Knitting with Intention (and Attitude)

By Sophia Chen (10/26/25) — London, UK

The other day, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the large tree outside my dorm window had started to turn orange. It was a lovely sign that one of my favorite seasons is back, and with the cozy vibes of fall, I thought this was the perfect time to brush up on some hobbies. One of my longtime hobbies, knitting, felt especially suitable. It’s something I can do bundled up in bed with a comfort movie or outside on a park bench before the weather turns chilly.

I started knitting at the beginning of high school, and I still remember the excitement of upgrading from the acrylic yarn I used to buy at Michaels. Although Michaels will always be a reliable staple, shopping at local yarn stores introduced me to new types of yarn and made me appreciate my finished products even more. The natural fibers had a softer texture, and there was something satisfying about walking into a yarn store and thoughtfully choosing the right material for each project.

Over time, I learned that this shift from acrylic to natural yarns was also a more sustainable choice. Yarns made from natural fibers (such as wool, cotton, and alpaca) tend to be more environmentally friendly than those made from manmade fibers (such as acrylic and polyester), as the latter are derived from fossil fuels and require significant energy to produce.

Recently, I came across Knit with Attitude, an independently owned yarn store in Stoke Newington, London, that specializes in sustainable and ethically sourced products. Curious to see what that commitment looked like in practice, I hopped on a bus last Saturday and headed north to find out.

When I arrived, I was greeted by the store’s owner, Maya, who founded the store 15 years ago. She explained that she can trace the origins of every yarn she sells, and it was clear she was very conscious about all of her products.

When she first started, she said one of her biggest challenges was finding suppliers willing to share where their yarns came from. Many told her that those details were “industry secrets,” but Maya was determined to make sure her supply chain was transparent and ethical (both for the people and animals involved).

Today, Knit with Attitude carries a wide selection of natural yarns from brands that prioritize sustainable sourcing. One that stood out to me was Pickles, their first international retailer, based in Oslo. Pickles sources 100% organic cotton from Peru, ensuring that their business supports the local community through fair wages and contributions to schools.

Another brand that caught my attention was Black Elephant, whose color palette was both unique and beautiful. My favorite was a yarn that blended rich greens with a warm auburn, which I thought would make for a great sweater. I later learned that Black Elephant’s yarns are hand-dyed in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, by its owner.

Maya helped me decide what type of yarn to use for my next sweater and offered me practical advice, even sharing a website with patterns she recommends. She also told me that the first knit project she ever did was a colorwork jumper when she was four!

After visiting the store, I realized how many choices there are in weight, fiber, and color that I hadn’t considered before. I’m already looking forward to my next visit to Knit with Attitude and also attending one of their workshops, such as in-store “knit nights” on the third Thursday of each month.

For now, I’ll be mulling over my yarn choices. I’ve developed an even deeper appreciation for how intentional knitting can be. I’ve always loved carefully choosing my projects and yarn, knowing I’ll spend many hours working on them.

But after visiting Knit with Attitude, I’ve realized that the process begins long before I start knitting. The creation and sourcing of the yarn itself has its own care and purpose, which is something I’ll now keep in mind every time I start a new project.