Which sweaters and hoodies have no plastic in the yarn, the ribbing, the drawcord or the thread?
This category is being vetted. Nothing here is a recommendation yet.
Where plastic hides in sweaters and hoodies
Wool and cotton knits pick up plastic in the yarn first. Wool sweaters often add nylon or acrylic for strength and price. Machine-washable wool is superwash, coated with a polyamide resin that smooths the fiber. The ribbing at the cuffs, hem and neck is where elastane hides. A hoodie adds a polyester or cotton drawcord, eyelets in brass or plastic, a zipper on polyester tape, and often a polyester fleece back. Seams are sewn in polyester thread, the neck is taped, the label is printed, and "heavyweight" fleece is sometimes 80/20 cotton and polyester.
What to check before you buy
- Yarn: 100% wool, alpaca, cotton or hemp, or a blend with nylon, acrylic or polyester?
- Wool treatment: untreated, or machine-washable superwash?
- Ribbing: free of elastane at the cuffs, hem and neck?
- Drawcord and eyelets: cotton cord and metal grommets, or polyester and plastic?
- Fleece back or lining: brushed cotton, or polyester fleece?
- Thread and labels: cotton, or polyester?