Just another quick question…
Is acrylic horrible to you, so-so, or just bliss?
Thanks! 
Along with your messy house question.
I’m a slob. If there’s dirt I’ll find a way to get it on me.
I have my dogs sleep on my bed.
I NEED acrylic.
You crack me up! :roflhard:
Like all fibers acrylic has it’s place.
Depends on what I’m making and my knitting/crafting budget (which is usually next to nothing.)
cam
All acrylics are NOT created equal!
I’ve been knitting for a couple of years now (I first learned how about 30 years ago), and I’m just as crazy about Malabrigo, cashmere, silk, etc., as most knitters. In fact, I have a bit of all of the above in my fairly generous stash.
But I also have a bunch of acrylic yarns, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I own some 100% acrylic yarns that are incredibly soft and lovely, and that includes stuff that’s 30+ years old!
I understand that some folks just don’t care for acrylic, and some people are uncomfortable with some of its properties. I’m not trying to convince anyone to knit with something they just don’t want to knit with.
But it does bother me when people assume that all acrylic is nasty, rough, ugly, and good for only pet bedding. Like all yarns, those made with man-made materials cover a wide range of quality and textures. It’s really inaccurate and unfair to say all natural yarns are good and all acrylics are bad. Yarn is yarn – some you want to use, and some you don’t.
Okay, end of lecture. :whistle:
I definitely use acrylic for all of my charity projects as that is what is preferred by the organizations. I don’t have a super yarn budget either as alot of the yarn I purchase is at thrift shops and garage sales.
For any project for just about any adult, I wouldn’t use acrylic. But right now, albeit very slowly, I’m making a ‘baby doll’ purse for my DGD. Using Vanna’s Choice which is working out quite well, although it’s one of the splittiest yarns I’ve ever worked with. The stitch definition is really good, and the best part is that my DIL will be able to toss this bag into the washer and dryer without worry that it will shrink or anything.
But would I make a sweater out of it? No way.
I only got a few rows done tonight, don’t know if this will be ready by her bd on July 4th. Crossed Fingers
I’ve used some decent acrylics.
A real bonus for items that are going to need regular machine washing & drying!
For baby and kids stuff that’s what I use. As a mom that’s what I’d prefer cuz it’s so easy to wash.
I do agree that it’s like all yarn it has it’s place. I’ve used some that I love, Caron Simply Soft, Read Heart Soft yarn, some that I think is ok, Vanna’s Choice, and some that I really don’t like.
But I’ve felt wool that I wouldn’t knit with if I was paid to.
So it really has it’s place… and there are some that I really love!
I think it has it’s uses. For the charity knitting we do it’s essential. The hospital washes the blankets in hot water and puts them in the dryer, you just cannot use wool for that. In my own knitting, I usually use yarn with some wool content because I like it and I like natural fibres.
Have you checked out the many many threads about this on Ravelry? Or is that where the idea came from?
My stash consists of about half and half. Ever since I started working on charity blankets, my acrylic stash has grown. I have my favorites…Caron Simply Soft and Hobby Lobby’s “I Love this Yarn” are my favorites. As other people have stated, it has its uses. I’ve seen beautiful things made out of it.
:::AuburnChick now takes her leave to go shopping for green acrylic for the latest charity blanket she’s working on:::
I mainly use acrylic yarn because I’m a wash and dry person. I hate hand washing and despise dry cleaning. I also will use it if I’m making a gift so the recipient won’t have to worry about washing instructions.
There are some great acrylics available just like there are some horrible wools. So like any fiber - synthetic, natural or a blend, I pick and choose what is suitable for the project, what feels great and what fits in my budget.
Yep, it’s all in the application. No way would I make this bag out of anything but a washable acrylic, and there’s no way I’d make someone allergic to wool a scarf out of it.
I’ll use anything as long as it’s soft.
It all depends on my budget.
Two of my favorite summer tops are knit of acrylic blends. They are both Sirdar brand yarns and I really love them. I throw them in the washer and dryer, fold and put away til worn again. They are soft and drape well and look great. I get lots of compliments on them.
I agree with others that not all acrylics are alike and I think some of the nicer yarns for summer weight clothing are made with acrylic and other manmade fibers.
I personally wouldn’t make myself clothing from most of the yarns at Michaels or other discount yarns, but love them for afghans and other household items.
It comes down to personal choice. When you hold a yarn in your hands and fondle it what comes to mind as a potential project.
“A place for everything, and everything in its place”
Acrylic yarn has its usefulness, and it can knit up very nicely, and the price-point is usually affordable…and it is washable…which makes it wonderful for baby and kid knits.
My favorite acrylic yarn is Simply Soft by Caron. I like the soft luster and sheen. The colors are subtle and very pretty. I’ve never seen a Simply Soft project that I didn’t like. The yarn just makes the project all the better!
I also like making baby and kid knits with Encore Colorspun by Plymouth.
It’s 75% acrylic/25% wool. It is nice, and washes well!
I’m not on Ravelry.