🌱 Why I’m Moving Away From Acrylic Yarn (And What’s Coming Instead

If you’ve been with Little Sew and Sew for a while, you’ll know the shop has always had a mix of inherited stock and carefully chosen new pieces. Yarn has been one of the trickiest areas to navigate, especially when it comes to balancing affordability, accessibility, and environmental impact.

Over the past year, I’ve been quietly shifting away from acrylic yarns. Not because they’re 'bad' or because you shouldn’t use them, but because I want the shop to move toward materials that feel kinder to the planet and more aligned with the direction Little Sew and Sew is growing into.

I wanted to share a little about why this change is happening, and what you can expect going forward.

🌿 Acrylic yarn is everywhere - but it comes with hidden costs

Acrylic is popular for good reasons: it’s affordable, colourful, widely available, and beginner‑friendly. Many of us learned to knit or crochet with it.

But acrylic is a plastic fibre. That means:

• it sheds microplastics when washed

• it doesn’t biodegrade

• it’s energy‑intensive to produce

• it contributes to long‑term waste

None of this means you should feel guilty for using it, absolutely not. But as a shop owner, I have the chance to make thoughtful choices about what I bring into the world, and I want those choices to reflect my values.

🌼 What I’m choosing instead

As I slowly restock and refresh the yarn section, you’ll start to see more plant‑based and low‑impact fibres, including:

• cotton - soft, washable, beginner‑friendly

• organic cotton - grown with fewer chemicals

• bamboo blends - smooth, breathable, lovely drape

• Tencel / Lyocell - made from wood pulp in closed‑loop systems

• recycled fibres - turning waste into something useful

These yarns feel beautiful to work with, and they fit the eco‑friendly direction the shop is moving toward.

🧵 A slow transition — not a sudden switch

Because I inherited much of my current stock, you’ll still see acrylic yarns in the shop for a while. I don’t believe in waste, so I’ll continue selling what I already have rather than throwing anything away.

This shift is gentle and gradual. Every new yarn I bring in is chosen with care, and every decision is made with sustainability in mind.

🌱 What this means for you

You can expect:

• more plant‑based yarn options

• clearer fibre descriptions

• beginner‑friendly eco alternatives

• low‑waste project ideas

• yarns that feel good to use and good to choose

And as always, if you’re unsure which yarn suits your project, just ask. I’m always happy to help.

💛 Thank you for supporting a thoughtful little shop

Little Sew and Sew is growing into something I’m really proud of: a small, gentle, eco‑focused space for makers. Your support makes it possible for me to choose materials that reflect care, kindness, and sustainability.

I’m excited to share more of this journey with you.