Do You Use Wool Or Acrylic Yarn For Your Tufting Projects?
1, Wool is more durable than acrylic but has drawbacks of it's own. Wool will stain easier than acrylic. People with allergies will not be able to use a wool rug. Moths become a real concern as well. It will hold smells more than acrylic will. A shaggier rug made with wool will felt, matting the surface. Acrylic is hypoallergenic, resists staining (somewhat), and will be easier to remove smells. Acrylic does not felt as easily and is not a concern with moths. There is also the cost factor, wool is considerably more expensive than acrylic. Both are excellent choices, it is more down to personal choices, related expenses, and possible damages, rather than durability.
2, I use both but only because tufting on a budget, acrylic is much more affordable and as long as I'm not satisfied with myself I tend to skip on buying expensive wool. But it comes with health risks, once acrylic is going in your lungs it's there to stay, while real wool will just slowly be disintegrated by your body. I use masks anyway but go crazy on vacuuming with acrylic.
3, While tufting, I figured for myself that wool was more pleasant, and the colors are rich and vibrant. But your rug becomes biodegradable, which I feel like is a good thing, there is enough plastic in our homes... But your art becomes prone to be destroyed by pests. There is products to avoid this tho.
Ultimately, sheep's or alpaca's wool will make projects more expensive, but add value to your art. Just depends what you do tho, I wouldn't "waste" it on a logo or an Anime, but on personal projects it can really be nicer to tuft and carve.
4, I’ve only used acrylic so far because it’s cheap and has a far better colour selection. Would ideally switch to wool for sustainability but can’t afford to atm.
For the tufter, wear a mask when tufting and shaving/carving acrylic.
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