Red Heart Eco-Cotton:
75% recycled cotton
25% acrylic
I love it for the color red it comes in - exactly the shade I wanted - but, I’m concerned if it will be safe to use with heat. Especially because I’m giving them as a gift… I’d hate to be responsible for a kitchen fire!!! :shock:
I know some people use cotton, but personally I would only use wool. If it did catch on fire wool will self extinguish when removed from the flame, whereas other yarns usually won’t. Acrylic can melt at high heats, too.
It would be okay if it’s knit densely. I have some acrylic potholders and they only melt if they’re on the burner or flame, not from handling hot dishes.
Thanks for the replies. I triple the yarn and decided to only use 1 strand of the eco cotton, and then 2 strands 100% cotton.
I’ve always been pleased with using cotton, but will have to give wool a try. Thanks again!
I would urge using only wool. It’s the one yarn that, as Jan pointed out, will put itself out. Things happen in the kitchen we never intend and if by accident, the pot holder gets close to the flame, you could have a real problem with other fibers. Flame is not really where you want to take chances.
Hey, I’ve used 100% acrylic yarn for potholders for years.
I switched over to cotton for a better feel.
All my potholders were two layers thick. My worry is that the cotton will get wet and conduct the heat, but I think any fiber can do that.
I know cotton does not burn well by itself, it does smolder but can easily be extinguished by running under water in the sink. Cotton is the fiber used in candle wicks, it wicks the wax to burn but is itself slow to burn.
Cotton, acrylic or blends are easily washed and dried without shrinkage.
I’ve never used wool for pot holders.
Interesting difference of opinion. I would NEVER use yarn with any acrylic for pot holders, it transmits heat and can melt and burn. I would use cotton if it is very dense and double thickness.
I have made lots of felted wool pot holders and in my opinion they are the safest.
Keep in mind that the military will only accept 100% wool helmet liners and the like because of flammability issues.
Why stop at wool?
From now on only Kevlar should be acceptable.
Interesting difference of opinion. I would NEVER use yarn with any acrylic for pot holders, it transmits heat and can melt and burn.
It melts only if it’s in direct contact with the source of the heat; a flame or hot element. The heat of ordinary dishes, pots, etc, even when taken out of a 450 degree oven is not hot enough to melt acrylic. I’ve used acrylic and cotton hotpads for years and have yet to melt one through regular use; they do only if thrown onto a hot burner or get too near the flame of a gas burner.
I just don’t find acrylic to be protective enough, even at double thickness compared to double cotton or fulled wool.
I don’t think many people throw potholders at the stove. Dropping them is a whole other issue. . .
Well, dropping by accident yeah. Sometimes you kind of throw them down though…
[color=“#330099”]
Some of us have children in the home. Potholders do get thrown in my home.[/COLOR]
With a severe wool allergy, I only have cotton or acrylic as options. I can’t even run my hands on wool yarn without paying a price. I have 2 double thickness potholders, made with acrylic, that has been in the family for 20+ years that my grandmother made. The only time it was any issue was when I put a cast iron pan straight from a screaming hot oven on it. All that did was make it smell a bit for a short time. So my choice is acrylic, was good enough for Grandma-it’s good enough for me. 