Yarn arts are arguably the slowest kinds of slow fashion – they allow for the infusion of personal meaning, journey, and effort into each yarn product. The beauty of yarn arts is that it’s fashion so slow the consumers make it themselves – stitch by stitch.
Nordic yarn arts brand, Önling, opened in 2015 by founders Katrine Hannibal and Lotte Ronan. Now, their product distributes internationally in 21 countries outside the EU and 27 countries within the EU. With a specific focus on classic, family-run production and art style, Önling encompasses slow fashion in everything it does.
Each step in the production of an Önling yarn is careful and sustainable. From a deep belief in animal rights to plastic-free, sustainable packaging to the philosophy of the yarn itself, Önling embodies its name which means “favourite” in Danish.
Certified Animal Care Practises:
The yarn’s journey begins with respectful wool harvesting. Önling holds not one but five different sustainable wool production certifications: Defra Animal Welfare, Caregora, NWD integrity program, TF Traceability & Fashion, and Origine Preferenziale. All of which gives the stamp of approval for animal welfare and sustainable production practices. A family-operated, classically spun, yarn spinning mill produces the yarn out of Italy.
Strictly mulesing-free and animal friendly, the wool production process holds true to time-honoured traditions of yarn spinning and animal welfare. In other words, the woolly animals are as much a part of the Önling family as their employees.
Plastic-Free Packaging:
The sustainable journey of the yarn then proceeds from the mill to eco-friendly packaging. Önling has guaranteed that their packaging is completely plastic-free so that their profit only comes from sustainable wool and paper products.
Already having saved 70,000 plastic bags, Önling uses recycled paper bags and takes so much care to ensure no-emission packaging that it even has two retail staff coordinators to hand-pack each shipment.
Sustainable Style:
Once the yarn arrives at a client’s doorstep, the slow fashion philosophy doesn’t stop. Önling also embodies a timeless, Nordic style. Working with expert Nordic hand knitters, Önling supplies patterns that are classically modern, wearable, and long-lasting.
For those that don’t knit, Önling’s team of hand knitters will also create a product for you, customized to your taste and size. All this to say, even down the stitch, Önling creates clothing and clothing products that are meant to be favourites; clothing that lasts, doesn’t fade, ball, or tear; clothing not forgotten or tossed away, but worn and reworn, fashionably timeless throughout the years.
They care for their products in order to advocate for clothing that is cared for even when worn but also to advocate for a clothing industry that cares for the earth with sustainable production. At its very core, Önling’s creates deeply loved yarn and yarn arts – truly the favourite of slow fashion.
All images in this article are courtesy of Önling unless stated otherwise.
