How Is Polyester Yarn Made? What Can It Be Used For?

1. What is polyester yarn?

Polyester yarn is similar to acrylic yarn. It is a polymer-based material that is basically plastic (with some similarities to plastic soda bottles)

2. How is polyester yarn made?

Like all synthetic man-made yarns, the process starts by mixing the base substance and turning it into a liquid. This thick liquid is forced through spinnerets with holes of various sizes (the diameter of the holes determines the circumference of the filament). The liquid condenses and forms filament threads. These threads can be spun into yarns alone or with other fiber sources.

3. What can I knit with polyester yarn?

Polyester is often blended with other fibers to make garments that are lightweight, strong, stretchy, and easy to care for. This is a great option for clothing that needs to be washed and dried frequently, such as children's clothing, baby items like blankets or bibs, or knitted items that will be donated.

4. Can polyester yarn be washed?

Polyester yarn is usually easy to care for, so it can be washed in the washing machine and then dried in the dryer on a low heat setting. If it is mixed with other fibers, you will need to refer to the ball tape on the yarn for specific care instructions, as the extra fibers may change the care needs of the yarn.

5. What is the difference between acrylic yarn and polyester yarn?

Both fibers are petrochemical-based and go through a similar manufacturing process to make usable yarn. Acrylic is made from a synthetic polymer called acrylonitrile, while polyester is made up of molecular polymers in the ester group of the compound