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Post by SweetieBugs on May 26, 2016 2:12:07 GMT
I was wondering why virtually all blanket patterns and tutorials I've seen use acrylic yarn for blankets and throws? Is it inadvisable to use cotton? I'm curious as to the pros/cons of using cotton vs acrylic. I know that cotton is the preferred yarn for washcloths.
I purchased some I Love This Cotton yarn at Hobby Lobby and would like to use it in a throw if possible. I am enjoying crochet so much but still have lots to learn.
ETA: What about wool for blankets? I happened upon a temperature blanket that was being crocheted using Drops Merino wool (100% superwash treated extra fine Merino wool). I was already purchasing other yarns from Woolwarehouse so I added a few skeins of the Drops tiny and big. What would you use this type of yarn for? Thanks.
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Post by pierkiss on May 26, 2016 2:19:58 GMT
I'm going to go with softness. To me, the acrylic feels much softer than the rougher cotton I use to make wash cloths.
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Post by SweetieBugs on May 26, 2016 2:36:35 GMT
pierkiss--thanks. What is your favorite brand(s) of yarn? I have purchased some of the Stylecraft DK as well as HobbyLobby I Love This Yarn. I am using the ILTY right now for my temperature blanket. I like the weight of it but it does frizz a bit and I'm worried it will get quite frizzy after washing.
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Post by pierkiss on May 26, 2016 2:45:18 GMT
I don't have a favorite. I have made quite a few throws out of Homespun ( I'm pretty sure that's what it's called, they sell it in most craft sections in chain stores). It's soft, squishy, and stretchy. My preferred method for choosing a yarn is to walk up and down the aisles, rubbing and squeezing all the different skeins. Delighted squeals may or may not be involved.  |
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Post by mirabelleswalker on May 26, 2016 2:47:43 GMT
I have made several blankets with Blue Sky Alpaca's Worsted Cotton yarn and they have turned out beautifully. That yarn is like a cloud--super soft and a nice weight. I have no problem using cotton.
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Post by elaine on May 26, 2016 2:49:58 GMT
Cotton stains. Acrylic doesn't. If it is going to be a blanket/throw that will be spit up on by babies, slept on by dogs with dirty feet, have hair balls hacked up on it by cats, etc., acrylic, which doesn't stain or shrink in the washer or dryer is your way to go. If your blankets and throws don't need a lot of washing, aren't at risk of being stained, you don't have to worry about shrinking, then go ahead with pure cotton.
Dishcloths made of 100% cotton have a limited lifespan of looking good because all that washing, etc., causes them to discolor and fade.
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Post by withapea on May 26, 2016 3:02:08 GMT
I have a large blanket I crocheted using I Love This Cotton. It's held up really well and is super soft.
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Deleted
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Jul 1, 2024 4:17:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2016 7:33:55 GMT
I have several blankets made with cotton, I don't use the stuff intended for for dishcloths. There are some lovely soft cottons available, King Cole is my favourite. It drapes beautifully and washes really well.
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on May 26, 2016 8:12:21 GMT
I made a cotton blanket for my mum and it is HEAVY! Acrylic is much lighter. It was beautiful though, I used Drops yarn. There are definitely different types of cotton.
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Post by pjaye on May 26, 2016 8:33:47 GMT
I think it's also the cost factor...at least here in Australia it is.
The average 100g acrylic ball is $3.99-$4.99 whereas as a 50g ball of cotton will be $4.99+ so pretty much double the price.
Also because cotton is heavier there is also less yardage compared to the same weight of acrylic.
So to make a blanket in acrylic you might need 15 balls of 100g but to make it in cotton you'd probably need 40 balls of 50g - that adds up to substantially more money to make it in cotton.
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Post by elaine on May 26, 2016 11:39:39 GMT
I think it's also the cost factor...at least here in Australia it is. The average 100g acrylic ball is $3.99-$4.99 whereas as a 50g ball of cotton will be $4.99+ so pretty much double the price. Also because cotton is heavier there is also less yardage compared to the same weight of acrylic. So to make a blanket in acrylic you might need 15 balls of 100g but to make it in cotton you'd probably need 40 balls of 50g - that adds up to substantially more money to make it in cotton. Yes, this too. Frida's Flowers, which is just throw sized, is $32.50 in acrylic and $75 in cotton for the kits. So, cotton is twice as expensive. For Mandala Madness kits - $38 in acrylic, $174 in wool and $274 in cotton. Granted the cotton in this case is worsted and the acrylic is DK, so the cotton throw will be bigger, but, IMO, not $235 bigger. |
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by peaname on May 26, 2016 11:44:34 GMT
I don't know it this applies to crochet but knitting with cotton hurts my hands after awhile. I can do a dish cloth size but a blanket would be painful.
