Acrylic vs polyester yarn reddit. When combined, you tend to have a better fabric overall.
Acrylic vs polyester yarn reddit For a soft blanket that will last years, is it better to use acrylic or cotton? I’m between the Hobbii Horizon DK weight 100% acrylic on the left, and the 100% cotton lily sugar and cream on the right. It was some of my first and I didn’t even think about it cause it said “baby” on the label. Explore pros, cons, and best uses for each. Feet are really sensitive and I know the feel of the acrylic would be too stiff and stuffy for me personally; even for the nicer acrylic yarns I’ve tried before. The problem is that both fabrics are high in harsh and toxic chemicals. YALL. You can have it. Meanwhile, there are an increasing number of very good quality recycled yarns that contain acrylic or polyester. Not all fleece but most being at least in part polyester. There's no way for acrylic to have a dye run - those colors are in the chemical identity of the yarn, so there's no loose dye molecules to drift off into solution and come down in other places :) Probably %95-ish of acrylic is perfectly safe to wash. I do like simply soft acrylic yarn though. i mean, a lot of ready-to-wear sweaters are either polyester or some sort of poly-blend, so it's not all that different. I'd be cautious with steam, as acrylic yarn is basically plastic and will melt if too much heat is applied. Just found out the yarn I've been using Acrylic is fine to use, but I don’t ever use it for wearables. There are also fine cotton yarns that are just 6, 12, or 18 strands of thread held together. Unlike indophil which is acrylic, it's real cotton and have better properties in the tropical heat BUT getting used to it is difficult as the threads are much finer. I've been really into using Loops & Threads' Capri Yarn, which comes in a bunch of different colors, and is really soft. I've used 100% cotton yarn a couple times for cloths but found it too stiff and expensive to want to use it for other projects - and I see a lot of people in different crochet communities really hating on acrylic yarn. Depending on your budget and how sensitive your skin is vs wool. I'd say either label as "acrylic & polyester" or the safer bet would be just "synthetic", but my expertise is in fibre chemistry more than product labelling requirements! Totally valid. There are lots of acrylic tape yarns, ribbon yarns, novelty yarns, but I think you're probably asking about an acrylic yarn that is meant to mimic wool. Machine washable always wins. I use acrylic a lot. I don't anymore buy acrylic clothes from stores because I hate how they make me feel so hot and sweaty. Being soft, durable, easy to care for as well as acrylic-wool blends are what make these threads special among others. Elise Rose Crochet on YouTube has a bunch of videos about yarn for amigurumi and she gives her opinions on what the best/worst yarns are for crocheting amigurumi for all difficulty levels. No exaggeration, but the way that the yarn feels makes me want to be sick. I've usually only used acrylic yarn in my projects and never made clothes yet. It also holds smells. Malabrigo is also pretty nice. Some of the most luxe chenille and velvet yarns so popular right now are 100% polyester. Wool makes my hands itch, so I get worried about an allergic reaction. I like acrylic. Mar 14, 2020 · Lately, I seem to be seeing a lot of yarns, for example new yarns from Lion Brand, that are made out of polyester or a blend of polyester and acrylic. Acrylic has been studied by the military and seems to make great socks. Wool yarn is the most common. cotton yarn is great to work with and absorbs moisture but is also a bit more expensive. How do you feel about Wool or Acrylic? Personally most of my experience has been Acrylic. Acrylic, polyester and nylon have their place. Acrylic also has good insulation properties and is used in blankets and outerwear. 7 years later my kids still use those blankets. They are generally less expensive than merino wool and dry faster, making them a good option for wet environments. Some cottons, as many people mentioned can be kind of stiff, I would also recommend a cotton blend. In craft supplies there is often insufficient attention even to contact allergies. Acrylic can be the cheaper option but really not always super comfy to wear. It's also worth noting generally acrylic has a sheen to it, whereas cotton tends to be more recycle - acrylic is handy, its easy to wash, its not finicky like other yarns, and sometimes you just need it; you can buy recycled acrylic yarn! theres a couple sellers on etsy! and again back to the thrift store, ribbiting knit pieces and reusing the yarn gives the yarn a second life, this also works with your own projects! We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Cotton-acrylic blends could work better, depending on the percentages used, as the acrylic portion of the yarn will not stretch and will keep the cotton in check. 14 votes, 26 comments. Bottom line is that “natural” does not necessarily equal the most environmentally friendly option. I live in central Florida. It would appear the formulation of the Loops & Threads products is changing. Acrylic is softer and more comfortable but not as durable as polyester. Your choice of fiber helps determine the drape and/or stiffness of your project. It is gaining in popularity as a blend fiber with wool or nylon. Personal preference. It also seems more dye fast, holding on to color much longer. Decades can be hard on plastics. You take polyester and make into a horrible stiff fabric that traps your sweat and stinks. A community driven subreddit dedicated to Aimé Leon Dore. I use both, but for different types of projects. Polyester definitely has a purpose though, so let’s talk about the advantages. Silk will keep you much warmer than polyester. true. Cascade Superwash 220 has a similar look- and TBH it feels acrylic-y. Hi y’all, I’m going to be making a shell stitch blanket for my niece’s Bat Mitzvah gift and I’m unsure what yarn to