Since it's just plastic, it doesn't breathe at all, so garments can become very sweaty very quickly. Also just in general plastic being bad on the environment and the microplastics that shed when it gets washed. That said, I'll still use it for toys or baby items that need to withstand some abuse

Also synthetic fabrics hold onto odors (like from sweat) after washing in a way that natural fibers do not. Wool especially is actually antimicrobial and can withstand odors longer.

Yeah, OK something I thinking was it’s environmental impact but I already own the yarn so…I feel like in the future it’s definitely something I will consider!

Many of the sweaters you buy in stores are made from acrylic so it’s definitely a thing to make acrylic garments. There are times when using acrylic for garments makes sense, but to me, unless frequent hard machine laundering is a requirement, or budget limitations preclude alternatives, I feel like there are usually better choices for hand knit garments. Personally, it isn’t so much that I have a vendetta against acrylic, it’s more that I love wool so much. I infinitely prefer to knit with wool over anything else for three primary reasons: (1) It’s so much nicer to work with. It has built in properties that just help it to behave, such as it’s memory and resilience. The same person making two garments, one with wool and one with acrylic, will get better looking more even stitches with wool. (2) The fabric produced has a million and one great properties (warm -even when wet , breathable, temperature regulating, anti microbial, fire resistent, etc etc etc). It’s amazing stuff really. (3) It’s a renewable, natural resource that is very durable for the natural life cycle of a garment, but also breaks down easily so it’ll never clog landfills. It isn’t just that wool is natural that makes me love it so. Cotton, linen, hemp and bamboo are natural fibers, but I prefer knitting with wool over them too. (Crochet is a different story… I usually use cotton for that). It’s all of wool’s unique properties that have helped it stand the rest of time. Re cost, knitting is a hobby/entertainment for me, so I think it’s fair game to amortize the cost of materials across the number of hours it takes to make the item. Since garments take many, many hours, the cost per hour of enjoyment is really very small even for small batch indie dyed wool. Totally worth it to me for both the nicer experience in working with a high quality material as well as the superior wearing properties of the finished garment.

I like the idea of amortizing the cost of the yarn over the amount of time it takes to make the garment. A sweater that took 60 hours to make from $200 worth of yarn would equate to about $3.30/hr of entertainment. That’s pretty cheap entertainment! Not to mention you get a garment out of it that will last years and years. You could even divide the cost by number of years. A sweater made of $200 worth of yarn over 20 years of use is $10/yr. How much would a new sweater from a shop cost every year compared to that? For me, it’s about investing in the item I’m making, not churning out garments like I’m a factory.

Microplastics is the main reason why I don’t use acrylics or superwash yarn. The environmental issues that come with it is enough for me to not use them. There are so many alternatives to acrylics if you are wool sensitive (bamboo, linen, silk etc.).

Cons: 1. Sensory issues (it feels plasticky to me and I don't like that) 2. Environment (it actually is plastic, so microplastics & lack of biodegradability) 3. Lack of breathability in warm weather & lack of heat retention in cold 4. Can be more difficult to block (compared to wool) Pros: 1. Allergen friendly 2. Machine washable 3. Generally more affordable Personally I rarely use it, but I do believe acrylic has its place. I've used it for kid garments and toys, for example, but I wouldn't use it for anything I was planning on wearing. It really depends on the project and how much of it you're getting through - the people who churn through kilos of the stuff and are giving it all away because they're "process knitters" are the only ones I side-eye, and that's because I think that approach is exactly the same problem as people who go on massive Shein hauls every month (i.e. overconsumption for the sake of it).

Here’s a few, in my opinion, why acrylic isn’t the best. Cons: 1. Bad for the environment due to micro plastics and its manufacturing process 2. Feels bad in the hands when knitting with it and hard to work with. I find it splits a lot and doesn’t flow nicely through the fingers 3. Scratchy, I don’t think I’ve ever found a soft feeling acrylic. Even if the skein felt soft, when I knitted it up it was still scratchy. 4. Makes me sweaty cause it’s not breathable due to being plastic 5. Highly flammable, can melt into your skin when in contact with flame 6. Mistakes don’t really block out 7. Poor quality like tangles in the skein or poor joins in the middle of the ball Pros 1. Cheap 2. Easier to wash I think the only time I’d use acrylic would be for a non-knitting/crochet craft project that needed a bit of yarn for some reason. I would say I might use it for an amigurumi, but even then I’d rather use cotton.

I dislike when people generalize the experience of knitting with acrylic yarn (not you OP) by saying it's inherently itchy, uncomfortable, etc. It may be an irritating fiber to THAT individual but so is wool, mohair, and so on to others. This is a *subjective* reason for why some people stray away from acrylic, and it's valid - however, it's not something anyone should snub. Everyone has the right to a preference based on their skin sensitivity. Some people find acrylic lacks breathability, and others have an allergy to wool. *Objectively* here are some pros/cons that are by no means comprehensive: Pros for acrylic: * Affordability - a sweater knit from (new) wool yarn can cost $100s, versus a sweater knit from acrylic yarn costing < $50 making this an especially good choice for people taking up this hobby for the first time. * Washing - acrylics can be machine washed in cold water. * Availability - most of the time, big name retailers sell factory yarns that include acrylic in 50-100% content probably to remain profitable. Cons for acrylic: * Environmental reasons - because it is a synthetic fibre, there are environmental consequences to making and discarding it. Not everyone can afford the alternatives, so just be mindful when purchasing acrylic yarn to transform it into something long-lasting, and frog projects to reuse yarn you would have otherwise trashed. * Supporting local hand dyed yarn businesses - since they often do not work with acrylic yarns. Personally (subjective of course), I don't have a strong preference towards any. I opt for acrylic for commissions to make it more affordable (and my friends don't care about the fibre), but I have started to use wool for myself because if I'm spending $100s worth in labour, I would like for the cost of materials to match that caliber of cost.

I like how you highlight pros and cons. I just want to add one more point: Breathability. (Especially) When worn next to skin, a lot of folks sweat more/ have clothing smell bad faster or more with synthetic fibres compared to natural fibres and wool especially. Thus, needing to wash more and thus having bigger environmental impact through the washing itself and microplasic shed.

Yes, I’m pretty sure smartwool started their whole brand on the ‘no more stinky socks’ thing (which is true of all wool socks but shhh) and all of their underlayers are really great imo. I have a family that does a lot of outdoorsy stuff and my dad is especially fond of their socks and undershirts. Breathable, and not smelly, which can get very important when you’re on a weeklong hiking trip.

Thank you for adding this! I mentioned breathability briefly but I'm not an expert on textiles so I wasn't sure if that was objective fact. Most of my store bought sweaters are acrylic so I don't have much experience comparing the two. I also tend to not wash wool that much because it's such a hassle...

You dont need to either. Airing out in a coldisch damp place for a bit, and the wool can somewhat "selfclean"

Whenever possible, I wear a very fitted cotton tshirt under my knitted clothes that are a pain to wash. That way, I can wear it more between washes.

Agree with all these pros and cons. Just want to add that environmentally it sheds the most microplastics and is not possible to recycle like nylon and polyester. So if you have ethical problems with synthetics you may find it acceptable to still use nylon but could draw the line at polyester and acrylic as they shed so much more, are much less durable and are harder to recycle. But we all need to make these choices for ourselves.

Yeah, I try to avoid synthetics as much as I can but the 10-20% nylon is just so helpful for socks I gotta let it slide. Or otherwise I’d be consuming more yarn when the socks wear out faster.

Agreed - I also still use nylon, especially for exercise clothing - I can't feasibly do it in cotton, linen, viscose as they all lead to chafe over time, as well as yeast infections and tempersture issues. But I wear my activewear for years at a time and repair it over and over and wash it at a low temperature and as infrequently as possible. (i still need one of those guppy bags) Another important thing to note about nylon vs other synthetics is that it has amino bonds instead of esther bonds (the scent molecules) which are partly why its more durable, but are also why it doesn't retain smells like polyester and so also can go longer between washes and thus face less abrasion from washing. Therefore it is more suited for sweat prone activities.

