i think one thing that comes into consideration for me when choosing acrylic yarn is the ease of care when knitting for others. I know some friends and family will absolutely toss thier knits into the washer and dryer no matter how much I label them with proper care instructions. I also do a fair amount of charity knitting and some organizations indicate the items be easiy cared for, so often times that means I''m choosing acrylic or acrylic blend.
This! I love my dad, I would make him 1000x luxury yak cashmere hats if I didn’t already know they will end up in the washer dryer with his construction clothes! Acrylic it is, in some beautiful colors!
I've been doing the same for my partner. I'm starting to branch into wool ease blends and superwash to give him a bit more comfort, but ease of wash is #1 on my list
Agreed! Gift knits for those loved ones who need much less fuss when it comes to laundry is my biggest reason for using acrylic after price point. Even though superwash wool can be washed in the machine, it still might be too fussy for some people.
I understand everyone's concern about plastic. But here whether you agree or not is an important pro using acrylic. Availability, price and donations. I receive lots of donated yarn. I accept it all. I live on a very low income at 72 years of age. I also knit hats, scarves. shawls and lap afghans primarily for VA hospitals, homeless shelters and nursing homes. When items are washed, it's done in commercial washers and dryers. No time to check washing instructions in those situations. I receive donated acrylic yarns for my charity knitting and crocheting. I accept it all in the spirit that it is given. Don't shame me.
You’re doing exactly what God has put on my heart to do. God bless you for your giving spirit! Also, thank you for that insight about the need for acrylic items because of the care needed. I had not considered this aspect. ❤
I mainly use acrylic have only now just started trying Cotton and while I want to try more “fancy” yarns I also know I can’t afford to do so at the moment and also a lot of the things I make I’m ok with using acrylic I’ve made some beanies, scarves and I’m currently working on my very first cardigan and I’m using acrylic for it
When I started knitting and crocheting acrylic yarn was the only thing available to me. My husband still uses a blanket that I made for him 45 years ago. I still use a blanket that one of my aunt's made over 50 years ago. I can attest to the durability of acrylic yarn.
And this is what separates these items from the mass of synthetic, "fast-fashion" items. The quality of construction adds to its longevity, making it a much more sustainable option. And I love that your husband is still using a blanket you made from him all those years ago. So special. ❤️
I like how you have encouraged a no judge community, knitting should bring us together, not divide into groups. Celebrate the process, not the product.
I would not be able to knit myself sweaters if I didn't use acrylic yarn both because of the cost and because of texture sensitivities, but for me I feel like I'm making the better choice for the environment because sweaters I make myself will have a lower environmental impact than buying fast fashion sweaters since the ones I knit myself aren't flown all around the world to be assembled and then finally flown to me. The transportation of goods is such a huge part of a product's impact on the environment that we don't always take into account, and I wish it was a bigger part of the discussion with acrylic yarn. We're all doing the best we can in a bad system.
I have a friend that I knit for and she doesn’t wear wool. I am thankful that there are more synthetic choices today. Lion Brand has some lovely options that are recycled from plastics, so it is definitely a good environmental choice. I hope that your knitting brings you great joy, mine does.
Everything you're saying here is so important. Especially the bit on transporting goods. Sure that 100% Organic Wool yarn is nice and natural, but if it's coming from overseas, or even across the country, it's doing more "damage" than it's getting credit for. It's a very "pot calling the kettle black" situation.
Taylor I want to thank you so much for not making this ramble a topic for anything other than an objective look at a specific type of yarn. In a day when so many people are dividing and drawing lines in the sand, you come in and just present the facts and I really appreciate that. I didnt want to let an opportunity go by to let you know that it’s refreshing to hear someone not go outside of their platform and use their influence to bash people with their own agenda or beliefs. In the world of knitting, I for one, just want to knit and be encouraged in my craft. Thank you again.
My grandmother knit and crocheted for 82 years. She was raised on a farm in Maine where they had sheep. Therefore, they spun wool to yarn. She even worked at a woolen mill. After all this exposure to wool, she preferred acrylic yarns Red Heart to be specific. People sometimes argue that acrylic yarns equals fast fashion, but I still have items she created from the 80's. Enjoy creating no matter what medium you use!
You approached this topic with such care! I tried to go 100% no acrylic because plastic reduction is a big thing in my household, but I never knew what to do with the stash I already had so I started using it for things I make my kids and now I just settle on being "Acrylic lite". Kids aren't the most careful people in general, so they're defo not careful with handknits. I will continue to use acrylic for them and my more expensive animal and plant fibers for the adults. Furthermore once you look into production and the amount of harm still happening there with eco friendly fibers it really starts to look like you might as well farm the plant or raise the sheep yourself and then spin it up, because otherwise you're contributing to environmental harm somewhere. I and many people do not have time for all that. People just need to educate themselves and make informed decisions like the rest of life. We also need to leave people alone for their choices when it comes to this as well
I like that you called out that the whole "acrylic vs wool" discussion is not clear cut, and I think that fact is really exemplified by the fact that a lot of yarn is not 100% acrylic or 100% wool. Of my 5 WIPs right now, exactly 1 of them is not a multi-fiber blend (and it is 100% cotton). It's actually a great metaphor for the whole topic - the people at the ends of the spectrum are at odds, and most of us are somewhere in the middle. It also completely drowns out information on non-wool natural fibers (linen, silk, bamboo, cotton) making it hard to find helpful information on how to handle them, work with them, block them, etc. I'd love more content about how to handle natural fiber/acrylic blends, actually. I've got a sweater in progress that is 50% cotton 50% acrylic and I have no idea if I should wet or steam block it
Thank you Alex. Prior to having my first kiddo (he's almost 9), I was a 4th grade teacher and then a Gifted Ed teacher for nearly 10 years. 😉. Good to have you here. ❤️
I'm allergic to wool; when I started knitting acrylic was my only option. Box stores only carried acrylic, and my local yarn shops might of had silk ($$$$$) but were unsympathetic to rude when I asked for non-animal options. Cotton and other options have really increased, which is nice.
No one is "allergic" to wool . The reactions to wearing wool are not personal. Everyone experiences the same effect from using the wrong kinds of wool inappropriately. Mostly the fault of the industry from China adding carpet wool to sweaters! The wool industry in Australia did a study many years ago that found anything over 21 microns was and would be itchy so established 21 microns as the 'itch factor' for 99.9% of the population. This means anything under 21 microns will not itch and so could be worn next to the skin or used for babies and children without a reaction. That is when they started selective breeding for merino sheep that met this number. There are only a few breeds of sheep besides merino that qualify and they are mostly merino derivatives so rambouillet, polworth, cormo and some undercoat of shetland and icelandic sheep. Anything else is either a type of wool to be used for outerwear @ 22-29 microns, or over 30 microns for non wearables and rugs. The exceptions are long wool varieties that have different qualities and characteristics so even though over 30 microns can still be used for outerwear. Different fibers have slightly different qualities so cashmere for example set the acceptable quality at 18 microns and under, and alpaca can be all over the board even on the same animal for micron count so will always require identifying it or a test for sensitivity inside the wrist . So unless you have neuropathy or something that makes you especially sensitive you should be able to wear fine wool and many types of protein natural fibers, so merino and cashmere but even fine angora and qiviut, or kid mohair that have low micron counts. Keep trying to find something you can wear . It will change your life .
Over the past year or so, I've started consciously using natural fibers pretty exclusively for a number of reasons, all of them personal - one being that I realized an aspect of fibercraft that I enjoy is the inherent sustainability of making your own clothing/resisting fast fashion; two being that if I was going to take the time to make something nice for myself, I might as well use the best materials I can get. That being said, I'm very happy to see that a lot of big companies are starting to make acrylic yarn out of recycled fibers (Knitpicks Upcycle, Lion Brand Re-Spun) and I hope that's a trend we continue to see! The way I see it, using acrylic yarn is akin to purchasing fast fashion - everyone's done it, it's not a crime, and it's ultimately a drop in the bucket.
"A drop in the bucket" adds up especially with acrylic being the worst of all fibers at the amount of microplastics released. It has been used since the 50s and you think that doesn't add up with everyone being like whatever, it's fine, I'm just one person?
I am definitely in the minimally, processed wool only camp- but no judgement here. I don’t really like superwash wool either, except for socks and certain baby clothes. This is just a matter of personal taste. People should do whatever brings them joy without any pressure from others. Thanks for a fair and balanced discussion on this topic and discussing the environmental impact of using acrylic.
I tend to use acrylic when making for my grandkids. I figure it more affordable…easier to take care of and if they ruin it or grow out of it it didn’t cost me a fortune to make it! I can always make them another one!!👍 now when I make for myself or an older child I will tend to use more expensive natural fibers…😊
Thank you for being Switzerland on this topic. Well done. I find myself living in the borderlands, acrylic for hats and mittens and natural fibers for sweaters. And durable superwash sock yarn with nylon is popular for a reason!
I use acrylic yarn for baby items (new moms do not have the time to hand wash anything!), charity knitting, amigurumi, and home decor. Everything else is wool or a wool blend, or cashmere if I’m treating myself! Also… not all acrylic is the same. Some are better than others. It pays to shop around.
All acrylic is bad because of what it is made from, how it is made and what the effects are . Anything that is tauted as a benefit is a myth including cost and practical considerations on care. The truth is it takes more work because it needs regular washing and has none of the benefits of natural fibers . So the issue is really about educationg ourselves about the real benefits of natural fibers and the big differences. Reading these comments will help a lot .
I use all yarn. I have been given a lot of acrylic yarn and use this for projects where I know the project will be washed in washing machine. Use my natural fiber for special projects. I believe all yarn have a place in the crafting community ❤
I'm very allergic to wool. Break out in a rash, throat closes up, eyes swell. I thought maybe a blend would work, but I found out the hard way it doesn't. I use cotton, silk, hemp, bamboo, and acrylic. When I knit for charity I use cotton or acrylic to make projects because of the ease of washing and less worries about allergic reactions. Top sheets cause me to hot flash and have night sweats. So I've slept with the same handmade acrylic blanket for 8 years now and it's wonderful💕 The colors are still vibrant and it's so soft! No night sweats or hot flashes🤗
On a funny note....I am knitting a temperature blanket with acrylic yarn. It is partially for affordability and partially durability for a blanket that is going to fit my queen sized bed. At the same time I am knitting a beret with a Muskox/Merino/Silk blend yarn that cost a small fortune for a very small skein. It is so delightful to knot with and I am enjoying the process.
