Remember when this was a DIY/sewing blog? Yeah, me neither, but for a few months it was! This thing called "real life" really gets in the way of having hobbies but while I was in Italy I didn't have wifi (how did I survive? Nobody knows) so I turned to knitting to keep me occupied on cold, rainy weekends.

What I learned is that knitting is incredibly relaxing; it keeps my restless hands occupied and stops me from wasting entire days scrolling endlessly through instagram. I also quickly discovered that the majority of knitting patterns online are highly complex, not to mention frumpy and old-fashioned. So I tried to wing it on my own but that didn't work out either. Enter Wool and the Gang.

You may have heard of Wool and the Gang, they've certainly been on my radar (and Christmas wish list) for a few years. They make fun, modern knitting kits in all sorts of colours and yarns that are perfect for even the most clueless beginner knitter. They are also involved with Fashion Revolution, sharing the people and process behind making their yarns.

In May, Wool and the Gang launched Tina Tape Yarn (made from tencel) and I've been trying it out. Tencel has really gained traction in Ethical fashion recently (like the tencel collection by People Tree) and it's easy to see why, it's made from eucalyptus which grows on land that is otherwise unusable for other crops and the whole process, from plant to fabric, uses 80% less water than cotton production (which is bonus because cotton is a huge water hog). Tina Tape yarn is soft like silk (but totally vegan) but cool enough to wear in summer.


Ethical crafting and DIY materials aren't as readily available and easy to find as pre-made ethical fashion so if you're looking here are three quick tips to help you spot the best options. These mostly apply to fabrics and yarns but are generally good principles for all sorts of crafting.

Natural materials are best as they're biodegradable but some are better than others. This guide from Trusted Clothes lists and rates different varieties of fabrics (ratings are equally valid for yarns).

As well as the sort of the fibre, it's important to consider how it's made. There are many different things to look for, e.g. Organic cotton, non-toxic dyes, or peace silk.

Sewing and knitting are only the final step in the long process of clothing manufacture, by making clothes ourselves we can guarantee there is no exploitation at that final step by there are also people involved in the manufacture of yarns and fabrics. Look out for Fair Trade certifications or details about the place of manufacture, if you're not sure, just ask!

This outfit is:
Vegan	Second hand

This outfit is:
Organic	Fairtrade	Second hand

Some time ago I'd promised myself to stop buying things that were in a state of disrepair. I wanted to spend less money on clothes so I was buying fewer and better pieces, and damaged goods just didn't fit into the picture. But when this jacket first caught my eye in the bargain basement of the Fara charity shop in Pimlico I knew I wanted it. I tried it on and the list of imperfections was long: men's sizing meant it was roomy on the shoulders and snug at the waist, there were mystery paint stains on one side, the elastic on the cuffs was falling apart; it was a hot mess! Despite it's flaws I eventually decided to buy it and I don't regret it.

Despite being somewhat of an impulse purchase this bomber has ended being an integral part of my wardrobe, my go-to casual jacket. I like that it's not too fussy, I like that it has huge pockets so I don't have to carry a bag. It's imperfections give it character and give me permission to not be so precious about it, to relax because one more little mark won't make a difference. Wearing this jacket doesn't stresses me less than my nicer clothes do, I focus less on what I'm wearing and more on what I'm doing and who I'm with. It's like a weight has been lifted.

In a sense this is all be a metaphor for my changing life philosophy. 2016 was a wild ride of a year (and not the good kind) so I'm learning to let go and not to let the little things bother me as much. I'm still anxious and a bit of a stick-in-the-mud but I'm learning to embrace it, it's just who I am.

This outfit is:
Organic	Second hand	Handmade