Welcome to the first post in my new series Sustainability Spotlight here at The Unique Sheep! In this series, I’ll be exploring eco-friendly yarn options that align with a more sustainable crafting lifestyle. For my latest mandala blanket project, I decided to try out Lion Brand Yarn’s Re-Spun, a recycled acrylic yarn that caught my attention. Here’s what I discovered after working with it.

First Impressions and Touch Sensitivity

As someone with touch sensitivity, I’m very particular about how a yarn feels in my hands. Generally, I steer clear of acrylic yarns because they can be too rough or plasticky for my liking. However, Lion Brand’s Re-Spun surprised me. While it’s not as soft as natural fibers like cotton or merino wool, it reminded me of a coarser wool—there’s a bit of texture, but it’s not overly scratchy or uncomfortable to work with. I’ve found that once it’s crocheted, the texture feels a little smoother, which is nice.

Color Palette

The colors offered by Re-Spun are impressive. They are deep, rich, and work beautifully together, giving my current mandala blanket project a gorgeous, bohemian vibe. The range of shades makes it easy to create striking color combinations, which is something I really appreciate when working on large-scale projects like this.

Ease of Use

One of the standout features of Re-Spun for me is how easy it is to work with. The yarn has a fairly low halo (the fuzziness around the strand), making it easier to see stitches and frog (unravel) if you need to. Reworking the yarn doesn’t seem to impact its integrity much, which is a huge bonus for perfectionists like me who often tweak their work!

Affordability

Another big plus for Re-Spun is its price point. It’s affordable compared to many other eco-friendly yarns, which makes it accessible for larger projects like blankets. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly yarn that also considers sustainability, Re-Spun is a solid option.

Sustainability Spotlight at a Glance

Lion Brand’s Re-Spun yarn is made entirely from recycled acrylic fibers, which helps reduce the demand for virgin synthetic fibers that contribute to plastic pollution. Acrylic yarn, in general, is not biodegradable, but using recycled acrylic lessens the environmental footprint. The production process for recycled yarns like this consumes fewer resources compared to producing new acrylic, making it a more eco-conscious choice for crafters who want to minimize their impact on the planet.

Final Rating for this Sustainability Spotlight

All in all, I’ve really enjoyed working with Re-Spun yarn for my mandala blanket. While it doesn’t have the softness of natural fibers, its texture is reminiscent of wool, and the colors are absolutely stunning. It’s easy to frog, affordable, and offers a more sustainable option in the world of acrylic yarn. That said, if you’re extremely sensitive to texture, this might not be your first choice, but for me, it works well.

I’m giving Lion Brand’s Re-Spun yarn a 7 out of 10 for its combination of sustainability, ease of use, and affordability. If you’re looking for an eco-friendlier yarn that’s budget-conscious and offers beautiful colors, this is worth trying.

Stay tuned for more posts in this sustainability spotlight series as I continue to explore eco-friendly yarn options for future projects!