In the machine knitting community the static will stop a knitting carriage dead. Our solution to that is drier sheets (there are other solutions that apply to knitting machines) wiped across the needle bed or wrapping drier sheets around the yarn. It works and would maybe help and I use both acrylic, Sygnet Boho is particularly lovely. I would not make a garment for a new baby in wool as it would be grown out of too quick and needs to be washed a lot so I use acrylic. I have some beautiful pure new wool and Shetland to make ‘forever’ sweaters for me. Thank you for your videos and yes they are interesting, informative, helpful and joyful ❤️
I used to knit with acrylic... but then had the opportunity to knit with wool. I have never looked back... and became a yarn snob... only natural fibers now. Thanks Tayler. Great ramble!
Thank you Tayler for a well-balanced presentation of this topic. What a great community this is. Clearly we are all thinking about our crafting in responsible ways and making thoughtful decisions about the use of the materials available to us. I have acrylic in my stash. There is some up the road in my LYS. There is even more further up the road in a big box store. And there are warehouses all over the world filled to the rafters with it. Did a deep dive a while back to find out what I could possibly do to rid myself of my acrylic. Found out that I can't bury it (lasts forever), can't burn it (leaves a residue), can't donate it (just passing the buck) and can't recycle it (no facility). So I decided I would just use it as I have been for decades. I have made some adjustments. Despite the labels I no longer put acrylic knits in the machines. They get wet blocked the same as wool. Soaked, no agitation and laid flat to dry (as does the superwash that I really regret adding to my stash - ugh). Hoping this reduces my microplastic/toxic shed somewhat. I have no idea how we could safely recycle all the acrylic fibres and fabrics out there. I hope that those with more knowledge than I have will have a solution. In the meantime I will continue to create things for myself and others in the materials most appropriate for the wearers and carers (and my fixed income), whether that's acrylic, wool, plant-based or a blend. And, like everyone else in this community, I welcome solid, well-informed facts that Tayler has provided to us in her podcast. Thanks!
Just sharing a point of view for those against the use of acrylic yarn. I always wanted to knit exclusively with wool and now that I live in Europe I can do that. But when I lived in Brazil, mostly because of the weather, even the top brand of yarn would produce acrylic yarns or sometimes (not always) blends. That was my only option and instead of being sorry for myself I worked with what I had available and made the best of it.
Are you only allergic to sheep's wool? I'm a spinner. So, if you'd like some non sheep suggestions for proteinuria wool I could definitely help. 😂 Also, silk is completely hypoallergenic and there are a number of different types.
Thank you. As a kid all my mother would buy for us were wool sweaters and they irritated me so severely that I would end up with rashes. They were horrid. I have no idea what kind of wool it was but at that time we did not have access to consignment shops or thrift shops as they exist today and merino or cashmere would definitely have been out of my parents budget especially for growing children. My mother had to reluctantly relent and switch to buying synthetic fibres for me. I just shut the door on wool in my mind. At some point as I began to thrift and wanted to move towards more sustainability with my clothing, I discovered the wonder of wool blends. They didn’t irritate me and were easy to care for. I’ve since learned that merino and most cashmeres do not irritate me and occasionally I have found a pure wool sweater in a thrift store and that has gone alright as well. I discovered how wonderful they are for body temperature fluctuations and how much more breathable they are. I have never liked how sweaty synthetics can make me. This all led me to decide to try my hand at knitting and discovered that I really love it. But not every merino or cashmere wool is skin friendly for me, plus I’m new to all this and I dont’ have access to a lot of local wool stores and the ones we do have … well .. the prices for 100% wool makes me cringe. I am not willing to invest a lot of money into yarn when I am still learning. All this to say, synthetics or blends that are more accessible are the best options for me at this point. My goal is to make the switch to non synthetics at some point, but it’s a process and I am more than ok with that. Everyone has to do what works best for them. There’s no point adding any kind of pressure or making the process some sort of moral imperative situation that will just suck the joy out of the craft. I really appreciate how graciously you approach such topics. It makes it very encouraging to newcomers such as myself.
Premier yarns has the largest selection. Herrschners has some anti-pilling options and many yarns offered through Hobbium and Ice (from Turkey). Hobby Lobby has a "low pilling" yarn as well. If you make a large project such as a duster cardigan or throw, you don't want to spend lots of time on a project only to have it looking ratty after use or washing.
I use acrylic yarn a lot. I knit slippers and blankets with it. I knit hats and scarves for my husband and the grandchildren with it. It’s durable, reasonably priced, and it’s good for these projects. A few years ago I knitted my husband a beautiful sweater out of 100% wool and he washed it and shrank it and that is why if I make him something it’s usually acrylic. I prefer knitting with wool but I save my beautiful wool yarns for family members who are knit worthy and for special projects.
Very helpful. I knit for a nonprofit that requires only acrylic because of potential sensitivity. However, I tend to use natural fibers as well as acrylic/natural fiber blends. It’s all good ❤️
I use acrylic yarn to make stuff for friends/family if I know they don’t have the patience to care for a natural fiber piece. Cold wash low tumble dry makes it easy for them. I look for different pilling properties and textures to keep it interesting. Also, since it’s cheap and readily available in a multitude of colors at the hobby store, I use it to practice knitting things with. But I personally love natural fibers for myself and things I’m going to wear and prefer to use those when I knit for myself.
I can’t use wool so I mostly use acrylic and cotton yarn due to allergies for my husband and I. Also many crafters say wool is soft and squishy and I have never thought so maybe because if my allergy. I love my acrylic’s wearables (mostly sweater’s)
Thank you for the information! As I have grown in my craft, I have learned more about different fibers and found that I dislike the feeling of working with acrylic yarn and I can no longer handle the temperature regulation issues it brings. I have chronic illnesses that cause temperature regulation issues and as I have transitioned to a nearly 100% natural fiber wardrobe, I have seen vast improvement in my body's ability to regulate temperature and I am much more comfortable. I have had to say goodbye to some lovely acrylic pieces that I just cannot wear anymore.
I gather you mean temperature regulation that acrylic FAILS to bring . Now that you have discovered this you can go one further with other natural fibers . Angora winter wear especially as it also has thermal properties (meaning the core is hollow adding even more warmth to make it 8x warmer than wool ) in addition to the insulating properties that provide temp regulation for wool, mohair, alpaca, llama and qiviut. You will never be cold wearing angora. The astronauts had angora underwear when in space!
I only make blankets with acrylic yarn - I find they have to be washed way less often than a wearable and the lack of breathability doesn't bother me much if it's a blanket I throw on top of sheets or a comforter in the winter when it's freezing. I find that when I gift items, my family is less thrilled with "you must hand wash gently and dry flat" than they are with "yeah you can throw it in the washing machine and dryer on low".
I grew up with my grandparents crocheting with acrylic yarn. I did not know that natural fiber yarn existed until I got into Yarntube. I use acrylic for baby blankets/ gifts so that the parents can wash and dry. I don't wash and dry my blankets very often. I have purchased natural fiber yarn but I am working through my acrylic stash before I use my sock yarn.
As stated above this stuff called acrykic while cheap is NOT GOOD for babies, either because it cannot regulate temp or is not fire retardant like wool or other natural fibers. But also acrylic is just not warm and does compromise the development of their immune systems. Natural fibers can be aired and spot cleaned and not need washing as often so the belief about the washing machine is surious.
I am currently crocheting a 100% acrylic sweater, and knitting a sweater with a 75/25 acrylic/wool blend. I work with all fibers from natural wool with lanolin and straw bits still in it to acrylic, nylon, and polyester. They all have their uses and pros and cons and every single one of them has an environmental impact one way or the other. They are making a lot of very nice acrylics these days and there is a large variety in texture and feel. Acrylic blends are also very popular and can be lovely. My personal favorite yarn of all time is wool and alpaca blends. I love alpaca!
For many years I exclusively used acrylic yarn. I only crocheted hats and scarves while living in the Southwestern US, so it never really was an issue. Since getting into knitting, I've been exploring other fibers. I did knit my first sweater in acrylic though. The sweater looks really nice. Some things that I've noticed about it that I'm not crazy about are 1) it sags. It just gets a bit droopy and doesn't hold its shape the way I would like. It is really lightweight though! 2) It retains smells like crazy. It got left in the wash too long and even two subsequent washes haven't completely gotten rid of the musty smell. I'm going to try a vinegar soak to fix it. However, I have noticed this on some of my workout clothes that are also synthetic fibers as well. I'm making a cardigan out of a cotton/wool blend. Hopefully it will give me a good sense for what natural fibers can do!
More podcasts like this please! This one is timely because I have a sweater's worth of JoAnn's best blend in a perfect gray for me in my stash. I bought it when I first moved to a place without a good LYS and had not yet learned to shop on the internet.
I started out knitting with acrylic yarn. I didn’t want to spend a large amount of money on wool when I wasn’t sure it was something I would finish. I ended up loving fiber arts and have learned about the different animal fibers. Now I only knit garments with wool. But I make many home decor with acrylic because it’s machine washable.
I have a ton of luxury $37/skein hand dyed wool yarn, bare yarn I dye myself, etc, but I have 2-3x as much acrylic in my stash, because my favorite thing to make for people is baby blankets. And those are going to go in the washer and dryer with a big ol’ pile of other clothes thanks to diaper blowouts, spit up, food messes, sticky hands, etc. and I don’t want to burden the recipient with one more thing to hand wash. I wish I could find a cotton yarn that is anywhere near as soft as some of the acrylic yarns in my stash and anywhere near as affordable, but so far it’s not. I’ve made blankets for my kids, hats, scarves, etc and I know they’re going to get beat up, left outside in the elements, thrown around the house, etc and I need for those items to only have cost $5-20 in yarn to make… not $75-150. I’ll splurge a little on yarn for the friends and family I really love who I know will be able to hand wash the knits I make for them, but half the people I make things for are actually allergic to wool. I spent probably $200 on a full size blanket quantity of wool yarn for my besties mom as she died of cancer, worked on it for over a year, and by the time I finished it and gave it to her, found out she can’t use it because she had a severe wool allergy. That was a painful one… ugh.
