Keeping Warm Naturally

How can we keep warm in the winter months without synthetic yarns, fibers or clothing? I only have a small part of the solution and new things to try so this post is going to reach out for community answers from different climate zones. I want your imput so please don’t be shy.

I’m in Southern California, a place known for sunny days. We usually have more mild winters. I have never seen snow fall. I’ve seen it on TV and piled up on the side of roads as we traveled to the mountains for a change of scenery during the holidays. We are also being squuezed like the rest of the world with high taxes and fees. So for the past 10 years or so, I have learned to live without electric blankets or heaters.

To stay warm, I wear layers of clothing. I wear layers of cotton t-shirts and two sweaters. One is very thin and one is thicker. I have a cowl and a beanie hat. I don’t have lined pants and this is the first year I am going without leggings because I really am trying to eliminate all synthetics like lycra from my life. I wish I had a few tunic sweaters and maybe a flannel petticoat. I don’t have the funds to change everything all at once. I feel better knowing that I am eliminating some of the toxins and starting a new lifestyle for me as others are doing it also. Not because of me but because the general public is more eco-conscience on what products, tools and necessary items are healthier for our bodies and the beautiful environment that we want to preserve.

Also wool has been helping. I can’t believe how warm wool socks are! Sometimes I wear two pairs or wear DK socks. I’m not a runner so it seems like this is the way to go for me. I don’t have a 100% wool sweater yet but I hope to in the future. I wouldn’t mind wool and another natural fiber blended. Wool is warm.

Also for this area, I don’t really see boots or super bulky knits. We have wind and rain in the winter. We stay indoors or run for the nearest building when it rains in a heavy downpour. I was thinking about what to use instead of nylon umbrellas. Our town uses them in the summer for the sun and the winter for the rain. I saw a woman showing how she waterproofs her canvas parka with beeswax on Instagram and seems like a really great idea, especially if you have a hood.

One thing today while doing a little research on this is an article about warm vegan yarns. The author points out that the stitch can be warmer like rib, brioche or waffle knit. I think cables are part of that warm stitch line up. I’ll have to look up how to do different waffle stitches this week.

As far as heavier knits, maybe a super bulky cowl might not stick out so much. I’m not a person that likes to be the center of attention and I like to blend in the environment. I like being stealth in this world. I don’t care about trends that much anymore because everything will have to last me years instead just that season. A trend to me is for a whole decade.

Oh, I almost forgot, hot or warm liquids. I al drinking hot tea with milk, right now. I have a double walled steel big mug that has lasted me 20 years or so. I used mug cozies before. I love the cozies for tea pots. I have to post more of that, too as free patterns I post daily on X.

So what keeps you warm without synthetic fibers?