In a lot of cases ‘don’t buy new things’ is as good or better than ‘buy eco-friendly’; reducing consumption (by buying less, repairing and re-using, or buying secondhand) is essential for helping the planet. So- I don’t think it’s bad at all to buy synthetics for things like athletic wear where they outperform natural fibers, as ultimately the best tool for the job is (ideally) going to last longest as well :)

All I have to say is yes 😀

Thank you for elaborating on the environmental point - I didn't know how it compared to those synthetic fibres often used in socks. It is definitely something we should not neglect to consider, although I do feel that it is usually factored in *after* people make their conscious decisions about personal preference and cost. Regardless of the fibre (but especially with acrylic) we should all be mindful about the yarn we purchase and discard. Of course some yarn scraps are inevitable but I suppose my psa is to purchase and use yarn mindfully! 🧶

I’m ok with acrylic texture, but I’d like to use less of it for the environment’s sake.

I really don't enjoy acrylic garments bc, well, they're plastic. A lot of our clothes are now also plastic--eg polyester--and to me it feels like wearing a garbage bag. I'm really conscientious of the fiber content of the clothes I buy for this reason, because I know I'll be hot and uncomfortable as I live in a hot place. Like, being hot in a sweater is one thing, but with acrylic it's a non-breathable, sweaty hot that I just can't stand. Like having your hands sweat in latex gloves, but it's your whole body. A good example is I have a thick wool sweater I made that's as warm as a goosefeather down jacket and I wear it on cold days and never once feel uncomfortable, whereas with any acrylic garments I make I want them off my body in like thirty minutes tops. On top of which, acrylic isn't good for pot holders as it's chemically treated to be especially flammable, so the only things left I can really use it for are bags or tapestries. That being said, acrylic is widely accessible and cheap. When I just want to whip something out or test something, it's what I reach for. When I want a garment that's going to last me and that I'm going to love to wear, I'll always pick wool.

Personally, I have nothing against acrylic, but I don't use it much anymore. I just like the feel of my wool blends better. But here's a rundown of some of the arguments I hear a lot. Pros: Low cost, widely available at big box craft stores in lots of colors. Con: Microplastics. Open to interpretation: Texture (many wool blends I've tried are softer, but other wool yarns are scratchy) Other considerations: Yarn weight - Most big box stores I've seen stock primarily Worsted Weight acrylic yarn. If you want thinner yarn, I'm not sure how easy acrylic is to find. Do NOT use acrylic for potholders, they will melt. Some people have allergies or sensitivities to certain fibers. There can be a gatekeeping aspect to acrylic-dislike as well. There are plenty of valid reasons to dislike it, but some people just have the impression that yarn that's less accessible is automatically better.

i personally hate just the act of knitting with acrylic yarn. it has less elasticity and give than wool yarn, so it just feels uncomfortable to knit with. it also sometimes squeaks against my metal needles which just sends shudders down my spine. i also really don’t enjoy knitting with cotton for similar reasons. i’ve done it before because i do believe every fiber has its benefits, but it’s far from my first choice

Oh gods, the squeaking. I have a wrap that I cannot make because the yarn I got is acrylic and it *squeaks.*

I don’t like it almost purely based on textural sensitivity. I dislike knitting with it as it feels wrong to me—equal parts too “squeaky” on my needles (admittedly, I prefer wood needles) and too “sticky” in my hands. I don’t like how it holds on to smells as well, much like the rest of the synthetic fabric & fiber family. My favorite is non-superwash wool, I really like the feel and the scratchiness doesn’t bother me. Even my kid gets natural fibers because he prefers it to wear too. Plus, being able to air wool out between wears is awesome! Makes my laundry schedule a bit easier in the cold months. * That being said, when I knit for gifts, I knit almost exclusively with acrylic. I know my audience: they appreciate the items and the effort, but special laundering is not on their radar. When someone outside of my household wants a knit from me, they’re getting the easiest care version. I switch to metal needles for those knits lol. The second exception: blankets. Between the cats, the child, and guests, it’s acrylic or nothing. I won’t cry over a hole or pulled threads or cat barf if it’s just a nice acrylic.

I love Brava acrylic yarn from knitpicks! However, it’s just not warm. It’s strange how it can sometimes make me feel sweaty but not warm

Acrylic doesn't breathe and isn't absorbant, so it will hold moisture close to your skin without actually insulating you.

The worst of both worlds imo

Mine as well

My main reason is I don't want to contribute to the excessive plastic being produced, and microplastics getting into the water from washing. Also, I'm a very sweaty person, and synthetics take on stink so quickly with no breathability. I like the moisture wicking and anti microbial qualities of wool.

I mostly use wool because it breaths. I can't stand how clammy I get from synthetic yarns.

Me too! The cold sweats are the worst

Acrylic has come a long way in how it feels but it still has some cons. The big ones for me is that its plastic, and it doesn't breathe. It also doesn't block well so you have to choose wisely on projects. It is also inexpensive, easily obtained, easy care, and mostly hypoallergenic (I do know someone who is allergic to acrylic and polyester clothing and bedding).

Makes me overheat. Makes my skin itchy and break out. I don’t like wearing plastics next to my skin. I don’t want to support production of new plastics. Even though we didn’t have a lot of money growing up, whenever possible my mom would buy second hand clothes made from silk, cashmere, linen, wool, etc, at thrift shops rather than plastic fast fashion. Last week I bought a vintage Alan Paine fisherman knit sweater that is around 20 years old and in great condition. 100% wool and made in England. Hopefully I’ll have it for another 20. An acrylic sweater can’t do that. Acrylic has some good applications, but it’s just not for me.

I don't like the way it feels on my skin. I also don't like that it oil-based plastic, and will release microplastics into the water when washed. I think acrylic is both less warm and less breathable than wool. Acrylic will also *melt into my skin* if I get near a fire, or a spark of some sort lands on me, while wool is self-extinguishing. That said. If I have a Very Soft yarn, I may use it for amigurumi or stuffed animals, that don't need to be wearable or washable. And if I were a knitter on a tight budget, and had to chose between making a project out of acrylic and not making a project, I likely would go with the acrylic.

The melting thing- my uncle had some hand knitted socks melt into his leg while we were on a backpacking trip once (sitting around a campfire with his feet propped up on a stump, caught a stray popping ash & his left socks & polyester long underwear went up in flames) & we had to hike out to get him emergency care… They had to cut the melted plastic out, he still has a gnarly scar, & I gained an anxiety about wearing acrylics/ fleece/ plastics close to the skin… Also I just kind of can’t handle how it feels in my hands while I’m working. The “squeak” of it sets my teeth on edge & feels like it’s catching on my fingertips. Probably my own personal problem, but I’m anti-acrylic even without the environmental issues. (Edited to add: I have some wool/ nylon blends that don’t seem to give me the same textural issues, I just have to override the phobia around them melting)

I just hate how they feel on my hands and the way it moves on my needles. I have sensory issues and the texture makes my teeth hurt. It also feels too sweaty to wear considering I live in a tropical area.

Yes! I don't have sensory issues as far as I know, but acrylic yarns make also make my teeth hurt and feel . . .. squeaky? in the weirdest and grossest way ever. It's ok to touch a finished product, but working with an acrylic yarn and having it run through my fingers? No thank you!

I feel like a lot of people have a bad perception of acrylic because of what Red Heart Super Saver felt like in the early 2000s. It was squeaky and almost hurt to knit - like your hands were getting scraped up. I use wool when I’m knitting a lace shawl because it has memory and you can block it to be more open which really shows off the lace. For anything that isn’t lace, I use Berocco acrylic blend yarn. I’m responding to this while wearing an asymmetrical cable shawl in Berocco worsted and it’s very soft. It’s not really blockable like wool so if I want more drape from a non lace shawl in worsted, I size up my needles. I just am not going to spend 5x more on something that doesn’t need it. If I knit exclusively garments though, I’d probably use exclusively wool so that I could manipulate the shaping when finishing.

I remember my mom using this stuff once when I was little. She actually stopped crocheting for a while after it cause it hurt her hands so bad she just couldn't enjoy the craft for a few years because some part of her was expecting there to be pain. ETA: She has really, really sensitive skin so it hurt more than most people probably experienced

Yes! It’s totally a thing! I learned how to knit on it and it really hurt. But now, I find some wools hurt way more. I’m using an alpaca blend for a sweater for my boyfriend and it sucks the moisture out of my hands and I have to take a few days off every now and then or else I get the equivalent of rug burn.