Synthetic fibers have their place for sure. I’m knitting with mostly acrylic in the fall and early winter because I’m knitting gifts for people who need easy to care for knits. I prefer natural fibers for myself and choose them almost exclusively, but I know the extra care that comes with that choice. I don’t think gifts should require people to work harder. 🤷♀️
The difficulty is past beliefs about wool that occurred when sythetics were developed in order to pormote synthetics. The care issue is primary but that is mostly ignorance about how to care for natural fibers lost when synthetic products came in. The truth is wool and natural fibers are very easy care , do not require washing to the extent that synththetics do because they shed dirt and are odor retardant , so a light airing is almost all they ever need and maybe the occasional wash but never more work than synthetics require! But now we know that the chemicals used to make and clean synthetics are inevidably intrinsic to their use.
I would love to knit more with natural fibers but I have nooooooo money ahahahaha so I try to only knit things that don’t get washed very often in order to cut down on microplastics
Great responses, Tayler. I love that you make it a point to include everyone ...and that you encourage those who might feel they will be judged (for whatever reason) to participate, engage and embrace their creativity.
My grandma crocheted extensively but exclusively with aunt lydias crochet thread and red heart super saver. I grew up believing wool was an exotic luxury that was hard to get . Now i know better and love searching online for fibers i havent tried, haunting my local yarn shop squishing wool from local sheep, saving all year to buy handspun from the local spinners and weavers guild booth at my favorite annual fall festival and dying my own yarn. That being said i still use acrylic for certain projects and enjoy all sorts of blended fibers for both durability and affordability.
Thank you so much for addressing this. I was going to ask you to address just this topic. I have moved to natural fiber as I have been knitting and crocheting more and more. I have always avoided polyester material. When I started engaging in this craft, I just bought what I liked and never really gave much attention to content. I lost interest in much of the yarn I bought and opted to donate it. When I examined what I liked working with and what I didn't, I realized it was the acrylic yarns I purchased. I made 2 large blankets and although it had some wool, it had acrylic and I was disappointed how the material looked after washing. I started to realize it was possibly related to having acrylic in it. I have wool items for years and they are still beautiful. I learned more about the different types of yarn and the sheep it comes from. Now I understand why as I spoke to the more advanced knitters, they are not knitting snobs but treasure what they work with and how it feels and how long it will last. Having said all this, there is always a place for every type of material in a craft. What makes a craft so wonderful, is the fact everyone has the ability to like and select what materials they use. A true crafter respects anything handmade.
Like many here, for me it depends on the item. I prefer natural fibers for items I will personally wear on my body like socks (which granted usually have some nylon for durability), hats, wraps, garments, etc. However, for family blankets that go on the couch and can easily get soiled from cats/kids, I prefer acrylic. A blanket does not get washed as often as a garment, so I feel it’s not a huge micro plastic issue. Also, if I’m making a hat for someone who won’t follow washing instructions, acrylic only. I have only made 2 sweaters so far, the first out of linen (amazing), and the second out of Wool-Ease Thick n Quick, bc that is what the pattern called for. Am looking to make some simple raglan pullovers and am looking at LB Fisherman’s Wool as well as some of the LB Collection yarns available at my local box store. All 3 of my local yarn stores closed during Cvd, and I am much more limited in my budget these days, so I try to make do with my stash + Joann’s/Michael’s.
I'm new in knitting/crocheting, don't know much and still learning about yarn, but I've bought soo much arcrylic that I can open my own shop haha. Mostly, bc it was cheap, very soft and had very vibrant beautiful colors, and I had no idea that time that acrylic is not a good quality of yarn at that time. I still kinda like it, it's easy to work with and I am not ready yet to move to expensive yarn bc my quality of knit in not that good yet.
Great video! A few notes to add, there are anti static sprays on the market, and acrylic feels better when you use liquid softener and let it air dry. If your problem with wool is that it's itchy, acrylic won't necessarily feel better. They're both itchy in different ways. Also, please try new breeds of wool when the opportunity arises. Cormo wool, for example, is softer than any acrylic that I've ever felt., and if it's not too much, could we pressure big box stores to carry some more natural options? It used to be that I could at least get fisherman's wool everywhere that sold yarn, and that's just not the case anymore.
I am still learning how to pick the correct size so Acrylic yarn lets me learn my sizing with out the cost of the wool yarn. thank you for all the information about the pros and cons of the yarns.
I will use acrylic yarn when I’m knitting for my grandkids. It’s washable, durable and budget friendly, especially when kids grow so fast and are not super gentle on their clothes!
As a rustic wool fanatic, I'm really considering an acrylic everyday sweater. This is the second year I'm fighting with moths and it's really keeping me to enjoy my knitwear. (Cleaning, putting in fragrances, then letting them breath to get rid of the smell, moth traps, separating the used pieces, and the constant fear...) At this point I really want a sweater I can throw in the washing machine and not to worry about ruining it by wearing it OR not wearing and letting the moths to eat it.
Synthetic vs Natural fiber discussions, like most things in any eco-centered discussion, involve a lot of nuance. Most of the environmental impact in new items comes from the supply chain, so how the yarn was made, dyed, spun, etc. This stands for both synthetic and natural yarns. The environmental impact from non-ethical farms also contribute massively to the environmental impact of that yarn. It's easy to say that synthetic fibers have more of an impact than natural, which is true for the latter half of the yarn's life cycle, but inorganic cotton farms contribute massively to pesticide usage, water consumption, and land erosion. The "best option" is to shop as ethically as possible for natural fibers from small businesses, as you're supporting a more sustainable life cycle. That's incredibly expensive most of the time, so the best realistic option for me is secondhand yarn. Secondhand acrylic yarn is available in spades, and it's great for items that won't be washed as much/won't get as dirty. Synthetic fibers are a great option for gifts and ease of care- the likelihood of natural fiber knitted gifts getting damaged is too high for comfort, and once they get damaged beyond use, they get sent to the landfill which isn't great considering the impact surrounding growing said natural fiber + how natural materials can't break down in the landfill. Personally, once I get better at knitting, I'm going to switch over to buying natural fibers for myself for large knit pieces since I know I'll put in the work to care for everything. But there's absolutely no way I'm passing up big bags of discount yarn at thrift stores and garage sales, especially when it can be turned into gifts that will be cherished and cared for by loved ones (and survive the washer and dryer in the process.)
One thing I like about acrylic or blends is that they're an affordable way to try something new. I bought some multi-colored cotton-acrylic yarn to try the Butterfly | Papillon shawl by MarinJa Knits and Leaves in a Stream by Romi Hill. They both use techniques that are new to me and may be too much for me to handle. If so, I won't feel bad because I didn't spend a lot of money. And if I enjoy the knitting and the result, I'll feel better about investing in a hand dyed ombre like Freya Fibers.
One of my favorite yarns to use is the lion brand homespun and it is 98% acrylic and so soft! Also love that i can chuck the sweater in the dryer and not worry about it.
Great post tonight! There are some very soft acrylic yarns that are great for baby/child items that have a short shelf life, or for animal shelters or other charitable knitting where easy washing is desirable. Some household items are best done in acrylic for durability, too. There is a place for every fiber, IMHO. Thanks for sharing great information!
I haven't read all the comments but one thing that should be considered is that some people are allergic to wool :( Also when I was learning to crochet and knit I didn't want to invest much money into the hobby so I used acrylic. I still use acrylic for crafts and such. I now use wool, alpaca, yak, cotton and superwash wool, for knitting garments. Keep calm and cast on!!
I use just about every yarn that's easy to get along with! If it's for myself, I splurge as I will pamper the garment which takes me forever to knit. My daughter's allergic to wool so I try to find cotton acrylic blends. Thanks Tayler for the superwash info I didn't know about. Most of my superwash is sock yarn so it doesn't impact me too much there.
My acrylic yarn Con: is weight-it is heavy and stretches and static and pilling. It is inexpensive and is good for home decor pieces, but I gave away a gifted king size crocheted acrylic yarn blanket because it was sooo heavy, that I could not sleep under it. Sad as my mom made it for me specifically. Wool and wool blends are light as air and super warm. So no stress of weight while knitting and I have hand and wrist arthritis so I can still knit.
Get some angora yarn and make some wrist warmers for your arthritic hands if you really to see the benefits of natural fiber as this incredible fiber has thermal proerties that will alleviate pain by increasing bloodflow and reducing inflamation . And it works faster than tylenol to alleviate pain! Yes totally agree about the weight issue but not just making but how heavy to be under for a blanket or quilt .
Due to allergies l pretty much only knit with acrylic yarn and l have extremely few pilling issues. But then l only ever throw mine in the rinse wash and let it air dry. I also have zero stretch issues. I use Scheepjes yarns (chunky monkey and colour crafter) for the most part but have had no issues with Sachenmayr Nomotta Bravo or Phildar acrylics either.
I started with cotton and acrylic yarn because that is what my mom had in the house (cotton for dish rags) and it was easier for my mom to teach me how to crochet with it! After teaching myself how to knit I am learning that I prefer wool, however, I still love working with acrylic because of how easy it is to access and how affordable it is! I currently and trying to be more mindful of my yarn I purchase, however, I still have a TON of acrylic that is left over and think it is great for gift knits (like place holders, cup cozies, hats, etc.) I love both, and it really just depends on what you prefer!
I’ve made an acrylic knit dress and sweater as well as many more wool ones and I love the acrylic ones just as much and will def buy 😮sweater quantities of both again.
The first sweater I made was with 100% acrylic. Hey, something that was somewhat in my budget, yay! And at the time, natural fibers were hard to get ahold of for some reason. These days, acrylic bothers my hands, so I typically use natural fibers unless I'm making baby items that'll need a lot of washing. I still wear that sweater, just over a camisole. Wish I could've blocked the sleeves though... the texture pulls them up on the inside a little bit. Currently knitting up a wool sweater with a silk/merino strand as well as a shawl in some wool/silk/yak that I dyed.
