Wednesday 27 February 2013

The hunt for cruelty-free sheep wool


cute lamb
Just because I'm incapable of writing about animals without a super-cute picture
In my early days of crocheting I had the vague idea that, despite being a vegetarian and animal lover, using wool from sheep was OK as the sheep weren't harmed.  I imagined them roaming around the countryside freely (like the sheep you see all over the mountains of North Wales and the Lake District), being rounded up for a haircut once every few months, then happily ambling back off for a bit of grazing.  

Of course, when I think about it now, it seems really naive to have ever thought that an industry as huge as the global wool industry would be this humane.  At the time, I just didn't really put that much thought into it, but as soon as I did, I stopped buying sheep wool.

I don't have a problem with wearing wool from animals at all, but I do have a very big problem with the way commercial wool is obtained.  If you want to read up on the treatment of sheep in the wool industry, the Vegetarian Society is a good place to start.  Peta also have some useful info.  

I try not to bring upsetting facts into this blog, partly because I hate having distressing images and information sprung upon me without warning and partly because I believe people should find out things for themselves and make decisions within their own moral framework.  I do think at the very least, however, we should be aware of what we're wearing or crafting with.

Briefly:
  • 70% of the wool used in clothing comes from Australia, where the practice of mulesing is still common
  • Around one third of UK wool is skin wool, taken from slaughtered sheep, mainly lambs.

It was an easy decision for me to stop buying wool as there was no way of telling where it came from or how it was obtained.  Although there are plenty of alternatives out there, I've been looking for cruelty-free sheep wool for a couple of years now and it's depressingly difficult to find.  I am sure there must be plenty of specialist independent companies, humanely shearing their sheep and giving them the best possible life, but I've only found a handful.  I'm personally not comfortable using wool from sheep destined for the plate, so I've left out suppliers whose sheep fit into this category but I know there are many British farmers out there who give their flocks a good life before slaughter.


If you want to dress and craft cruelty-free, here are some of the options:

Cruelty-free wool

Based in Wisconsin, Homestead Wool  sell dyed/undyed/spun/unspun wool, refer to their sanctuary as a 'retirement village' and introduce you to all their animals.  Can I just say, I LOVE this website?

Insouciant Hair are another US company who sell yarns from rescue sheep.

Selling yarns via etsy, Wild Wool Farm not only allows you to see pictures of the sheep or goat your wool has come from, but also to 'adopt' them for a month.

The Farm Animal Sanctuary, based in Worcestershire, sells fleeces from rescue sheep ready to be spun into yarn.  This really appeals to me but I haven't got a clue how to start with spinning....one day maybe...

Finally, they don't sell yarn, or house sheep, but I came across The Goat Sanctuary during my research and had to mention them!  I'd never heard of this place before but it's now on my list of places-to-visit-on-a-random-Saturday (if my poor, long-suffering boyfriend agrees).

Clothes

I haven't bought anything from here personally, but Izzy Lane is proof that it is possible to run a successful business based on compassion for animals.  The sheep in Izzy Lane's flocks live out their natural lives in a sanctuary, cared for by shepherd Ernest.

The same flocks also provide wool for The North Circular.  While their handknitted goods are way out of my price range, I admire the ethos behind the company and think it's great that they've received so much press attention.

Alternatives to sheep wool

All yarn stores and craft shops will carry alternatives to sheep wool.  Here are the most common:

Cotton

Cotton is great for crocheters and I use it for a variety of projects.  It's smooth, strong and available in every colour imaginable so it's brilliant for home decor and accessories.

Tencel

Tencel is made from wood pulp and is fully bio-degradable.  It's wearable, drapes nicely and is generally considered more environmentally friendly than other materials.  It's also said to be “soft as silk, strong as polyester, cool as linen, warm as wool, and as absorbent as cotton", quite an endorsement!

Bamboo

I love working with bamboo yarn but it can be hard to find yarn which doesn't also contain wool from animals.  When I do find 100% bamboo, or a bamboo/cotton mix, I snap it up!  Bamboo is gradually becoming more popular and easier to find.  The picture below is of a bamboo/tencel mix and shows the lovely sheen natural fibres can produce:

Handpainted Yarn - 80/20 Bamboo Tencel Yarn   -- November --
Bamboo/tencel mix from Etsy
Linen

Linen is made from flax and when knitted or crocheted can make really luxurious clothes and accessories. Linen usually becomes softer the more it is worn making it ideal for cardigans and jumpers.

