A few years ago I learned that I prefer knitting with softer yarns. So whether it is acrylic, wool, or some sort of blend, it all boils down to how the yarn feels. It’s a total sensory/texture thing for me. Once I realized the types of yarns I enjoy knitting with I started knitting way more than I previously did.

I look forward to your videos as they really help me become a more knowledgeable knitter. I am very sensitive to wool so I need the information you provide. Thank you.

My preference is for natural fibers. A lot of my yarn comes from the donated stashes at my charity knitting group. The acrylic yarn is sometimes the best for donated items because they are easy care, I must say that acrylic has come a long way in the past 20 years. There used to be a terrible plastic-y feel to acrylic. Thanks to the march of science most acrylics now are pretty indistinguishable from wool. I've used Knit Picks Brava for many projects and didn't get that plastic vibe. Good discussion of manmade yarns. Interested to hear that you like blown yarn--haven't tried that yet.

Good info. Of recent years, I have avoided synthetic yarns but they have their place. Choosing the correct yarn is really important.

Great summary and answers. I have some acrylic in my stash ... using it primarily for blankets because of how easy it is for care.

Great info. I dont buy 100% synthetic yarns much any more but I am happy to keep using what's in my stash esp for items I know will get beat up a lot like kids hats and mittens

I use synthetic fibres when knitting gifts or for my partner, he has a wool allergy.

G’day that was really helpful Tonia 👍🏻🇦🇺

Thank you so helpful.

Great video, as always! You really are my kind of nerd! I mostly use 100% non-superwash wool for garments, but I’ve made exceptions. Exception #1: Using acrylics for things like baby blankets makes sense. They aren’t the softest things, but the colors are great, and you can machine wash and dry them 10,000 times before they wear out. Exception #2: Last year, I accidentally ordered some Berroco Remix Light (30% Nylon, 27% Cotton, 24% Acrylic, 10% Silk, 9% Linen). I made a top out of it last year, and i feel the yarn has some merit! It’s nice and light for summer garments, stands up great to the washer and dryer, and doesn’t have a plasticky feel. Unfortunately, the design I made has a wide neckline that instantly stretches out even wider within an hour of my putting it on. Must be that the acrylic can’t control the natural sagginess of all that cotton, silk, and linen, huh? But I’m using the Remix Light again to knit a top with a much smaller neckline in a much tighter gauge, so I have hope!

Another thing that sometimes helps with splitty yarn (question at around 26:30) is to try using the other end…i.e., use the end from inside the skein versus the end on the outside…or vice-versa. And using a yarn bowl sometimes helps make things go smoother. But some yarns are just persnickety and no amount of coaxing will make them behave!

Great info - I'd love to know more about the different environmental impacts of all the different yarns. I try to avoid synthetics these days, and am currently trying to turn my remaining acrylic yarn into a large basket, but I'm not so worried about blends that use it to add structure or softness, nor novelty yarns since those are fun 😄I normally find that acrylic doesn't last as well or feel as warm as wool with wearables, so I want my jumpers and cardigans to be more woolly than not. I just wish there were more colourful and ombre yarns that were pure/mostly wool, so many are acrylic but the colours are so cool 😢

One thing I do when my polyester thread/yarn splits too much (fail me can't count to save my life so I will be constantly frogging it) is to use some wax (old piece of candle or beeswax whatever I have on hand) so the fiber will kind of get together again. I just run the thread along the edge of the wax piece, it helps to straighten the crinkle and the fuzziness and also keep the split of smaller threads together. BUT, warning, it can make it harder to slide the needle if you are a tighter knitter/crocheter. Pay attention to the color of the wax too, beeswax can turn a white thread yellow-y. I usually just have plain white candle leftovers from my mom's praying candleholders that I melt into a small block to repurpose. It is petrol base so you're basically using petrol on petrol, just be mindful that it will melt down using warm water so if you mind the water contamination lightly apply with a little water and use blotter paper/kitchen towels to absorb the first batch of water, I don't have a steamer so I warm the surface of the piece with a hair blow dryer and use kitchen towel/paper to absorb it. Way back in the day I used wax to dye fabric (or not dye it to be precise) making lines/outlines and then melt it down with heat (blow dryer or iron) onto newspaper or kitchen towels to take it off so I know it can be done with no problems. The wax on thread I learnt from Bernadette Banner as she did use it on thread to sew so I just put the two together when my polyester thread was almost lost due to constant frogging. If you want to block a crochet doily after using wax on the thread just put under a towel and lightly iron it, it will be blocked without water, just be careful with the temperature. If you don't have an iron, put a bit of water on a pan, heat it (NOT boil) and use the bottom over the towel, the weight of the water/pan and the heat will work fine, almost like an iron.

Nice explanation, thanks for all your research.

Really useful video, thank you.

Great review! Thanks ☺️

I used the knitpicks wonderfluff for a scarf. I absolutely loved it

Another great video thank you

That 30% merino would be sold in commercial socks as “wool-rich”…. When I started shopping for actual wool socks, I realized it’s more a matter of a little bit of wool vs no wool!

Thanks for this info and discussion. I like learning and you often teach me new things!!

Quick question: I have some beautiful pink 100% cotton that was gifted to me. If I held this yarn (DK) with a fingering sock yarn for a sweater, would this help the cotton stay in shape?

I don't like the feel of the older acrylic yarn on my hands. I inherited boxes of this yarn from both my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. I do use it for child and baby knits and for charity knits. I recently learned more about how superwash yarn is made and don't think it is a much better alternative for the environment than acrylic. Therefore I just use the yarn thst is easiest on my hands. Mostly 100% wool and wool blends. Haven't done much knitting with plant fibers. That will be my next exploration. Ps all this year I have knit only with stash yarn so the plant fibers will have to wait for next year.

I don't wear synthetics, so I don't like to buy them in yarn. The exception is blankets and knitting for other people who often want the wash and wear quality of synthetics. I like a mix of acrylic/cotton for blankets as the cotton is better against the skin, but the acrylic keeps it lighter and easier to care for. Unfortunately acrylics usually have a larger variety of colors, so that is another reason to use them. I think not enough weight is given to the construction of a yarn- plied, chain, blown, etc, and how that affects the performance of the yarn. I think not enough info is out there about construction.

I'm curious as to how long the polyester tube holds up. Will it deteriorate, and then allow the blown fibers to escape?

I avoid synthetic yarns, partly environment reasons, partly quality issues, mostly I don't like the feel of them and the clammy feeling when wearing them. Besides, by only buying more expensive yarns I force myself to make choices thereby buying less but I what I buy and make I truelt love. It keeps my stach from growing and it reduces impact on the environment.

What exactly do you mean by melt ?

no microwave use with acrylic yarns or polyester either! Bad Bad idea!

You might want to actually research the item that you're talking about before making a video on it. Saying that this video is entirely on synthetic yarn and following up with "I don't know how it is made" is pretty awful. Also, your tone is a bit snobbish.