Thank you so much. I am a relatively new knitter and learning on my own and as I go. I was so excited to get to knitting that I never thought about the yarn beyond color, availability, or if I could afford it. It is easy to be overwhelmed by all the choices and not knowing what to use in place of the yarn the pattern recommends. I am thankful for someone that educates with kindness.
I'm new to the craft, and haven't purchased near as much yarn as most. My first skein of yarn was acrylic yarn, and it was very soft as I hand spun it into a cake. I got extremely frustrated while I was making my cakes though, and it completely shut me down from the acrylic world. 5 out of 6 skeins were broken and tied in 3 or more places. I was furious! Although the yarn was inexpensive, I didn't want to deal with short pieces and weaving in extra ends. After all I'm just a beginner and only wanted to focus on knit and purl. My husband saw my frustration and talked me into just knitting an afghan to build my skill. He gave me permission to go to the local specialty yarn shop, and this was my introduction to all things of natural fibers. I must say that now the vast majority of my yarn is caked with no broken and tied pieces since making the switch. I have come to love seeing the differentiation of the yarn as I knit: the subtle thickness changes, little lumps that might be slightly lighter than the skein as a whole due to not taking the dye, and also just admiring the fact that the yarn is not completely uniform. Every skein is unique, and makes grabbing the next skein or color a goal to get to. This goal helps me complete my cast ons. Now I'm hooked on purchasing natural fibers, although I do see the need for other options for many reasons. I'm still learning the natural fiber world, and still confused as to which yarn I should grab. A yak, marino, and silk blend? Cotton and cashmere blend? 100% wool? 100% alpaca? I've yet to be able to gage the natural fibers for my needs. I'm afraid to buy any fibers online just because I can't feel and see the yarn before purchasing, although the online prices are far more affordable. Well there you have it. All my yarn loves and woes in one paragraph LOL. Thank you for your content. It really helps. I'm trying to learn as fast as I can.
Great video. Lots of information. I’m a recent convert to knitting with wool. Used to knit with acrylics all the time. Absolutely love natural wool. Thanks for sharing.
I almost tried to make a baby blanket out of 100% cashmere once because it was so soft - thank god my mom stopped me before I bought the yarn! Wasn't even thinking
I've been "yarn bombing" an up-the-road neighbor's antique iron horse tie statue in front of their house. I made a Christmas scarf for it last year and I made a Halloween scarf for it this year. Do I know this neighbor? No! But it's been fun. They keep the scarves on and I'm waiting to see if they reuse the Christmas scarf this year. What fiber did I use? Acrylic yarn! It's inexpensive (didn't know if they'd like the scarves) and it's been handling our New England weather really well (I check the scarves on my daily walks :) ). I look forward to seeing these scarves out for many years to come, if the neighbors are game. So yeah, there are many different use-case scenarios! 🤣
I LOVE this. We have a lady that lives nearby that creates little crocheted creatures that she hangs around our neighborhood with little messages for folks and I think it's the sweetest thing. I would love someone to yarn bomb any part of my home! 😃
We knit hats & scarfs for the homeless & Veterans in need. Sometimes people give us yarn, if really icky we'll give it to a thrift shop. But then someone else buys it, and brings it back to our group...it's kind of funny in nice in a way.
For Acrylic Yarns I tend to use it for 3 main reasons: 1. Gift knits when I know the person I am knitting for would not be up for the upkeep of wool. 2. Gift knitting for friends who are allergic to, or against the use of, wool. 3. Architectural pieces where I do not want the drape of wool or other fibers. E.g. the Twisted Toadstool had from The Twisted Hatter
@@diannefitzmaurice9813 I have no issue educating people on how to care for wool - but I know some friends are not up to the upkeep of it, and I also have friends who dont want wool period. So why should I force on someone a responsibility?
Very interesting topic. I knit and crochet with both. I really love Aplaca yarn. It’s so much softer than some wool yarn to me. I have a lot of acrylic and a lot of natural fiber yarns. I prefer regular wool to the super washed. Never knew about the static from the super washed. Learned something new!😉
Accrylic wool is great for house slippers in the coldest months. Accryic does let and geat escape. I put them on top of my wook socks tgat I wear with shoes.
I live in the Caribbean. If I was not already allergy to wool, I would combust from it in this heat. I go back and forth to the NYC so I like the look of wool sweater. I like cotton, but some cottons do not have any stretch to it and that is true of linen also.
I won’t buy new acrylic yarn because I can afford not to and I’m not comfortable supporting the production of acrylic yarn when I can afford alternatives. That said, I will thrift or pick up free secondhand acrylic yarn. It’s already made and going to decay in a landfill if no one uses it so I might as well save it. There’s a ton available. I don’t tend to use it for worn objects because I don’t often like the texture but it has its uses!
I did knit some small projects with acrylic when I was a beginner, but I would never knit and garment out of acrylic. I might compromise and knit with a blend that doesn't contain more than 20% acrylic, but I still tend to use 100% wool. That said, wool for me is often inexpensive, I live in a wool producing area of Northern Italy, and I have access to products that most knitters don't have access to. Affordable European brands like Drops or Holst Garn are easily accessible to me. I am lucky when it comes to this, if I had to spend the amounts you guys spend in the US, I certainly wouldn't be able to afford wool.
True enough it is more expensive in NA but there are always ways to get around that by finding fiber festivals and markets so you get products directly from the farmers and producer. It is the mills (big cost of machinery ) and suppliers that make the cost higher and of course shipping . Learning to spin the raw fiber is another way .
@martinab676 di che città sei? Sono di Verona e non ho ancora trovato molti filati in zona, se riesci a dirmi le marche o i siti internet mi faresti un grosso favore ❤️ ho ripreso da poco a fare uncinetto, da piccola usavo solo acrilico perché ignoravo i vari problemi ambientali + non è costoso
@@wilmavale4196 Sono di Treviso! Io compro o dal mercato cittadino, oppure da un negozio di Biadene che si chiama Maflis Filati, e dovrebbe avere anche un sito internet da cui puoi ordinare online, ma non garantisco che abbiano tutti i prodotti sul sito. In alternativa io uso molto il marchio drops
When i first started knitting, i bought some soft acrylic yarn for my first project, just a rectangle, really. When i finished, i have it to my friend who taught me to knit and said maybe she could use it as a hand towel or something. I hadn't realized or considered that it's not absorbent at all. 😂 I prefer natural fibers for myself over acrylic because it makes me really sweaty. But there is some lovely acrylic yarn or there and i don't fault anyone for using it.
Acrylic yarn burns. That's a very important factor when knitting e.g. for a senior who's smoking in bed, or something that might end up near a candle, e.g. an ornament. Wool smoulders, acrylic melts and burns.
I knit with mostly wool or wool blends due to its elasticity. Acrylic, cotton and linen hurt my hands when I knit with them. Love the video and how you spoke about this topic.
I personally try to be more eco friendly with the yarn I use i.e. animal or plant based yarns. However, I am also super new and hate spending a lot of yarns that aren't as easily accessible and like practicing with acrylic yarn before more "luxury" yarns.
Loads of great information! I’ve never really knit with acrylic yarn myself, only the ones that have a small percentage of nylon for strengthening, so I’ve never really known how it is to knit with. But when it comes to availability of natural fibre yarn I think that has a lot to do with where one lives. Here wool is extremely easily available and even a lot of supermarkets carry wool yarn. It’s not the best quality, but it’s okay and cheap. Acrylic yarn is harder to come by and is mostly sold online from my experience. But I can believe that varying a lot.
What a thoughtful and thought provoking topic/video! I have and do knit with some very expensive natural fiber yarn, but I also knit with yarn from Michaels or JoAnn... sometimes I like to work a project with new techniques with a less expensive yarn. I'm working up a Churchmouse Chevron Colorwork Cowl and I've only ever done one other colorwork project (it was the I'll Pack A Cowl for Rhinebeck and my tension wasn't too bad! I wasn't sure how it would be for this chevron cowl, or how much I'd wear it, so I'm using Loops & Threads Luxe Merino.. it's fine yarn! The one drawback I see with *less expensive* acrylic yarn is the color choices. The colors are often IMO not as complex as those we see in hand-dyed yarn. Tonal acrylic yarn is a hard thing to find, and I'm sure that has everything to do with the fiber content.
I shy away from acrylic for my personal goods that will be washed. Because of microplastics. But I would never judge someone for using acrylic, it's not their fault that 2/3 of say a joanns is acrylic. Companies are to blame not people
Hi everyone! Tonight we’re taking about some of the pros and cons of acrylic yarn. Share your thoughts here and enjoy the video!
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i think one thing that comes into consideration for me when choosing acrylic yarn is the ease of care when knitting for others. I know some friends and family will absolutely toss thier knits into the washer and dryer no matter how much I label them with proper care instructions. I also do a fair amount of charity knitting and some organizations indicate the items be easiy cared for, so often times that means I''m choosing acrylic or acrylic blend.
This! I love my dad, I would make him 1000x luxury yak cashmere hats if I didn’t already know they will end up in the washer dryer with his construction clothes! Acrylic it is, in some beautiful colors!
I've been doing the same for my partner. I'm starting to branch into wool ease blends and superwash to give him a bit more comfort, but ease of wash is #1 on my list
Agreed! Gift knits for those loved ones who need much less fuss when it comes to laundry is my biggest reason for using acrylic after price point. Even though superwash wool can be washed in the machine, it still might be too fussy for some people.
I understand everyone's concern about plastic. But here whether you agree or not is an important pro using acrylic. Availability, price and donations. I receive lots of donated yarn. I accept it all. I live on a very low income at 72 years of age. I also knit hats, scarves. shawls and lap afghans primarily for VA hospitals, homeless shelters and nursing homes. When items are washed, it's done in commercial washers and dryers. No time to check washing instructions in those situations. I receive donated acrylic yarns for my charity knitting and crocheting. I accept it all in the spirit that it is given. Don't shame me.
