Oh acrylic. Shunned by many, loved by few.
When I was given my electric guitar at fourteen, it was the student-model. Learner guitar. Cheap-o. And this is sound wisdom: why purchase an expensive item when first venturing into a new endeavour?
I still have my good ol' electric guitar (and yes, it has a name. Ares, the god of war. Speaks to my fatuous youth).
And I still have a number of my first knit items. In the learner-yarn. Good ol' acrylic.
Acrylic: it does have pros
Pros:
usually inexpensive
washable
I've never had one where the dyes bleed!
Cons:
unlike natural fibres, this will melt upon exposure to flame (and most probably extreme heat)
unless you're very lucky, most don't feel all-too-great against the skin (also doesn't breath, so causes one to sweat and stink)
In the past I've used 100% acrylic yarn as a "learner yarn" (noted above) as well as a "stand-in" for more expensive yarns (see my Bed Jacket from Romantic Style. I chose this yarn because vast quantities were required, and I wasn't about to put up $100 or more for what is essentially an at-home leisure garment.)
Bernat Satin is a 100% acrylic that I've used several times to good results.
Every yarn has a purpose!
10 comments:
You know, I still use the Bernat Satin, I'm knitting the Ribbed Lace Bolero in it right now. I think it's great. It's so easy to get sucked up in fibre snobbery, but there are plenty of good, cheap yarns out there too!
- Julie
Glad to hear it! I have a load of it in a nice brown - not sure what it'll become yet.
Yeah, I like the Bernat Satin too.
I'll knit with anything. I have kids and a husband. Acrylic is a must. People who pick on it are just being elitist because they lack the confidence to be proud of something for what it is, rather than how much it cost. I have to admire anyone who can hold up their moderately priced yarn and say, "My skills far exceed my budget!"
Came to you from Ling's blog. I am looking for acrylic! Thank you. I was going to try a faux cashmere on etsy. Have you tried them?
I found you out and about among the internets! Did you know you had been featured on this blog about Jane Austen?
http://kcts.typepad.com/jane_austen/knittingpatterns.html
Thanks sophia! They did get in touch with me - I was curious as to when they'd post it.
It's quite flattering to be featured with so many other great projects.
Has anyone else been watching the Jane Austen series on PBS?
Ewww... Acrylic. I just don't like wearing things that could melt... you know if I was walking on the sun...
steph, you know in most cases I'd agree with you. The Bernat Satin is happy for something loose like a robe! Tres satin-esque, je pense.
I'm glad to read this because I just bought Bernat Satin for my first sweater! So I find out what I chose is decent, and that it's even more ok being my first knit garment! Yay! Btw, just found you on Ravelry and am loving what I see of your work!
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