Whether you have been crocheting or knitting for a while or are new to it, you will have seen that the yarn you use can be made from a variety of materials.
One of the most popular yarns among needlecrafters is acrylic yarn. This type of yarn is a man-made (synthetic) polymer. It is very easy to find in every craft store and is typically very affordable as well.
Acrylic seems especially suited to crochet, but it can easily be used in knitting and other yarn crafts as well. It is available in a multitude of colors and is very easily machine-washable. Acrylic yarn is very durable and can also retain heat making it great for warmer clothes.
So is Acrylic yarn safe for babies? While acrylic yarn is generally considered safe for babies, there are concerns over the plastic and petroleum-based yarn and the way it is manufactured. Still, acrylic yarn is used in hand-made and manufactured baby products all over the world.
In this quick guide, we’ll explain why acrylic yarn is great to use for making clothes, hats, and crafts for babies. We’ll also go over why it may be deemed toxic by some around the globe and how we can be sure to avoid any bad effects it may have.
Acrylic Yarn For Babies
Acrylic yarn is popularly used in products that are made for babies. It is a very versatile type of yarn that comes in a variety of colors, is machine washable, and does not shrink. These qualities, and more, are what make it such a popular yarn.
Not only is acrylic yarn generally considered safe for babies, but it is also actually one of the more commonly used and recommended yarn materials for baby knitting and crocheting.
There is a multitude of reasons why acrylic yarn is great to use for babies. Whether you are making something for your own baby or as a gift, here are just a few advantages of acrylic yarn:
- It’s machine washable. Whenever you’re looking to make something for a baby, one of the first things you should be keeping in mind is that it will get washed a lot. Acrylic yarn is a great yarn to wash in washing machines and will be good as new in no time.
- It’s hypo-allergenic. Acrylic yarn is great if the baby you are making the craft for is allergic to natural fibers. It has the same feel as natural wool but will not lead to any allergic reactions, severe or mild, which is great for sensitive babies. Acrylics can be made soft or less soft, so it’s easy to purchase smooth yarns for your little loved one to touch.
- Acrylic is lightweight. It’s a great day when you have something on that keeps you warm but is not heavy. For babies, this is an important thing to keep in mind and acrylic yarn is an extremely lightweight yarn that will not weigh down on their little bodies. It will keep them warm and comfortable though.
- Acrylic doesn’t shrink. Acrylic yarn resists shrinkage and is very durable. This is something that you may concern about with other yarns but with this one, the durability is great.
- It’s available in many colors. Making hats, clothes, or different crafts for babies can be great fun because you can use a world of colors. Colorful things not only attract the attention of babies but also look very cute on them. Acrylic yarn is available in a large variety of colors which makes it a great pick for when you are knitting for babies.
- It’s cheaper than other materials. Babies outgrow their clothes, hats, booties, and gloves very quickly. Acrylic yarn is a cheaper alternative to pure wool that allows you to style up your baby without spending huge bucks on something they will not be able to wear in the next two months.
Many knitters around the world use acrylic yarn to make clothes, hats, booties, blankets, and anything else for babies. My personal favorite acrylic yarn is this one on Amazon. I also really like this one.
Acrylic Yarn For Baby Items – What to Know
While acrylic is a safe yarn material, there are some things to keep in mind before using it.
First, it’s always a good idea to use baby yarn, or yarn specifically made for making baby items.
Many yarn brands have a line of baby-specific yarns. These will be made of safe materials and will have been produced with baby’s comfort in mind. These yarns will be soft enough not to irritate sensitive baby skin and will often be machine-washable, too.
You can also research the company to learn more about their standards for acrylic yarn to help you make a decision
Is Acrylic Yarn Toxic?
Acrylic yarn is made of plastic (specifically, a petroleum-based thermoplastic), which is why many are wary to use it. It is not biodegradable and is harmful to the environment. There is also some concern over the dangers it can pose to those who help to manufacture it.
Acrylic also contains chemicals and toxins which are harmful to humans. Although it continues to be very popular in crafting and most manufactured clothing is made with acrylic or similar materials, this is another reason many don’t trust it.
However, more companies are working to create safer and even less environmentally impactful options, so there is some hope of improvement.
Whether or not you trust acrylic yarn appears to be a personal decision. The world is full of acrylic – from clothes and yarn to upholstered items – and certainly many baby items, hand-made or store-bought. Most still consider acrylic safe for baby items, so you can make the choice you’re comfortable with.
Related Questions
Is Acrylic Yarn Comfortable?
Acrylic yarn can be made into a wide variety of textures. Acrylic can be a little rough and scratchy, though not like wool, but it can also be made to be quite soft and even slick.
It is not usually a breathable material, which means it can keep you warm and cozy in the wintertime. It is also lightweight which makes it ideal for everyday wear.
Can You Mix Cotton and Acrylic Yarn?
You can always mix different types of yarn, especially if they are of a similar yarn weight and texture, for unique results.
You can also purchase cotton-acrylic yarn blend. There are many blends already available in the market that will let you choose between wool/acrylic blends and cotton/acrylic blends, among other materials.
Can You Color Acrylic Yarn?
Yes you can. If you can’t find a color that you want for your project, you can dye it.
You can also try dyeing it with food coloring, although this may not last through several washes. Just take some water and food coloring, heat it up in the microwave, and dye your acrylic yarn to the color you want.
Dyeing yarn works better with fiber-specific dyes and is much easier to do on white or light colored yarns. You probably won’t have luck dying dark colors. Also, if dying over something like a light pink, the dye may not cover the original color, but could rather add to it, blending the original and dye color into a new shade.
Conclusion
Acrylic yarn is a very popular type of yarn for people who love to knit, crochet, and make different types of crafts with yarn. It is available in a variety of colors and is very easy to find in every craft store. It is very easy on the wallet as well compared to natural wool yarn.
Acrylic yarn has faced some scrutiny over its lack of biodegradability and the dangers it poses to people taking part in the manufacturing process.
Still, acrylic is widely used for baby items and it has several features to recommend it. It is hypo-allergenic, machine washable, and doesn’t shrink. It is considered safe for babies and will keep them warm and cozy in the winters.
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