You’re doing exactly what God has put on my heart to do. God bless you for your giving spirit! Also, thank you for that insight about the need for acrylic items because of the care needed. I had not considered this aspect. ❤
If someone shames you for that, they require their own reality check on how much they are doing themselves for others.
I mainly use acrylic have only now just started trying Cotton and while I want to try more “fancy” yarns I also know I can’t afford to do so at the moment and also a lot of the things I make I’m ok with using acrylic I’ve made some beanies, scarves and I’m currently working on my very first cardigan and I’m using acrylic for it
When I started knitting and crocheting acrylic yarn was the only thing available to me. My husband still uses a blanket that I made for him 45 years ago. I still use a blanket that one of my aunt's made over 50 years ago. I can attest to the durability of acrylic yarn.
And this is what separates these items from the mass of synthetic, "fast-fashion" items. The quality of construction adds to its longevity, making it a much more sustainable option. And I love that your husband is still using a blanket you made from him all those years ago. So special. ❤️
I like how you have encouraged a no judge community, knitting should bring us together, not divide into groups.
Celebrate the process, not the product.
Agree! All FiberCrafting is GOOD FiberCrafting :)
I would not be able to knit myself sweaters if I didn't use acrylic yarn both because of the cost and because of texture sensitivities, but for me I feel like I'm making the better choice for the environment because sweaters I make myself will have a lower environmental impact than buying fast fashion sweaters since the ones I knit myself aren't flown all around the world to be assembled and then finally flown to me. The transportation of goods is such a huge part of a product's impact on the environment that we don't always take into account, and I wish it was a bigger part of the discussion with acrylic yarn. We're all doing the best we can in a bad system.
I have a friend that I knit for and she doesn’t wear wool. I am thankful that there are more synthetic choices today. Lion Brand has some lovely options that are recycled from plastics, so it is definitely a good environmental choice. I hope that your knitting brings you great joy, mine does.
Everything you're saying here is so important. Especially the bit on transporting goods. Sure that 100% Organic Wool yarn is nice and natural, but if it's coming from overseas, or even across the country, it's doing more "damage" than it's getting credit for. It's a very "pot calling the kettle black" situation.
Taylor I want to thank you so much for not making this ramble a topic for anything other than an objective look at a specific type of yarn. In a day when so many people are dividing and drawing lines in the sand, you come in and just present the facts and I really appreciate that. I didnt want to let an opportunity go by to let you know that it’s refreshing to hear someone not go outside of their platform and use their influence to bash people with their own agenda or beliefs. In the world of knitting, I for one, just want to knit and be encouraged in my craft. Thank you again.
Totally agree! 🙌
There are no facts without associated values . Look for the underpining values if really want objectivity . Every opinion comes with them .
My grandmother knit and crocheted for 82 years. She was raised on a farm in Maine where they had sheep. Therefore, they spun wool to yarn. She even worked at a woolen mill. After all this exposure to wool, she preferred acrylic yarns Red Heart to be specific.
People sometimes argue that acrylic yarns equals fast fashion, but I still have items she created from the 80's.
Enjoy creating no matter what medium you use!
You approached this topic with such care! I tried to go 100% no acrylic because plastic reduction is a big thing in my household, but I never knew what to do with the stash I already had so I started using it for things I make my kids and now I just settle on being "Acrylic lite". Kids aren't the most careful people in general, so they're defo not careful with handknits. I will continue to use acrylic for them and my more expensive animal and plant fibers for the adults. Furthermore once you look into production and the amount of harm still happening there with eco friendly fibers it really starts to look like you might as well farm the plant or raise the sheep yourself and then spin it up, because otherwise you're contributing to environmental harm somewhere. I and many people do not have time for all that. People just need to educate themselves and make informed decisions like the rest of life. We also need to leave people alone for their choices when it comes to this as well
IMO the best thing you can do is be mindful of your consumption, no matter the fibre. Buy and use just what you need
Yes. Exactly this. 100%. Everything in moderation. And some more conservatively so. ❤️
Very well said.
I like that you called out that the whole "acrylic vs wool" discussion is not clear cut, and I think that fact is really exemplified by the fact that a lot of yarn is not 100% acrylic or 100% wool. Of my 5 WIPs right now, exactly 1 of them is not a multi-fiber blend (and it is 100% cotton). It's actually a great metaphor for the whole topic - the people at the ends of the spectrum are at odds, and most of us are somewhere in the middle.
It also completely drowns out information on non-wool natural fibers (linen, silk, bamboo, cotton) making it hard to find helpful information on how to handle them, work with them, block them, etc. I'd love more content about how to handle natural fiber/acrylic blends, actually. I've got a sweater in progress that is 50% cotton 50% acrylic and I have no idea if I should wet or steam block it
She gives off 5th grade teacher vibes and I am here for it, I am subscribing now
Thank you Alex. Prior to having my first kiddo (he's almost 9), I was a 4th grade teacher and then a Gifted Ed teacher for nearly 10 years. 😉. Good to have you here. ❤️
I'm allergic to wool; when I started knitting acrylic was my only option. Box stores only carried acrylic, and my local yarn shops might of had silk ($$$$$) but were unsympathetic to rude when I asked for non-animal options. Cotton and other options have really increased, which is nice.
No one is "allergic" to wool . The reactions to wearing wool are not personal. Everyone experiences the same effect from using the wrong kinds of wool inappropriately. Mostly the fault of the industry from China adding carpet wool to sweaters! The wool industry in Australia did a study many years ago that found anything over 21 microns was and would be itchy so established 21 microns as the 'itch factor' for 99.9% of the population. This means anything under 21 microns will not itch and so could be worn next to the skin or used for babies and children without a reaction. That is when they started selective breeding for merino sheep that met this number. There are only a few breeds of sheep besides merino that qualify and they are mostly merino derivatives so rambouillet, polworth, cormo and some undercoat of shetland and icelandic sheep. Anything else is either a type of wool to be used for outerwear @ 22-29 microns, or over 30 microns for non wearables and rugs. The exceptions are long wool varieties that have different qualities and characteristics so even though over 30 microns can still be used for outerwear. Different fibers have slightly different qualities so cashmere for example set the acceptable quality at 18 microns and under, and alpaca can be all over the board even on the same animal for micron count so will always require identifying it or a test for sensitivity inside the wrist . So unless you have neuropathy or something that makes you especially sensitive you should be able to wear fine wool and many types of protein natural fibers, so merino and cashmere but even fine angora and qiviut, or kid mohair that have low micron counts. Keep trying to find something you can wear . It will change your life .
Over the past year or so, I've started consciously using natural fibers pretty exclusively for a number of reasons, all of them personal - one being that I realized an aspect of fibercraft that I enjoy is the inherent sustainability of making your own clothing/resisting fast fashion; two being that if I was going to take the time to make something nice for myself, I might as well use the best materials I can get. That being said, I'm very happy to see that a lot of big companies are starting to make acrylic yarn out of recycled fibers (Knitpicks Upcycle, Lion Brand Re-Spun) and I hope that's a trend we continue to see! The way I see it, using acrylic yarn is akin to purchasing fast fashion - everyone's done it, it's not a crime, and it's ultimately a drop in the bucket.
"A drop in the bucket" adds up especially with acrylic being the worst of all fibers at the amount of microplastics released. It has been used since the 50s and you think that doesn't add up with everyone being like whatever, it's fine, I'm just one person?
I am definitely in the minimally, processed wool only camp- but no judgement here. I don’t really like superwash wool either, except for socks and certain baby clothes. This is just a matter of personal taste. People should do whatever brings them joy without any pressure from others. Thanks for a fair and balanced discussion on this topic and discussing the environmental impact of using acrylic.
Great topic and I like how you present pro/con and no shaming. Having fun and being creative is my goal and I help promote others.❤
I tend to use acrylic when making for my grandkids. I figure it more affordable…easier to take care of and if they ruin it or grow out of it it didn’t cost me a fortune to make it! I can always make them another one!!👍 now when I make for myself or an older child I will tend to use more expensive natural fibers…😊
Thank you for being Switzerland on this topic. Well done. I find myself living in the borderlands, acrylic for hats and mittens and natural fibers for sweaters. And durable superwash sock yarn with nylon is popular for a reason!
My pleasure. It takes all sorts, in my opinion. ❤️ Thank you for watching!
I use acrylic yarn for baby items (new moms do not have the time to hand wash anything!), charity knitting, amigurumi, and home decor. Everything else is wool or a wool blend, or cashmere if I’m treating myself! Also… not all acrylic is the same. Some are better than others. It pays to shop around.
All acrylic is bad because of what it is made from, how it is made and what the effects are . Anything that is tauted as a benefit is a myth including cost and practical considerations on care. The truth is it takes more work because it needs regular washing and has none of the benefits of natural fibers . So the issue is really about educationg ourselves about the real benefits of natural fibers and the big differences. Reading these comments will help a lot .
I use all yarn. I have been given a lot of acrylic yarn and use this for projects where I know the project will be washed in washing machine. Use my natural fiber for special projects. I believe all yarn have a place in the crafting community ❤
I'm very allergic to wool. Break out in a rash, throat closes up, eyes swell. I thought maybe a blend would work, but I found out the hard way it doesn't. I use cotton, silk, hemp, bamboo, and acrylic. When I knit for charity I use cotton or acrylic to make projects because of the ease of washing and less worries about allergic reactions. Top sheets cause me to hot flash and have night sweats. So I've slept with the same handmade acrylic blanket for 8 years now and it's wonderful💕 The colors are still vibrant and it's so soft! No night sweats or hot flashes🤗
On a funny note....I am knitting a temperature blanket with acrylic yarn. It is partially for affordability and partially durability for a blanket that is going to fit my queen sized bed. At the same time I am knitting a beret with a Muskox/Merino/Silk blend yarn that cost a small fortune for a very small skein. It is so delightful to knot with and I am enjoying the process.
In the machine knitting community the static will stop a knitting carriage dead. Our solution to that is drier sheets (there are other solutions that apply to knitting machines) wiped across the needle bed or wrapping drier sheets around the yarn. It works and would maybe help and I use both acrylic, Sygnet Boho is particularly lovely. I would not make a garment for a new baby in wool as it would be grown out of too quick and needs to be washed a lot so I use acrylic. I have some beautiful pure new wool and Shetland to make ‘forever’ sweaters for me. Thank you for your videos and yes they are interesting, informative, helpful and joyful ❤️
I used to knit with acrylic... but then had the opportunity to knit with wool. I have never looked back... and became a yarn snob... only natural fibers now. Thanks Tayler. Great ramble!
