Vegan Soaker?

[BeanyMama]

I've done a bit of Googling in vain, I thought you mamas might be able to save me some time.

Is there such a thing as a vegan plus affective yarn for soakers, etc? I know acrylic is supposed to repel wetness a bit but just the really squeaky stuff, yes? I'd love to find a natural fiber it possible.

Danke!

[MamaWolfe]

I only know of synthetic fabrics that you can make soakers from, such as PUL. The problem with it is that it doesn't let your baby's bottom breathe and they can get rashes, plus it's unsanitary. You can get it for a VERY good price from a coop I'm part of http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cloth_diaper_supplies/

I'm vegan and use wool. It's just hair! I get mine from a local woman who rescues animals, but you can buy organic wool from small farms where the animals are part of their family. IMO wool is so much better for my babies and the planet than synthetics, but that's just my two cents.

[Knittin' in the Shade]

for soakers, really your only choices are (non-vegan) animal fibers (wool is the best choice, though mohair and alpaca will be effective, just hairy and/or VERY hot) or synthetics (acrylic, microfiber.) Other go-to natural fibers for vegans, like cotton, linen/flax, and bamboo will all absorb wetness and pull it straight through, which is why they are perfect diaper materials. It is possible to find sustainable, organic wool from sheep who are loved and coddled by their family, if that's something you might consider.

[MamaWolfe]

I should also mention that the person I get my wool from cuts their hair in the spring anyway, she just used to throw it out. So, I'm recycling!

[caiesmommy]

I agree w the wool thing. I'm a vegan and I use wool. I grew up on a farm, and if you don't shear the sheep then they tip over from the weight of the wool and will die. Usually a VERY slow and painful death from wolves. If you can find someone who farms responsibly even better.

[Yvaine Undomiel]

Also, you can use recycled sweaters for soakers.

Just browse the thrift store for used sweaters, and you can find instructions for cutting and sewing them on the web.

Very low impact and ethical.

[BeanyMama]

Thanks for the replies! I'm a vegetarian and a wool fanatic , but I'm plotting my knitting queue supplies and was hoping to make a soaker or two for a vegan friend come springtime. She avoids all animal products so I was hoping to find something that may work for her little one's bum.

I know fleece works well against moisture, does anyone know if there's a wool-less fleece yarn?

I may have to resign myself to making some cute longies for non-diapering purposes

[Knittin' in the Shade]

There's a yarn made from polar fleece - I'm blanking onthe name, but my lys carries it. it's basically very narrow strips of fleece yardage. makes comfy hats!

[SophieAnn]

Don't know much about being a vegan, but I would've thought wool would be okay... since it's a health problem (and apparently can be fatal!) if the animals are not sheared.

Just look for a farm that has a commitment to never send their animals to slaughter.

Juniper Moon Farm (formerly Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm) is one example of a farm that never sends animals to slaughter - and they have a CSA! They also feed their animals organic feed.

http://www.fiberfarm.com/

"We are very proud of the fact that no animal on our farm is ever eaten. Our sheep and goats live out their natural lives on our farm, some into their teens, which is almost unheard of these days. We believe that an animal that has given us fleece and lambs deserves the happiest life we can provide for them."

[Yvaine Undomiel]

Originally Posted by SophieAnn

Don't know much about being a vegan, but I would've thought wool would be okay... since it's a health problem (and apparently can be fatal!) if the animals are not sheared.

Just look for a farm that has a commitment to never send their animals to slaughter.

Juniper Moon Farm (formerly Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm) is one example of a farm that never sends animals to slaughter - and they have a CSA! They also feed their animals organic feed.

http://www.fiberfarm.com/

"We are very proud of the fact that no animal on our farm is ever eaten. Our sheep and goats live out their natural lives on our farm, some into their teens, which is almost unheard of these days. We believe that an animal that has given us fleece and lambs deserves the happiest life we can provide for them."

Yeah, it makes more sense. And there are a lot of us "reformed" vegans out there, who after the initial zeal, have realized that there has to be some take it and leave it. Between being a strict vegetarian, *and* a strict environmentalist (and living in a cold climate and keeping a family), I have settled on using wool/alpaca/etc.. I do my best to buy ethical, local, or used, but sometimes I just buy it normal too. There are still some things I avoid, like cashmere, but, yeah.

[BeanyMama]

Originally Posted by SophieAnn

Don't know much about being a vegan, but I would've thought wool would be okay... since it's a health problem (and apparently can be fatal!) if the animals are not sheared.

Just look for a farm that has a commitment to never send their animals to slaughter.

Juniper Moon Farm (formerly Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm) is one example of a farm that never sends animals to slaughter - and they have a CSA! They also feed their animals organic feed.

http://www.fiberfarm.com/

"We are very proud of the fact that no animal on our farm is ever eaten. Our sheep and goats live out their natural lives on our farm, some into their teens, which is almost unheard of these days. We believe that an animal that has given us fleece and lambs deserves the happiest life we can provide for them."

What a great site!

[~Boudicca~]

Originally Posted by caiesmommy

I agree w the wool thing. I'm a vegan and I use wool. I grew up on a farm, and if you don't shear the sheep then they tip over from the weight of the wool and will die. Usually a VERY slow and painful death from wolves. If you can find someone who farms responsibly even better.

Wow, you learn something new every day...I had no idea that could happen to sheep.

[lilyka]

why is cashmere bad?