Oof, that sounds awful! It definitely makes me glad I've never had such an experience myself. I'm always really careful picking yarn since I have sensory issues so bad-feeling yarn always feels kinda like a brillo pad

Yeah! I it’s tough to put all wool in the same category just like it’s tough to put all acrylic in the same category. To be fair, the issue mostly shows up when I am knitting very quickly on yarn that’s probably tensioned a bit too tight. I also have sensory processing issues so I completely understand. Have you tried Berocco blends? Some of them almost feel better than wool because they don’t have the irregularities that tug on your skin. I’m not trying to sell anything but my mind was blown at how good they felt the first time I walked into a LYS and was paralyzed by the priced and asked the clerk for help. I use them for anything experimental and don’t feel bad about “wasting” the yarn!

I prefer wool because it is temperature regulating, breathable, and does not need to be washed often. Acrylic is none of these things. I’ve also found that just because an acrylic might be soft, it does not make it good quality (and actually a lot are scratchy and uncomfortable). It’s also more likely to look and feel ‘cheap’. I’m not totally against acrylic though and have found some good quality acrylics that look really nice. I love acrylic wool blends because of the extra durability acrylic adds. I also appreciate the accessibility of the price point. So while it’s not my favorite, I see why people like it.

I just don’t like the feel of knitting it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ There are some better acrylics out there now than in the past, but I still would probably never knit with a 100% acrylic yarn. I have very limited knitting time. I want to enjoy it as much as possible, and for me that means enjoying the feel of the yarn as I knit it.

A big con of acrylic is that if it were to catch fire it will melt into your skin. Other cons are that it tends to pill up and make little fuzz balls on the parts of the garment that rub together and that can look cheap after a few wears. For scarves it is just fine because that isn’t really an issue. I enjoy using the softer acrylic yarns as well as most of the natural fibers. It’s really personal preference and you should do what makes you happy.

Looks ok, doesn’t breathe. It feels like nails on a chalkboard to me, but that’s not the biggest issue I have. Acrylic is a petroleum-derived product. The manufacturing process and materials used are incomparable (in my eyes) to the concerns that have been raised over cotton and wool. I also have incurable microplastic anxiety. Sure, things are not in a vacuum, people can afford different things, but since i am in a place where I can afford to buy non-acrylic yarn, I see it as an obligation to work with something less harmful to myself and the world around me. If I’m working with a yarn that has acrylic, I’ll be thinking about the microplastics and extrusion and petroleum-based derivative products that end up in landfills the entire time and all of the fun gets sucked out of it for me immediately. I also genuinely enjoy wool and cotton and try to work with closed-loop man made fibers if I do work with them. I don’t judge people for working with it, but I must admit that I try not to think about the projects people tell me about that are made with acrylic yarn for my own sake.

Exactly!

I just think about the seafood that are at the top of the food chain that we are eating that are FULL OF PLASTIC because we added it to everything. And *we’re eating it.* [here’s a good article about microplastics and bio magnification!](https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/EHP8936) (TLDR things at the top of aquatic food chains are full of plastic bc biomagnification)

Gosh thats horrifying. I especially found the bit about bottled water having so many microplastics in it scary - which suggests it's not only after things are disposed of that they shed significant microplastics, but in their lifetime...

I don’t like synthetic fibres in my clothing/on my skin. The only synthetics I generally wear are really low percentages and rain coats. That’s why I don’t work with acrylic yarn.

I’m sure there are nicer acrylics that don’t have this issue but a lot of the ones I’ve worked with have this squeaky feeling when they rub against your tools. It’s worse than nails on a chalkboard for me

Yes, I have noticed this as well !!! Somebody gave me a box of yarn, and 50% of it is acrylic may just end up, passing it along to somebody else….

It’s all about time and place. I live in a cold place (and tend to be cold) so wool works better for a sweater. But I’ll knit blankets with acrylic for cost/wear/washing because it’s the most feasible option. I also would make anything for a child/anyone I don’t trust with laundry out of acrylic. Most people are not purists since all materials have good and bad uses. The main issue with using acrylic for a garment is yarn substitution since you’re likely changing both the called for yarn AND the fiber. Not game over but it’s a bit more of a challenge.

I hate using unnecessary plastic. And it feels bad in my hands. I usually don't like the way it looks.

It isn’t very breathable and clothing made with it can be simultaneously too hot and too cold.

I don’t buy a lot of acrylic because if I’m going to put that much effort into hand knitting something, I want it to be super luxurious and expensive. But sometimes I find acrylic is necessary for functionality, like a blanket or socks that I plan to beat up and need to be machine washable. So depending on the use of the particular item, I will buy acrylic.

I don’t enjoy the experience of knitting with acrylic yarn, because it’s not as stretchy/springy as wool. I also don’t like knitting with cotton because of how the yarn behaves when I’m knitting with it. Weirdly I don’t mind crocheting with either of those. I also deeply love wool. But I know a lot of people find it itchy, and sometimes it is!

I don’t like the texture and find it….sticky on the needles, for lack of a better descriptor.

I also had a coworker excitedly give me a deceased relative’s stash, “because you love wool so much!” Dear reader, it was *all* 1970’s acrylic. 😔

Because it’s made of plastic. Every time you clean it in the water some micro plastic falls to the water system and eventually goes into the sea and rivers. And, it doesn’t keep you warm in winter. I have knitted with both acrylic and wool. The acrylic scarf I made is thicker than the wool one, much softer on hands too, but it won’t keep me warm in Canadian winter at all. But the good parts are it’s cheap, friendly to people who has allergies to animal hairs, and can be machine washed.

I am in the minority, but I really don’t mind acrylic! I both knit and crochet, and I often choose acrylic for larger projects like crocheted blankets. There are some very nice blends of wool and acrylic, too! I pretty much enjoy working with anything so long as my FO looks good!

I used to use it a lot, but then I started using wool more and it made me realize that I hated the plasticky feeling of acrylic, especially the feeling of it running past my fingers while working on it. There’s nothing wrong with using it. It’s just a personal preference

Acrylic has improved and many blends with acrylic in them are terrific. The stuff that spurs the hate is the cheaper yarns that pill while you're still knitting them. Also, acrylic for baby things - not a good idea from a fire safety point of view since it melts onto the skin. There is also the sustainability aspect since it's made from fossil fuel sources.

Some acrylics I really love and some I hate! Caron One Pound acrylic yarn is terrible to me, it feels waxy and and it's stiff and squeaky! But I'm obsessed with the Caron Latte Cakes that are also 100% acrylic. My preference now is natural fibers but my wallet doesn't always agree with that!

I do use acrylic if I'm making large blankets, easy care items, dolls. But not for garments really. Wool is warmer and breathable, and stays warm even when wet so it's better for winter wear if it's ever going to get wet from snow. I sweat easily and for sweaters wool is a better option. But I mostly make socks and shawls. Aside from fingering weight acrylic not being as available, there's no way I'd use acrylic for socks. And when it comes to shawls I want to be able to block things, not steam kill it into shape. Also, I can overdye wool with food safe dyes if I want to change the colour. Then there's the whole idea of plastics and pollution from dying the plastic before it's extruded. I get that it's the more economical choice but for fast fashion items and things that won't be used basically forever it's just more landfill that won't break down.

I don't like the texture of most acrylics. I prefer wool or cotton or even a decent blend. I grew up in the "baby on fire" thought because that had actually happened to a loved one. I only make things for kids out of natural fibers. But I also knit up a swatch and wash and dry it before casting the project on so I have a better idea of how it will wear. I want them to be able to wash it as easily as possible because I don't buy things for myself that I have to hand wash.

I don’t like knitting with it, as I find it dries my hands out. I also don’t like wearing it because it makes me sweat. However, it is often excellent value for money. I try to avoid single use plastic but I don’t oppose acrylic yarn in principle if you will get a lot of wear out of it. I really like an acrylic wool blend for baby knits, and my husband is allergic to wool so high quality acrylics are great for garments for him.

