Guide to organic and eco-friendly yarns

Linen
Linen is made from the flax plant, which requires very little fertilizer as an added environmental bonus. Since linen is a stronger fibre, it blends well with other fibres that have more bounce to them. One yarn at The Naked Sheep that's been getting rave reviews is a blend of merino wool, soybean fibre and linen from The Fibre Company. "I call it my granola yarn, because you just want to sink your teeth into it," says Ladan.

Brands to look for: Euroflax

Soy silk
As a byproduct of manufacturing tofu, soy silk is made of 100 per cent recycled material, making it one of the most environmentally friendly (and expensive) yarns. Soy silk is usually blended with other organic fibres to create a luxurious and affordable yarn.

Brands to look for: Soysilk yarns

Bamboo
"Some of the most beautiful yarn coming out right now is made out of bamboo," says Ladan. "It feels just like silk."

Bamboo is an extremely resilient plant and spreads with weedlike ease, making it one of the most sustainable plants for human consumption. Yarn made from bamboo, if not treated with chemicals, can be fully biodegradable.

Brands to look for: Classic Elite Bam Boo, South West Trading Company's Love and Twize

Shopping guide
Be sure to ask your local yarn store to bring in certain brands; your request may set off a chain reaction of interest in organic yarn options. But in the meantime, you may need to look online to get your eco-friendly yarn fix. Here are a few sites to visit -- and don't forget eBay as a great yarn source.

• purlsoho.com
This online version of one of New York's favourite yarn stores carries several organic yarns from companies such as Blue Sky Alpacas, The Fibre Company and Hand Jive.

• www.vreseis.com
Carries a variety of Foxfibre organic cotton

• www.pickhemp.com
Carries hemp, organic cotton, organic linen, soy bean, and bamboo

• www.handknitting.com
Organic cotton and bamboo from companies such as EcoKnit, Euroflax, and bamboo yarn from the South West Trading Company

• www.blueskyalpacas.com
Online store is coming soon. Offers a list of retailers across Canada. Carries popular organic cotton.

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