When you pick up a skein of yarn, are you truly aware of what you’re holding? Is it a product of sustainable, natural origins or an industrial concoction derived from fossil fuels? The debate between nature-based and fossil-based synthetic yarns isn’t just about crafting preferences. It’s a reflection of the environmental choices we make every day. Let’s untangle this heated topic and explore what’s really at stake.
What Is Nature-Based Yarn?
Nature-based yarns come from renewable resources, either directly from plants and animals or through processes that use natural sources as their base. These fibres are split into two main categories:
1. Natural Fibres
These are fibres in their most authentic form, minimally processed to retain their natural integrity. Examples include:
- Cotton: A staple fibre that is breathable, easy to care for, durable and versatile.
- Wool: Renewable, biodegradable, and great in the heat or cool.
- Silk: Luxurious and strong, created by silk moths.
- Linen: Durable, absorbent and a lovely drape, made from flax plants
Unlike synthetics, these fibres can decompose naturally, given the chance. But beyond their ecological credentials, they also provide superior comfort and connection to nature—something no synthetic can replicate.
2. Nature-Based Man-Made Fibres
These fibres start with natural sources but undergo significant processing. Examples include:
- Viscose/Rayon: Made from cellulose derived from wood pulp.
- Bamboo: Often marketed as “eco-friendly,” but requires scrutiny of processing methods.
- Lyocell/Tencel: A cleaner alternative to traditional viscose within the same family, offering sustainability without compromise.
While not as “pure” as natural fibres, they can still be part of nature-based systems, coming from and returning to the earth, unlike synthetics. There are lovely yarns made from these fibres that sit alongside the natural fibre yarns we enjoy creating, making them a welcome addition to our creative palette of fibre and yarn choices.
The Fossil-Based Reality
Fossil-based synthetic yarns—made from petroleum-derived chemicals — are the epitome of modern industrialisation. These fibres like acrylic, polyester, nylon, and polypropylene dominate the market for their low cost and durability. When they were invented, they seemed nothing short of miraculous. But at what cost?
- Environmental Destruction: Extracting and processing fossil fuels is catastrophic, driving climate change, polluting ecosystems, and depleting non-renewable resources.
- Non-biodegradability: Synthetic yarns don’t break down naturally, so their durability becomes a problem. When regularly washed and worn, they release microplastics into our atmosphere and oceans, so they are best avoided.
- Hidden Greenwashing: Terms like “olefin” or “recycled polyester” often disguise the reality that these materials still stem from the same fossil-based processes.
Moreover, labels like “eco-friendly” or “sustainable” on synthetic fibres can be misleading. Recycled polyester, for example, might temporarily reduce waste but still perpetuates reliance on fossil fuels. It is most commonly made from bottles, which sounds great, but bottles are best recycled into bottles, as they can cycle many times. After being made into a textile, it’s only downcycling from then on.
If you have synthetic yarns in your stash, try using them in projects that will not need to be washed often. It’s better to use what you already have first, no matter what it is.
Why Natural Wins
The benefits of nature-based yarns extend far beyond aesthetics. They offer a tangible connection to the environment, a sense of authenticity, and an ethical choice that aligns with a more sustainable future. Here’s why they should dominate your crafting toolkit:
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Planet-Friendly
Renewable and biodegradable natural fibres like wool and cotton return to the earth without lingering for centuries. In contrast, synthetics live on as pollutants long after their usefulness ends. -
Authenticity and Quality
There’s an undeniable beauty in materials that come directly from nature. Their textures, warmth, and feel simply can’t be replicated by industrial fibres. -
Healthier for You
Natural fibres evolved as part of our ecosystems and are breathable & comfortable to wear. Do you really want plastic wrapping around your body or in your home? -
Economic and Ethical Impact
Choosing natural, high-quality fibres and yarns supports sustainable farming, small-scale producers, and ethical supply chains. Fossil-based synthetics, by contrast, begin life in an oil well or tar sand.
By embracing natural fibres, you’re weaving sustainability into your craft and making a meaningful difference. Every stitch, loop, or weave becomes a quiet yet powerful statement for a better, greener future.
The Controversy: Can We Quit Fossil-Based Yarns?
Should we aim for a future without fossil-based synthetics? Advocates of synthetic yarns argue for their durability and affordability, especially in high-demand applications like outdoor gear or upholstery. But is this justification enough when natural alternatives exist?
On the surface, fossil-based yarns often appear to be the economical choice, with their lower price points and widespread availability. At the moment, we can see some end uses that are hard to replace with natural fibre, e.g., swimwear, extreme weather wear and some PPE. However, if we look at where the majority of synthetic fibres are going, it isn’t these uses; it’s cheap yarn, gimmicky products, and fast fashion.
When we choose fibres and yarns for our creative work, crafting, and making, we can choose to avoid synthetics. Where we can avoid synthetics, we should.
Fossil-based synthetic (plastic) yarns are often celebrated for their durability, but this so-called advantage comes with a significant environmental cost. While synthetic fibres may withstand wear and tear for years, they also persist in the environment for centuries. These materials don’t break down naturally; instead, they accumulate in landfills and shed microplastics into waterways, where they wreak havoc on marine ecosystems.
Natural fibres may not have the same lifespan, though many do last decades or even centuries, given the right care and application. By choosing to work with nature, we are participating in systems that have been serving us for millennia. After a long, repaired, repurposed, and loved life, natural fibres can return to the earth as nutrients for the cycle to begin again. They are worth the investment.
Making the Right Choice
The debate ultimately boils down to values. Are we willing to sacrifice sustainability for convenience? Every time you choose a nature-based yarn, you’re casting a vote for the environment, ethical practices, and a more sustainable crafting culture. Choosing natural means supporting sustainable farming practices, reducing reliance on finite resources, and prioritising the health of our planet.
When weighed against the environmental damage of synthetics, the true value of natural fibres becomes clear: they are not just a purchase for today but a commitment to a sustainable tomorrow.
Let’s be clear: fossil-based synthetics are not a necessity—they’re a choice. And it’s a choice we can collectively move away from, one project at a time. The planet is calling for change; are we listening?
This article was written by Meriel Chamberlin of Full Circle Fibres and Nicky Crane of Thread Collective.