Advantages of Knitting with Acrylic Yarn

Like every other word you’ve read before in the dictionary of knitting, there always comes another which needs to be understood in depth. Today, we are here to learn about acrylic yarn. Now you must have heard it making the rounds in the world of knitting or crocheting but never quite delved into understanding what the fuss is all about.

So, what exactly is acrylic yarn and why is it talked so much about in the world of knitting?

In short, acrylic yarn is a man-made fibre that is developed using polymers created from petroleum products such as crude oil. It is therefore, a synthetic material and has numerous ranges of uses. In scientific terms, a yarn that contains anywhere around 35 – 85% of ‘acrylonitrile’ monomer is classified as acrylic yarn. Since it is made using petroleum based raw materials, it can also be classified as a fossil-fuel based fiber.

Since its invention in the 1940s, acrylic yarn has had its fair share of ups and downs with hardcore knitters and sportswear companies cherishing it, while environmentalists have their woes with the production and recycling of acrylic yarn. Alas, the yarn is one of the most sought-after options for knitting, crocheting and several other requirements.

Why Acrylic Yarn?

Acrylic yarn can be made to mimic almost every other kind of yarn in the world. For example, acrylic fibers can be twisted into various tightness’. A tightly twisted fiber will provide what is a rough textured yarn. At the same time, a looser twist will give you a softer feeling yarn. Through  various methods of spinning, acrylic yarn is touted to be the most customizable yarn that can mimic and counter its natural rivals such as wool or cotton. Remember that you are getting all of this at a much quicker pace and lower costs. Add to that, some innovation and development from the twenty-first century, the production technology has been ever on the rise, yielding more and more produce by the day.

Advantages of Acrylic Yarn

The first and foremost benefit of acrylic yarn is the price. It is so incredibly cheap to make, that one can be left wondering why there is a need of other yarns in the market. That may sound like an overstatement but their availability, versatility and durability only proves the veracity. 

Since the manufacturing process of acrylic yarns is flexible and malleable, fibers can be spun and molded into a plethora of textures and a rainbow of striking colors. Today, you can find acrylic yarn in any color you could dream in your wildest daydreams. Yes, you can also purchase special acrylic yarn with distinctive effects, patterns, gradients, etc.

The other major advantage of acrylic yarn is its  durability. For most natural yarn, there comes a huge list of do’s and don’ts for laundry and other care. On the contrary, acrylic yarn is machine-washable, temperature proof, shrink resistant, pest resistant, fade resistant and non-degradable.

Bottom-line

Acrylic yarn has rightfully earned its place at the top of the ‘yarn-consumer’. To knitters and many others alike, acrylic yarn provides best of both worlds. Certainly, the yarn comes with its set of disadvantages but it is nothing that can keep an enthusiastic knitter away from the bounds of infinite opportunities that some good quality acrylic yarn can bring about.

What are you waiting for? Ready your pins and start knitting.

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