<p>Each type of fiber has unique characteristics that must be taken into account when considering substitution (which is pretty much a pattern-by-pattern process). Some examples:</p>

<p><strong>Machine Washability</strong> Silk and pure wool arn't machine washable, cotton and most synthetics are, linen is actually improved by being machine washed.</p>

<p><strong>Breathability</strong> All of the natural fibers (wool, silk, cotton, linen, etc.) breathe, but the synthetics (acrylic, polyester, etc.) don't.</p>

<p><strong>"Stickiness"</strong> Certain techniques (drop stitches, felting) require the built-in self-gripping of wool and similar animal fibers. This also impacts things like cotton's known tendency to droop.</p>

<p><strong>Elasticity</strong> This is the fiber's ability to stretch and contract, which affects an item's ability to regain its orignial shape as well as how wearing the yarn is to knit with (hand fatigue). Animal fibers and some synthetics are stretchy, while plant fibers aren't.</p>

<p><strong>Allergies &amp; Sensitivities</strong> Wool is the infamous one in both these categories, though synthetics can be problematic, too. Plant fibers do better.</p>

<p>In general, the closer you stick to the recommended fiber type, the more predictable the results will be (replacing cotton with wool is riskier than replacing it with linen). If you really want a specific substitution,  you can try contacting the designer for their thoughts; also, if you're on something like Ravelry, you can see if anybody else has tried it.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-27T13:55:44.083Z
2016-04-27T13:55:44.083Z
Belisama
<p><a href="http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/top10qa.html" rel="nofollow">From the Craft Yarn Council:</a></p>

<p>"Can I substitute one yarn weight for another yarn weight?</p>

<p>No, each project is designed to be made with a specific weight of yarn. Changing the yarn weight will change the size and appearance of the finished project as well as change the amount of yarn required.</p>

<p>Can I substitute different yarn brands of the same yarn weight?</p>

<p>Yes, but be sure to test the “gauge” to make sure that an adjustment is not necessary as you substitute one yarn for another. See question # 8 to learn more about “gauge.”</p>

<p>As for some of the differences between various yarns this <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_yarns_for_crochet_and_knitting" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia link</a> shows some difference from the various types of yarn:</p>

<p><strong>Cottons</strong></p>

<p>"All varieties of cotton have a dull finish unless mercerized. Cotton yarn has minimal elasticity unless blended with other fibers. Pure cotton is useful for projects that require structure such as purses and tote bags, placemats, and other utilitarian items.</p>

<p>Description</p>

<p>Egyptian cotton Longest cotton fiber, smoother and softer than other cottons.</p>

<p>Pima cotton Cross between Egyptian and American cottons. Intermediate properties.</p>

<p>American cotton Medium-long fiber, readily takes on dye. Available in widest variety of colors. </p>

<p><strong>Other plant fibers</strong></p>

<p>Linen Strong fiber, good for warm weather items. Wrinkles easily. </p>

<p>Bamboo bast Similar to ramie, possesses an elegant sheen. Not to be confused with the more common bamboo rayon. </p>

<p><strong>Animal based fibers</strong></p>

<p>Description</p>

<p>Merino wool Softer than cotton, tends to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pill_(textile)" rel="nofollow">pill.</a>.</p>

<p>Icelandic wool Strong but scratchy. </p>

<p>Mohair Lofty and luxurious, best used as an outer layer. May feel scratchy.</p>

<p>Cashmere Soft, luxurious, expensive. </p>

<p>Alpaca Very warm. Suitable for accessories such as scarves.</p>

<p>Angora Very soft, tends to shed. Best used in pure form as an accent material, or blended with other fibers.</p>

<p>Silk Exceptionally strong, lustrous, and shiny. Good for summer wear. </p>

<p><strong>Synthetic fibers</strong></p>

<p>Description</p>

<p>Acrylic Washes well, inexpensive. Good choice for beginners and for items designed for babies or pets. </p>

<p>Nylon Strong, elastic, washes well. Not ideal for garments unless blended with other fibers. </p>

<p>Rayon Made from processed cellulose (e.g. wood pulp, bamboo, seaweed) extruded into threads. Inexpensive and highly absorbent, natural sheen." </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-27T12:51:18.133Z
Not sure if you are in the process of doing it but this could benifit from some formatting to help logically break up your yarns. Use of bolding or headings would be an asset to make this easier to read. Also use > quotes if this text is not your own.
Matt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-27T12:48:44.633Z
2016-04-27T12:55:31.853Z
2016-04-27T12:55:31.853Z
Ken Graham
<p>What are the reasons to choose one fibre over another - are there advantages and disadvantages for each type of fibre? If I have a pattern that specifies wool, is it usually safe to substitute for cotton, or vice versa? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-27T17:01:03.593Z
I feel that this is a topic which could be answered with many pages, making it too broad. However, a more focused version (e.g. "Can I substitute cotton for wool in most situations") may work -- although may still need to be narrowed to a particular pattern or project.
Erica
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-27T17:47:05.340Z
I kind of agree - but consider the alternative: tens of almost identical: "can I substitute x for y" questions. A single canonical might be better?
StackExchange What The Heck
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-27T21:19:22.980Z
If we define the question as "does the fiber make a difference or can I  substitute willy-nilly", we can unequivocally state "yes, it makes a difference, substitution requires research", without going into pages and pages of how they differ and when to choose each one.
Belisama
<yarn><crocheting>
Fibre choice: Why choose wool, cotton, bamboo, acrylic, etc. when crocheting / knitting? Does it make a difference?
StackExchange What The Heck
# Fibre choice: Why choose wool, cotton, bamboo, acrylic, etc. when crocheting / knitting? Does it make a difference?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-04-27)