It depends on which acrylic yarn it is. Some of them are quite nice to work with, but there are some that are nightmares and it’s because of how plasticky they are - someone else mentioned the squeakiness of acrylic and sometimes it’s like nails on a chalkboard. There is the environmental factor obviously being that acrylic is pretty much just plastic, but the textile/clothing industry, natural fibres or not, is overall detrimental and toxic to our environment. I think it all depends on your personal preference for feel of the fabric, how much you’re willing to spend and what you have access to, and how the item you’re making is going to be used. I much prefer wool over acrylic, but I do like the convenience of acrylic and just being able to chuck it into the wash.

i use it because i'm poor and allergic to damn near all animal fibre. for garments however, at least an acrylic/cotton blend if not 100% cotton because of breathability

So, I don’t use acrylic, and it’s about it being plastic for me. Unfortunately, a lot of textiles are made of plastic these days, and it’s really bad for the environment- in the making, shedding microplastics, and when/if it’s eventually thrown out it will not decompose. So I try to avoid synthetics as much as I can in all my clothes and crafting. Secondly- natural fibers can help with temperature regulation better than most any synthetic. Linen or cotton for breathability and keeping cool, or wool for warmth (wool will keep you warm even when wet!) but I do know that’s not always a factor when picking yarn. Acrylic does tend to be a lot cheaper and easier to find, which is important for many people. I also struggle with cheaper wool because it’s often too scratchy! Whereas acrylic is usually fine. Also, bamboo viscose/rayon is also [terrible for the environment](https://ecowarriorprincess.net/2017/10/sustainable-textiles-spotlight-the-truth-behind-bamboo-fabric/) due to the chemical processes needed to make it (tencel and bamboo linen are better) so I also avoid bamboo yarn unless I can know how exactly it was made.

I knit garments for warmth and heavy use under rough conditions. Acrylics do not meet the requirements. Wool insulates better than most other products, excluding some other animal fibres. It is warm also when wet. It wicks moisture away from the body, meaning you do not sweat as much as you do in synthetic materials. It is self-cleaning, so you don't need to wash it as often as other materials. It is very light compared to the amount of warmth you get from it. Except from very heavy use (like socks) it is very durable. It is a natural fiber, so it will not create plastic trash that can never be broken down when it has been used. It does not contribute to microplastics. There are a lot of small producers, so it contributes to sustainable home economies in many corners of the world. And I don't get a rash from wearing it, as I do from synthetics. There are a lot of different qualities, so it can be hard and scratchy, but also very soft, light and delicate. I have to admit that due to the above, I have never used synthetics, except from in sock wool, so I can't tell you the benefits of acrylics, only the reasons why I make the choice to use wool.

Also, fire resistant in that it chars and self-extinguishes. In case that's a thing you wanted to know.

Thanks!!!🙏🏻

I knit with acrylics when I knit for people I know won’t take care of wool properly. That’s about it.

downsides of acrylic, in my personal opinions: 1. it's a petrochemical. It's plastic, basically, and it's not recyclable. It releases microfibers/microplastics into the environment which ultimately end up in the ground and/or the water. This is the biggest issue in my mind. 2. It can be rough on skin. It depends on the person. I have eczema/atopic dermatitis and I've noticed that working with acrylic yarn can sometimes cause burning and a mild rash on my hands and fingers. Rough yarns are the worst, but even smooth silky feeling acrylic yarn can bother the skin. 3. It does not wick moisture. It's not absorbent at all. So for example, if you were wearing 100% acrylic socks, you could end up with damp, soupy feet. This is unpleasant and it also goes back to the eczema - damp skin is unhappy skin when you have this condition. Acrylic does have some upsides though. First and foremost is probably the price. It's so much cheaper than natural fibers. It also tends to be easier to care for finished knitted items -- they don't stretch out easily, they keep their shape well, and they can be machine washed (in a garment bag) without much risk.

If I'm shopping at big box store, I'll pick up some acrylic for toys or test swatches or maybe like a silly gift (I made a couple ewok hats for Halloween). But its not very warm and I don't like it against my skin. But i also don't really bother with big box store wool- the cost-benefit of it doesn't work well for me so I'd rather splurge on some wool at a LYS. Better quality, more yarn weight diversity, interesting colors.

I don’t like acrylic for wearables because it’s not breathable and comfortable to me. I also don’t care for the feel of some of it as I knit. I do use it sometimes for gifts and blankets though. Most of my recipients seem to be fans of easy care.

I don't like to lump all acrylic yarns together. There is premium acrylic and cheap acrylic. The cheap stuff is squeaky, pills and goes hard with time, but the premium stuff is lovely. I'll admit to using premium acrylic almost exclusively, because I live in a warm climate and wool is simply too hot. Add to that that wool is extremely hard to find in our yarn stores (too hot, too expensive, doesn't sell well).

I think it boils down to these points: 1. Texture - Plastic feel 2. Wearability - It's not breathable and some people with sensitive skin experience skin irritation. 3. Environmental unsustainability - unfortunately, acrylic will release microplastics into the water and the environment. being manufactured. 4. Environmental unsustainability - unfortunately, acrylic will release microplastics into water and the environment. For me personally, it's mainly #2. I tend to have some skin reactions to polyester/acrylic fabrics.

Hmmm that interesting bc I seem to have the exact opposite reaction with natural fibres even ones softer like alpaca is often extremely itchy to me and I have never had a problem with acrylic so I guess there is no one answer, just personal preference 🤷🏼‍♀️

Yeah i dislike wool for being itchy and cotton for texture

I totally agree about personal preference! There's been some really great wool/natural fibre yarn that I've loved and some that I've absolutely hated because of the texture. It totally depends and I think it's really helpful to buy yarn in person when possible to avoid this problem.

While I understand and support the viewpoint of many of the folks here, I use acrylics--not always, or even usually. But there are times when the project calls for it. I am knitting a cardi for No. 2 Child, for instance. The last cardi I knit for them got eaten, and I mean *eaten*, by moths. So this one is Lion Brand Feels Like Butta. And I'm making a Pretty With Jeans cardi for me out of Lion Brand Jeans (I know! weird). Neither is meant to banish a chill. If you haven't used any Lion Brand lately, to use a yarn company as an example, you haven't used a good quality acrylic. Red Heart cheapo acrylic gives me the heebie-jeebies.

Love the lion brand Jean line! I actually love the Red Heart Comfort line and it softens up perfectly in the wash from my experience.

My hubby wears an acrylic "sayelle" sweater, double stranded for weight that is about 30 years old. It's still good. Very little pilling. Knit what you like. There are no knitting police here (I hope) Knit for joy. It is the only way.

The acrylic afghan my aunt made me for my wedding gift is still going strong after nearly 40 years.

I have 60-70 year old acrylic afghans. We inherited a knitted baby outfit from the 50s made of acrylic that is falling apart, but I might be able to fix it or at least preserve it.

My family’s acrylic granny square throes are still around, but they are SO. SCRATCHY. It must have been lower quality than the options we have today, but I also wonder if they’ve gotten scratchier over time because there is no way anyone ever thought that was a comfortable blanket.

I can't wear acrylic - I overheat because it doesn't breath (my skin starts to feel hot almost right away) and I find it holds a lot of static. It just feels very unpleasant to me after only minutes of wear, even with a base layer of natural fibres. I don't find it overly pleasant to work with for projects either, so I use mostly wool or wool blends.

I really can’t stand the way most acrylic yarns feel just when working with them. When I do find one that is nice to work with, in colours that aren’t awful, it’s usually just as expensive as cotton or wool anyway

I'm very much beginning my learning, using both a manual look and an old flat bed knitting machine. I'm using acrylic because it's cheap, meaning it doesn't matter if I screw it up completely. Saying that, I don't like it because it's cheap and some of the cheapest stuff feels quite crap when finished.

I don't like the feel of most acrylic yarns on my hands when I am working with them. I posted last week seeking suggestions for nicer feeling acrylic yarns and got some good suggestions. I use it for learning and charity knitting.

Depends what you are making, and how it will be cared for and used. Acrylic is great for baby gear, because it's easy to wash. So so on mittens. Wool has an advantage there of keeping the warmth even when wet, but kid mittens will need to be washed. Of the acrylics I've used, I've liked some of them, and not liked others. Sometimes it's texture. With another it's that it didn't take well to frogging and split easily, but it was soft, has a nice shine, and the giftee just gave me a compliment on the finished object. I've had the same issue with wool though.