Thank you Tayler for a well-balanced presentation of this topic. What a great community this is. Clearly we are all thinking about our crafting in responsible ways and making thoughtful decisions about the use of the materials available to us. I have acrylic in my stash. There is some up the road in my LYS. There is even more further up the road in a big box store. And there are warehouses all over the world filled to the rafters with it. Did a deep dive a while back to find out what I could possibly do to rid myself of my acrylic. Found out that I can't bury it (lasts forever), can't burn it (leaves a residue), can't donate it (just passing the buck) and can't recycle it (no facility). So I decided I would just use it as I have been for decades. I have made some adjustments. Despite the labels I no longer put acrylic knits in the machines. They get wet blocked the same as wool. Soaked, no agitation and laid flat to dry (as does the superwash that I really regret adding to my stash - ugh). Hoping this reduces my microplastic/toxic shed somewhat. I have no idea how we could safely recycle all the acrylic fibres and fabrics out there. I hope that those with more knowledge than I have will have a solution. In the meantime I will continue to create things for myself and others in the materials most appropriate for the wearers and carers (and my fixed income), whether that's acrylic, wool, plant-based or a blend. And, like everyone else in this community, I welcome solid, well-informed facts that Tayler has provided to us in her podcast. Thanks!
Just sharing a point of view for those against the use of acrylic yarn. I always wanted to knit exclusively with wool and now that I live in Europe I can do that. But when I lived in Brazil, mostly because of the weather, even the top brand of yarn would produce acrylic yarns or sometimes (not always) blends. That was my only option and instead of being sorry for myself I worked with what I had available and made the best of it.
I would probably become a wool snob if I wasn’t insanely allergic. So cotton, bamboo, acrylic - those are my options. I do like the Lion Re-Spun
Are you only allergic to sheep's wool? I'm a spinner. So, if you'd like some non sheep suggestions for proteinuria wool I could definitely help. 😂 Also, silk is completely hypoallergenic and there are a number of different types.
Omg same! 😢
Maybe you won't be allergic after you rinse it . sometimes it's not the product but the sealant and things they use
Thank you. As a kid all my mother would buy for us were wool sweaters and they irritated me so severely that I would end up with rashes. They were horrid. I have no idea what kind of wool it was but at that time we did not have access to consignment shops or thrift shops as they exist today and merino or cashmere would definitely have been out of my parents budget especially for growing children. My mother had to reluctantly relent and switch to buying synthetic fibres for me. I just shut the door on wool in my mind. At some point as I began to thrift and wanted to move towards more sustainability with my clothing, I discovered the wonder of wool blends. They didn’t irritate me and were easy to care for. I’ve since learned that merino and most cashmeres do not irritate me and occasionally I have found a pure wool sweater in a thrift store and that has gone alright as well. I discovered how wonderful they are for body temperature fluctuations and how much more breathable they are. I have never liked how sweaty synthetics can make me. This all led me to decide to try my hand at knitting and discovered that I really love it. But not every merino or cashmere wool is skin friendly for me, plus I’m new to all this and I dont’ have access to a lot of local wool stores and the ones we do have … well .. the prices for 100% wool makes me cringe. I am not willing to invest a lot of money into yarn when I am still learning. All this to say, synthetics or blends that are more accessible are the best options for me at this point. My goal is to make the switch to non synthetics at some point, but it’s a process and I am more than ok with that. Everyone has to do what works best for them. There’s no point adding any kind of pressure or making the process some sort of moral imperative situation that will just suck the joy out of the craft. I really appreciate how graciously you approach such topics. It makes it very encouraging to newcomers such as myself.
Another great testament to the benefits of wool
I knit and crochet with it all! Anti-pilling acrylic is the best.
What brand is anti-pilling?
Premier yarns has the largest selection. Herrschners has some anti-pilling options and many yarns offered through Hobbium and Ice (from Turkey). Hobby Lobby has a "low pilling" yarn as well. If you make a large project such as a duster cardigan or throw, you don't want to spend lots of time on a project only to have it looking ratty after use or washing.
I use acrylic yarn a lot. I knit slippers and blankets with it. I knit hats and scarves for my husband and the grandchildren with it. It’s durable, reasonably priced, and it’s good for these projects. A few years ago I knitted my husband a beautiful sweater out of 100% wool and he washed it and shrank it and that is why if I make him something it’s usually acrylic. I prefer knitting with wool but I save my beautiful wool yarns for family members who are knit worthy and for special projects.
Educate your husband about natural fibers! .
Very helpful. I knit for a nonprofit that requires only acrylic because of potential sensitivity. However, I tend to use natural fibers as well as acrylic/natural fiber blends. It’s all good ❤️
I use acrylic yarn to make stuff for friends/family if I know they don’t have the patience to care for a natural fiber piece. Cold wash low tumble dry makes it easy for them. I look for different pilling properties and textures to keep it interesting. Also, since it’s cheap and readily available in a multitude of colors at the hobby store, I use it to practice knitting things with. But I personally love natural fibers for myself and things I’m going to wear and prefer to use those when I knit for myself.
I can’t use wool so I mostly use acrylic and cotton yarn due to allergies for my husband and I. Also many crafters say wool is soft and squishy and I have never thought so maybe because if my allergy. I love my acrylic’s wearables (mostly sweater’s)
Thank you for the information! As I have grown in my craft, I have learned more about different fibers and found that I dislike the feeling of working with acrylic yarn and I can no longer handle the temperature regulation issues it brings. I have chronic illnesses that cause temperature regulation issues and as I have transitioned to a nearly 100% natural fiber wardrobe, I have seen vast improvement in my body's ability to regulate temperature and I am much more comfortable. I have had to say goodbye to some lovely acrylic pieces that I just cannot wear anymore.
I gather you mean temperature regulation that acrylic FAILS to bring . Now that you have discovered this you can go one further with other natural fibers . Angora winter wear especially as it also has thermal properties (meaning the core is hollow adding even more warmth to make it 8x warmer than wool ) in addition to the insulating properties that provide temp regulation for wool, mohair, alpaca, llama and qiviut. You will never be cold wearing angora. The astronauts had angora underwear when in space!
I only make blankets with acrylic yarn - I find they have to be washed way less often than a wearable and the lack of breathability doesn't bother me much if it's a blanket I throw on top of sheets or a comforter in the winter when it's freezing. I find that when I gift items, my family is less thrilled with "you must hand wash gently and dry flat" than they are with "yeah you can throw it in the washing machine and dryer on low".
Same!
I grew up with my grandparents crocheting with acrylic yarn. I did not know that natural fiber yarn existed until I got into Yarntube. I use acrylic for baby blankets/ gifts so that the parents can wash and dry. I don't wash and dry my blankets very often. I have purchased natural fiber yarn but I am working through my acrylic stash before I use my sock yarn.
As stated above this stuff called acrykic while cheap is NOT GOOD for babies, either because it cannot regulate temp or is not fire retardant like wool or other natural fibers. But also acrylic is just not warm and does compromise the development of their immune systems. Natural fibers can be aired and spot cleaned and not need washing as often so the belief about the washing machine is surious.
I am currently crocheting a 100% acrylic sweater, and knitting a sweater with a 75/25 acrylic/wool blend. I work with all fibers from natural wool with lanolin and straw bits still in it to acrylic, nylon, and polyester. They all have their uses and pros and cons and every single one of them has an environmental impact one way or the other.
They are making a lot of very nice acrylics these days and there is a large variety in texture and feel. Acrylic blends are also very popular and can be lovely.
My personal favorite yarn of all time is wool and alpaca blends. I love alpaca!
I use both. Enough said.
For many years I exclusively used acrylic yarn. I only crocheted hats and scarves while living in the Southwestern US, so it never really was an issue. Since getting into knitting, I've been exploring other fibers. I did knit my first sweater in acrylic though. The sweater looks really nice. Some things that I've noticed about it that I'm not crazy about are 1) it sags. It just gets a bit droopy and doesn't hold its shape the way I would like. It is really lightweight though! 2) It retains smells like crazy. It got left in the wash too long and even two subsequent washes haven't completely gotten rid of the musty smell. I'm going to try a vinegar soak to fix it. However, I have noticed this on some of my workout clothes that are also synthetic fibers as well.
I'm making a cardigan out of a cotton/wool blend. Hopefully it will give me a good sense for what natural fibers can do!
More podcasts like this please! This one is timely because I have a sweater's worth of JoAnn's best blend in a perfect gray for me in my stash. I bought it when I first moved to a place without a good LYS and had not yet learned to shop on the internet.
My two favorite brands are 100% acrylic.
I started out knitting with acrylic yarn. I didn’t want to spend a large amount of money on wool when I wasn’t sure it was something I would finish. I ended up loving fiber arts and have learned about the different animal fibers. Now I only knit garments with wool. But I make many home decor with acrylic because it’s machine washable.
I have a ton of luxury $37/skein hand dyed wool yarn, bare yarn I dye myself, etc, but I have 2-3x as much acrylic in my stash, because my favorite thing to make for people is baby blankets. And those are going to go in the washer and dryer with a big ol’ pile of other clothes thanks to diaper blowouts, spit up, food messes, sticky hands, etc. and I don’t want to burden the recipient with one more thing to hand wash. I wish I could find a cotton yarn that is anywhere near as soft as some of the acrylic yarns in my stash and anywhere near as affordable, but so far it’s not. I’ve made blankets for my kids, hats, scarves, etc and I know they’re going to get beat up, left outside in the elements, thrown around the house, etc and I need for those items to only have cost $5-20 in yarn to make… not $75-150. I’ll splurge a little on yarn for the friends and family I really love who I know will be able to hand wash the knits I make for them, but half the people I make things for are actually allergic to wool. I spent probably $200 on a full size blanket quantity of wool yarn for my besties mom as she died of cancer, worked on it for over a year, and by the time I finished it and gave it to her, found out she can’t use it because she had a severe wool allergy. That was a painful one… ugh.