use. I personally don't use acrylic anymore because of environmental reasons. It is not a bold claim that there is an association between acrylic fibers and carcinogens - it is a bold claim that there isn’t a link, when there is evidence going back decades to the contrary - regardless of whether or not there is an explicit study regarding cheap acrylic yarn specifically. In my experience, Sunbrella fabric will last up to 10 years vs. This yarn is also extremely flimsy, does not hold its structure and collapses immediately. Here’s a detailed exploration of each material to help guide your choice. Acrylic tends to pill over time, while polyester is wrinkle-resistant and maintains its shape after washing. Major yarn companies, in the US, cannot list bamboo as a fiber because people THINK it is eco-friendly when it's not because of the chemicals needed to break down the fiber. Hey folks, so I want to get people's opinions. What is Polyester Yarn? Polyester is a man-made synthetic fiber, a special kind of plastic. Yup, this. I've never knitted with acrylic wool blend yarns. I researched the different types and it seems like acrylic isn't breathable and collects odours, sheep wool is scratchy, and alpaca loses its form. Polyester and plastics will outlast natural fibers almost every time as long as construction is comparable. I have had it 40 years, I am still alive. For furniture that is in direct sunlight and rain all year round, solution dyed acrylic fabric like Sunbrella brand, is worth every penny. Aug 28, 2024 · As you compare polyester and acrylic yarn, some aspects will stand out as determining factors in your decision. To add to this cotton yarn is also not as stretchy as acrylic Oct 15, 2024 · The choice of yarn for a crochet project is largely influenced by the nature of the project and also by the individual’s preferences. Long answer: Firstly, acrylic yarn is bad for the environment. Acrylic is my go to practive yarn, and the yarn I use if it doesn't need to do anything that either wool or cotton is good at. However sometimes when companies “cheapout” on fabric by using the cheaper polyester, they also cheap out on construction which causes that ‘fall apart” ness associated with a polyester shirt. Just finished my first baby blanket and hat! I used 79% acrylic / 21% polyester yarn. The same goes for cellulose based fibers, like cotton and linen, and to a lesser extent to "bamboo" (I put it in quotes because when you see a bamboo yarn it's nearly always a rayon or viscose yarn, in other words a yarn made from chemically treated bamboo pulp, a treatment that gives to the yarn a beautiful sheen and a moderate elasticity). Jul 30, 2024 · Microfiber and Polyester Acrylic Yarns. It’s so very I’m in my 30s. Mar 18, 2025 · Polyester yarn is much more tolerant of high temperatures and can be washed at higher temperatures without damaging the fabric, whereas acrylic yarn is more delicate and needs gentler washing to avoid shrinking or melting. Acrylic doesn't breathe which makes it I uncomfortable (for me) and I never use it. I would consider something more easy to repair for a true heirloom like an undyed cotton. It’s not so breathable. Same - I’m an art historian and very much into preservation… I have old cotton pieces of the same period as acrylic from old relatives. That being said, acrylic is the more durable/easy care option I think. You also need to think about the spring back of the yarn, you want your socks to be slightly smaller than your feet so they stay on while stretching so they aren’t too tight. Technical Parameters If you don’t want to use chenille or super bulky yarn, I’d stick with cotton yarn or natural fiber yarn because it’s more durable than acrylic or wool. In my experience it is very hot depending on the weave. Polyester, acrylic, nylon, and rayon are all technically a variant on plastic or synthetic yarn. Apr 27, 2021 · Acrylic and polyester are both made from plastic and are synthetic materials, although polyester is petroleum-based. 16K subscribers in the AimeLeonDore community. The cotton vs synthetic is really based on what your project is. Acrylic is machine washable, and in my experience--does not fuzz a lot. Thoughts? Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now 100% acrylic vs ~50% acrylic ~50% cotton vs 100% cotton . Absolutely beautiful color, and I was so excited to get the package. -it's affordable/cheap (50g of 4mm yarn cost around 1,80€ here in germany) -it's easily available (most yarn sold around me is acrylic) -pretty colors -the fact that it can melt (i really like to burn my ends to stop them from getting loose) Bamboo and other grasses require a lot of time & chemicals (or man-power) to make into yarn. This subreddit is for everything yarn related! Knitting, Crochet, Weaving, Loom Knitting, Spinning, Dying, or you want to show off your yarn stash! If it involves yarn, it belongs here. Thus, acrylic yarn is excellent for non-floor pieces. When it comes to choosing the right blanket material, understanding the unique properties of polyester and acrylic yarns can significantly influence your decision. Why do people prefer Wool over Acrylic? Acrylic is cheaper, can often be much softer, it comes in more colour options, it's cheaper, it doesn't felt. When combined, you tend to have a better fabric overall. I avoid 100% polyester for the reasons I mentioned. It’s all about how those fibers are woven and/or knitted, the quality of the fiber, etc. Polyester is more durable, moisture-wicking, and versatile, often used in athletic wear and home textil Hi, everyone! I have some yarn in my stash that’s 25% wool and 75% acrylic that I’d love to use to make some socks (Plymouth Encore yarn if you’re curious). but also if you can handle the yarn before you knit with it, if you don't like the feel of it as yarn (squeaky, etc) you're not going to Many of the sweaters you buy in stores are made from acrylic so it’s definitely a thing to make acrylic garments. lfygpvvwjyjylkrxihvnrtmolggpfflglzxfrpdortelbjrsvmwkgqbtirlertbeoqdkkksy