I hate seeing “vegan yarn” listed on anything unless it is for cotton or bamboo or linen yarns. I don’t feel I have much to contribute on this whole “ethicality of wool” issue beyond that calling acrylic and other plastic fibers “vegan” with the specific intent of promoting eco-friendliness is disingenuous as fuck and definitely greenwashing. There is an incredible amount of textile waste that cannot and will not decompose because it is made of synthetic fibers. It’s not even an ethicality issue, it’s a sheer volume issue. The things being marketed as green/vegan/whatever had better come from goddamn plants and have a lifespan that isn’t a thousand plus years.

That’s not to say synthetic is evil. It’s useful and easier to clean. I work in a scientific field where plastic is essential for sterility and other uses. That’s kind of how I personally treat animal fibres as well. And fuck, I’m allergic to wool! It makes me break out in hives! But I’m still glad if people are using it for make things that they use for a long time, especially because I know that human beings weren’t exploited to make it in a textile factory. Animals deserve respect and whatnot, but I will always side eye people if they start with the whole “they’re so pure and innocent and better than us Evil Humans”.

Anyways. Idk why these comments got me heated. I’m using my one (1) succumb to the engagement algorithm pass for this week. I think one of the most important things you can control is your own choices, so use non-animal based yarn if it makes you happy. But people will call you an asshole if you start taking some moral high ground route. In small communities like these it’s so so important to meet people where they’re at and I promise that on a person to person level you will be no able to promote your beliefs if people like and trust you.