Synthetics

Aah, the knitter's enemy.  Acrylic, nylon and polyester yarns can be bought from around 99p a ball and can be very unpleasant to work with if you buy the really nasty stuff.  There are some decent synthetic yarns on the market, however, so don't be put off.  A lot of big, chunky acrylics can be really soft and enjoyable to work with, giving a great end result.  Similarly, some of the pastel coloured acrylics meant for baby clothes are lovely and soft.  When buying synthetics, it's generally best to buy in person so you can see what the yarn looks like close up and avoid that horrible cheap look!

Banana yarn

Banana yarn has similar properties to silk and is often dyed in an array of vibrant colours.  It can look really dazzling and many banana yarns have a luxurious sheen making them a great choice for a statement scarf or accessory.

Banana fiber yarn, Etsy
Banana yarn image from Pinterest

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While I'm happy with my cotton and bamboo most of the time, I would like to have more options when it comes to cruelty-free wool.  I'd love to buy wool knowing it came from a happy, well-looked after sheep who was humanely sheared and wasn't going to be sent off to slaughter.  If you know of, or come across, any companies or individuals who sell cruelty-free wool, please let me know!

Jenny
x

30 comments:

  1. This is a really interesting post Jenny and something that's good to be aware of, thank you. Helen

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  2. Excelentes fotografias....
    Cumprimentos

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  3. I have just become interested in felting and my husband pointed out "so where are you going to get cruelty free wool?" We are vegetarians, too, so I really appreciate your article and links in it.

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  4. Thank you for your sharing.
    I think it is very difficult to get so-called cruelty-free wool in Asian countries. In summer I wrote to a big handcraft company in Japan (Hamanaka) to ask about the source of the wool. Then I got the reply : I recommend you to study more about our products. XXX is different from the sheep. After you study well please contact with me. Bye Bye!"
    I was pissed as the XXX is some man-made firber which I know, but I want to know other wool products from that company.
    So I decide not to do wool felting anymore.

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  5. Thank you so much for this information. As one immersed in wool crafts (rug hooking, felting, spinning, crocheting), like you, I always pictured happy sheep getting a hair cut, living out their lives in a serene pasture. When I learned the truth (or opened my eyes, I guess) about what really goes on at most sheep farms - and any other type of factory farm - I was very worried I'd have to give up all my woolly work! So happy to know there is an alternative.

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  6. So glad to have found this. I am vegan but am interested in felting, and although polyester batting works, I want to work with wool. I don't wear anything with wool in it and would not buy wool from any retail source, but now I plan to order from the happy retired sheep at Homestead Wool!

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  7. o-wool is cruelty and mulesing free. www.o-wool.com

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  8. Thank you so much for all of the information that you provided here. I recently began creating angels from roving wool. The angels enlightened me about the wool industry and I stopped in my tracks. I am very happy to have found small farms where I can buy roving wool knowing that the sheep are cherished and loved. Thank you for helping me on this journey. Atara

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  9. thank you so much for sharing this, i have been trying for AGES to find cruelty free fleece...brilliant post...

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  10. It's amazing how many cruel animal practices go on and it's all so quiet and accepted. I'm 50, been a vegetarian for decades but never knew this. I, too, like you, assumed the animals weren't harmed. Should have known where there is profit, there is greed at any price. If anyone who wears Uggs or sheep skin products actually witnessed the process, I'd like to think it would put them out business.

    We're huge animal lovers and when I googled for the answer I'm so glad you spared the horrible pictures and details. I'll check out more of your blog. Thanks so much!

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  11. Thank you so much for all of the research that you've done. I've ordered yarn from the Farm Animal Sanctuary in Worcestershire (a wonderful woman there named Liz spun the wool into yarn for me) and I've ordered from the great people at Homestead Wool. I've had great experiences with both and am so happy that I can knit using wool.
    After reading this post the other day, I started browsing the Wild Wool Farm web site and noticed that they had some yarn with leather incorporated in it. I sent an email to the company inquiring about the source of the leather and this is the reply I received, "We will butcher a steer we have raised here on the farm, who has lived a happy life and is humanely butchered by us, we then will some times send a hide out for tanning, most of our products are raised or grown, canned and preserved by us." While this may be acceptable for some, as a vegan, this is not acceptable for me. I just wanted other vegans to be aware that even when you think there is no animal cruelty involved, it may be lurking somewhere. I am not the vegan police, I just wanted to make other vegans aware.
    However, I believe that anybody reading your blog is already way ahead in the area of reducing cruelty to animals.

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  12. Do you have any sources that sell cruelty-free wool area rugs? I am also a vegan that doesn't wear wool and I am looking for a natural fiber and non-toxic area rug. Thanks.

