Darn Good Yarn

Darn Good Yarn is an eco-friendly and fair-trade company that specializes in unique yarns, craft supplies, and upcycled fashion. Founded in 2008 by U.S. Air Force veteran Nicole Snow, the company's core mission is to create sustainable jobs for marginalized artisans, primarily women in India and Nepal, while reducing global textile waste.

Here's a breakdown of key aspects about Darn Good Yarn:

Mission and Values:

• Ethical Sourcing and Fair Trade: Darn Good Yarn is deeply committed to providing fair, safe, and sustainable employment to artisans. They ensure workers are paid a living wage and have year-round employment, directly impacting their ability to provide for their families and send their children to school.
• Environmental Sustainability: A significant part of their mission is to reduce textile waste. They achieve this by using reclaimed materials, particularly recycled sari fabric, to create their products. They've saved millions of pounds of textile waste from landfills and waterways.
• Empowerment and Community: Darn Good Yarn focuses on empowering disadvantaged populations, including women and individuals with developmental disabilities. They foster a global community of crafters who can feel good about their purchases.
• "Do Darn Good": This is their overarching philosophy, guiding their business decisions from sourcing to employee benefits.

Products: Darn Good Yarn is best known for:

• Recycled Silk Yarn: Spun from reclaimed sari fabric, these yarns are vibrant, unique, and suitable for knitting, crochet, weaving, and other fiber arts.
• Upcycled Sari Wrap Skirts: Handmade by women-led co-ops, each skirt is a one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly fashion item made from discarded saris.
• Eco-friendly Craft Kits and Fiber Tools: They offer a variety of kits for different crafting levels, designed to inspire creativity and mindfulness.
• Other Yarns and Fibers: They also offer a range of other eco-friendly yarns made from materials like wool, cotton, banana fiber, hemp, and nettle.
• Yarn of the Month Club: A popular subscription service that delivers unique yarns directly to subscribers, further supporting their mission of job creation.

Company Profile:

• Founded: 2008
• Founder & CEO: Nicole Snow
• Headquarters: Clifton Park, NY, USA
• Artisans Supported: Over 600 women artisans in India and Nepal.
• Awards: Winner of the Inc. 5000 Award multiple years in a row and the 1st FedEx Small Business Grand Contest.

In essence, Darn Good Yarn is more than just a craft supply company; it's a social enterprise that combines a passion for crafting with a commitment to making a positive global impact through ethical practices and sustainable products.