Best Acrylic Knitting Yarn of 2026
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Acrylic knitting yarn is a popular choice among knitters due to its versatility and affordability. This synthetic yarn is made from acrylic fibers which are lightweight, durable, and easy to care for. Acrylic yarn is available in a wide range of colors, making it easy to find the perfect shade for any project. It is also great for those who have allergies to natural fibers such as wool. Acrylic yarn is ideal for creating a variety of projects including blankets, scarves, hats, and sweaters. With its soft texture and easy-to-work-with nature, it is perfect for both beginner and experienced knitters alike.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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Top 10 Acrylic Knitting Yarn
Red Heart Bitty Stripes Worsted Acrylic Yarn 2-Pack
The Red Heart Bitty Stripes Yarn is perfect for your knitting and crocheting projects. Made from 100% acrylic, this yarn is easy to care for—you can machine wash it gently and tumble dry it on low heat, saving you time and effort. Each ball is a generous 10 ounces, giving you plenty of yarn to complete your creations. The medium weight (#4 worsted) makes it versatile for many patterns, and the included knitting and crochet gauges help you achieve the right size and tension. Enjoy vibrant, colorful stripes that add a fun touch to anything you make with the Red Heart Bitty Stripes Yarn.
Red Heart Super Saver Yarn, 3 Pack
This knitting yarn comes in a 3-pack and is made with 100% acrylic (96% acrylic for flecks) that's machine washable and dryable. The solids have a ball size of 198g/7oz, while the prints, variegates, and stripes have a ball size of 141g/5oz. The gauge is 4 - Worsted, with 17 stitches and 23 rows measuring 4” x 4” using a 5mm knitting needle, and 12 single crochet stitches and 15 rows measuring 4” x 4” using a 5.5mm crochet hook.
Lion Brand Wool-Ease Recycled Yarn
The Lion Brand Recycled Yarn is a fantastic choice for your knitting and crafting projects. Each skein, weighing 3 oz and measuring 196 yards, offers plenty of material for making cozy clothing or warm blankets. Made from 80% recycled acrylic and 20% recycled wool, this yarn is both eco-friendly and soft to the touch. You’ll appreciate the convenience of machine washing and drying, making it easy to care for your finished creations. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, this yarn provides the quality you need for your artistic endeavors.
MAQIHAN 15x20g Acrylic Yarn
MAQIHAN Acrylic Yarn is a vibrant collection of 15 different colors, perfect for beginners in crocheting and knitting. This soft, elastic yarn is easy to work with, allowing you to create everything from dolls to blankets without worrying about breakage or pilling. You can enjoy quality time crafting with family, making handmade gifts like scarves or gloves that show your thoughtfulness. Plus, this yarn is easy to maintain—just machine wash in cold water and air dry. With MAQIHAN Acrylic Yarn, your creative projects will look beautiful and last long.
Caron Simply Soft Feathered Gray Yarn
Caron Simply Soft Yarn is a versatile choice for all your crafting needs. Made from 100% acrylic, it’s perfect for knitting, crocheting, and creating various craft projects. You’ll appreciate its easy care, as it can be machine washed and dried without hassle. With a gauge of 4, this medium weight yarn is ideal for making everything from cozy blankets to stylish garments. Plus, its wide range of colors allows you to find just the right shade for your project or inspire new ideas. Enjoy the softness and flexibility that Caron Simply Soft Yarn brings to your creations.
Red Heart Super Saver Lapis Acrylic Yarn 3 Pack
The Red Heart Super Saver Yarn is a versatile choice for all your knitting and crocheting projects. Made from 100% acrylic, this yarn is easy to care for since you can machine wash and dry your finished items without worry. Each ball offers a generous length, perfect for creating large or multiple projects. The yarn's medium weight (#4 Worsted) ensures your stitches come out consistent, making it great for both beginners and experienced crafters. With a clear knitting and crochet gauge, you can easily follow patterns and create beautiful, even designs every time.
Red Heart Super Saver Aran Yarn
The Red Heart Yarn is an excellent choice for all your knitting and crocheting projects. Made from 100% acrylic, it is easy to care for, allowing you to machine wash and dry your creations without worry. Each ball weighs 198 grams and offers a generous length of 364 yards, perfect for larger projects. With a recommended gauge of 17 stitches and 23 rows for knitting, you'll find it easy to achieve consistent results. Red Heart is a trusted brand, known for offering a wide variety of colors and styles, ensuring you can find the perfect match for your crafting needs.
