How do you block acrylic yarn? I just finished a beautiful Celtic Cable neck warmer with Lion Brand Heartland Tweed yarn, which is acrylic, and I want to make some for my friends for the holidays, but the only yarn I have is acrylic. I’ve tried looking at various sources at how to do it, and they’re all telling me different things. Some sources tell me to steam block it, because that’s the only permanent way, while others say steam blocking is dangerous due to “killing” the yarn, and that wet or spray blocking is permanent for acrylic as well. Still other sources are telling me to blow dry it with a hair dryer or that you don’t need to block scarves. What is the truth? How do you block acrylic yarn?
Probably the best thing to do is to follow the instructions on the ballband for your yarn. For LB Heartland Tweed, LB recommends:
Machine Wash, Machine Dry
Items made from this yarn may be machine laundered only on the setting designed for gentle agitation and/or reduced time for delicate items. Any dry cleaning solvent other than trichloroethylene may be safely used. No bleach product may be used. A machine dryer may be regularly used at a maximum of Low Heat setting. Item may not be smoothed or finished with an iron.
So definitely no iron.
I block acrylic by pinning it out as usual and then I use a steamer. You must make absolutely sure that just the steam hits the item - do not allow the edge of the steamer to touch it or you will end up with it felted. It isn’t difficult to do and the effect after steaming is really good once it has all dried. Good luck
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I use acrylic yarn for nearly all my hats and scarves. I never block it and just wash it with my colors, cold water. I then dry it with them too. No bleach. No iron.
Easy care instructions for a lazy launderer.
In my experience, “felted” acrylic is just autospell changing “melted” acrylic.
Yep, “I have the t-shirt.”
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Definitely do not use an iron. Especially on acrylics. When I was a beginner, I knit potholders out of acrylic yarn and some out of pure cotton yarn, like dishcloth Lilly type yarn. When my daughter used the acrylic potholders, the yarn melted when she put a hot pan on it. It is made out of plastic, which will melt. Cotton dishcloth yarn will not melt. I have had cotton potholders catch fire on my gas stove, but the flame quickly goes out. It’s the same with 100% wool yarn. Wool blends (like Lion brand Woolease) will also flame dangerously and melt when exposed to heat and flame. They are mixed with acrylics. Granted, you’re not making potholders, but I think you get my point. Lesson learned the hard way from this older and wiser woman.
Edit: I do not use superwashed wool. I’ve heard that it is mixed with acrylics. Can any of the moderators enlighten me about it and what makes it not shrink? The one great yarn store with gorgeous wools went out of business. So I am having to order sight unseen online or Joann’s or Michael’s. Only choices Patton’s 100% wool or Lion Fisherman’s wool. Not the best and limited colors. I have been resigning myself to Big Box Store acrylics for now for various reasons: availability, gift recipients don’t know or won’t care properly for wool, and some people are allergic to wool. Acrylics seem to be a safe bet for easy care.