Wools, Cottons and Acrylics

Wools, Cottons and Acrylic yarns within this bold post we will be discussing the differences between these three different types of yarn we use. As each one has it’s own pros and cons within using them, but all have there own uses within what we do and make with them.

Wonderful Wools

Rainbow Knitting Sheep ©, Illustration by Idris Elemental. A Variation of our new Illustration for the current batch of Yarn Labels.

Out of the three types of yarns wool has to be one of my favourite materials to be able to work with. As it is naturally warm and is longer lasting than other fibres. It also dose not produce micro plastics what can negatively affect ocean health, and is naturally biodegradable. However of the main problems with highland wool is that it sometimes can be rather itch and uncomfortable to wear. Where as Super Wash Merino wool, has been specially washed and teated so that it is softer, moisture resistant, faster drying and kinder to skin, as well as being an absolute dream to knit with.

Although wool is a natural fibre and that comes from a Renewable resource as it grows from a living creatures. I do understand that people would be concerned over the welfare of the animals that the wools come from. Even though some sheep naturally loose their wools in the summer to grow back in the winter. Other animals do need to be sheered off to help keep them cool and to stop them from over heating, what is all part of the process of the life of sheep. I am happy to say that all the Merino wool Here at Idris Emporium is come from small farms what care about their livestocks from around the wold. Our Merino Wool comes from farms outside of Australia what do not practice Mulesing.

The only thing Unnatural about my wools, is the super bright colours that I dye my wools with because lets face it. Have you ever seen a rainbow Neon sheep walking around in the fields. Though with out these bright and funky colours it would not be me.

Cosy Cottons

A Fibre still yet to fully explore the wonderful ways in which to play and create with. But everything has its place and its time.

Cotton is one of the most forgiving of Yarns to knit and work with, due to it nature of being soft and comfortable. Allowing the skin to be able to breath because of this it is very good for people who have sensitive skin. This is also why when creating Crochet characters I often prefer to make them with cotton so that they are more suitable for babies and children to be able to play with. However to is pron to wearing down fibres quickly, and rather than looking better with age will disintegrate quicker then natural fibres like wools. It can also be prone to shrinking when wash.

Cotton is also a widely available natural grown Fibre what is both a renewable and biodegradable resource. The growth and farming of cottons help to provide lively hoods for 100 millions of farmers all over the world. Although there are some worries over the way that cotton is being farmed and produced with intensive farming methods such as over using water, and the use of pesticides what are used . Which in turn effect the ways the ecosystems Run.

I plan on eventually dying a range of organic cotton Hand dyed Yarns as well. Covering a fuller range of environmentally friendly hand dyed wools. But before then I need to put in the research into the methods and ways behind it to bring you the best quality yarn.

Awesome Acrylics

Although Acrylics aren’t made from Natural Fibres and are the least sustainable of the lot. As some are made from plastics and can contain some harmful chemicals what can be slowly absorbed though your skin over long periods of time. Although on the other side it acrylic wool can be a good substitute for people who might have reactions to natural wooden products. They can still be awesome and good for some uses.

One of the main advantages for Acrylic yarns is that they are long wearing and take ages before they ware out. As well as the fact that you are able to machine wash them, and they won’t shrink or shed any wool when you put them in the wash. They also don’t attack months, what can slowly eat away at your cloths leaving them holly and fraying. Where as With natural fibres you have to take a lot more care over how you wash and store them.

I love using acrylics for making cosy warm knitted winter woolies, what are gate to last year after year. Helping to keep you warm and snug. As well as having a more affordable rang of knitted items and goods. Although as I work more with natural fibres I find it harder and harder to switch back to acrylics. Since, it is so lovely to work with natural wools, and I have a wide arrange of colours and types to work with.