Von Claudia Ostrop
The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world. Every year, millions of tons of clothing are produced and, unfortunately, disposed of far too quickly.
Fast fashion retailers sell clothes at absurdly low prices, and online sellers flood the market with cheap clothing. Fashion has become a disposable item because the quality often doesn't last beyond a few wears. Buying new clothes sometimes seems cheaper than washing them.
Fortunately, there is an alternative to "Fast Fashion":
Slow Fashion – The Alternative to Fast Fashion
The Dirty Side of the Fashion Industry
The business of fast fashion often comes at the expense of both the environment and the people who work in the industry. The fashion industry is one of the world's largest polluters. According to the UN, it is responsible for about 10% of global CO₂ emissions and around 20% of worldwide wastewater pollution.
High Water Consumption
The production of textiles, especially cotton, requires enormous amounts of water. The manufacturing of a single cotton T-shirt—from the field to the store—can consume up to 2,700 liters of water. That is about the amount of water an adult drinks in nearly three years.
Chemical Pollution
A vast array of chemicals is used in textile production, including dyes, bleach, and softeners. These substances seep into rivers and soil, destroying entire ecosystems. Many of these chemicals are toxic and pose serious risks to both humans and the environment.
Synthetic Fibers and Microplastics
Cheap fashion often relies on synthetic fibers like polyester. One major problem with synthetic fibers is that they are made from non-renewable and non-biodegradable resources. Once discarded, they take between 20 and 200 years to decompose. Even then, they don’t completely disappear but remain in the environment as microplastics.
Every time synthetic garments are worn or washed, tiny plastic particles are released into the water cycle, eventually reaching the oceans, where marine life ingests them. Through the food chain, these particles can ultimately end up on our plates.
Human Rights Violations
The ugly side of the fashion industry is also revealed in the working conditions of laborers in low-wage countries. Many garments are produced in sweatshops under inhumane conditions, with workers earning poverty wages and being exposed to hazardous environments. The fashion industry—especially the budget sector—is infamous for sweatshops and child labor in low-wage countries.
Given these catastrophic conditions, more and more people are looking for sustainable alternatives to short-lived fashion—this is where knitting comes into play.
Knitting as a Sustainable Alternative
Most of us may not be able or willing to make our entire wardrobe by hand. But if you're reading this, you likely have an appreciation for handmade craftsmanship. Yes, of course—because we knit!
Knitting a pair of socks or a sweater won’t save the world. It won’t make us completely independent of the fashion industry. But it’s a start. If we want change, we have to begin somewhere, and the principle of “Every little helps” applies here.
No Mass Consumption – No Surplus
Those who knit their own clothing do so with intention and based on need. This prevents excess clothing from being discarded after just a few months.
Of course, sometimes we overindulge—some knitters have far more sweaters, socks, or scarves than they truly need. However, every self-knitted piece is made with care and love, and as a result, it is cherished and worn for many years.
Avoiding Factory-Made Production
Industrial textile production often involves poor working conditions, high energy consumption, and environmental pollution. By creating your own clothing—whether by sewing, crocheting, or knitting—you skip an entire production step, reducing your ecological footprint. Plus, it’s a relaxing and rewarding activity!
Durability and Quality
Handmade garments can easily rival mass-produced clothing in quality. High-quality yarns, good construction, and careful craftsmanship result in garments that stay beautiful longer than industrially made knitwear. Additionally, handmade items can be repaired easily if something goes wrong.
Appreciation
Let’s be honest: knitting is fun and a wonderful hobby, but it requires time and effort. You don’t knit a sweater in just three afternoons. Because of the time invested, knitted garments are valued differently. They are not impulsively discarded in favor of a cheap store-bought alternative.
Tips for Even More Sustainable Knitting
Using synthetic fiber yarns is not ideal for environmental protection. However, knitting sustainably is not difficult! Here are some tips for making your hand-knit pieces as eco-friendly, fair, and sustainable as possible:
Look for Certifications and Seals
Yarns differ not only in material but also in how they are sourced and processed. Certifications like the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) ensure high environmental standards throughout the supply chain and also consider social criteria.
Many other certifications also stand for sustainable yarns. In our blog post "Wool and Yarn Certifications," we explore these in detail. Pascuali yarns meet the highest sustainability, environmental, and social standards—from raw fiber (whether animal or plant-based) to final processing.
Avoid Synthetic Fibers
Many knitting yarns still contain polyester and other synthetic materials. While these are often cheaper, they leave behind a long-term environmental burden.
Truthfully, there’s no real need to blend plastic with wool or natural fibers for hand-knitting yarns—except to cut costs. Even sock yarns can be made durable by blending in linen or ramie instead of synthetic fibers.
Knit Timeless Designs
Even hand-knitting has trends—one season might favor colorful stranded knitting, another chunky brioche, fluffy mohair sweaters, or rustic cardigans. However, most knitting designs remain classic and timeless enough to be stylish beyond a single season.
When choosing colors, consider whether you truly love them in the long run (that neon pink might feel like a mistake later). Choosing timeless hues ensures a long-lasting wardrobe.
A Word on Recycled Yarns
Many yarns claim to be eco-friendly because they’re made from recycled materials. While some of these claims are valid—such as Pascuali’s Re-Jeans, made from denim production scraps—others should be approached with caution.
For example, recycled cashmere often uses fiber scraps that are too short to produce high-quality yarns. While these recycled yarns may feel soft and knit well, their short fibers lead to excessive pilling, making the garment quickly unwearable—hardly a sustainable choice.
A better alternative? Unravel an old garment you no longer wear or invest in high-quality fibers that will last for years.
Proper Care for Long-Lasting Knits
Caring for your knitwear properly ensures that you can enjoy it for years to come. Wool garments don’t need frequent washing—regular airing out is often sufficient. If washing is necessary, use a high-quality wool detergent. For more detailed care tips, check out our blog post on "Caring for Wool."
Conclusion: Hand-Knitted Clothing as a Sustainable Fashion Statement
Fast fashion harms the environment and exploits workers. Knitting and crocheting, on the other hand, offer a fantastic way to build a sustainable wardrobe. Handmade clothing not only consumes fewer resources but also allows us to choose where our materials come from and how they are produced.
Self-knitted garments last far beyond a single season. Since we invest time and effort into making them, we develop a deep appreciation for them. This naturally leads to a more sustainable mindset.
So, grab your needles and start knitting! Till you next time!