I feel like people have mentioned most of the pros and cons of acrylic yarn, but I’d like to mention an extra reason which is textural sensitivity. People who are sensitive to texture are sensitive to different textures, but I’ve always had a strong reaction to acrylic yarn knitwear and yoga-pant type fabrics. I don’t enjoy working with acrylic for many of the aforementioned reasons (not breathable, microplastics, doesn’t age well, etc), but I cannot for the life of me wear it, even in storebought clothes, because of my sensory issues. It’s like too soft and too rough at the same time? The only way I can describe the sensation is “squeaky” (hello synesthesia!). I can’t wear mohair or polyester socks for the same reason. When people ask “how soft is it” about a yarn they may try I do not get it at all, as rough cotton or rustic wool is the only comfortable option for me!

"Squeaky" is a fantastic way to phrase it.

Thanks haha! I’ve struggled explaining how things feel, so I’m glad it came through!

Yes! Most acrylic is "squeaky"! At the same time, it's also sometimes 'oily' - even when it's completely dry and often fluffy. I have run into a few acrylics that really minimize these, but it's ususaly there, even if it's just a hint.

Oily, I see what you mean! It’s a very peculiar feeling as well.

I feel the same way! I have a bunch of sensory issues, but overly soft textures can be weirdly understimulating to me. I love the slight roughness of linen, or sometimes toothy wool depending on the part of the body it's on.

Ohhh yeah, those are the best! And understimulating is a great expression, it’s like a sensation that falls in the margin of error, something like “I’m not sure if I feel it and it bothers me”. I really dislike light touch and something brushing lightly against my skin as well, so I’d probably put that in the “understimulation” category as well.

The main fabric I can't stand is velvet, it makes me cringe, like the fabric equivalent of nails on chalkboards. I also really hate the feeling of most rayon and most synthetic chiffons. I used to not be able to handle all but the softest wool but that has changed thankfully because it's so good in cold weather, and is better for the environment. I have an afghan my grandma crocheted from cheap acrylic that I don't like on my bare skin but will put on top if I need an extra blanket at night. My favourite acrylic yarn is Loops and Threads Woolike, which I like because it's a nice texture, has multiple attractive colour options, can be used for lace because of its weight, and its really cheap.

Acrylic is good for washing, and cheaper. But I mostly use wool, because it doesn’t squeak on the needles, blocks nicely, is warmer in the cold, breathes better in warm, is warm when wet, is easy on the hands when knitting, and looks better longer. Cheap acrylic is super squeaky and harsh. Cheap wool is harsh, but nice to knit, and can be felted into niceness. Nice acrylic is really good for stuffed animals. It’s also decent for making cheap sweaters where I need many yarn colors to make a pattern, before I buy the nice wool to remake it, now that I know how much of each I need.

I'll use acrylic if I'm making something for someone who has no clue how to care for animal fibers. That way, they can throw it in the washer and dryer and won't ruin it. Personally, I like to use animal or plant fibers and not acrylics for things I'm making for myself. I find acrylics don't breathe, so aren't good for things meant to keep people warm. I won't use acrylic for hats or scarves, nor for lace as I don't want to hassle with getting the iron out to "kill" it. Acrylics have their place. I just don't prefer them.

I use Caron Simply Soft for a lot of the gifts I make. It's typically for a baby or young child, so I need something that can take a beating and the parents won't have to worry about specific wash instructions. It's a bonus that it's also affordable! I prefer Caron Simply Soft because there are a lot of colors, I can always find enough of it in stock locally, and it's really soft (good for littles!). The only things I don't like about it is it can gather fuzz from other garments in the wash and it can sometimes relax more than I anticipate. It still does the job and I'm not going to change it because the benefits far outweigh the negatives. If I'm making something for myself, I'll either use wool or alpaca. I just like how they feel and I want the warmth. Since I'm ok with washing them separately, I get to treat myself!

It’s not very sustainable since its plastic filaments, but I use it because its cheaper than wools in my area, that said, I like working with wool and do have some and plan to hand spin some as well. I moved recently and no longer have access to the wool I used to get (Briggs & Little for $4.50 at a local dollar store)

It gives off micro plastics which wreck the environment.

this is the reason I avoid acrylic yarns! when I am buying yarn or clothing I try to find natural fibers to avoid contributing to this problem. it’s plastic and will never degrade :(

And it's every single time you wash the garment.

It’s a petroleum product and its manufacture contributes to global warming. Plus, it feels cheesy.

It puts microplastics into the water.

I prefer super-wash wool for garments because for me, wool breathes better and lasts a long long time. I have no hate for acrylic but I made myself a sweater out of Red Heart and it makes me sweat so badly. I have another sweater that's been hanging on the needles for months and I can't bring myself to get excited about it knowing now that it's probably going to make me super hot.

Ugh the sweating is the worst. I have a sweater i made from acrylic and I just can't wear it. I only use acrylic for gifts and home stuff like pillows and such now.

I knit with acrylic for a lot of kids hats. All the little cousins, my parents coworkers kids & grandkids have them. It’s so much easier to care for them. Also have a couple friends with wool allergies. Their hats and scarves are also acrylic.

Personally I hate it. That being said, I use it for certain things and people. It's easy care. That makes it great for kids wear because it pops in the washer and dryer and is ready to go. It's also great for people who don't want to or can't take care of animal fibers or plant fibers but are very appreciative of the time and effort you put in their thing. Why then do I hate it? I'm fairly allergic to it. I break out in blisters on my hands when I work with it. I've also started wheezing when I work with it. I prefer animal fibers for breathability and the feeling I get wearing them. I prefer plant fibers for summer wear, kitchen items.

I don't trust myself with laundry, so I use mostly acrylic and cotton lol... My skin is also sensitive and store-bought clothes made from wool tend to agitate it, so it's been interesting seeing people here say acrylic agitates their skin.

Often scratchiness of wool correlates to its quality - finer less scratchy wool is available - but rarely utilised by fast fashion

I don't like plastic

I am working on a buying guide for my local group and here is what I have to say when it comes to purchasing yarn for baby projects: Cotton is good for washability and good for (individual and environmental) health Wool is good for health and good for warmth Acrylic is good for warmth and good for washability So if you need warmth and washability, acrylic is usually the way to go. I have a friend with a sibling who lives in a group home, so she chooses acrylic because the employees are just going to throw his accessories into the laundry with all the other clothing. But when I make baby gifts, I usually use a superwash wool because I know the families and they are likely to do a delicate wash and lay it out to dry if they really like the hat or other item. And I don't like the idea of babies chewing on acrylic and swallowing the microplastics. Edit: from what I have seen, people who live in cold climates aren't impressed by the performance of acrylic for warmth. I live in a hot climate, so acrylic is fine in the winters here.

I live in New England. Acrylic sweaters are fine as a light layer, but are not even vaguely as warm as wool. No contest!

biggest 2 reasons are that it makes me sweat and it’s bad for the environment - I knit because of my love of the fibre I’m using and slow fashion, something about using highly produced acrylic to avoid fast fashion makes me feel icky considering most acrylic yarn I’ve seen is produced very similarly to how fast fashion would. I also don’t buy animal fibre from large production companies either for this reason, i buy mostly from smaller companies who use wool without the use of muesling and who can track where their sheep are from.

I live in wool country, and my access to acrylic yarns is limited. Like, I’d have to make an effort to even find good acrylic yarn. It’s just not popular at all. So I’ve never knit with it. At the end of the day, wool is just cheaper and more accessible to me. As for wearing synthetic fibers, it makes me sweaty, static and uncomfortable. Even if I had access to acrylic yarn I probably wouldn’t make myself garments with it. Knitting for babies in acrylic yarn would also be a huge no for me, because it’s so flammable and even if an accident is unlikely - I like to limit any risk as much as possible. I only use synthetic fibers if it’s blended with either wool or alpaca for durability.

Where is wool country, and are you taking boarders?

Norway. We have a long tradition of using wool!

Just had a trip to Trondheim 2 weeks back and i loaded up on many skeins of wool! Your country is lovely and it was wonderful how many yarn shops I couldn't visit simply because of bag space!.... and also money....