Red Heart Super Saver Yarn Kit
The Red Heart Yarn Kit is an ideal choice for your knitting and crocheting projects. Made from 100% premium acrylic, this yarn is both versatile and durable, ensuring your creations last. With 12 balls of medium worsted yarn in beautiful colors, you can easily express your creativity. Each ball provides 93 yards, giving you plenty of material for various projects, from cozy sweaters to delightful amigurumi. Plus, this yarn is machine washable and dryable, making cleanup a breeze while allowing you to focus on your crafting without worry.
Red Heart Soft Rose Blush Yarn
The Red Heart Yarn is a fantastic choice for your knitting and crocheting projects. Made from 100% acrylic, it is not only soft to the touch but also easy to care for, as you can simply machine wash and dry it. Each ball weighs 141g (5 oz) and provides an ample length of 256 yards, ensuring you have enough yarn for various projects. With its recommended knitting and crochet gauges, you can create beautiful and consistent results. Whether you’re crafting blankets, hats, or garments, this yarn offers a silky feel and beautiful drape, making your creations look stunning.
Red Heart Super Saver Jumbo Yarn
The Red Heart Jumbo Yarn is a versatile crafting essential made from 100% premium acrylic, making it suitable for all your knitting and crocheting projects. With a rich, vibrant color, you can create beautiful wearables and home accessories that maintain consistency in appearance. Each ball offers 482 yards of material, allowing you to work on various items like sweaters or blankets easily. This durable yarn withstands multiple washes while retaining its softness and color, ensuring your creations last. Enjoy the convenience of using this medium worsted yarn with standard knitting needles and crochet hooks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the cons of acrylic yarn?
Acrylic yarn has some drawbacks, including its negative environmental impact, lack of moisture-wicking properties, and a somewhat odd, squeaky texture while working with it. These concerns are valid and may influence your decision to use acrylic yarn.
2. Is it safe to knit with acrylic yarn?
Some acrylic yarns may contain carcinogens that can be absorbed through the skin when worn. Natural yarns, like wool and cotton, do not have such harmful chemicals. However, certain individuals may experience adverse skin reactions due to personal allergies even with wool and cotton yarns.
3. What is best to knit with acrylic yarn?
Acrylic yarn is a great choice for knitting kids' and baby garments, as well as blankets, due to its durability and easy care. It is also suitable for making gifts and for charity knitting projects.
4. Is acrylic yarn scratchy?
Both acrylic yarn and wool yarn can initially feel rough and scratchy. However, there are methods to soften rough yarn before knitting or crocheting with it, ensuring a more comfortable texture.
5. Why is acrylic yarn so cheap?
Acrylic yarn is a synthetic fiber made from petroleum-based products, which makes it less expensive compared to other types of yarn. It is also easy to care for, as it is machine washable and dryable. In contrast, cotton yarn is made from the fibers of the cotton plant and is absorbent but may shrink when wet.
6. Is acrylic yarn bad for your health?
The chemical process of creating synthetic acrylic yarn involves the use of toxic solvents and other chemicals. These chemicals, including NN-dimethylformamide, have been linked to liver damage. It is important to consider the potential health risks associated with acrylic yarn.
7. Is it better to use acrylic or cotton yarn?
Cotton yarn is often preferred over acrylic due to its softness, durability, and lack of pilling. Cotton is also a good choice for those with allergies to other fibers. Although not as soft as wool, cotton is a closer alternative to acrylic in terms of comfort.
8. Does acrylic knitting need to be blocked?
Blocking acrylic pieces is usually done to shape them before seaming. This process helps speed up the seaming process and gives the finished project a more professional appearance. However, blocking acrylic is not a permanent alteration and can be done through wet, spray, or basic steam methods.
9. Is acrylic yarn bad for sweaters?
Acrylic yarn has a tendency to pill, which can be undesirable for sweaters or other items subject to abrasion. Cotton yarn is a better choice for such projects. Additionally, acrylic is highly flammable and can melt on contact with heat, so it may not be suitable for items like potholders or baby blankets.
10. When not to use acrylic yarn?
Acrylic yarn should be avoided for projects that may be exposed to flame or extreme heat, such as potholders. Acrylics are highly flammable and will melt when in contact with heat. Consider the flammability of the yarn before making items like baby blankets or home goods.
During our acrylic knitting yarn research, we found 24 acrylic knitting yarn products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 349,951 customer reviews through our big data system to write the acrylic knitting yarn list. We found that most customers choose acrylic knitting yarn with an average price of $16.83.
The acrylic knitting yarn are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of acrylic knitting yarn, including Red Heart, Lion Brand Yarn, MAQIHAN, Caron. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Ann Hale is a seamstress, pattern maker, and fashion designer with extensive sewing experience. She has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years now after receiving Associates's Degree in fashion design in 2010. Also as a writer, she has many creative and unique insights when it comes to articles.