Perhaps glue isn’t the first adhesive you think of when making a project with yarn, but it can actually be quite an effective bonding agent for yarn if you use the right ones.
But what are the right glues for yarn projects you ask? The best glues for yarn projects are fabric glue and hot glue (applied with a glue gun). It’s also important to make sure you are using clean yarn so that the glue can adhere properly to your project.
So before you go ahead and grab any old glue for your next yarn project, take a moment to read this guide and you’ll discover some of the best glues, and best tips on how to use them correctly!
Let’s get straight into it. I’d like to start by making a case for using glue in your yarn projects, just in case you are unsure, or you don’t know what specific projects it can be used for.
Why Is Glue a Good Option for Yarn?
Glue is great because it can be a minimal fuss, instant adhesive that can make your life easier when assembling and working with yarn projects.
Whether you need to attach accessories like googly eyes to a cuddly new toy you created, or even metal, glue is probably your safest bet.
You can also expect a solid bond should you pot to use glue in your project. This is important because it will help your craft to survive machine washing and daily use.
It’s also possible to get glues that are transparent so that you won’t leave a visible trace to ruin the visual of the project.
As a general rule of thumb, you should choose to use glue when the yarn project isn’t meant as a garment of clothing, but as a toy or something to put on display.
The 3 Best Glues for Yarn Projects
Before we jump into the best glues you can get your hands on, it’s worth going over some important caveats, and rules to keep in mind when purchasing glue to use on yarn projects.
First of all, if you are going to use hot glue, always make sure that you use it on a low setting. As you’ve probably guessed already, if you go straight in with the hot glue gun on a high heat setting, you’re almost guaranteed to ruin or melt the yarn you’re using.
With that said, if you’re not looking to attach metal to the yarn, fabric glue is going to be your best bet to avoid damaging the yarn. Fabric glues are designed to work with delicate materials, and so you won’t have to worry about causing lasting damage to your yarn project.
Let’s review some of the best glues for yarn projects now. I’m going to evaluate each based on a few important factors, such as how quickly the glue dries after application, how easy it is to apply, and lastly whether it will leave an odor or mark.
Rank | Product | Key Feature |
---|---|---|
1. | Aleene’s Always Ready Turbo “Tacky” Glue | Non-toxic and odorless |
2. | Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac Glue | Machine washable, acid-free |
3. | Gutermann HT2 Glue for Fabrics | Dries within 7 minutes of application |
1. Aleene’s Always Ready Turbo “Tacky” Glue
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This product is a quality fabric glue from reputable glue and adhesive manufacturer Aleene’s, coming in a 4 fluid oz container.
A super-efficient fabric glue that will work on any yarn, this glue stands out for how quickly it dries after application. An important factor when choosing glue is how quickly the adhesive dries can make the process a lot easier or a lot more difficult. Luckily within no time, this glue will provide a strong seal for your yarn project.
Other benefits of this glue are that it is non-toxic, odorless, and safe to use with all kinds of craft materials. This means that even after using it for your yarn project, you’ll get plenty more use out of it long-term.
It is also made to dry clear, which means you won’t be left with yellow marks which can certainly be an eyesore on the craft.
As for the application, this bottle can be stored upside down. The upside of this is that when you want to get to sticking, the glue will run smoothly from the applicator and you won’t have to shake it up or get messy when using it.
2. Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac Glue
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Beacon Adhesives’ Fabric Tac-Glue is a fantastic fabric glue to use with your yarn projects for a few reasons.
Bottle in an 8 fluid oz container, this glue’s USP is the fact that you can machine wash it as many times as you want, and it will stay strong. This is huge if you anticipate using your yarn project on a daily basis, or if it’s going to be a toy that will get a lot of mileage with the kids.
What’s more, this glue doesn’t leave stains on the material. Drying clear, this glue is viable for those yarn projects that are meant as decorative pieces, as they won’t be blemished by a streak of visible glue.
Lastly, this glue is acid-free and will seal relatively quickly following application.
3. Gutermann HT2 Glue for Fabrics
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The last glue on this list is this offering from Gutermann, which comes in a 30 gram tube.
Designed especially for use with all kinds of fabrics and materials, this glue has a handy applicator which will make the process surprisingly pleasant, and much less of a hassle. This also makes it great for those moments when you only need to apply a small amount of glue for your yarn project.
Taking just 7 minutes to dry after application, this fabric glue is up there with the best, and within no time will create a strong seal to keep your craft together.
As an added bonus, this glue is also great for fixing up damaged clothes, so when you’re finished with your yarn project you can patch up that hole in your jacket or that rip in your trousers.
Providing an excellent seal, you can’t really go wrong with this glue, and it’s a great product to have around the house for future crafts or fabric repairs.
How to Use Glue With Yarn Projects
Now that you’ve got some great glue options to decide between, I want to walk you through the process of using the glue with your yarn projects.
The main problem people run into when trying to use glue for their yarn projects is that the glue doesn’t last, and they’re back to square one.
Type of glue
So the first thing to consider is the type of glue you are using. As we mentioned earlier, hot glue is the best bet for attaching metal to yarn, and fabric glue is best for other uses.
Once you have the correct glue, make sure you read the instructions on the container, and follow them to the letter. Some require longer to set than others, so don’t get frustrated if the glue doesn’t create a bond within 5 minutes.
Also make sure that the glue you use is for permanent bonds, not temporary bonds. Since some glues are meant for holding fabric together temporarily while you knit, you have to be careful not to accidentally use one when you’re looking for a more permanent bond.
The condition of the yarn
Another important thing to consider is making sure you are working with clean material. If the yarn is dirty in any way, the glue is much less likely to create a lasting bond.
This is also true of stretched fabric. If it is stretched, the glue is less likely to work as well.
Washable glue
Lastly, ensure you read the label of the glue before using it to determine whether it is machine washable or not. The last thing you want is to wash your kid’s new favorite toy, only to realize that the glue comes off and the toy falls apart in the washing machine.
For this reason, I would always recommend machine washable glue over those that cannot be machine washed.
Tips for Application
In order to use fabric glue successfully, there are a few things you need to bear in mind.
First, as mentioned earlier, clean the area you are going to apply the glue to. This will enable the glue to create a strong bond to the yarn.
Second, if you have some spare yarn lying around, it could be beneficial to try out the glue on it to see if it creates the kind of bond you are looking for. This can be considered as a test run, which will give you useful information on whether the glue is the right fit for your project.
Finally, when you apply the glue, you’ll want to apply it evenly on the surface. A good way to do this is to first squeeze a line of glue onto the area you want to stick, then take a piece of cardboard and spread the glue out evenly until you have covered the whole area.
Now you can be sure that the glue will work its magic and stick everything evenly.