Regular vs. Organic Yarn

Whether you’re a crafting enthusiast or a company that relies on yarn to create products, you’ll want to know what the difference is between regular and organic yarn, what it entails, and which is the best choice for your particular needs. Specific criteria separate inorganic yarn from organic, and knowing what sets the two apart helps make your choice easier. Keep reading to find out more and discover key attributes of each type. 

Comparison Between Regular and Organic Yarn 

Yarn is made from various types of twisted fibers and then grouped together. When the fibers are twisted, they go by the name plies. In order to make the yarn thicker, more piles are twisted together in the opposite direction. Yarn is essential for making clothing, crafts, and more. It is available as organic fiber or inorganic fiber. 

Procedures

You’re probably curious to know the difference between regular and organic yarn, and there are a few worth mentioning. The most basic explanation has to do with the way the cotton is grown, or the animal fiber is raised or grown, and how it is handled after being harvested. The cotton used to make the yarn is grown without pesticides and fertilizers made from chemicals instead of natural sources. The goal is to reduce chemicals and other non-natural substances all around. The goal is to produce chemical-free and ethically sourced fibers to create the yarn. 

What Does Organic Fibers Mean?

If the fiber comes from animals, they are raised with specific guidelines to ensure their hair quality. Animals raised for fibers such as sheep will eat a particular diet that is natural and free from certain substances that traditional farmers may use. For wool to be organic, how the animals are raised  key. The amount of time they are allowed to graze in pastures also matters and the food they eat. There are also guidelines for encouraging the livestock’s health and outlines of the types of medicines used to treat conditions and maintain them throughout their lives. 

If the fibers come from plants, the plants are grown using specific methods and without traditional chemical products harmful to people, animals, or the environment. The way the fiber is regulated is considered organic. It also refers to how the plants’ fibers are harvested and even transported to facilities to be processed into products. During the process of being dyed, particular protocols and dyes must also be used to ensure the organic authenticity of the yarn. Essentially, its time consuming and challenging to keep the organic designation from growth to production. 

Pricing

The price difference between organic and inorganic yarn is significant. The price is higher because of the extra care needed to raise or grow the fibers and the standards the farmers must adhere to during the growing and harvesting process. Additionally, the way the products are transported is also more costly because, to be considered organic, shippers must avoid exposure to certain substances along the way. If you plan to buy organic yarn, you can expect it to be up to 25% higher in price than inorganic yarn. 

Regular Yarn

Regular yarn is twisted and created using the same methods as organic yarn. However, the fibers used to make regular yarn are not regulated. The farmers use whatever feed and grazing practices they wish when raising their animals, and the cotton farmers use traditional pesticides and fertilizers. Additionally, there are no set guidelines for harvesting, transportation, or dyeing the fibers. The prices for regular yarn are lower, and it is more available in most areas. As you can see, the difference between regular and organic yarn is quite notable, and it’s worth knowing what goes into the process of differentiating the two. 

Summary

When you buy organic yarn, you get a superior quality product produced using specific protocols and guidelines. That means it’s more environmentally friendly, and it’s free from exposure to chemicals and fertilizers. It is also handled using particular procedures and then produced into products made using organic standards. Whether you go the organic route or use regular yarn depends on your project requirements or personal preferences. However, if you want to encourage organic practices and create projects using organic yarn, expect to pay a little more.