Synthetic fibers have their place for sure. I’m knitting with mostly acrylic in the fall and early winter because I’m knitting gifts for people who need easy to care for knits. I prefer natural fibers for myself and choose them almost exclusively, but I know the extra care that comes with that choice. I don’t think gifts should require people to work harder. 🤷♀️
The difficulty is past beliefs about wool that occurred when sythetics were developed in order to pormote synthetics. The care issue is primary but that is mostly ignorance about how to care for natural fibers lost when synthetic products came in. The truth is wool and natural fibers are very easy care , do not require washing to the extent that synththetics do because they shed dirt and are odor retardant , so a light airing is almost all they ever need and maybe the occasional wash but never more work than synthetics require! But now we know that the chemicals used to make and clean synthetics are inevidably intrinsic to their use.
I love to use acrylic yarn for blankets due to easy care!
I would love to knit more with natural fibers but I have nooooooo money ahahahaha so I try to only knit things that don’t get washed very often in order to cut down on microplastics
I really appreciate your handling of this topic. Well done!
Great responses, Tayler. I love that you make it a point to include everyone ...and that you encourage those who might feel they will be judged (for whatever reason) to participate, engage and embrace their creativity.
My grandma crocheted extensively but exclusively with aunt lydias crochet thread and red heart super saver. I grew up believing wool was an exotic luxury that was hard to get . Now i know better and love searching online for fibers i havent tried, haunting my local yarn shop squishing wool from local sheep, saving all year to buy handspun from the local spinners and weavers guild booth at my favorite annual fall festival and dying my own yarn. That being said i still use acrylic for certain projects and enjoy all sorts of blended fibers for both durability and affordability.
Thank you so much for addressing this. I was going to ask you to address just this topic. I have moved to natural fiber as I have been knitting and crocheting more and more. I have always avoided polyester material. When I started engaging in this craft, I just bought what I liked and never really gave much attention to content. I lost interest in much of the yarn I bought and opted to donate it. When I examined what I liked working with and what I didn't, I realized it was the acrylic yarns I purchased. I made 2 large blankets and although it had some wool, it had acrylic and I was disappointed how the material looked after washing. I started to realize it was possibly related to having acrylic in it. I have wool items for years and they are still beautiful. I learned more about the different types of yarn and the sheep it comes from. Now I understand why as I spoke to the more advanced knitters, they are not knitting snobs but treasure what they work with and how it feels and how long it will last. Having said all this, there is always a place for every type of material in a craft. What makes a craft so wonderful, is the fact everyone has the ability to like and select what materials they use. A true crafter respects anything handmade.
My pleasure Michelle. I'm glad that this provided some additional insight. Thank you for watching!
Like many here, for me it depends on the item. I prefer natural fibers for items I will personally wear on my body like socks (which granted usually have some nylon for durability), hats, wraps, garments, etc. However, for family blankets that go on the couch and can easily get soiled from cats/kids, I prefer acrylic. A blanket does not get washed as often as a garment, so I feel it’s not a huge micro plastic issue. Also, if I’m making a hat for someone who won’t follow washing instructions, acrylic only. I have only made 2 sweaters so far, the first out of linen (amazing), and the second out of Wool-Ease Thick n Quick, bc that is what the pattern called for. Am looking to make some simple raglan pullovers and am looking at LB Fisherman’s Wool as well as some of the LB Collection yarns available at my local box store. All 3 of my local yarn stores closed during Cvd, and I am much more limited in my budget these days, so I try to make do with my stash + Joann’s/Michael’s.
I'm new in knitting/crocheting, don't know much and still learning about yarn, but I've bought soo much arcrylic that I can open my own shop haha. Mostly, bc it was cheap, very soft and had very vibrant beautiful colors, and I had no idea that time that acrylic is not a good quality of yarn at that time. I still kinda like it, it's easy to work with and I am not ready yet to move to expensive yarn bc my quality of knit in not that good yet.
I cheer on you using your acrylic yarn. 🤩
Great video! A few notes to add, there are anti static sprays on the market, and acrylic feels better when you use liquid softener and let it air dry. If your problem with wool is that it's itchy, acrylic won't necessarily feel better. They're both itchy in different ways. Also, please try new breeds of wool when the opportunity arises. Cormo wool, for example, is softer than any acrylic that I've ever felt., and if it's not too much, could we pressure big box stores to carry some more natural options? It used to be that I could at least get fisherman's wool everywhere that sold yarn, and that's just not the case anymore.
I am still learning how to pick the correct size so Acrylic yarn lets me learn my sizing with out the cost of the wool yarn. thank you for all the information about the pros and cons of the yarns.
I will use acrylic yarn when I’m knitting for my grandkids. It’s washable, durable and budget friendly, especially when kids grow so fast and are not super gentle on their clothes!
As a rustic wool fanatic, I'm really considering an acrylic everyday sweater. This is the second year I'm fighting with moths and it's really keeping me to enjoy my knitwear. (Cleaning, putting in fragrances, then letting them breath to get rid of the smell, moth traps, separating the used pieces, and the constant fear...) At this point I really want a sweater I can throw in the washing machine and not to worry about ruining it by wearing it OR not wearing and letting the moths to eat it.
Synthetic vs Natural fiber discussions, like most things in any eco-centered discussion, involve a lot of nuance. Most of the environmental impact in new items comes from the supply chain, so how the yarn was made, dyed, spun, etc. This stands for both synthetic and natural yarns. The environmental impact from non-ethical farms also contribute massively to the environmental impact of that yarn. It's easy to say that synthetic fibers have more of an impact than natural, which is true for the latter half of the yarn's life cycle, but inorganic cotton farms contribute massively to pesticide usage, water consumption, and land erosion.
The "best option" is to shop as ethically as possible for natural fibers from small businesses, as you're supporting a more sustainable life cycle. That's incredibly expensive most of the time, so the best realistic option for me is secondhand yarn.
Secondhand acrylic yarn is available in spades, and it's great for items that won't be washed as much/won't get as dirty.
Synthetic fibers are a great option for gifts and ease of care- the likelihood of natural fiber knitted gifts getting damaged is too high for comfort, and once they get damaged beyond use, they get sent to the landfill which isn't great considering the impact surrounding growing said natural fiber + how natural materials can't break down in the landfill.
Personally, once I get better at knitting, I'm going to switch over to buying natural fibers for myself for large knit pieces since I know I'll put in the work to care for everything. But there's absolutely no way I'm passing up big bags of discount yarn at thrift stores and garage sales, especially when it can be turned into gifts that will be cherished and cared for by loved ones (and survive the washer and dryer in the process.)
And cost us greatly for its effects on the water and air. Pass them over and educate your gift receivers about the wonders of natural fibers.
@@diannefitzmaurice9813 homie if you don't read the entirety of comments then don't respond to them
One thing I like about acrylic or blends is that they're an affordable way to try something new. I bought some multi-colored cotton-acrylic yarn to try the Butterfly | Papillon shawl by MarinJa Knits and Leaves in a Stream by Romi Hill. They both use techniques that are new to me and may be too much for me to handle. If so, I won't feel bad because I didn't spend a lot of money. And if I enjoy the knitting and the result, I'll feel better about investing in a hand dyed ombre like Freya Fibers.
One of my favorite yarns to use is the lion brand homespun and it is 98% acrylic and so soft! Also love that i can chuck the sweater in the dryer and not worry about it.
For myself I prefer natural wool, but I also knit blankets for the homeless using acrylic as its easier to care for.
Great post tonight! There are some very soft acrylic yarns that are great for baby/child items that have a short shelf life, or for animal shelters or other charitable knitting where easy washing is desirable. Some household items are best done in acrylic for durability, too. There is a place for every fiber, IMHO. Thanks for sharing great information!
I haven't read all the comments but one thing that should be considered is that some people are allergic to wool :( Also when I was learning to crochet and knit I didn't want to invest much money into the hobby so I used acrylic. I still use acrylic for crafts and such. I now use wool, alpaca, yak, cotton and superwash wool, for knitting garments. Keep calm and cast on!!
I use just about every yarn that's easy to get along with! If it's for myself, I splurge as I will pamper the garment which takes me forever to knit. My daughter's allergic to wool so I try to find cotton acrylic blends. Thanks Tayler for the superwash info I didn't know about. Most of my superwash is sock yarn so it doesn't impact me too much there.
My acrylic yarn Con: is weight-it is heavy and stretches and static and pilling. It is inexpensive and is good for home decor pieces, but I gave away a gifted king size crocheted acrylic yarn blanket because it was sooo heavy, that I could not sleep under it. Sad as my mom made it for me specifically. Wool and wool blends are light as air and super warm. So no stress of weight while knitting and I have hand and wrist arthritis so I can still knit.
Get some angora yarn and make some wrist warmers for your arthritic hands if you really to see the benefits of natural fiber as this incredible fiber has thermal proerties that will alleviate pain by increasing bloodflow and reducing inflamation . And it works faster than tylenol to alleviate pain! Yes totally agree about the weight issue but not just making but how heavy to be under for a blanket or quilt .
Great podcast! Thank you!
Due to allergies l pretty much only knit with acrylic yarn and l have extremely few pilling issues. But then l only ever throw mine in the rinse wash and let it air dry. I also have zero stretch issues. I use Scheepjes yarns (chunky monkey and colour crafter) for the most part but have had no issues with Sachenmayr Nomotta Bravo or Phildar acrylics either.
I started with cotton and acrylic yarn because that is what my mom had in the house (cotton for dish rags) and it was easier for my mom to teach me how to crochet with it! After teaching myself how to knit I am learning that I prefer wool, however, I still love working with acrylic because of how easy it is to access and how affordable it is! I currently and trying to be more mindful of my yarn I purchase, however, I still have a TON of acrylic that is left over and think it is great for gift knits (like place holders, cup cozies, hats, etc.)
I love both, and it really just depends on what you prefer!
For blankets I use acrylic yarn. Wool not handy, because sometimes I have moths in the house here.
For sweaters and cardigans I like wool.
