Acrylic yarn for soakers?

[asunlitrose]

I just figured out (through knitting) that I'm mildly allergic to wool. I'm knitting a wool soaker, and my hands are getting kind of puffy and itchy (maybe it's from the dye?).

Is it ok to use acrylic yarn or cotton yarn for soakers or would that make them not work (because of the lanolin)? Can you lanolize acrylic yarn or waterproof it somehow? Or could I maybe sew a waterproof/wicking material into the crotch of them?

Am I supposed to felt soakers? Can I felt acrylic yarn or does it have to be wool?

TIA! :

[lifeguard]

Acrylic will not felt.

As far as I know acrylic will not work. Cotton definitely will not - it is much too absorbant & takes a long time to dry. My understanding is that wool works so well because it is not very absorbant so it acts as a barrier through which the urine will not soak very easily/quickly. The lanolin improves this property & adds a natural antibacterial property.

[Twinklefae]

Acrylic will work a little. Your soakers will smell a lot faster and need to be washed more often. They also will not be AS waterproof. More info here. http://diaperpages.com/soaker.php

[iowaorganic]

Maybe before you give up on wool you could try some blends and organics? I have an alpaca soaker and it is fabulous. Also if you tried an organic you could rule out dyes and gunk.

[Therese's Mommy]

What kind of wool yarn are you using? It is my understanding that few people are actually allergic to wool, they are usually allergic to the chemicals with which the wool is processed. If you are using a highly processed wool (basically any brand you would buy at JoAnn's, Michaels, etc), then perhaps you should buy something that is a little more naturally processed. I personally love Peace Fleece. You could also try Pure Wool, it is more pricey and softer, make sure you get the 3-ply. There are a ton of options out there. If you have more questions consider joining the wool soaker group on Yahoo. The women there are highly knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Good luck!

Beth

[iowaorganic]

How about trying Philosophers? I think that is just straight off the sheep wool with koolaid for dye. it is nice and lanoliny on the skien- that would be a titch cheaper than organic- and still very natural.

[DomerJen]

apparently any natural fiber will work - so any kind of animal hair. (I can only think of angora right now!) hehe.

[asunlitrose]

Originally Posted by Therese's Mommy

What kind of wool yarn are you using? It is my understanding that few people are actually allergic to wool, they are usually allergic to the chemicals with which the wool is processed. If you are using a highly processed wool (basically any brand you would buy at JoAnn's, Michaels, etc), then perhaps you should buy something that is a little more naturally processed. I personally love Peace Fleece. You could also try Pure Wool, it is more pricey and softer, make sure you get the 3-ply. There are a ton of options out there. If you have more questions consider joining the wool soaker group on Yahoo. The women there are highly knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Good luck!

Beth

I got it at Michael's...it's Merino wool but I can't remember the brand specifically at the moment...something with a P?

Maybe I will just try a more organic wool next time and see if it makes a difference. I am wondering if it is the dye, since whenever I work with it a bunch of it transfers and makes my fingers blue. :

[Therese's Mommy]

Sounds like Paton's. It is a very processed wool. I would recommend Peace Fleece. It is very reasonably priced and gets softer after it is washed.

Beth

[leerypolyp]

Yeah, Paton's has a lot of gunk in it, dye and all the stuff they used on the sheep (pesticides etc.). Try an undyed organic merino and see what happens. I've used acrylic blend soakers, and I really didn't love them.