What are the reasons to choose one fibre over another - are there advantages and disadvantages for each type of fibre? If I have a pattern that specifies wool, is it usually safe to substitute for cotton, or vice versa?

**Tags:** yarn, crocheting

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I feel that this is a topic which could be answered with many pages, making it too broad. However, a more focused version (e.g. "Can I substitute cotton for wool in most situations") may work -- although may still need to be narrowed to a particular pattern or project.  
> **username_0**: I kind of agree - but consider the alternative: tens of almost identical: "can I substitute x for y" questions. A single canonical might be better?  
> **username_2**: If we define the question as "does the fiber make a difference or can I  substitute willy-nilly", we can unequivocally state "yes, it makes a difference, substitution requires research", without going into pages and pages of how they differ and when to choose each one.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-04-27. Score: 6

Each type of fiber has unique characteristics that must be taken into account when considering substitution (which is pretty much a pattern-by-pattern process). Some examples:

**Machine Washability** Silk and pure wool arn't machine washable, cotton and most synthetics are, linen is actually improved by being machine washed.

**Breathability** All of the natural fibers (wool, silk, cotton, linen, etc.) breathe, but the synthetics (acrylic, polyester, etc.) don't.

**"Stickiness"** Certain techniques (drop stitches, felting) require the built-in self-gripping of wool and similar animal fibers. This also impacts things like cotton's known tendency to droop.

**Elasticity** This is the fiber's ability to stretch and contract, which affects an item's ability to regain its orignial shape as well as how wearing the yarn is to knit with (hand fatigue). Animal fibers and some synthetics are stretchy, while plant fibers aren't.

**Allergies & Sensitivities** Wool is the infamous one in both these categories, though synthetics can be problematic, too. Plant fibers do better.

In general, the closer you stick to the recommended fiber type, the more predictable the results will be (replacing cotton with wool is riskier than replacing it with linen). If you really want a specific substitution, you can try contacting the designer for their thoughts; also, if you're on something like Ravelry, you can see if anybody else has tried it.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2016-04-27. Score: 2

[From the Craft Yarn Council:](http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/top10qa.html)

"Can I substitute one yarn weight for another yarn weight?

No, each project is designed to be made with a specific weight of yarn. Changing the yarn weight will change the size and appearance of the finished project as well as change the amount of yarn required.

Can I substitute different yarn brands of the same yarn weight?

Yes, but be sure to test the “gauge” to make sure that an adjustment is not necessary as you substitute one yarn for another. See question # 8 to learn more about “gauge.”

As for some of the differences between various yarns this [Wikipedia link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_yarns_for_crochet_and_knitting) shows some difference from the various types of yarn:

**Cottons**

"All varieties of cotton have a dull finish unless mercerized. Cotton yarn has minimal elasticity unless blended with other fibers. Pure cotton is useful for projects that require structure such as purses and tote bags, placemats, and other utilitarian items.

Description

Egyptian cotton Longest cotton fiber, smoother and softer than other cottons.

Pima cotton Cross between Egyptian and American cottons. Intermediate properties.

American cotton Medium-long fiber, readily takes on dye. Available in widest variety of colors.

**Other plant fibers**

Linen Strong fiber, good for warm weather items. Wrinkles easily.

Bamboo bast Similar to ramie, possesses an elegant sheen. Not to be confused with the more common bamboo rayon.

**Animal based fibers**

Description

Merino wool Softer than cotton, tends to [pill.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pill_(textile)).

Icelandic wool Strong but scratchy.

Mohair Lofty and luxurious, best used as an outer layer. May feel scratchy.

Cashmere Soft, luxurious, expensive.

Alpaca Very warm. Suitable for accessories such as scarves.

Angora Very soft, tends to shed. Best used in pure form as an accent material, or blended with other fibers.

Silk Exceptionally strong, lustrous, and shiny. Good for summer wear.

**Synthetic fibers**

Description

Acrylic Washes well, inexpensive. Good choice for beginners and for items designed for babies or pets.

Nylon Strong, elastic, washes well. Not ideal for garments unless blended with other fibers.

Rayon Made from processed cellulose (e.g. wood pulp, bamboo, seaweed) extruded into threads. Inexpensive and highly absorbent, natural sheen."

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Not sure if you are in the process of doing it but this could benifit from some formatting to help logically break up your yarns. Use of bolding or headings would be an asset to make this easier to read. Also use > quotes if this text is not your own.  

---

