Fabrics and Yarns

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Hemp: Conventional hemp plants are hardy enough to withstand weeds and bugs, requiring few pesticides. Hemp Traders Crystal Rose satin hemp-silk blend ($12/yard), Indigo dyed hemp-cotton denim ($8.50/yard) or fine hemp linen ($11.50/yard; www.hemptraders.com, 310-914-9557); Earth Friendly Goods hemp-cotton jersey knit ($8.25/yard) or hempflax herringbone ($24.90/yard; www.earthfriendlygoods.com, 877-447-1521).

Silk: Cruelty-free silk allows wild and semi-wild silkworms to emerge from their cocoons before the silk is harvested, rather than killing them. Aurora Silk Eri Peace Silk ($26/yard, www.aurorasilk.com, 503-286-4149).

Recycled Fleece: Polar Fleece from recycled soda bottles, Wild Rose Farm ($14.50/yard; www.wildrosefarm.com, 218-562-4864).

YARN

Cotton and Wool: Most conventional yarns contain petroleum-based polyester. Cotton Comfort wool/organic cotton yarn ($11.25/2-oz. skein) from Green Mountain Spinnery (www.spinnery.com, 800-321- 9665); Tierra Wools organic churro wool ($9.50/4-oz. natural colors and $12.50/4-oz. hand-dyed colors; www.handweavers.com/yarnstore.htm, 888-709-0979); Vermont Organic Fiber Company O-Wool classic organic merino wool ($11.95/3.5-oz. skein, www.theyarngrove.com).

Silk Alternatives: The Wool Peddler sells fairly traded yarns made by co-ops in Nepal from recycled saris (using the thrum from sari mills) or from the stalks and leaves of the banana tree. Kathmandu recycled silk ($7.50/3.5-oz. skein) and banana silk yarn ($12/7-oz. skein; www.recycledsilk.com, 802-365-4811).

Soy: Produced from the residue of soybeans from tofu manufacturing, soy yarns mimic the soft feel of cashmere. South West Trading Company "Soy Silk" yarn ($12.10/3.5-oz. skein; www.theyarngrove.com).

Plant Fibers: A strong, resilient fiber, hemp can be used in the same manner as cotton or wool. "Hemp is stronger and more durable than cotton," says McDowell. "It's not quite as soft, but you can get a nice drape." Nettle, a coarse herb that grows widely as a weed, is naturally moth-repellant. Bamboo, often compared to silk and cashmere, is rapidly renewable. Lana Knits "allHemp3" sport-weight hemp yarn ($5.75/1.5-oz. skein; www.lanaknits.com, 888-301-0011); Artspun bamboo yarn ($13/3.5-oz. skein; www.artspun.com, 206-779-5536); nettle yarn ($6/about 3-oz.; www.recycledsilk.com, 802-365-4811).

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