Synthetic Wool

Benefits of Synthetic Yarn

100% acrylic yarn is great for vegan knits as well as being a budget friendly option to all. Acrylic knits are often a lot warmer than natural fibres as they are not as breathable.

Acrylic and synthetic yarns are very easy to care for as they can generally be machine washed on a gentle cycle and are resistant to pilling. 

Synthetic yarns are very strong so are often blended with other natural fibres for added strength. 

Uses of Synthetic Yarn

Synthetic yarns are a great option for beginner knits as they are budget friendly and often fairly grippy on the needles. They are also a good option for baby knits due to their easy care.

Polyamide or nylon is often added to sock yarns to increase durability as these yarns need to withstand a lot of wear. 

Care of Synthetic Yarn

Care of synthetic yarns is relatively easy, they can generally be machine washed.

Synthetic yarns generally don't need blocking. If you do choose to block them, we recommend wet blocking as using an iron can cause the fibres to melt. 

Selecting the right yarn

When selecting yarns it's important to be aware all yarns handle differently and will give varied textures and drape. This is why it's important to knit or crochet a gauge swatch. This allows you to both check the feel of the fabric and the needle size to use (again all knitters have a slightly different tension)

For more information about substituting yarns click here.

For more information about gauge swatching click here.

If you need more help finding a yarn for your project feel free to send us a message, and we’ll get back to you with our expert advice or even pop into your local store.

FAQs

What are the synthetic yarns?

Synthetic yarns are man-made and are generally formed by extruding materials (often originating from petrochemicals) through spinnerets into air and water to form a thread. The most common synthetic yarns are acrylic, polyamide/nylon and polyester. 

Is synthetic yarn the same as acrylic?

Acrylic yarn is technically a type of synthetic yarn but the terms are often used interchangeably. Acrylic yarns are better at trapping heat so are great for winter knits whereas polyester yarns are moisture wicking so better for lightweight summer garments.

Is synthetic yarn soft?

Depending on the specific yarn, synthetic yarn can be soft but often has a slight stiffness to it that doesn't improve with washing like many natural fibres. 

What is the best use of acrylic yarn?

Acrylic yarn and all synthetic yarns are good for baby knits that will require a lot of washing as they are easy to care for. All 100% synthetic fibres are also vegan as they contain no animal products.