This isn’t too “alternative,” but some people rip scrap fabrics up into strips, sew or knot those together, and crochet durable floor mats out of them. I’m sure you could do exactly the same thing but with knitting.
I’ve seen people do that with long cut-off strips of denim. In NZ florists often tie up bunches of flowers with stuff which I always thought of as raffia. I agree that it might be hard on the hands, I’d take it slow - like a row each day.
Sarah
You may find this old KAL blog interesting - http://notyarnalong.blogspot.com/
I want to knit something out of all the spanish moss I have in my yard after a storm. I’m afraid it wouldn’t be all that comfy and it would be full of red bugs though. :teehee: