Despite the fact that acrylic is a fairly well-known material in knitting, not everyone knows reliably about its properties, and therefore there are often conflicting opinions about it. So, what is acrylic yarn, what are its advantages and disadvantages, care features and application possibilities, compatibility with other materials? Let's figure it out together.
Items made from acrylic yarn. Photo: surbasev.ru
The world market names acrylic in yarn differently, for example, the label may indicate PAN fiber, Krylor, Orlon, Redon, Nitron, Prelan.
Acrylic fibers are the result of complex chemical reactions in production - in other words, they are obtained synthetically. This leads to both a number of advantages of yarn and its disadvantages.
Pros and cons of acrylic yarn
Knitters often choose acrylic yarn - it is very convenient to work with.
For those who are just starting to try themselves in this type of needlework like knitting, acrylic yarn is what they need. It is easily formed into loops and does not get tangled.
Acrylic fibers are stronger than natural fibers (for example, wool), and therefore items made from them last longer. Products made from high-quality acrylic threads hold their shape well. If you take care of such things responsibly, they will not shrink and there will be no pills on them.
Despite the fact that acrylic is synthetic, it is pleasant to the touch and does not cause discomfort when wearing things made from it. In addition, since acrylic yarn is synthetic, moths do not like to feast on it. The advantages of the yarn include its attractive price, especially in comparison with expensive yarn made from natural fibers.
Acrylic fibers are ideal for dyeing - this allows manufacturers to obtain bright and rich threads from them, and consumers - products of a wide variety of rich colors. At the same time, the material is resistant to fading, which means you don’t have to worry about things made from acrylic yarn fading in the sun.
Acrylic yarn. Photo: surovikinointer.ru
The disadvantages of acrylic yarn include low hygroscopicity. In addition, like any synthetic material, acrylic tends to electrify.
Pure and mixed
There is both 100% acrylic yarn and mixed yarn, consisting of acrylic and some other (usually natural) fibers. In the latter case, the ratio of materials can be very different. Acrylic in blended yarn can contain 5% or more.
Most often, acrylic in yarn is mixed with wool, mohair or cotton. The presence of wool and mohair makes the product warmer, and therefore quite acceptable to wear even in winter. Mohair also provides the product with high-quality fluffy pile. The presence of cotton, in turn, allows the skin to breathe better, which means this yarn is also suitable for the warm season.
Loose fit sweater made of yarn with acrylic and wool. Photo: ukrmoda.in.ua
Blouse made of yarn with cotton and acrylic. Photo: happy-hobby.ru
Sweater made of yarn with mohair, acrylic and wool. Photo: muzmaker.ru
When choosing a blended yarn, remember that the properties of the material that is greater in percentage will prevail.
Caring for acrylic items
Taking care of things made from acrylic is easy. You don’t have to wash it separately; you can wash it by hand or in a washing machine on a delicate cycle at a water temperature of 30-40 degrees., depending on the recommendations on the label. The powder you should choose is one that does not contain bleaching components. It’s better to squeeze it with your hands, not too much. You need to dry things in the same way as wool products - on a flat surface on which a cotton cloth is first placed (this can be an ordinary sheet). “Acrylic” items dry faster than wool items. They should not be steamed as they may stretch out.
What to knit?
Most often, acrylic yarn is recommended for knitting children's clothes - it is soft and hypoallergenic. In addition, acrylic eliminates the problem of lint getting into the child's nose and eyes (as is the case with wool and mohair), and thus does not cause redness and itching.
Acrylic yarn is very popular in making amigurumi-style knitted toys.You can learn about what these toys are, as well as how to knit a cute teddy bear according to the pattern. “Acrylic” toys can withstand the “onslaught” of even the most energetic child: they are durable and hold their shape well. When a toy gets dirty, all mom needs to do is wash it in the evening, and in the morning it’s as good as new.
Acrylic yarn is ideal for knitting women's accessories: bags, mitts, leg warmers, slippers, decorative belts and more. It makes wonderful decorative bedspreads for furniture.
Children's items made from yarn with acrylic, wool and bamboo. Photo: bet2soccer.ru
Toy in amigurumi style "Losharik". Photo: ru.pinterest.com
Handbag made of acrylic yarn. Photo: madeheart.com
Acrylic was invented and began to be actively produced in the 20th century. Despite the fact that the material is quite well known and widely used in the textile industry, there are conflicting opinions about it and, perhaps, the properties of the most common acrylic yarn are not familiar to everyone. Let's take a closer look.
First you need to find out what it is. Acrylan, acrylic, dralon, cashmilon, krylor, curtel, nitron, orlon, polyacrylic, polyacrylonitrile fibers, PAN fiber, prelana, redon - this whole long list is nothing more than the names of polymers and copolymers of acrylonitrile, in simple terms - acrylic fibers . They are obtained through complex reactions in production, and, therefore, are a synthetic material.
We study the basic properties of acrylic yarn: pros and cons
Advantages of acrylic yarn.Externally, acrylic yarn is quite similar to wool, and it is not surprising that they are sometimes confused. But, despite their visual similarity, they differ in properties. Wool is not as durable as artificial material, which means that items made from the latter will last longer.
Despite the fact that acrylic is synthetic, it is soft and pleasant to the body. Things made from it are warm enough, so you can wear them in cold weather, and they breathe well, which allows you to wear them even when the temperature rises.
Since acrylic is synthetic, you don’t have to worry that products made from it will be eaten by moths.
Acrylic yarn is often used for knitting, as it is very convenient to work with. High-quality acrylic threads allow products to retain their original shape for a long time. Therefore, if you take care of things correctly, you can be sure that they will not shrink or roll away.
A significant advantage of the synthetic yarn described is its low cost, which is very important, since not every craftswoman can afford to buy, for example, cashmere.
There is no need to worry about the safety of acrylic, because the material undergoes mandatory testing before production to ensure compliance with sanitary and hygienic requirements.
It should also be noted that acrylic has such valuable properties as hypoallergenicity, which allows the yarn to be used in products for children. Also, wool or cashmere fibers can get into the child’s sinuses or eyes, and cause itching and irritation, but acrylic does not have this problem.
If your child is not at risk of allergies, then it is better to use a mixture of acrylic threads with wool or cotton. The recommended ratio for children of wool and acrylic is 50 to 50.
Cons of acrylic yarn.Despite the abundance of advantages, acrylic also has disadvantages. The fiber is weakly hygroscopic, and like any synthetic material, acrylic can become highly electrified, so it may sometimes be necessary to treat it with special means. But be careful - study the composition of the solution, or even better - try the substance on the wrong side or a small rough piece of fabric.
Yarn made from a mixture of acrylic and natural fibers.A mixture of several types of yarn combines the properties of all materials; it will be fluffy and soft, at the same time durable, color- and shape-resistant. And all this for an affordable price. Most often, acrylic is used in combination with wool, mohair, and cotton. This is especially true for machine knitting, where synthetic fiber is used in an amount of about 30%.
Adding acrylic to woolen products eliminates the prickliness that is inherent in wool items. And clothes made from a mixture of acrylic and cotton are not so susceptible to deformation during wear and care.
The main thing to remember is that in a mixture of several types of yarn, the properties of the one whose quantity is greater will prevail.
How to properly care for acrylic products?
Caring for products made from acrylic wool is easy. You can wash it with other items by hand or in a machine on a delicate cycle at a temperature not exceeding 40 °C. The powder must not contain bleach. Twisting is strictly prohibited. It is better to squeeze it manually, without much effort.
Acrylic items dry quite quickly. When drying, you should handle it in the same way as wool products. The item of clothing is wrapped in fabric and carefully wrung out. Dry on a flat surface, first placing a piece of cotton fabric or a regular sheet under the item. It is forbidden to dry on a radiator and especially over a gas stove.
What are some alternative ways to use yarn?
Acrylic fiber is used not only to produce yarn, but also to create knitwear for outerwear and underwear in combination with natural fiber.
And with acrylic threads you can perfectly decorate the interior, for example, by applying embroidery to a tablecloth, curtains, pillowcase. Acrylic is often added when weaving carpets and tapestries. It is not used in paintings, as the thread gives some clumsiness.
In any case, you will understand all the pros and cons only by working directly with acrylic yarn.
Video on the topic of the article
You can see more details about how synthetic fiber is produced and several reviews of acrylic yarn in the videos below.
Acrylic is a yarn that has become widespread. But not everyone knows about its basic properties, advantages and disadvantages, and the possibility of combination with other fibers. In order to better understand all the intricacies of acrylic threads, you should read this article.
Acrylic yarn is fibers woven into threads of different thicknesses and having different textures. They are obtained exclusively by chemical methods. This determines the main characteristics of this yarn:
This results in the widest range of possible applications. But it’s worth mentioning that it’s still this thread is ideal for creating winter or demi-season items. “Pure” - 100% acrylic will form a product that is smooth in texture, soft and comfortable to wear. If the yarn contains mohair, the product will have a certain fluffiness. Mixed acrylic and wool threads are suitable for a warm winter item that will keep its owner from freezing. Alpaca and angora will have the same effect.
But adding natural bamboo threads to acrylic makes it possible to get a comfortable product for spring or autumn.
If you want to knit an elegant thing, then acrylic will find its application here too. Many manufacturers add sequins, superacrylic, nylon, metallic thread, and lycra to acrylic yarn. These woven threads can create a wide variety of yarn effects, and, accordingly, the finished product.
Blended yarn has absorbed the positive properties of both acrylic and the threads used as an additive.
Important! In order for the yarn to serve as long as possible, you should not wash it in water hotter than 500 C. Otherwise, this may lead to deformation of the product.
Pros of thread
Knitters often choose acrylic yarn. This is due to such positive characteristics as:
What weather can acrylic clothing be worn in?
It is most optimal to use acrylic in winter and spring-summer.
Pure acrylic may not create a sufficiently comfortable thermal balance at very low temperatures. In addition, it is not hygroscopic and does not allow air to pass through. And this contributes to the fact that acrylic sweats more often. Moreover, sweat is not absorbed by acrylic thread. In order to reduce this effect, you can purchase fibers to which natural thread has been added.
What things can be knitted from acrylic?
Acrylic can be used for knitting by adults, children and babies.
You can get a wide variety of products from it:
Features of knitting yarn
When knitting acrylic, you should use knitting needles or a crochet hook, which is recommended on the skein label.. But if you are knitting a pillow, blanket, or even more so a toy, then the knitting density in this case should be greater - it is recommended to take knitting needles or a hook approximately ½ size smaller.
But for children's clothes, it is worth knitting with knitting needles, on the contrary, weaker, so that the item is softer and does not cause discomfort in children. Therefore, you can take a knitting tool, on the contrary, ½ size larger.
Important! If you plan to combine two threads, you should make sure that they do not stain. To do this, soak pieces of these threads in hot water and place them on a white cloth to make sure that the finished product does not subsequently fade or color itself.
In all other respects, standard techniques should be followed.
Invention of synthetic fibers- a huge step forward, and for us, needlewomen, this achievement of science has become especially valuable. It's no secret that natural wool, despite all its environmental friendliness, is still not always good, especially if it causes an allergic reaction. Just last week, I tried on boots with natural sheepskin inside. Everything would be fine, but this sheepskin pricked as if I had stood on camel thorns with bare feet. Of course, natural wool should be prickly, but if the legs couldn’t stand its prickliness, then what can we say about the body.... So, in such situations they help out artificial fibers, especially acrylic.
More often acrylic fibers used to make fabrics and yarns. Acrylic softens natural wool fibers, making them softer and more pleasant to wear. In addition, acrylic helps maintain the color of finished products and prevents shrinkage.
Assortment of acrylic yarn very diverse in terms of fluffiness, combinations with other fibers, thickness, curl and color options. If we talk about the percentage of acrylic with other fibers in knitting yarn, you can find both 100% acrylic yarn and a variety of combinations of 30%, 50%, 60% and even 5%. The most popular combinations - acrylic with various types of natural wool, like mohair, angora or alpaca.
This percentage ratio provides the finished products with an excellent appearance, clear shape, and long-lasting wear.
Acrylic yarn retains its properties keep its shape even if you decide to undo/tie something. If you are a beginner knitter, then choose yarn that contains acrylic; there will be no problems with knitting.
Acrylic is often called "artificial wool" because products made from it retain heat well. Knit acrylic yarn knitting needles (from 2.5 to 3.5) and crochet (2,3,4 and 5) can be equally beautiful, the main thing is to strictly follow the instructions in terms of the thickness of the tools used. In addition, yarn containing acrylic is perfect for machine knitting.
Acrylic does not wrinkle, and travelers will definitely appreciate this property. Products made from acrylic yarn are a guarantee of a fresh and neat look in any situation. Acrylic items are very pleasant to the touch, soft and warm. They perfectly withstand the effects of acids and solvents, dry cleaning, and exposure to adverse weather conditions. They don't absorb moisture well, so even if you accidentally spill juice or coffee on yourself, you can avoid the need to run to the dry cleaner.
In the online store of yarn and handicraft goods "KUDEL" you will find a magnificent assortment of acrylic yarn for every taste.
What can you knit from acrylic yarn?? Any kind - hats, scarves, shirtfronts, sweaters, booties, dresses and sundresses. Knitting in 1 thread - for autumn, in 2-3 threads for cold winter days. For such products, yarn with 100% acrylic content called Baby Vita, the thread in the skeins is thin, pleasant to the touch, does not “crunch” at all and the yardage is very favorable, or BAMBINO Nako, which also contains wool.
Turns out great if you choose acrylic yarn as the base material for knitting blankets and bedspreads, decorative pillowcases. With this yarn you can not be afraid to knit large things, since the footage of one skein can be 400 meters per 100 grams.
You also won’t have to limit yourself in patterns, since acrylic can withstand any decorative load in both elastic bands and smooth fabrics, jacquards, arans and openwork.
Very bright colors of yarn can be used with dark ones without fear that they will fade after washing. This simply won't happen.
Items made from acrylic yarn should be washed in water at room temperature by hand or in the “hand wash” mode in the machine. Products should not be twisted after washing, but should be dried flat. Ironing is permissible in steam mode, preferably through gauze or a special ironing net.
Create with pleasure, let acrylic yarn give you many pleasant moments!
Discussion of the article
When talking about knitting as a hobby, we first of all talk about the main component of this type of needlework - yarn. Today the market surprises us with an incredible number of types of yarn, different in composition, quality, characteristics and properties, price and manufacturers. Natural, synthetic, mixed, fancy, classic, tweed, thin, thick, fluffy, prickly, soft.... The list can be endless.
But if we are really into knitting, or just want to learn this wonderful creative process, then like it or not, we need to delve into the details. Only in this case we are guaranteed to get an excellent result from knitting and avoid mistakes and troubles. Well, let's take it in order.
Today we'll talk about acrylic.
What is acrylic? What is acrylic yarn made from?
First of all, I want to draw your attention to the fact that this is a synthetic thread. The raw materials for the production of this synthetic thread are petroleum products. Acrylic fiber is obtained through complex chemical reactions and temperature effects. There is hardly any point in delving into the production process itself; it is more important for us to understand the characteristics and properties of this product.
Obviously, this yarn has both pros and cons. Where to start? I have heard different opinions many times and read discussions on forums where there were both fans and ardent opponents of acrylic. Therefore, I will immediately make a reservation that different people will have different attitudes towards any yarn, regardless of composition, properties, manufacturer. After all, preferences are very individual and depend on many factors. For some, naturalness and environmental friendliness are important, for others price and availability, for others tactile sensations, durability and care of finished products.
What is a plus for one person may be an unacceptable minus for another. I will not reinvent America or impose my opinion, I will simply share my observations and experience.
Let me start with advantages of acrylic(these advantages are my personal advantages!). Acrylic yarn is very durable, withstands exposure to sunlight and does not fade. It is beautifully colored, so manufacturers have the opportunity to create a huge color palette, from delicate pastel shades to bright saturated colors. As they say, for every taste and color! Products made from acrylic are soft, warm enough, and do not cause allergies. Nowadays, this is not an unimportant advantage, because there are more and more people prone to allergies. That is why today many yarn manufacturers produce a series of 100% acrylic yarn for the smallest and most “capricious”.
Another important advantage of this yarn is its price. A skein of acrylic yarn can cost in the price range from 20 rubles to 150-180 rubles. Of course, it is very important here for what purpose you will use the yarn. After all, the range of applications is very diverse. The well-known cheap Karachay yarn for needlework is certainly not suitable for knitting a delicate hat for a newborn. At the same time, high-quality Turkish, German or Italian acrylic will produce a beautiful, soft and delicate product.
The affordable price of acrylic yarn makes it an excellent option for beginning needlewomen. Agree, if you have just picked up knitting needles or a crochet hook, and are just taking your first steps in this exciting creative process, then it is much easier to learn with inexpensive yarn. Firstly, even if you make a bunch of mistakes and don’t get the desired result right away, it won’t hit your pocket hard. Here I would like to note that unraveling a thing knitted from acrylic is quite simple, while unraveling some types of natural yarn that have increased fluffiness is very, very difficult. Fear, the fear of spoiling, “throwing away” expensive yarn can block the desire to learn, try, experiment, and knit in general. Therefore, acrylic is a great option for beginners.
I often talk to my customers and ask them why they prefer acrylic. So, many say that they really want to knit for their children or grandchildren, but kids grow so quickly that there is little point in using expensive yarn for knitting, because literally after a couple of months the knitted item becomes small. And this is another powerful argument in favor of acrylic yarn.
Once on a forum, one experienced knitter began to criticize all those who knit children's clothes from acrylic yarn. “How can you! It's naked synthetic! This is unacceptable! You need to knit for children only from natural yarn, wool, and cotton!” I don’t know about anyone, but I am against the imposition of such an opinion. In my opinion, you can knit with any yarn. And the more we try, the more experienced we become, the better we eventually understand which yarn best suits our needs, requirements, desires.
Another regular client of ours always buys only acrylic. Well, what to do if her husband has a terrible allergy to wool!? Obviously, the best option for it is knitting from acrylic threads. And the husband is happy, and the wife is always busy.
The thickness of acrylic yarn can be very diverse. From different manufacturers we can find yarn from very, very thin to fashionable thick bulky yarn. Accordingly, the choice of the product that can be knitted from acrylic is limited only by our imagination.
For the sake of honesty, one cannot remain silent about the shortcomings 100% acrylic. Of course, since this is a purely synthetic thread, it has low hygroscopicity - the ability to absorb and release moisture. In addition, other important physical properties are associated with hygroscopicity - air permeability and vapor conductivity. And if a knitted fabric does not allow air or water vapor to pass through well, then in some cases this can affect both comfort and human health. Lack of proper aeration can cause the body to overheat, which can lead to the development of colds and skin diseases. That is why, when we are going to knit a product from pure acrylic, we just need to remember these features. Things that are in direct contact with the human body must have good absorbency and evaporation, while warmer things and outerwear, on the contrary, require slight hygroscopicity, but increased heat conservation.
Thus, we draw a conclusion for ourselves. If we want, for example, to knit something for our baby that will come into direct contact with the child’s body, then it is better to use natural cotton. If our idea is, for example, a blanket, a toy, a scarf, a jacket or something outerwear, then, as they say, we don’t deny ourselves anything! And remember, hygroscopicity is an important indicator for underwear, summer and children's clothes. If you do not neglect it, but take it seriously, then your clothes will always be convenient and comfortable.
Another disadvantage of pure acrylic is its high ability to become electrified. Have you ever wondered why synthetic materials get electrocuted so easily? Again, this property is related to moisture permeability. Wearing clothing causes friction and, as a result, electrical charges accumulate on it. The higher the humidity, the less electrified the clothes. Since synthetic acrylic has poor hygroscopicity, the charges have nowhere to go. The most hygroscopic are cotton and linen fabrics. Due to this, they absorb body fumes well and almost never become electrified.
When using acrylic for knitting, you must know and about the rules of care for things like this. Try ironing something knitted from pure acrylic. They steamed and... “threw away” the time spent on knitting, and the money “down the drain.”
Acrylic does not tolerate high temperatures; the most optimal temperature for washing 100% acrylic is room temperature. If the product is very dirty, soak it in warm soapy water for 15-20 minutes. Using special softening agents will help maintain the original softness of the item. It is good to add an antistatic agent to the rinsing water so that the product becomes less electrified. It is not recommended to steam, dry in a machine, squeeze or twist a product made of acrylic. It is best to gently hand wash in warm water. Wrap the washed item in a clean terry towel and gently squeeze out excess water.
Do not overload the drum with a large number of things, otherwise creases that are difficult to remove will appear on the acrylic;
Before washing, place the product in a special washing bag;
Use a delicate wash cycle with a water temperature no higher than 30 degrees;
Use suitable cleaning products;
Do not use dry mode;
Do not set the spin speed too high, and it is best to abandon the mechanical spin.
In order for an item knitted from acrylic to retain its original appearance longer and not stretch, it is important not only to wash it correctly, but also to properly care for the item after washing.
Dry the product in a horizontal position, after straightening it and giving it its original shape;
Do not dry near heating devices;
Avoid exposure to direct sunlight;
Avoid ironing and do not steam acrylic items.
These are the little tricks and rules that will help you enjoy knitting and using the item you knit.
Love your work, take care of your creative result, and then with each new connected thing you will feel more confident and satisfied!
I wish you creative success!
