Choosing the right yarn can be tricky - and it's a big world of certifications that is not always easy to understand. But do not worry, let me give you a few pointers on why I try to use yarns that are certified free of harmful ingredients and eco-friendly, and what I look for when doing so.

I've got sensitive skin, so my interest in the certifications began because I had an allergic reaction to a yarn I was working with. When working with a crochet- or knitting-project, you sit with the yarn in your hands for a long time. If it is a piece of clothing, you or others will subsequently wear it. If it's a toy, you'll probably make it for kids to play with. Whatever the purpose, it is important that it does not contain harmful substances.

OEKO-TEX®

I'm most familiar with OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. If a yarn or product carries the STANDARD 100 label, you can be certain that every component of it has been tested for harmful substances and that it is harmless for human health.

Furthermore, the certification is divided into classes. The class is categorized according to their intended utilisation.

• Class 1 includes products for babies and has the strictest requirements and limit values.

• Class 2 includes products with skin contact. This comprises articles that come into direct contact with the skin to a large extent, such as blouses, shirts, underwear, mattresses, etc.

• Class 3 includes products without skin contact.

• Class 4 includes decoration materials. It covers all articles including initial products and accessories used for furnishing purposes, such as table cloths, curtains, upholstery fabrics, etc.

GOTS

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is an internationally recognised organic textile standard. The certificate ensures that the yarn has undergone an entirely organic process from the harvesting of the raw materials through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing all the way to labelling.

Furthermore, the yarn must contain 70-95% organic fiber depending on the type of labeling. Organic fibres are natural fibres grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides and GMOs.

Yarns

Finding yarns that are certified is not hard - you just have to look a little closer before buying! My experience is, that most manufacturers or retailers note this in the description of the yarn's qualities. They write either the certificate type, or a certificate number. If you have the OEKO-TEX certificate number, you can check it here. Or you can search for GOTS suppliers here. If it does not mention a certification, it probably hasn't got one.

The yarns I like to use, that are all certified OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, Class 1, are:

• DROPS Baby Merino // Safran // Paris // Muskat // Cotton Merino // Cotton Light

• Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4 // Rainbow Lace

• Panduro Cotton 8/4

The yarns I like to use, that are all GOTS certified are:

• Hobbii Baby Cotton Organic

• Mayflower Cotton 8/4 Organic

• Krea Deluxe Organic Cotton

• Smuksak Organic Cotton 100%

I hope you found this useful!