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/

 

Other Resources

Philly Fixers Guild – repair it, don’t toss it.

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/

Suggested reading: Journals and Books
https://www.tatter.org/
https://www.amazon.com/Raw-Material-Working-Wool-West/dp/0870719513
https://www.amazon.com/Women-Artisans-Morocco-Their-Stories/dp/0999051717
https://weavespindye.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