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Post by disneypal on May 26, 2016 13:41:05 GMT
Acrylic washes up really well - over the years, it can take a bit more wear than cotton. Also, as mentioned, cotton is a bit more expensive than acrylic.
That said, though, I have made a baby blanket out of cotton yarn (Bernat Cottontots - which I loved but is not discontinued) and it was nice - soft and light - perfect for a summer blanket.
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Post by baylorgrad on May 26, 2016 15:20:42 GMT
I don't have a favorite. I have made quite a few throws out of Homespun ( I'm pretty sure that's what it's called, they sell it in most craft sections in chain stores). It's soft, squishy, and stretchy. My preferred method for choosing a yarn is to walk up and down the aisles, rubbing and squeezing all the different skeins. Delighted squeals may or may not be involved. I'm a skein-squeezer, too...and I do admit to smelling the yarn as well. Some acrylic yarns -- to me, anyway -- have a nasty, plasticky smell. |
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Post by Patter on May 26, 2016 17:47:19 GMT
I prefer making afghans with acrylic. I love the I Love This Yarn by Hobby Lobby. You can order it online if you don't have one near you. Washes great and works up beautifully and soft!
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Deleted
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Jul 1, 2024 4:17:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2016 17:50:18 GMT
There are some cotton yarns that are lighter compared to I Love This Cotton and were designed for apparel. If you're looking for weight and warmth, I'd stick with acrylic. If you're looking for lightweight, I'd look into lighter cottons such as Bernant or even Patons.
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Post by SweetieBugs on May 26, 2016 22:37:57 GMT
Thank you everyone for the valuable information. I am almost finished with my first crochet blanket, a temperature blanket for my DD. I used I Love This Yarn. It is around 51 inches by 72 inches and is very heavy. I will go ahead a dive in with some of the I Love This Cotton next to see how that goes but it does sound like for wear and affordability, acrylic is the way to go. That is good too because I have already purchased way too much Stylecraft DK yarn.
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Post by SweetieBugs on May 27, 2016 15:56:05 GMT
I wanted to ask about wool as well. Please see my ETA.
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Montannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,486
Location: Big Sky Country
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Post by Montannie on May 27, 2016 16:13:09 GMT
Superwash wool can be laundered like acrylic, but still has the benefits of wool. Wool blankets are warm, and will keep you warm in the unlikely event the blanket is wet. Wool would be lighter to use than cotton, and is kinder on my hands (My hands ache when using cotton, because it is so un-elastic). I think wool is more enjoyable to knit than acrylic.
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Post by SweetieBugs on May 27, 2016 17:03:37 GMT
Thanks Montannie. I just looked over at Raverly and the comments for the Drops Merino wool seemed pretty negative regarding the item stretching too much after washing. For a throw blanket it wouldn't be quite as important to keep shape verses a cardigan. I have played around with it the last 30 minutes and whipped up the first few rows of a C2C and I really like how soft it feels and the squishiness. I think I'll keep going with the skeins I have (I think I have 4 to 6 of the Big Merino) and see how I like it. Thanks.
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Post by pjaye on May 27, 2016 17:06:00 GMT
I think wool is great for blankets, but again, it's the cost as it is often more expensive than acrylic. Also some wool can feel scratchy or rough to the touch, especially cheaper wool. When I knitted I only ever used pure wool or merino for garments as it is definitely more heard wearing than acrylic and doesn't 'pill' or stretch out of shape I wouldn't use acrylic to make garments with, only natural fibers. For blankets I'm less fussy and as I'm making them mainly for fun they don't have to be hard wearing or made from expensive yarn, so acrylic is fine for my purposes...but if you think these may be family treasures that will passed down, then pure wool would definitely be a great choice. I'm guessing you asked because Wool Warehouse has Drops wool on sale? If not...and for anyone else who may not know - Wool Warehouse has a Drops wool sale on...  I think it's 35% off so a good time to stock up. |
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Post by SweetieBugs on May 27, 2016 17:32:35 GMT
I think wool is great for blankets, but again, it's the cost as it is often more expensive than acrylic. Also some wool can feel scratchy or rough to the touch, especially cheaper wool. When I knitted I only ever used pure wool or merino for garments as it is definitely more heard wearing than acrylic and doesn't 'pill' or stretch out of shape I wouldn't use acrylic to make garments with, only natural fibers. For blankets I'm less fussy and as I'm making them mainly for fun they don't have to be hard wearing or made from expensive yarn, so acrylic is fine for my purposes...but if you think these may be family treasures that will passed down, then pure wool would definitely be a great choice. I'm guessing you asked because Wool Warehouse has Drops wool on sale? If not...and for anyone else who may not know - Wool Warehouse has a Drops wool sale on... I think it's 35% off so a good time to stock up. |
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