Sustainable filling

We have been looking for a natural material for filling, for various crocheted and knitted figures. A filling that must work optimally on all criteria:

• Hypoallergenic and antibacterial
• Fill well and keep the shape
• Must be washable
• 100% natural material 

We have found this in sustainable kapok, and we are really happy that we can now also offer you this fantastic material.

SUSTAINABLE KAPOK
Kapok is a perfect filling material consisting of organic natural fibers, which are both allergy-friendly and antibacterial. Kapok originates from the seed capsule on the tall kapok trees also called Ceiba pentranda. The kapok trees grow wild in the tropical rainforests of India, southern and central America, and in western Africa. The harvest of kapok cannot be certified as organic, as it does not take place in a plantation but in the wild rainforest. Here it is allowed to grow naturally on the same terms as the rest of the rainforest.

Kapok contains a natural bitter substance which prevents kapok trees from being attacked by pests. Therefore, it is not necessary to use chemicals, pesticides or other pesticides during the cultivation, harvesting or production of kapok. The bitter substance has the fantastic advantage that mold and house dust mites cannot live in the fiber, and it therefore also makes the kapok filling an allergy-friendly and hygienic product.

A GOOD COLLABORATION
We get the delicious loose kapok from the Danish company Cocoon, which specializes in producing 100% natural and allergy-friendly duvets and pillows, for which they use sustainable kapok. It is a collaboration that makes sense in so many ways:

• Cocoon can reduce their production waste to an absolute minimum.
• If there are errors in a production of eg pillows, the loose kapok can be repackaged in small bags, which we craft enthusiasts can use for small projects such as teddy bears etc.
• When we use kapok fillings, we help support the conservation of the tropical rainforests where the kapok trees grow.

At the same time, the quality of the fibers that Cocoon Company uses is of really good quality.
We are very pleased to have found a sustainable alternative to filling, which nature can provide under completely natural and responsible conditions.

WASH OF KAPOK
Due to its antibacterial properties, it is not necessary to wash Kapok as often as other products. In general, we recommend that you try to avoid machine washing and instead wash by hand. If there is a little dirt on the surface, try if a cloth can handle the task before you put it in the washing machine.

How to wash in the machine

• Choose a short washing program.
• We recommend washing at 40 degrees (max 60 degrees).
• Select 1200 rpm to flush the water out well.
• Use a gentle detergent without enzymes and bleach.
• Avoid fabric softener.
• Avoid soaking kapok as the fibers can be damaged.

How to dry

• Dry immediately in the dryer
• Dry several times over medium heat. Dry approx. 20 min. Then take the product out of the dryer for 20 minutes and then start all over again until the product is completely dry.

USE KAPOK FOR FILLING
Kapok fiber contains 80% air and is 8 times lighter than cotton. It is a light material, and you can therefore rejoice that fewer grams of kapok are used than normal teddy bear filling for a figure - approx. half and up to two-thirds of the amount of plain filling cotton specified in a pattern.
 

If 60 g of other fillings is used, you can basically assume that you will need 30-40 g of kapok. Of course, it depends on what shape it is, as well as how firm or soft you want your finished product.

BUY KAPOK AT KREA DELUXE
We have Kapok in bags of 40 grams. The bags are made of 100% organic cotton and can be reused for eg storage of your small projects or perhaps as a gift bag for a crocheted or knitted teddy bear.

Find and buy kapok right HERE

Filling tips:

To make a good filling without dents, you can follow our simple "balloon tip"

• Start by filling in the sides of the figure, so that an upholstery is almost made on the inside of the figure.
• Then fill up only in the middle - ln that way the figure will be filled up from the middle out - a bit like inflating air in a balloon.
• Use plenty of filling. It is the filling that holds the shape of the figure in place.
• Filling in eg. teddy bears are compressed in use, and therefore a little extra stuffing is needed to prevent the teddy bears from becoming too "loose".