What are acrylic knitting threads?

The yarn market offers modern needlewomen a huge amount of material of different composition and differing in its characteristics. Acrylic yarn is popular with both beginners and experienced craftswomen. Why is she good, read on.

What is acrylic yarn for knitting?

Acrylic fibers were first obtained in 1947 from natural gas and were widely used in the textile industry. This is a synthetic substance that looks like a continuous thread. Acrylic products are similar to woolen, so it was called "artificial wool".

The composition and properties of the threads

Acrylic has many varieties, depending on the manufacturer, the names can be found as follows: PAN fiber, acrylane, dralon, kurtel, cashmelon, nitron, redon, prelon, krillor. Having seen these names on the labels, it should be remembered that their chemical composition is identical. Threads are more durable than natural ones. Such a yarn is convenient in work and does not require a high level of skill - the loops are not confused, the threads are the same in thickness, suitable even for machine knitting .

What is a mixture of acrylic with another thread?

For hand knitting, yarn with a composition of 100% acrylic is often used. To improve the properties of a synthetic thread, natural fibers are added to it - woolen or cotton. In mixed formulations, acrylic may be present in a ratio of 5% or more. For example, the addition of mohair or wool will allow the product to be worn in the cold season, will make the pile more fluffy. Acrylic in combination with cotton will allow the skin to breathe and give the canvas hygroscopicity, these properties are usually not enough artificial materials .

Important! The yarn will possess the properties of those threads, which in the composition are more in percentage.

Advantages and disadvantages

What do knitting lovers value acrylic yarn for? She has a number of properties that make her universal:

the strength of the threads increases the service life of things, allows you to maintain shape;
not damaged by moth;
low price, if children quickly grow out of knitted things, then making new ones will cost inexpensively;
does not cause allergic reactions, therefore it is recommended for the smallest;
an acrylic thing pleasant to the skin - soft and warming;
the thread has a stable dyeing - does not fade, does not fade.

The disadvantages of acrylic yarn (we are talking about 100% acrylic) can be identified as follows:

low hygroscopicity and breathability, which limits the use of such material for products that are in close contact with the body;
there is a risk of stretching when washing;
with prolonged wear, spools may appear;
it is electrified in dry air, unpleasantly "beating an electric shock".

What is knitted from acrylic?

Due to its softness and lack of pile, acrylic yarn is considered the most suitable for knitting children's things . And these are not only items of clothing or blankets. Amigurumi - knitted toys - are often also made of such a thread. This allows them to have strength, to keep in shape, and if soiled, they are easy to wash and dry quickly.

Women's acrylic accessories are quite widespread: handbags, slippers, gloves, leggings and much more, which is enough for the author’s imagination. Interior items such as: bedspreads and rugs for furniture, decorative pillowcases for sofa cushions, covers for chairs, rugs, napkins.

Important! In order for your favorite thing from acrylic yarn to please the hostess as long as possible, you should remember about proper care.

Namely:

wash the product in the same way as wool - in water at room temperature (or not higher than 40 degrees);
machine wash in delicate mode allowed;
wring through a cloth, do not twist;
dry horizontally on a flat surface;
Do not steam, iron with a warm iron using moist gauze.

Acrylic yarn has many positive qualities and allows you to realize any fantasies. If you remember the features of this material, then knitting and the use of finished products will bring a lot of pleasant moments.