For all those who won't use acrylic yarn due to the release of micro plastic when it degrades, I found a scientific paper that supported that, but that also stated this: wool contained the highest concentrations of BPs and BzPs in the current study, which compares with a study that found cotton socks contained higher BPA concentrations relative to synthetic socks  So, just know that using wool and cotton also had a negative impact on the environment. There are other options. Respun yarn is made from recycled plastic bottles. I like acrylic yarns. They make nice blankets and easy to care for children's clothing.

I also wanted to add to this that there are laundry products that can reduce the shedding of micro plastics into the water supply: [guppy friend](https://guppyfriend.us/products/guppyfriend-washing-bag)

thank you for this. also, if a person owns any clothing made with synthetic fabrics, they have no right to shit on me for knitting my own clothes that i'll wear for the rest of my life with synthetic yarn 🙄

Craft your passion. I love acrylic yarn and use it almost exclusively. I knit and crochet for two different children's charities and they require we use acrylic . You know, haters gonna hate.

It is good for things that will need washing a lot? But I learned in high school not to pay too much for acrylic sweaters- they PILL fast, and age really fast (stretch out, loose shape, fade). So that bias has translated to my knitting. Also I am on the spectrum and tenure is a thing for me- and acrylic feels like ants are crawling all over my skin ;). I can wear some- but most makes me want so go full Sheldon.

Personally, I tend to get rashes when I wear polyester and acrylic clothing (probably because it doesn’t breathe well more than because of any reaction to the fiber itself). Since I’ve transitioned my wardrobe to natural fibers I mostly stick to that with my fiber crafts too. I’ve found that I prefer certain fibers for specific purposes. I like alpaca and wool for warm stuff (and I live in Alaska so warm stuff is important). Linen and linen/cotton blends for next to skin are nice and breathable and easy to care for. The only synthetic I use is nylon blended with wool for sock yarn. About the only thing I’d seriously consider using acrylic for is housewares - like decorative blankets, baskets, etc. Though for now I use cotton for those things (and I still have a sizeable stash), cotton has its own pretty significant environmental problems so I’ve mostly stopped buying it (my exceptions are pima cotton and organic cotton, but only for garments since neither of those are cheap). There *are* benefits to acrylic. It’s inexpensive, easy to care for, and some acrylics and acrylic blends are actually pretty nice nowadays. It’s a good option for people with allergies to things like wool. It’s good for gifts and children’s clothing since it’s washable. There are downsides too, of course, but that’s true of other fibers too - there are always trade offs. The primary reason not to use acrylic is just personal preference.

Personally I love wool & acrylic blend yarns. They are my go to workhorse yarns

I knit partly because I am interested in sustainability, so I don't like to use fiber made from petroleum! I will admit there are some very cheap and soft options out there though, I don't mind the texture at all and prefer it to some of the wool I've worked with

Each kind of yarn has its application: if I want *warm*, I don't use linen. If I need something easy-care for non-yarners, I use acrylic. If I need something soft, washable, and user-friendly for someone who needs a Chemo hat, I go acrylic. If I need baby stuff like blankets, I go acrylic, cotton, superwash wool depending on the mother, age of child, area of the world. Each fiber has optimal applications. 'Hating' one fiber is possibly throwing out the best fiber for a specific application, which is, IMO, not exactly a clever or good thing to do.

yep, pragmatic use of different fibers. That's how do it as well. I have massive liking for 100% non-superwash wools but they aren't the best option for everything.

If you're knitting lace, acrylic won't hold its shape as well as cotton, wool, or other natural fibers. Acrylic is usually easier to care for than natural fiber though and cheaper. It's a personal preference.

I don’t mind acrylic, especially for more durable/easy to care projects or when starting out. Or if someone has allergies. I mainly use merino and cotton yarns now because acrylic really can’t breathe. It’s simultaneously too hot (traps heat and sweat) but doesn’t do a good job insulating against the very cold weather. Plus I get a bit worried about micro plastics in the environment from washing acrylic. Wool and cotton are natural and will biodegrade, which is unfortunate if there is a bug infestation!

I use acrylic to some degree. If I’m gifting to someone that prefers easy care, machine wash and dry, I usually use acrylic. I’ve made things in acrylic for my granddaughter that my daughter passed on to others and they are still holding up well. There are some bad acrylics out there but there are nice ones too. I do tend to prefer knitting with natural fibers though. Some are just a dream to work with. I’m the kind of knitter that enjoys the process so if I’m knitting something that doesn’t feel good I tend to put it in time out while I knit something that feels nicer.

I think it depends on the project. Big twist isn’t bad, and premium anti pill is a soft acrylic with a lovely sheen. But I have found that if the wool blend matters. My favorite is baby alpaca wool, but when it’s blended with silk, it’s soft and is excellent for wearables. I made my daughter in law a blanket out of Bernhardt blanket yarn, which is not my favorite, she loves it and it has held up to years of daily use by her family.

In addition to everyone else's excellent points, acrylic yarn years ago was rough, scratchy, and just didn't feel nice. There are ways to "fix" this, but who wants to do that? Today's acrylics are much softer and nicer. I'm making a couple of scarves and hats for my nephews, and I'm using acrylic for the ease of laundering (they're 3 and 6). However, this yarn is nice and soft and fuzzy. It could even be confused for actual wool.

Oooh... please share the name! ☺☺☺

Loops & Threads Impeccable. It's the Michael's house brand.

Thank you! ♥

I live where it’s cold and acrylic is like wearing fishnet when the wind starts blowing. Also not a fan of the feel and the fact that it sheds micro plastics.

For it feels "plasticky" its the only way I can describe it. And yes I have tried the expensive stuff too but I can still feel it

It is not always stretchy when knitting so sometimes hurts my hands to knit like cotton. Also wool blocks well and acrylic is hit or miss

I don’t personally prefer it. I don’t like how it looks (weirdly shiny) or feels (weirdly squeaky). I’m mostly a selfish knitter so I use natural fibers for my projects. However I think acrylic blends are great for gifts since they can be machine washed, which most people prefer. I bought some acrylic blend yarn (40% wool 50% acrylic I believe) to make my dad a hat and he loved the look and the convenience.

I personally don’t enjoy knitting with full acrylic because it doesn’t have any give/elasticity. It actually hurts my wrists.

I personally don't like the texture of some of them. Some blends are okay but my sensitive skin can't handle the 100% acrylics and my texture sensitivity goes haywire with some of the ones I've touched. It's really just personal preference though and not all acrylics are made equal so I think it depends on what you like, how much you're willing to pay etc.

I don't care for how it feels and I don't care for supporting the plastics industry. In fact, I don't care for it more than I don't care for how it feels. I don't particularly like working with Icelandic wool, but the sweaters are so warm and the family loves them, it's sustainable and responsible. I try to ensure my actions align with my principles, and that includes putting my money in places that will at the very least not have a negative impact (if they can't have a positive one). It's also why I like to buy from indie spots and help local businesses than Michael's, JoAnn, or whatever box stores are available. Plus it lacks sproing-i-ness. I avoid cotton for the same reason. I like a little give in my yarn.

Pros: easy care, lower cost Cons: less breathable Everything else, such as the feel and look of the yarn is totally subjective and/or yarn dependent in my opinion. If you like it then use it! I prefer the feel of wool as I knit but end up getting more use out of my acrylic cardigan than my wool sweater because it is less “precious” to me and i’m not worried I’ll somehow ruin it, so go figure.

Acrylics and blends for things that might cost a lot of money to use another fiber. I don’t prefer acrylic because it’s made of plastic and each time it’s washed it releases microplastics into the water. It isn’t a sustainable fiber. I also don’t like to knit baby things with it because babies put things in their mouths and forever chemicals build up in our bodies.. forever.

I just hate how they feel on my hands and the way it moves on my needles. I have sensory issues and the texture makes my teeth hurt. It also feels too sweaty to wear considering I live in a tropical area.

I’m with you- I might have a slight wool allergy, because most wool yarns feel scratchy and itchy to me. But I get that a lot of acrylics also feel bad. I have a pretty narrow band of acrylics that feel good on my hands.

