Algae & Mushroom Yarns – The Future of Sustainable Fibers

25/07/2025

Sustainable crafting is evolving fast. Beyond organic cotton and recycled wool, a new wave of bio-based yarns is entering the scene – sourced from seaweed and mushrooms. 🌊🌱

🌼 What Are Algae & Mushroom Yarns?

These innovative yarns come from renewable raw materials and are designed to be:

resource-efficient
skin-friendly
biodegradable
low-impact on land and water use

💡 They're still niche products – but full of potential for eco-minded makers.

🌊 Algae Fibers – Sea-Grown Softness

Algae yarns are typically made from brown seaweed (e.g. Ascophyllum Nodosum). Dried, pulverized, and blended with cellulose, the fiber is spun into a silky-soft yarn – often marketed as SeaCell™.

Benefits:

moisture-regulating & cooling
naturally rich in minerals (calcium, magnesium)
gentle on sensitive skin
naturally antibacterial & odor-resistant

🎯 Perfect for: summer tops, baby wear, spa accessories

🍄 Mushroom Fibers – Mycelium in Yarn Form

Mycelium is the root-like structure of fungi – strong, flexible, and versatile. It can be grown, dried, and treated to form textile-ready fiber materials.

Properties:

highly durable
soft yet stable
100% biodegradable
no pesticides or fertilizers required

💡 Projects like MycoTEX®, Muskin®, and Reishi™ are exploring this in fashion and accessories – and soon: yarns!

🧪 Tips for Crafting with Future Fibers

Handling | Algae Fiber | Mushroom Fiber

Washing

Algae Fiber: Hand wash recommended | Mushroom Fiber: Air out, cold wash only

Needle Type

Algae Fiber: Avoid sharp points | Mushroom Fiber: Use blunt tips, medium size

Feel

Algae Fiber: Similar to silk | Mushroom Fiber: Comparable to linen or hemp

Good matches

Algae Fiber: Blends with cotton, modal | Mushroom Fiber: Blends with wool, ramie, linen

🛒 Where to Find Them

These yarns are still emerging, but here's where to look:

SeaCell™ blends via brands like smartfiber AG
Tencel + Seaweed blends from Nordic Yarn
Mushroom-based fibers: MycoWorks (Reishi™), Neffa (MycoTEX®), Bolt Threads

🎯 You'll also find experimental kits for DIY fiber play – great for workshops or eco-curious creatives!

💡 My Conclusion: The Future of Yarn Is Growing

Algae and mushroom yarns are more than a trend – they represent a new way of thinking about textiles. Regenerative, innovative, and deeply sustainable. The more makers explore them, the faster these fibers will grow (literally and figuratively!).

📣 Curious to try these innovative fibers?

Let's chat about it in my Facebook Group – and help shape the future of crafting together!

#strickenimtrend #futurefibers #algaeyarn #myceliumtextile #ecoknittingrevolution

Keep openminded!

Yours,
Kathrin ☀️🧶