Have you ever heard of or read about Acrylic yarn sources and wondered what can be made with the beautiful but flammable yarn? Just as other yarns are being used for creative crafts and needle works, so is acrylic yarn used for a wide range of neat and professional-looking works.
However, there is a need to be careful when using this synthetic yarn as it has a few demerits that should not be overlooked. This blog post is set to enlighten you on acrylic yarn by showing you a few things you can and cannot crochet with it.
What Can You Crochet With Acrylic Yarn?
Acrylic yarn can be used for many things varying from blankets to summer clothes, hats, and pillows. Crocheting with acrylic yarn is super easy and gives you a wonderful feeling as the yarn is so soft. Here are some of the few things you can crochet with acrylic yarn.
1. Blankets
Blankets are made of a durable material that keeps a sleeping person warm and Acrylic yarn has proved to be one of the most durable yarns to use for blankets. A blanket crocheted with acrylic yarn can stand the test of time as it takes years to fade off due to the long-lasting fiber.
You do not have to go through the stress of brainstorming how to crochet blankets with acrylic yarn, as there are free online patterns for both adult and baby blankets.
2. Dishcloths
No one wants to go through the stress of scrubbing the oil and dirt off the dishcloths when a washer can do that without stress. Thankfully, dishcloths made with acrylic yarn can be washed in a washing machine as the yarn can withstand the tumbling of the washer.
However, the yarn does not absorb well and might not be what you want in your kitchen. Why not try it by purchasing a few balls of acrylic yarn to make your next dishcloth project?
3. Hats
Hats can be made simply by using one ball of acrylic yarn, as it maintains its rightful shape by not stretching even after washing due to its responsiveness to blocking. The yarn does not wear out easily, making the hat last long before losing value.
4. Scarves
Acrylic yarns have a variety of colors to choose from when working with a scarf pattern that requires double or triple color. When using the yarn, you do not have to worry about the inability to get another, as the yarn is readily available in different colors in craft stores around you.
The yarn is also wrinkle-resistant, making you a smooth and strong scarf.
5. Children’s Clothes, Including Baby Blankets
After wool, acrylic yarn is also best for children’s clothes and is always used due to a few reasons;
- Varieties of colors available.
- It is cheap.
- It is allergy-free.
- The yarn is not heavy and does not shrink.
6. Pillow Cases/Cover
The best material for pillow cases are easy to wash, and acrylic yarn is one of the easy-washed yarns with a soft touch. A pillowcase or cover can be crocheted with acrylic yarn in an hour. Choosing one of the beautiful abundant colors that complement your chair or bedspread or are based on your pattern.
Be creative when crocheting your Acrylic yarn by making designs on the pillowcase with other colors.
7. Gloves
Gloves made with acrylic yarn provide warmth during summer and dry more quickly when washed. You can play with different colors to get beautifully acrylic crocheted made gloves for you and your family this summer.
8. Sweaters
Acrylic yarn is suitable for crocheting sweaters needed for summer as it provides the needed warmth, is durable, and is machine washable. The best part is that the yarn does not shrink after being washed.
9. Shawls and Wraps
Shawls made with acrylic yarn are easy to maintain as the yarn is washable, resistant to shrinkage, and has a long life span. Besides, the yarn is light weighted and very affordable to get.
Check out for free shawl patterns to crochet your acrylic yarn with, depending on your choice.
10. Amigurumi and Plushies
Amigurumi is a knitted or crocheted cuddly toy played with by children. Acrylic yarn makes Amigurumi and plushies crochet soft, neat, and stable, and you can get the desired thickness as the yarn comes in various thicknesses.
The yarn is also affordable as it will not be best to use a very expensive yarn for baby toys.
11. Bracelets
Bracelets do not need much yarn to get crocheted as it is easy to make, and acrylic yarn diversity in color will bring out the bracelet’s beauty when used.
12. Key Holders
Depending on your choice of color, you can make your key beautiful by making a nice beautiful key holder from your acrylic yarn.
13. Zipper Pouch
Need a mini purse for keys, phones, chargers, wallets, and toiletries? Crochet a zipper pouch using different acrylic yarn colors.
14. Slippers
A slipper made with acrylic yarn helps to keep your leg warm during summer and can be crocheted within 2 hours using a simple crochet pattern.
Moreover, there are other things to crochet your acrylic yarn with as long as they are not exposed to heat or fire, and you can also make use of an acrylic blended yarn.
What Crochet Projects Is Acrylic Yarn Bad For?
Acrylic yarn is not good for projects with direct contact with heat as the yarn can melt due to excess heat. Besides, it is flammable as it is a synthetic yarn made from coal and petroleum chemicals.
Here are the projects you should avoid using Acrylic yarns for;
- Coffee shop coasters
- Potholders
- Wash clothes
- Kitchen Hand Towels
- Oven gloves
- Bowl cozies
- Bucket Hat
- Mop cover as the yarn will not absorb water well.
What Benefit Do I Derive From Crocheting With Acrylic Yarn?
There are many benefits derived from using Acrylic yarn for your crochet project, which are highlighted below.
- It is highly durable and has a long life span.
- The yarn is easy to wash, and it is machine washable.
- It is resistant to molds and moths as it does not have a natural source.
- It is lightweight.
- It provides warmth.
- It gets dried easily.
- Soft and strong.
- Able to stretch without losing shape.
- It is resistant to allergic reactions.
Are There Any Disadvantages Coupled With Crocheting With Acrylic Yarn?
Yes. Hardly do we have any yarn that does not have its demerits. The acrylic yarn has a few disadvantages, which include;
- Acrylic yarn impacts the environment negatively due to its synthetic source, which makes it release microplastic into the water when being washed.
- It is a plastic yarn that contributes to the plastic pollution crisis in the world.
- The quality of some brands is low and questionable as they form knots while crocheting.
- It is flammable.
- Its water absorbent property is unstable as it might absorb water today and not tomorrow.
- It is not breathable as it does not allow the free movement of air but keeps you warm.
Can I Make Coasters With Acrylic Yarn?
Coasters can be made with acrylic yarn if you need coasters with unique and beautiful colors, as cotton and wool have limited colors compared to acrylic yarns.
However, when the acrylic yarn is used for your coasters, you need to be conscious of what is placed on it as they melt when exposed to high heat. Rather, use cotton or wool yarn as they are not heat-prone.
Conclusion
A finished colorful crochet project brings joy to the heart and smiles to the face, especially when using acrylic yarn. Although it has its disadvantage, the yarn has proved to be one of the most popular yarns.
Moreover, it cannot be used for a few things because of its heat proximity and flammable nature, but it can be used hitch-free with caution.