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  13. I'm just starting my crochet journey and I was already aware of cruelty involved with wool, and am vegetarian, but in interested ethical options that are more sustainable than synthetics. I was researching ethical wool when I came across your post! It's great.
    Here a link I found which might be useful to you or another reader! https://exchangingfire.wordpress.com/2011/01/30/what-about-the-sheep-a-guide-to-ethical-yarns/

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  14. I'm just starting my crochet journey and I was already aware of cruelty involved with wool, and am vegetarian, but interested in ethical options that are more sustainable than synthetics. I was researching ethical wool when I came across your post! It's great.
    Here a link I found which might be useful to you or another reader!
    https://exchangingfire.wordpress.com/2011/01/30/what-about-the-sheep-a-guide-to-ethical-yarns/

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  15. Just bought some wool from Homestead Wool for my needle felting project. Thanks for the tip!

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  16. Thank you for posting this ! I love sheep and don't want any sheep to be hurt just because I want to wear wool products. I will definitely check out the websites you listed. Like: right now !

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  17. Newmoor Barn sell ethical fleeces and fibres and their sheep/goats never go to slaughter. just found the sight an hour ago, its in the UK

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  18. I'm about to start my new hobby,needle felting. To make toy for my newborn baby and wonder how do they get 100% wool from? I live in Thailand we don't really do wool industry so I have no idea about it.

    When I google and the cruelty information come up I feel so bad then I search for cruelty-free wool and I FOUND YOUR POST .

    THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your work and information It meant so much to me. I don't want to start the "bloody craft" with no intention.

    Best wishes,
    Siriluck

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  19. Thank you so much for these "vegan wool" contacts! As a vegan of 22 years--and a big lover of spending time outdoors--I have been searching high and low for such information for wool socks. Izzy Lane also sells items with "ethical silk"--so I am now thinking of silk longjohns. I don't knit or sew--so am hoping someone else will create such a line!

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  20. Hi, I just recently became interesting in venturing into felting my crochet projects and knew I needed to use wool instead of acrylics like I had been. I also just became aware of the mulesing practices, but have been having trouble finding out what wool I can buy with peace of mind. This page came up in the results when I googled, so I really appreciate your article and the links you shared. If there have been any other sources that you would recommend since you published this blog post, please let us know! Thanks, Gina, Missouri, USA

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  21. I'm a vegetarian and keep a herd of Angora goats who are all on the Defra pet register and live out their natural lives with us. I don't have wool, but if anyone is interested in cruelty free soft hand dyed Mohair, l have plenty ;-)

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  22. Hi I am a vegetarian wool farmer My partner and i run a flock of 80 sheep ,mostly shetlands, we have a slaughter free policy none of our sheep enter the food chain, we are organic with low stocking rates.
    We have fleeces, yarn , wool that has been processed but not yet spun so ready to felt or spin, blankets, scarves, throws all organically produced with the soil asc. symbol all in natrual shetland colours, grey, white and brown, we like to think we have a flock of happy healthy sheep all living out their full lives with their families on our farm feel free to contact us if you want any more info,
    regards helen

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    Replies
    1. Hi Helen,
      I'm a vegan weaver looking to source some wool yarn from some happy sheep. would love to see your selection of yarn? please contact me... lottie445@googlemail.com
      Kind regards,
      Lottie

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  23. Hi I am a vegetarian wool farmer My partner and i run a flock of 80 sheep ,mostly shetlands, we have a slaughter free policy none of our sheep enter the food chain, we are organic with low stocking rates.
    We have fleeces, yarn , wool that has been processed but not yet spun so ready to felt or spin, blankets, scarves, throws all organically produced with the soil asc. symbol all in natrual shetland colours, grey, white and brown, we like to think we have a flock of happy healthy sheep all living out their full lives with their families on our farm feel free to contact us if you want any more info,
    regards helen

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  24. Thank you for writing this post! I've just recently gotten into weaving, and as both an animal lover and an environmentally conscious consumer, I've been trying to figure out which fibers are best to work with and are also ethical. Even though I'm a vegan, I am not opposed to using animal-derived fibers IF the animals are treated well. I think they are far more sustainable, and I wouldn't touch a synthetic fiber with a ten foot pole. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction (you're right, finding ethical yarn isn't easy)!

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  25. Thank you for your info. I use acrylic, but I am so happy to find cruelty free sources for wool. Tencel looks interesting to me. I'll look for it.

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  26. Slaughter-free wool from Izzy Lane rescued flock
    http://shop.izzylane.com/category/knitting-yarn

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  27. Just venturing into wool dyeing. So, so thrilled to have founf this post. Thank you!

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  28. Thank you so much for your post and the useful links and for the links from your commenters. I felt and have just written a blog post about starting my journey looking into cruelty free wool and after finishing it came across the Izzy Lane website and then your post.
    Thanks again!
    Mandy x

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