect to them; something which is easier said than done.

There are so many yarns and fabrics out there it is really easy to choose solely based on colour or aesthetics. It’s not until you delve a little behind the material and realise that by choosing yarns and fabrics that have a sustainable aspect to them that the products I have in mind to make, take on a new dimension and evolve further, taking on a uniqueness that adds to the gift.

In the short time that Wildfish Crafts has existed I can see the difference it makes when you inform someone that the product they are considering buying is made from recycled T Shirt Yarn, or up-cycled coffee bean sacks. The pendulum is definitely starting to swing from a throw away mentality to more of a sustainable one. I think we are all starting to do a little to help and as a result, collectively, we can make a difference.

Other materials that I like using to make my products are cotton and wool. Cotton manufacture sometimes gets a bad press. However, repeatedly using your cotton product such as my cotton cloths or face scrubbies, is more sustainable than repeatedly using disposable cloths, wipes and cotton wool pads. Reuse, reuse, reuse is always the answer when it comes to sustainability.

Wool is another favourite of mine. It is such a traditional fabric that oozes, strength, warmth and luxury. It’s quite amazing how wool fibres go through the various processes of spinning and weaving to make such a unique product, and of course, it is another sustainable material that can be used over and over.

One of the fibres that I am looking into using in the future is bamboo. It is a plant based fibre that has lustre, softness and absorbency properties. It is considered to be a highly sustainable resource due to its fast growth rate and its ability to regenerate after harvesting. One for the future with Wildfish Crafts I think.

It goes without saying that it is fun to give a gift to your nearest and dearest and we all love to spoil friends and family now and again. Spare a thought for the material that is used too and I guarantee their smile will be even wider.