Acrylic Yarn vs Cotton: Most Important Things to Know (2024)

Acrylic Yarn

Acrylic yarn is a popular choice for knitters because it is durable, easy to find in any color, and affordable. Acrylic is a synthetic fiber that is man-made.

Acrylic yarn is made from polymers that are synthesized from petroleum products. It’s perfect for projects where durability is key. Acrylic also does not have much stretch to it so you can be sure your project will stay tight without stretching out over time.

Benefits of Acrylic Yarn

Some benefits of acrylic yarn include its durability, affordability, and easy availability in any color. Acrylic yarn is also perfect for projects where you need a strong finished product since it doesn’t have much stretch.

Modern acrylics are easy on the hands, unlike the bargain-basem*nt scratchy acrylics of times past! It is also amazingly easy to care for because most acrylic yarns can just be tossed into the washing machine and they turn out looking good as new.

Downside of Acrylic Yarn

The biggest downside to using acrylic as opposed to cotton or wool is that acrylic doesn’t have the same warmth or natural feel as either of those materials do, but if you’re looking for something easy on your wallet then this could be just what you’re looking for!

Acrylic will also melt if it comes into contact with a heat source (such as a burner on a stove), so do NOT use it for hot pads, oven mitts, trivets, etc. Cotton yarn is a much better choice for these types of projects.

Acrylic also has the tendency to pill (you know those annoying little fiber balls that appear on sweaters?) so if you are making a sweater or other item where there will be some abrasion, be sure to look for an anti-pilling yarn. (I’ve shared my favorite below.)

Great Projects for Acrylic Yarn

Acrylic, especially premium acrylics, are great choices for blankets, children’s wear, scarves, hats, mittens and almost any project outside of the kitchen and bath.

There are some bath items you can make from acrylic fiber, but cotton is a better choice for most all things kitchen or bath related as we’ll see below.

Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling

This yarn was designed for all your favorite projects that see a lot of wear and tear. The yarn is treated to resist pilling even before the spinning process. And, when pills do form (due to frequent use and washing), no need to pick them off – just throw the item in the washer and the pills disappear.

Fiber Content: 100% acrylic

Yarn Weight: Worsted Weight #4

Yardage/Weight: 3.5 oz/185 yards

Care: Machine wash and dry

Click here to check out Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling!

Cotton Yarn

Cotton yarn is a natural fiber that is made from the seed hair of cotton plants. It’s perfect for any project where you want to have natural fibers or are using heat, water or other elements because it gets softer with every wash.

Also note that crochet thread is usually always a cotton yarn.

Benefits of Cotton Yarn

Some benefits of cotton yarn include its durability, softness, and the fact that it gets softer with every wash. An article of clothing made with 100% cotton will get softer after each washing…though not quite as soft as 100% wool, it is much closer than acrylic.

Cotton yarn also doesn’t pill like acrylic can and it’s far more durable over time…plus those who suffer from allergies to other fibers often do well with cotton as a primary fiber for this reason as well. You can’t say that about acrylics!

Cotton can handle the heat much better than acrylic, making it a perfect choice for the kitchen and bath items that acrylic yarn isn’t good for.

Downside of Cotton Yarn

The biggest downside to using cotton as opposed to acrylic or wool is that cotton doesn’t have the same stretch as other fibers do since it is a plant fiber. This means your finished product may not be quite as tight as you’d like it to be.

This can also lead to a project that stretches out over time which is why cotton is not the best choice for items used for a stretchy workout such as socks, leg warmers, etc.

Some kinds of cotton yarn can be stiff and not fun to work with, so be careful with your yarn selection. A cotton blend is also a great option.

Great Projects for Cotton Yarn

Cotton is the perfect choice for towels, dishcloths or washcloths, hot pads, trivets, and soap socks. When making these I like to look for a “kitchen cotton”.

It is also a great choice for fun, summer garments as it doesn’t get too hot. Look for a softer cotton for this type of project.

The softer cottons are also great for baby items (baby sweaters or baby blankets) as they are gentle on delicate skin.

Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton

24/7 Cotton is a wonderful mercerized cotton that would be completely amazing for any knitting or crochet project. This yarn is just as wonderful for garments as it is for kitchen and bath items.

Fiber Content: 100% Mercerized Cotton

Yarn Weight: Worsted Weight #4

Yardage/Weight: 186 yards/3.5oz

Care: Machine wash and dry

Click here to check out 24/7 Cotton yarn!

This great cotton is one of my favorites! It’s tough enough to be used in kitchen items (hence the name), but soft enough to become a knit or crochet toy or garment. It comes in a wide variety of colors (including Multi and Twist) and is a real value.

Fiber Content: 100% Cotton

Yarn Weight: Worsted weight #4

Yardage/Weight: 190 yards/100g

Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

Click here to check out Dishie Yarn!

Main Differences Between Acrylic Yarn and Cotton Yarn

– Acrylic is developed from polymers that are synthesized from petroleum products while cotton comes directly from plants (cotton fiber)

– Cotton has more stretch than acrylic yarn so it may not be the best choice for items used for a stretchy workout such as socks, leg warmers, etc.

– Cotton yarn is very durable and gets softer with every wash whereas acrylic yarn does not have as much stretch and will not get softer with every wash

– Acrylic may melt if it comes into contact with a heat source so do NOT use it for hot pads, oven mitts, trivets, etc. whereas cotton is a better choice for these types of projects

Is cotton or acrylic yarn better?

There is no clear cut answer, as both types of yarn have their own unique benefits and drawbacks. Ultimately, it’s up to the individual knitter or crocheter to decide which type of yarn they prefer for their specific needs. The two types of fibers are best suited for different projects.

Can I use acrylic yarn instead of cotton?

You can substitute a similar weight of yarn that gets the same gauge no matter the fiber. The important thing to remember is that the acrylic does not have the same properties as cotton, so keep the end use in mind when choosing your yarn.

Can you mix cotton and acrylic yarn?

You can but be careful about how you wash the item if it contains yarns from both cotton and acrylic. If you want to combine the best characteristics of both, look for a great cotton and acrylic blended yarn that is mostly acrylic with some cotton fibers.

Is cotton or acrylic better for a blanket?

You can make a wonderful blanket out of either. It depends on how you want to use the blanket. Cotton would be a great choice for a lightweight summer blanket that you might want to throw over your legs to ward off a slight chill. Acrylic doesn’t breathe as well and will hold in more heat, making it more ideal for a cooler weather blanket.