Does Fiber Type Matter?

Have you ever looked at all the different types of fiber?  Until just a few years ago, I never put much thought into it. I pretty much thought there was just the usual suspects: cotton, wool, alpaca, and so on and so fourth. I was extremely impressed when I discovered bamboo yarn at hobby lobby. I mean, yarn, made from something that was once solid. How cool is that? I thought it would be so cool when the day came that they could do that to other plants.

Then I discovered my local yarn store, mohair and more.

They had all kinds of fiber! Yak, baby camel, banana fiber, and other things that are unpronounceable. Just today I discovered they have rose and pearl fiber! What are they good for? What's banana good for? And what about the unpronounceable things? I haven't the faintest idea and it’s going to require some serious researching, and perhaps a little purchasing.

 But I do know what the usual suspects are good for, and that's really what I wanted to talk about today. When I initially started crocheting, I used acrylic for everything. Primarily because it was the cheapest option. Besides, it was way softer than everything else hobby lobby had, so what did it matter?

 Well, while I still love the acrylic, it does matter. Each fiber has its own quality's, making some fiber better than others for certain things.

Cotton

Cotton has a naturally short staple, in other words, the actual length of the individual fibers is very short. Because it is from a plant it lacks the microscopic barbs that most animal fibers have. This makes it harder to spin, and it relies on twist alone to hold together. It also makes it almost impossible to felt. If you can felt cotton you have a special, if almost useless, talent.

Properties: 

• Resist heat and detergent damage
• Can mildew
• Breathes well
• Absorbs water well
• Slow to dry
• Poor elasticity
• Can shrink

Wool

Wool has a longer staple, usually about 3-5 inches. It has microscopic barbs which enables it to stick together easily. Therefore, it is great for spinning and felting, although it does make it harder to wash. Because there are many different types of wool, its properties vary. Today let’s just stick with the general properties.

Properties:

• Warm
• Absorbs moisture well
• Remains warm when wet
• Fairly elastic
• Dyes well
• Not heat resistant
• Can shrink
• Can mildew

Alpaca

Alpaca has a staple of 2-7 inches, depending on which part of the animal it came from. The fibers themselves are semi-hollow. The air trapped in the fibers makes it light weight and gives it extra insulation. This makes it quite a bit warmer than wool. It’s also considered a "high-quality" fiber and is supposed to be incredibly soft. I don't have much experience with alpaca as I have found it to be itchy. Alpaca is supposed to be a high-quality fiber, so what gives?

 Unfortunately, I suspect that the answer lies in where I bought it from. While I love my local craft stores, they don't carry high quality yarns. At lease, mine don't. So, the alpaca I bought was probably the cheapest they could buy. Stores that a dedicated to fiber are more likely to have better alpaca, albeit at a higher price. My suggestion is to check out your local craft store first. Who knows, maybe they will have it. If not, look for a fiber store. Since it seems to have no down sides, the higher price tag might be worth it.

Properties:

• Light weight
• Warm
• Super soft
• Strong
• Semi-hypoallergenic
• Wicks away moisture
• Water repellent

Bamboo

Bamboo fiber is obtained by cutting bamboo shoots and leaves into pieces, running them through a chemical process, and then straining out the remaining pulp. That pulp is then spun into yarn or woven. It’s incredibly simple, but I'm still impressed some one thought to do it. The fiber itself is great for those who are allergic to animals, but still want something warm and fuzzy.

Properties:

• Silky
• Hypoallergenic
• Oder resistant
• Breathable
• Absorbs water very well

Acrylic

Acrylic is basically a man-made wool. It has a lot of the same qualities, but at a cheaper price. The quality has quite a range. In the past, acrylic was scratchy and always seemed to have a slightly unnatural color. Nowadays, while there are still some brands like that, most of it is quite nice. People are often surprised when I tell them it’s acrylic!

Properties:

• Easy to care for
• Fairly resistant to damage, unless it is heat damage
• You can "kill" acrylic yarn with heat and produce a drape effect
• Does not absorb water
• Does not retain water
• Stain resistant
• Elastic
• Light weight

Ultimately you should choose what you like for projects, but these are important facts to consider. Does it need to be warm or breathable? Easy to take care of? Absorb or repel water? Is it going to someone who has a lot of allergies? You should ask these kinds of questions.

 Hopefully this has explained the difference between these fibers and will come of aid when you choose the material of your next project.

Work Cited

Richard. "Properties". Bamboo Fabric Store, www.bamboofabricstore.com.au/view/properties/24.
     Accessed 4 September 2019
Textile Fashion Study, www.textilefashionstudy.com. Accessed 4 September 2019 
Textile School, www.textileschool.com/. Accessed 4 September 2019

Ziek, Barbara. "What's So Special About Alpaca Fiber?". Wild Hair Press, LLC,
     https://wildhairpress.weebly.com/whats-so-special-about-alpaca-fiber.html. Accessed 4
     September 2019