Stop Buying the Wrong Yarn: The Truth About Natural vs. Synthetic Fibers for Amigurumi and Clothing | Crochet and Knitting
Thu Feb 05 2026
Ever looked at a ball of yarn and wondered how it actually happened? It seems like such a simple thing, but the journey from a sheep’s back (or a scientist’s lab!) to your crochet hook is kind of mind-blowing.
In this episode of Simply Hooked, I’m taking you behind the scenes of the fiber world. We’re digging into the "glow-up" process of natural fibers—from the shearing and scouring of raw wool to the rhythmic magic of carding and spinning. I even share a bit about my own (very humbling) experience with an Ashford spinning wheel a decade ago!
What we’re covering today:
Animal vs. Plant vs. Synthetic: The major differences between wool, cotton, and acrylic.
The Cleaning Process: Why you can’t just rinse wool in the sink (unless you want a giant clump of felt).
The Science of Synthetic: How petroleum-based materials become the soft amigurumi yarn we love.
Plies & Twists: Why some yarns are sturdier than others and how they’re finished for the craft store shelf.
Every stitch we make is the final chapter of a story that started long before the yarn hit our stash. Let’s explore that story together!
The Lifetime All-Access Pattern Vault: Get every pattern I’ve ever made (and every future release!) for one single price.
Hank the Hippo Signature Crochet Kit: Grab the preorder for the kit and the "Do You Know Hank the Hippo?" children’s book!
🔆Join Our Skool Community
🔆Learn to Crochet Course
🔆Shop My Crochet Patterns
🔆Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book
🧶Grab Some Crochet Merch
More
Ever looked at a ball of yarn and wondered how it actually happened? It seems like such a simple thing, but the journey from a sheep’s back (or a scientist’s lab!) to your crochet hook is kind of mind-blowing. In this episode of Simply Hooked, I’m taking you behind the scenes of the fiber world. We’re digging into the "glow-up" process of natural fibers—from the shearing and scouring of raw wool to the rhythmic magic of carding and spinning. I even share a bit about my own (very humbling) experience with an Ashford spinning wheel a decade ago! What we’re covering today: Animal vs. Plant vs. Synthetic: The major differences between wool, cotton, and acrylic. The Cleaning Process: Why you can’t just rinse wool in the sink (unless you want a giant clump of felt). The Science of Synthetic: How petroleum-based materials become the soft amigurumi yarn we love. Plies & Twists: Why some yarns are sturdier than others and how they’re finished for the craft store shelf. Every stitch we make is the final chapter of a story that started long before the yarn hit our stash. Let’s explore that story together! The Lifetime All-Access Pattern Vault: Get every pattern I’ve ever made (and every future release!) for one single price. Hank the Hippo Signature Crochet Kit: Grab the preorder for the kit and the "Do You Know Hank the Hippo?" children’s book! 🔆Join Our Skool Community 🔆Learn to Crochet Course 🔆Shop My Crochet Patterns 🔆Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book 🧶Grab Some Crochet Merch