Is Malabrigo Yarn Ethically Produced? What Their Practices Actually Look Like
Posted by Kelly Holtsclaw on Dec 29th 2025
Are you curious about whether Malabrigo Yarn is ethically produced? Let's take a closer look at their actual practices to see what really goes on.
When people shop for yarn, color and texture usually come first — and honestly, they should. A yarn has to feel right in your hands and spark an idea before anything else matters. Over time, though, I’ve noticed more customers asking practical questions about how yarn is made, where the wool comes from, and what happens during the dyeing process.
Malabrigo is best known for its rich, layered colors and soft merino bases, but behind the skein is a production process that’s often discussed and not always clearly explained. This article isn’t about persuading anyone or applying a moral checklist. It’s about laying out the facts — how Malabrigo sources its wool, how it manages dyeing and water use, and what safety standards its yarns meet — so common questions have clear, accurate answers.
Table of Contents
- Behind the Skein: Sourcing, Dyeing, and Safety
- Water Purification and Energy Use
- Animal Welfare and Wool Sourcing
- Safety Standards and Dye Certification
- Malabrigo Yarns at Forever Winding Wool
- Frequently Asked Questions
Behind the Skein: Malabrigo’s Sourcing, Dyeing, and Safety Practices
Malabrigo’s production is centered primarily in Uruguay, a country with a long history of wool production and established agricultural regulations. By keeping much of their supply chain relatively local, Malabrigo maintains closer oversight of sourcing, labor, and manufacturing than brands that spread production across multiple regions.
The sections below address the questions I hear most often.
Beyond the Dye: Water Purification and Energy Use
Clean Water Management
Hand-dyeing yarn requires a significant amount of water, particularly in kettle-dyed processes where depth and variation of color are part of the result. According to Malabrigo, their dye facilities include a dedicated water treatment and detoxification system that cleans dye water before it is reused or released.
This process removes residues from the dyeing cycle rather than sending untreated wastewater downstream. In practical terms, it means water is managed intentionally rather than discarded without treatment.
Malabrigo describes these practices here:
https://malabrigoyarn.com/about/
Solar Energy in the Dye Process
Heating large vats of water is one of the most energy-intensive parts of yarn dyeing. Malabrigo uses solar panels to help heat the water tanks used during this process.
Solar thermal systems don’t eliminate energy use entirely, but they do reduce reliance on conventional energy sources during one of the most demanding production stages.
Animal Welfare and Wool Sourcing
Is Malabrigo Yarn Ethically Sourced?
Malabrigo’s merino wool comes from free-range sheep raised in Uruguay. One of the most common concerns associated with merino wool globally is mulesing, a practice used in some countries to prevent flystrike.
Uruguay does not practice mulesing, and Malabrigo has confirmed that its wool is mulesing-free due to regional farming standards and animal husbandry practices.
More background on Uruguay’s wool industry is available here:
https://www.wool.com/global-wool-industry/uruguay/
The Human Side of Production
In addition to animal welfare, Malabrigo emphasizes fair labor practices and local employment. Their spinning and dyeing operations support workers in Uruguay and Peru, helping sustain skilled textile jobs rather than outsourcing production entirely.
Safety Standards and Dye Certification
Are the Dyes Used in Malabrigo Yarn Safe?
Malabrigo uses synthetic dyes, which is standard practice for achieving consistent, colorfast results at scale. What matters for makers and wearers is what remains in the finished yarn.
Malabrigo yarns are certified under OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, meaning the finished yarn has been tested for harmful substances and meets established safety thresholds for textiles intended to be worn against the skin.
More information on OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 can be found here:
https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/oeko-tex-standard-100
Malabrigo Yarns Available at Forever Winding Wool
If you’re interested in working with Malabrigo yarns yourself, these are a few bases I carry and regularly recommend for different types of projects:
- Malabrigo Rios – A superwash merino yarn known for durability and clear stitch definition, suitable for garments and everyday accessories.
https://foreverwindingwool.com/malabrigo/yarns/malabrigo-rios/ - Malabrigo Worsted – A single-ply merino yarn that highlights kettle-dyed color and works well for textured knits.
https://foreverwindingwool.com/malabrigo/yarns/malabrigo-worsted-yarn/ - Malabrigo Rasta – A super bulky, thick-and-thin merino yarn ideal for fast projects and bold colorwork.
https://foreverwindingwool.com/yarn/malabrigo-yarn/malabrigo-rasta/
You can browse the full Malabrigo collection here:
https://foreverwindingwool.com/yarn/malabrigo-yarn/
Frequently Asked Questions About Malabrigo Yarn
Is Malabrigo yarn ethically produced?
Malabrigo sources its merino wool from free-range sheep in Uruguay, where mulesing is not practiced. The company emphasizes regulated sourcing, local production, and established manufacturing standards.
What is the environmental impact of Malabrigo’s dyeing process?
Malabrigo treats dye water through a purification system before reuse or release and uses solar energy to help heat water for dyeing.
Is Malabrigo merino wool mulesing-free?
Yes. Uruguay does not practice mulesing, and Malabrigo has confirmed its wool is mulesing-free.
Are the dyes used in Malabrigo Rasta safe?
Malabrigo uses synthetic dyes, but finished yarns are certified under OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 for textile safety.
How does Malabrigo reduce water waste?
By treating dye water through a dedicated purification system, Malabrigo is able to reuse or responsibly release water rather than discarding it untreated.