I’ve made an acrylic knit dress and sweater as well as many more wool ones and I love the acrylic ones just as much and will def buy 😮sweater quantities of both again.
Great episode! I really enjoy these in depth looks into our craft materials.
The first sweater I made was with 100% acrylic. Hey, something that was somewhat in my budget, yay! And at the time, natural fibers were hard to get ahold of for some reason. These days, acrylic bothers my hands, so I typically use natural fibers unless I'm making baby items that'll need a lot of washing. I still wear that sweater, just over a camisole. Wish I could've blocked the sleeves though... the texture pulls them up on the inside a little bit. Currently knitting up a wool sweater with a silk/merino strand as well as a shawl in some wool/silk/yak that I dyed.
It IS all good! Thank you!! :D
Thank you so much. I am a relatively new knitter and learning on my own and as I go. I was so excited to get to knitting that I never thought about the yarn beyond color, availability, or if I could afford it. It is easy to be overwhelmed by all the choices and not knowing what to use in place of the yarn the pattern recommends. I am thankful for someone that educates with kindness.
I'm new to the craft, and haven't purchased near as much yarn as most. My first skein of yarn was acrylic yarn, and it was very soft as I hand spun it into a cake. I got extremely frustrated while I was making my cakes though, and it completely shut me down from the acrylic world. 5 out of 6 skeins were broken and tied in 3 or more places. I was furious! Although the yarn was inexpensive, I didn't want to deal with short pieces and weaving in extra ends. After all I'm just a beginner and only wanted to focus on knit and purl. My husband saw my frustration and talked me into just knitting an afghan to build my skill. He gave me permission to go to the local specialty yarn shop, and this was my introduction to all things of natural fibers. I must say that now the vast majority of my yarn is caked with no broken and tied pieces since making the switch. I have come to love seeing the differentiation of the yarn as I knit: the subtle thickness changes, little lumps that might be slightly lighter than the skein as a whole due to not taking the dye, and also just admiring the fact that the yarn is not completely uniform. Every skein is unique, and makes grabbing the next skein or color a goal to get to. This goal helps me complete my cast ons. Now I'm hooked on purchasing natural fibers, although I do see the need for other options for many reasons. I'm still learning the natural fiber world, and still confused as to which yarn I should grab. A yak, marino, and silk blend? Cotton and cashmere blend? 100% wool? 100% alpaca? I've yet to be able to gage the natural fibers for my needs. I'm afraid to buy any fibers online just because I can't feel and see the yarn before purchasing, although the online prices are far more affordable. Well there you have it. All my yarn loves and woes in one paragraph LOL. Thank you for your content. It really helps. I'm trying to learn as fast as I can.
My dad is allergic to wool, so works almost exclusively in acrylic. Sometimes plant-based.
Great video. Lots of information. I’m a recent convert to knitting with wool. Used to knit with acrylics all the time. Absolutely love natural wool. Thanks for sharing.
I knit acrylic for my grand babies. Busy moms do not have the time for garments that require special care n
I almost tried to make a baby blanket out of 100% cashmere once because it was so soft - thank god my mom stopped me before I bought the yarn! Wasn't even thinking
I've been "yarn bombing" an up-the-road neighbor's antique iron horse tie statue in front of their house. I made a Christmas scarf for it last year and I made a Halloween scarf for it this year. Do I know this neighbor? No! But it's been fun. They keep the scarves on and I'm waiting to see if they reuse the Christmas scarf this year. What fiber did I use? Acrylic yarn! It's inexpensive (didn't know if they'd like the scarves) and it's been handling our New England weather really well (I check the scarves on my daily walks :) ). I look forward to seeing these scarves out for many years to come, if the neighbors are game. So yeah, there are many different use-case scenarios! 🤣
I LOVE this. We have a lady that lives nearby that creates little crocheted creatures that she hangs around our neighborhood with little messages for folks and I think it's the sweetest thing. I would love someone to yarn bomb any part of my home! 😃
We knit hats & scarfs for the homeless & Veterans in need. Sometimes people give us yarn, if really icky we'll give it to a thrift shop. But then someone else buys it, and brings it back to our group...it's kind of funny in
nice in a way.
For Acrylic Yarns I tend to use it for 3 main reasons:
1. Gift knits when I know the person I am knitting for would not be up for the upkeep of wool.
2. Gift knitting for friends who are allergic to, or against the use of, wool.
3. Architectural pieces where I do not want the drape of wool or other fibers. E.g. the Twisted Toadstool had from The Twisted Hatter
Them educate them !
@@diannefitzmaurice9813 I have no issue educating people on how to care for wool - but I know some friends are not up to the upkeep of it, and I also have friends who dont want wool period. So why should I force on someone a responsibility?
Very interesting topic. I knit and crochet with both. I really love Aplaca yarn. It’s so much softer than some wool yarn to me. I have a lot of acrylic and a lot of natural fiber yarns. I prefer regular wool to the super washed. Never knew about the static from the super washed. Learned something new!😉
Great episode! Very well explained. Thanks so much ❤
Very well explained the topic. Thank you.
Accrylic wool is great for house slippers in the coldest months. Accryic does let and geat escape. I put them on top of my wook socks tgat I wear with shoes.
I live in the Caribbean. If I was not already allergy to wool, I would combust from it in this heat. I go back and forth to the NYC so I like the look of wool sweater. I like cotton, but some cottons do not have any stretch to it and that is true of linen also.
I won’t buy new acrylic yarn because I can afford not to and I’m not comfortable supporting the production of acrylic yarn when I can afford alternatives. That said, I will thrift or pick up free secondhand acrylic yarn. It’s already made and going to decay in a landfill if no one uses it so I might as well save it. There’s a ton available. I don’t tend to use it for worn objects because I don’t often like the texture but it has its uses!
Hi Taylor, added another page of stellar notes...thanks so much!
My pleasure Connie. Thank you so much for watching. ❤️
I did knit some small projects with acrylic when I was a beginner, but I would never knit and garment out of acrylic. I might compromise and knit with a blend that doesn't contain more than 20% acrylic, but I still tend to use 100% wool.
That said, wool for me is often inexpensive, I live in a wool producing area of Northern Italy, and I have access to products that most knitters don't have access to. Affordable European brands like Drops or Holst Garn are easily accessible to me. I am lucky when it comes to this, if I had to spend the amounts you guys spend in the US, I certainly wouldn't be able to afford wool.
True enough it is more expensive in NA but there are always ways to get around that by finding fiber festivals and markets so you get products directly from the farmers and producer. It is the mills (big cost of machinery ) and suppliers that make the cost higher and of course shipping . Learning to spin the raw fiber is another way .
@martinab676 di che città sei? Sono di Verona e non ho ancora trovato molti filati in zona, se riesci a dirmi le marche o i siti internet mi faresti un grosso favore ❤️ ho ripreso da poco a fare uncinetto, da piccola usavo solo acrilico perché ignoravo i vari problemi ambientali + non è costoso
@@wilmavale4196 Sono di Treviso! Io compro o dal mercato cittadino, oppure da un negozio di Biadene che si chiama Maflis Filati, e dovrebbe avere anche un sito internet da cui puoi ordinare online, ma non garantisco che abbiano tutti i prodotti sul sito.
In alternativa io uso molto il marchio drops
You articulate things very well....thank you for your thoughts and teachings
I could make a thirty minute episode but i want to keep it simple so I'm only going to make it 20.... 🤣😂
When i first started knitting, i bought some soft acrylic yarn for my first project, just a rectangle, really. When i finished, i have it to my friend who taught me to knit and said maybe she could use it as a hand towel or something. I hadn't realized or considered that it's not absorbent at all. 😂
I prefer natural fibers for myself over acrylic because it makes me really sweaty. But there is some lovely acrylic yarn or there and i don't fault anyone for using it.
Acrylic yarn burns. That's a very important factor when knitting e.g. for a senior who's smoking in bed, or something that might end up near a candle, e.g. an ornament. Wool smoulders, acrylic melts and burns.
No one should smoke in bed. Cotton sheets are also flammable.
What about Micro-Plastic from the breakdown of the yarn? Something to think about. Acrylic is spun plastic.
I knit with mostly wool or wool blends due to its elasticity. Acrylic, cotton and linen hurt my hands when I knit with them. Love the video and how you spoke about this topic.
I personally try to be more eco friendly with the yarn I use i.e. animal or plant based yarns. However, I am also super new and hate spending a lot of yarns that aren't as easily accessible and like practicing with acrylic yarn before more "luxury" yarns.
Great video! Keep in mind that stretchiness and breath ability also have to do with the gauge and yarn thickness
Loads of great information! I’ve never really knit with acrylic yarn myself, only the ones that have a small percentage of nylon for strengthening, so I’ve never really known how it is to knit with. But when it comes to availability of natural fibre yarn I think that has a lot to do with where one lives. Here wool is extremely easily available and even a lot of supermarkets carry wool yarn. It’s not the best quality, but it’s okay and cheap. Acrylic yarn is harder to come by and is mostly sold online from my experience. But I can believe that varying a lot.
Once again you have delivered a well thought out article.
For me the pros far outweigh the cons when using natural fibres.
What a thoughtful and thought provoking topic/video! I have and do knit with some very expensive natural fiber yarn, but I also knit with yarn from Michaels or JoAnn... sometimes I like to work a project with new techniques with a less expensive yarn. I'm working up a Churchmouse Chevron Colorwork Cowl and I've only ever done one other colorwork project (it was the I'll Pack A Cowl for Rhinebeck and my tension wasn't too bad! I wasn't sure how it would be for this chevron cowl, or how much I'd wear it, so I'm using Loops & Threads Luxe Merino.. it's fine yarn! The one drawback I see with *less expensive* acrylic yarn is the color choices. The colors are often IMO not as complex as those we see in hand-dyed yarn. Tonal acrylic yarn is a hard thing to find, and I'm sure that has everything to do with the fiber content.
Hi Taylor I am a left hand knitter. Can you do a video on reading patterns for left hand knitters?
I shy away from acrylic for my personal goods that will be washed. Because of microplastics. But I would never judge someone for using acrylic, it's not their fault that 2/3 of say a joanns is acrylic. Companies are to blame not people