Sustainability Resources

PGHW member Gigi Matthews’ is known for her sustainable fiber resources. PGHW and Gigi Matthew’s have resourced local sustainable choices for our fiber arts projects:

Sustainable Yarn Resources (mostly local)

Wild Hand in Mt. Airy, organic offerings

Weaverhouse in the Bok Building in South Philly also has a wide selection of natural and sustainable yarns.

NJ Fibershed has a listing of yarn produced at local farms in NJ

Silk City Yarns in Carlstadt, NJ has an EcoCotton that can be found by clicking this sentence.

Though not traditionally local, Echoview Fibermill in Weaverville, NC focuses on sustainable fiber.

Tin Can Knits has a beautiful tutorial on how to recycle yarn from a sweater.

Jane Stafford carries Venne yarn made from recycled jeans.

7 Best Hemp Yarn Suppliers in the US (one is Weaverhouse in Philadelphia!)

Lunatic Fringe Yarns now carries a European sourced Hemp yarn.

Support your local farmer

NJ Breeders of Gotland Sheep https://www.smiling-dog-farm.com/

NJ Breeders of Coopworth Sheep https://www.winterspastfarm.com/

Where to find rare sheep breeds for their fiber https://www.livestockconservancy.org/

Fibershed is a non-profit organization that develops equity-focused regional and land regenerating natural fiber and dye systems.
https://fibershed.org/

Natural Dyeing Resources

Exploring regional mushroom and lichen dye palettes https://www.mycopigments.com/

Natural Dye and Supplies https://maiwa.com/

Here is a list of resources Gigi has given in many of her national talks. This is from a list originally posted on the MAFA (Mid-Atlantic Fiber Assoc.) site.

The Big Picture – How the Fiber industry is contributing to Global Climate warming
https://www.unep.org/
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/

Traditional sustainability
https://handwovenmagazine.com/sakiori-rag-weaving/
https://weavearealpeace.org/

New fibers and processes
https://www.cooperhewitt.org/
https://oakandlaureldrygoods.com/
https://www.algaeing.com/
https://www.ananas-anam.com/
https://www.viennatextilelab.at
https://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen