Not everyone wants to knit or crochet with wool. Some are allergic to sheep’s wool, others simply don’t like the feel of it. The world’s yarn producers have woken up to this, and yarns are now available from a variety of animals (such as the silk worm, the alpaca or the yak) as well as from a wide range of plants (such as hemp or corn). It is expected that the array of fibre types will grow in the next few years, but here are the three most commonly found alternatives to sheep’s wool.
Acrylic
Acrylic yarn is the most widely available and usually the least expensive of all knitting yarns.
Advantages
- Acrylics are fully machine washable (although the items can become baggy and shapeless over time)
- These yarns are produced in a wide variety of colours, from subtle pastels to bright shades.
Disadvantages
- The lack of natural fibres in these yarns means that the resulting garments may not allow the skin to breathe. All acrylic sock yarn, for example, could result in very hot (and smelly!) feet.
- These yarns vary in quality as widely as they vary in price. However, many knitters find them hard to the touch and therefore less comfortable to work with. The yarn does not, as a rule, soften with washing.
Cotton
Cotton and cotton-mix yarns can be found at most yarn stores and have many uses for clothing and around the home.
Advantages
- Cotton is a natural fibre and organic cottons are available.
- It is a “breathable” yarn and ideal for summer clothes, as it keeps relatively cool and is comfortable against the skin.
- It is machine washable (but should be laid flat to dry).
Disadvantages
- Cotton softens on washing, but can be very hard to work with, making it uncomfortable, particularly for large, heavy projects.
- There is very little elasticity in the yarn, which should be taken into account when choosing patterns. For example, the durability and machine washable properties may make it ideal for a bathmat, but the resulting project will not “bounce back” after heavy wear.
Bamboo
This is one of the fibres made available more recently, but has proven very popular.
Advantages
- Bamboo is a fast growing plant and so the yarn comes from a sustainable source.
- It is a natural fibre which, like cotton, gives garments a “breathability”.
Disadvantages
- As a rule, items made with bamboo need to be hand-washed.
- The yarn has a beautiful drape, but can sag, causing necklines to gape while the garment is being worn
Whatever your reason for not wishing to knit or crochet with sheep’s wool, there are options to suit all tastes and budgets. The best advice is to go to your local yarn store and, armed with the information above, have a good look at and feel of the yarns on offer, allowing you to make an informed choice.
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