Fiber advice for recycled longies?

[allnaturalmama]

So mamas, what's appropriate in sweaters to make recycled longies from?

Obviously, wool is. But what about blends? Other animal fibers? Synthetics?

Okay, some targeted questions:

1. What's the minimum percent of wool in a blend you'd accept?
   
2. Is 100% cashmere as effective as wool?
   
3. What's the highest percent of alpaca you'd feel comfortable with?
   
4. How about angora?
   
5. Oh, and mohair - interchangeable with wool, or no?
   
6. How much silk in a wool blend would still work for diapering?
   
7. What about synthetics in a wool blend, like nylon or acrylic... how much is okay?

I realize everyone might have different thresholds of comfort, but I'd love to hear opinions on this!

[ReneeC]

You might have better luck with some of the more specific questions over in the Yarn Craft area (like angora or mohair or alpaca being suitable).

I have read/been told that anything at least 40% wool in combo with a synthetic (acrylic or nylon, etc) will work. 100% acrylic also works, but you have to wash it more frequently, because it will hold smells (but you can machine wash it).

100% cashmere will work. It's super soft and nice, and not necessary to felt before using.

I don't think I'd use a wool/silk blend. Silk is pretty absorbent. Ask this one in the Yarn area as well, maybe?

HTH!

[allnaturalmama]

Very helpful, thanks!

Oh and I took your advice and posted over in yarn crafts, too...

[milehighmonkeys]

Those will all work pretty well. They work by dispersion. The advantage of 100% wool is that wool will also absorb some moisture on its own (about 30% of its weight). Synthetics also work by dispersion. You just don't get the absorbing factor, but they still work well and feel really dry on the outside.