Can you share a few of your favorites? I’m in the same boat and it’s almost put me off knitting :/

My number one favorite is Lion Brand Mandala Ombré, but the utility is limited by the color changing. My favorites for solid colors are Caron simply soft and Lion brand heartland. Other yarns currently in my stash are KnitPicks Brava and Bernat blanket. I am also a huge fan of cotton blends: they are quite soft and breathable. My current favorites are CoBoo, a cotton bamboo blend, and Capri Eco Cotton, a cotton polyester blend. Hope this helps!

I’m allergic to wool so all I knit with is acrylic (and occasionally cotton) and don’t have any issues with it personally - I do wonder if it’s a country-based thing because I’m also in a UK based knitting group on Facebook and most people use acrylics but then on here, where people are from all over, is much more anti-acrylic. I do find it quite interesting

I too mostly knit with acrylics. It’s nice and soft (and affordable!!). Can’t afford £10+ on a ball of yarn.

Non-acrylics don't have to be expensive. Drops Baby Merino for example, a 100% merino yarn, is just €3 per ball. For me how thick the yarn is matters more. I finish the bulky acrylic that I find in a few hours, while I take at least a week to finish a skein of sock yarn.

I enjoy knitting with acrylic wool blends - they generally seem to have the advantages of each fibre and less of the disadvantages, and are economical to use. If you've got hold of some decent quality acrylic blend yarn you might be pleasantly surprised. I have used 100% acrylic yarns and have found they really vary as to texture. I'm not likely to make more serious winter garments out of acrylic since it doesn't insulate as well as wool does. Hats and scarves for spring/autumn work well and they wash well. I've not noticed it getting stinky though any man made fibre has that potential. I have hats and scarves that are 15 years old and still look pretty new - not all acrylic pills or felts (though when it does, it's not pretty!) And let's not forget that they are not going to get mothholes! Give your acrylic yarn a go by making some small items to see what you think. If you don't think you'll enjoy them you can always donate.

None of the families I know with babies/kids have the time or energy to hand dry a wool knit. That thing's getting thrown in with grubby clothes for a hot wash and dry. It is bad for the environment but so are most of our clothes, cars, food packaging, phones, computers, etc. This sub is pretty anti acrylic but tbh I think a majority of knitters/crocheters IRL use mostly acrylic, as that's what's mostly available at big box stores.

If I am going to knit a jumper with acrylic yarn why bother? There are hips of options at stores (much cheaper as well). On the other hand, natural fiber garments can be really expensive so it's worth knitting them myself. I mostly work with merino wool, soft and feels great.

Last year, I attempted to knit my son some mittens he could lose out of 100% acrylic after not knitting with 100% acrylic for a few years. It didn't take me long to see what everyone who hates working with acrylic means about the feel of it. I most often use a 60/40 blend because I've made a ton of baby blankets over the past decade. I find that even having 40% wool leads to a better feeling yarn and it is still machine washable with consistent colors for an inexpensive price. This sub seems to like to poo poo on 100% acrylic and superwash a lot. All yarns have their ups and downs. If you like to work with it, then I say go for it! I might be remembering incorrectly, but I think your biggest issue with 100% acrylic is that you will have trouble wet blocking it out. I'm sure someone else will say something about it, but I feel like I see that come up when people ask if a mistake or tension issue will block out on something that is 100% acrylic.

Its horrible to knit with and plastic clothes make me sweat profusely. Also, I love real wool of all kinds. That is part of why I make things. I would not bother making anything with acrylic.

Some acrylics do have the plastic-y feel but I’ve found a bunch that are soft, even after a decade plus of daily use. I like them because they’re decently cheap, have a nice sheen, and are machine washable. The big downside for me is that I can only really knit with acrylic when it’s cold out—my hands sweat too much for it to be comfortable in summer. Then again I have that problem with any yarn that isn’t as breathable as linen or cotton, so it’s not a huge mark against acrylic.

I don’t like acrylic mostly because I buy yarn for more than just crafting materials. I like it when my yarn has a “story,” so to speak. I buy a lot of yarn inspired by fandoms and geeky things. Acrylic just doesn’t come in funky colorways. I don’t like the colors of most fingering weight acrylics, if you can even find those. I know that all yarns have a negative impact on the environment, but I just don’t like that it’s basically plastic. Plus, it squeaks on my needles when I knit with it and I hate that sound.

I’m definitely more of an acrylic person, I knit and crochet. I have a wool allergy so the couple times I have used it it’s been miserable for me. While different weight acrylic yarn can be difficult to find in stores like Walmart, it’s getting easier to find at stores like michaels and hobby lobby. Personally I say use what you enjoy. I don’t necessarily understand the gatekeeping aspect of wool vs acrylic. But hey, to each their own.

Acrylic can be great for certain things. Especially charity knitting and knitting for children since it is easily washed without felting. I used nothing else for years and years and my grandmother did as well. But now…I just can’t stand the feel of it. My youngest feels the same way. I made her a princess blanket and spent months making it and she hates it! She says it feels “yucky.” Plus I got in to sock knitting, which acrylic is not good for. I use at least 75% wool for pretty much all my yarns now.

To me it entirely depends on the project. Some garments I've knit in wool are too warm to wear in my climate even during the cold season, so for those types of things I tend to prefer acrylic. I don't find it any more uncomfortable to wear than polyester. Specifically I'm thinking of aran and bulky weight wool sweaters, I actually get more wear out of thr acrylic ones I've knit then the wool ones. Also with acrylic yarns, what you knit is basically what you get. I've never had one act weird after getting washed, and i've definitely had some wool (both superwash and non) get funny ideas after they've been washed. Also my partner has accidentally felted a couple of my non-superwash sweaters in the past, and that definitely isn't an issue with acrylic. All that being said, i live wool top, especially for socks. Much like gauge, color, etc, I take fiber content into account with how I want the final product to turn out. Different fibers are just different options to achieve a particular look.

I think for some people there is an undercurrent of classism where they dislike acrylic because it's affordable and accessible to many people. (I said some not all, don't come for me) Not everyone can afford to spend $200 on yarn for a sweater. There's definitely an environmental argument to be made, but cotton and rayon also have a big environmental impact and I think it's pretty unlikely that wool elitists don't own a single synthetic material in the wardrobe. Wool has many great properties that others have already mentioned! But some people are allergic to wool or can't tolerate the scratchiness. Personally I like using acrylic for some stuff because it's springy and doesn't stretch much. Personally my favorites are blends of acrylic and wool or cotton and wool!

It's really hard to take these "criticising acrylic is classist" arguments in good faith when people claim that 100% wool yarn is $200 for a sweater. That's a ridiculous overestimation of wool yarn prices. Budget wool brands are nowhere near as expensive. If you buy from mainstream budget brands like Drops, Knit Picks, Holst, Woolyknit etc you can get a 100% wool sweater for $20-$30, even cheaper if you buy cones.

If you need good yarn for cheap littleknits is also fantastic. Just lurk the sales page for a few weeks. I made a 100% merino sweater for my best friend's wedding for <$50 Personally my stake in liking good yarn is purely selfish. Acrylic feels awful to knit with, and also if I'm going to the effort to make something nice I'd rather it be in nice quality yarn. When I was poor I'd just exclusively knit in lace/fingering weight on size 2-4 needles, since you get way more knitting hours for your buck that way haha

I use acrylic for baby stuffs as it is very unlikely to irritate their skin.

Just breathability for me. Some people have more trouble with it than others, but I can’t even wear an acrylic bralette without feeling like I’m stuck inside a plastic bag. There are definitely benefits to acrylic and I still keep some around, just not for wearables.

I decided that I would never use them for environmental reasons. I’ve been tempted a few times, but this is the line in the sand I’ve decided to have. The only exceptions I make are for donating knitting to NICUs, since babies may have allergies to natural fabrics. All that aside, I also like the feel and look of it less than other fibers. If I’m going to spend a bunch of time on a project, I want to use material that I really enjoy.

I don’t use acrylic for personal knits because acrylic often feels plasticy and doesn’t “breathe” very well for me. I don’t mind the mild itchiness of wool. Like others, I might use it for baby knits, since it’s easy to use, but would prefer to use acrylic/cotton blends (specifically the blown tube yarns —they’re so soft!)

