Natural and Alternative Fibers: Spinning Vegan, Natural, and Wool-Free Yarns

Spinners have worked with wool for thousands of years, and with good reason: it dyes easily, wears well, and comes from cute sheep. But it’s not the only option available nowadays.

We can spin fiber produced from other animals, from plants, or from manufacturing processes. Bamboo, soy, and corn can all be made into yarn. So can wood pulp and seaweed: if you’ve never heard of Seacell, Modal, or Lyocell, read on about natural fibers. Inside you'll find:

• What are natural fibers? - Natural fibers occur naturally in nature, naturally. (Sorry, Couldn't resist.) It seems obvious, but it actually can be confusing. In this article, you'll get an introduction to many natural fibers to help you get started.

• Colored Cotton - Did you know cotton grows in more colors than just white? Here's what you need to know about spinning colored cotton. This article also includes suggestions for knitting swatches with your cotton yarn, including a knitted pattern for a quilt square.

• How to Finish Manufactured Fibers: Viscose, Lyocell, & Azlon - If you've managed to get your hands on manufactured natural fibers from bamboo, soy or seaweed, you'll know they have plenty of sheen but should be treated a little differently. We experiment with different spinning and finishing techniques and compare the results.

• Fiber Basics: Yucca - Native Americans of the southwest United States have long used the fibers from yucca leaves for many products, including sandals, baskets, carry bags, and cordage. Now you can do it too, with leaves plucked off lilies from your very own backyard.

From hemp to yucca, use these tips and beautiful projects to transform your spinning experience with our Alternative Fibers eBook.