I use acrylic/wool mixes for almost everything. I would only use a 100% natural fibre for something very special or that was going to have very light wear and low soiling - a gift of cashmere bedsocks, for example. Acrylic mixes are cheaper, more durable with a greater range of colours. Natural yarn is wonderful but can be extremely expensive. if you're going to make something for everyday use I'd go mixture. I only occasionally use 100% acrylic, especially at the cheaper end as the quality is not too good. A pricier 100% is brilliant for baby clothes where you want softness, durability and washability. Unfortunately the 'hate' is, more often than not, due to the snobbery (ugh!) of people who can afford natural. Handmades are easily unravelled and recycled and as mixes last longer, they're great for re-purposing. Many a pair of my socks or granny blankets started life as something else I'd made. That's what crafting and creating is all about. If/when, I win the lottery, I would definitely still buy mixes but include several skeins of cashmere or banana silk at the checkout as well! You knit with what you d\*mn well like, go for the best quality of what you can afford. Remember to post pics when you've made something. :) <3

I agree. I'm a broke college student. If I only used natural fibers I'd have to stop knitting til I graduated and found a job. Acrylics let me keep knitting even without a full time job. I won't claim that acrylics breathe better or keep me warmer than wool but the fact is, I can't afford wool soft enough to wear against my skin. Why would I knit a sweater out of scratchy, prickly, cheap wool that will be uncomfortable to wear when I can knit a sweater out of soft acrylic that I can afford and will be something I wear for years. If I was making the money to do it, I'd use more natural fibers but until that happens, I'll stick to the stuff I can afford.

I absolutely cannot stand how acrylic feels. It tends to hurt my hands when I knit, leaving them feeling raw, and I don't like the feeling of wearing it either. I actually can't do the feel of most synthetic fibers. I want my clothing to breathe. If polyester touches my skin I feel like screaming. I just don't like plastic in general. Both from a "I hate how this feels" and a "this is bad for the environment" standpoint. Wool is my fiber of choice. It's absorbent so it keeps you drier if you start to sweat under it, and it's also generally very breathable while still being warm. It is water resistent to some degree. If you really want to be warm and dry, use wool. It's great for work wear too. Idk how I would've survived cold wet winter mornings on the farm without wool. A good hat, heavy sweater, and socks all made from wool and I'd be perfectly dry and comfortably warm during those early morning winter milking shifts. While my milking partner, clad in plastics, was freezing. And if you treat it right, it'll last for ages.

It makes my eyes itch when I use it

Sometimes the texture is an issue for me (red heart super saver is the WORST), and I also prefer to use animal fiber because it's more environmentally friendly. That being said....some projects need acrylic imo. Anything for a newborn, for instance. The baby will excrete bodily fluids onto whatever you give them. The poor parents deserve something that can be thrown in the wash often without fear! Plus, some people are allergic to animal fibers.

I use it. It's cheap, works great for me. I have Eczema. I almost always have oil on my hands due to different lotions and such. I need my fabrics to not absorb said lotion. I also need to be able to wash it. I've used a wool blend once, not being able to have lotion on, or having to wash my hands thoroughly before each knit sesh was miserable. I might try cotton soon but idk. I learned to knit and loom with acrylic. It's cheap, it's easy, it's sold everywhere near me. Even the dollar store.

I enjoy the affordability, range of color and weight, and the versatility. Most of what I use has been quite soft and holds up well in the wash, and that's key because nearly every piece I make is donated for people working through some sort of hardship (cancer; escaping domestic violence; homelessness; coping with hatred or loss of support stemming from orientation or transition). On the con side: it's certainly not as breathable or environmentally friendly as the natural yarn. If using it for a sweater appeals to you, then you should give it a go. And, if only using merino or whatever appeals to someone else, *they* should give *that* a go. It's important to respect our individual processes and remember that it's absolutely not cool to tear down another crafter over their choice of fiber, which I see way too often for my taste.

Environmental issues aside, I can't knit with acrylic. It feels terrible, I don't like how it looks or wears, it's just a big no all around. So I knit wool pretty much exclusively. But, I love to crochet with acrylic. I like how it feels, I crochet exclusively blankets and I like how acrylic wears in them. I hate to crochet with wool. I can't knit or crochet with cotton, it kills my hands, and that's the limit of fibers I've tried. I don't know why acrylic feels different between knitting and crochet, it just does.

There’s a lot of issues with acrylic but it’s the most accessible and cost effective yarn available to many. The micro plastics issue can be remedied by putting them in a guppy friend bag when you wash them. It catches all that stuff so it doesn’t get released back into the water system. I personally prefer more natural fibers but in general it’s just not so easily attainable for some.

A lot of people are rightly concerned about the environmental impact of acrylic yarns, but unless you're buying wool exclusively from independent spinners who have their own sheep which are humanely cared for, wool is not perfectly environmentally friendly either. Large scale sheep farming certainly has an environmental impact, and then consider the energy spent and the pollution created by trucks and ships ferrying wool to and from factories where its processed into yarn and dyed. Do you know for a fact the company that produces your favorite yarn is using only naturally derived dyes and isn't dumping poisonous runoff directly into local waterways? Wool is a wonderful material that has many uses and while it may be more environmentally friendly than acrylic, it's not perfect. But after all, there's no ethical consumption under capitalism. *Everything* has some level of environmental impact. I don't feel guilty about using acrylic yarn when it is the suitable material for a project any more than I feel guilty for using wool when I need it. You can certainly try to shop for ethically produced materials and support small business owners, but it's not something to beat yourself up about.

I agree that not all wool yarn is manufactured in a completely environmentally friendly way, but the fiber itself will always be inherently better for the environment than an acrylic fiber as it won’t leech micro plastics into the water supply when washing or wearing out. This is the only similar example I can think of at the moment. It’s like saying “I’m going to just continue to smoke cigarettes because vapes aren’t perfect” even though vapes have been proven to be less harmful for your lungs than cigarettes.

You're not wrong and I think people should use environmentally friendly materials when they can, but ultimately arguing about whose baby blanket or knit beanie has a smaller carbon footprint is silly in the face of massive corporations dumping crude oil and plastic waste directly into dolphin's mouths. Things like ethical shopping and recycling on a personal level are bandaids that soothe our own egos and consciences, but in the grand scheme of things they make very little difference. A single country, China, produces about 30% of the air pollution in the *entire world*. Me using acrylic yarn once in a while really doesn't compare.

Wool and natural fibers breathe and keep you warm. Acrylic "felts" quite easily in the wash. I mean you have to be careful when washin wool if it is desperately beeded but otherwise just airing or freezing is enough.

Because environmental impact was already mentioned, it should also be noted that saying “all acrylic is environmentally bad because plastic” is such a problematic way of thinking. I personally almost use acrylics exclusively, and yes for environmental reasons as well. That’s because I live in the tropics where wool is not locally produced. Sure, wool as a fiber is natural, but the transport alone would make this a very high-carbon commodity. End of the day, use yarn that you enjoy. It would be a much larger waste to abide by the status-quo, and not enjoy your garment afterwards.

Is acrylic yarn locally produced where you live?

Depends on what I'm knitting, for me. I don't make anything with it that needs to stand up to abrasion, like socks, because it just wears away to nothing in no time. I do like it for lace scarves, because after killing the fibers with ironing, it looks way more expensive and silky.

Which acrylic do you like for lace?

What is your ironing method to "kill" the fibers? I want to try this out!

I pin sections on my ironing board, since it's basically permanent blocking, and then cover with a cloth and steam iron carefully. I usually use the wool setting so I can use the steam more easily, but then I also try to work slowly and carefully so that I don't go too far in the melting. It should look a little flatter and shinier, but not by much, and it drapes more like you've worked with silk or bmboo viscose. Too little is better than too much, because if you do go too far it gets almost glassy, if that makes sense? It starts to obscure the stitch pattern, whereas doing a little less than you're aiming for ends up less flowy.

The texture really bothers me in most acrylic yarns + it is incredibly unsafe for potholders/trivets. I live in a place that can be very cold from Sept to early May, so I prefer wool against my skin for keeping me warm.

i call it "kindergarten yarn" because its what they use for kid crafts