My Grandma Zelda made a crochet blanket out of acrylic yarns for each of her 8 grandchildren before she died.  My Tunisian/rainbow squares blanket is now over 30 years old, washable, and the favorite "couch blanket" for everyone in my house.  I would never make anything out of such a "fiber" but they appear to be able to endure forever!

LOL i understand you completly , he is sooooo beautiful and soft and colourfull looking;-D

I have a granny square blanket that my great aunt made for me out of acrylic yarn.  I ADORE it.  It's hard to admit, but sometimes the cheapie yarn has its place --  It's not for clothes or delicate stuff, but it's GREAT for hard-wearing blankets.

What's wrong with acrylic yarn???? Do we have a bunch of yarn snobs out there now???

It's the only kind I use for afghans, especially baby afghans. I want a finished project that can stand the test of time and many, many machine washings and dryings. I sure don't want to make a baby blanket that someone has to be afraid to use because it's so hard to care for!

My daughter and son still have the striped ruana afghans I made for them when they were in elementary school (although now they are no bigger than lap robes on them) and they are now 42 and 39 years of age. The blankets still look as good as the day I finished them.

You can't beat  TLC Baby or Caron Simply Soft for softness, ease of care and durability! ALL of the afghans/blankets, the shawl, poncho and purse that I have posted in the members' photo gallery are made from acrylic yarn! And yes I have made a delicate christening outfit with acrylic yarn (Caron Cuddlesoft 3-ply baby yarn which is no longer around) and it was absolutely beautiful! The tunisian ripple afghan pictured in the members gallery is soooo soft it's like being wrapped in a big warm hug!

The only time I use anything else is when I am using crochet cotton for dishcloths, potholders or hot mats.

if you haven't used acrylic yarn lately, I suggest you take a closer look....this is NOT your grandma's acrylic yarn!

Char55

My mother made me a ripple afghan when I was a kid. Nearly 20 years has gone by, and it is still the best! I agree that arcylic isn't for everything, but it sure stands the test of time!

i love all kinds of yarns.  my mom made afghans out of red heart acrylic and they are still good after about 35 years.  caron simply soft is great for baby blankets.  

My yarn choice depends on who is receiving the item I'm making.  For myself, I love pure wool and I'm a yarn snob when it comes to myself.  However, it does require a lot more care - hand-washing using specific cleansers, the long natural air-drying process and the need for an undisturbed place while it's drying.  Fine for me as living alone, I have the time and space.  

However, pure wool is probably not a good choice for a baby sweater - it will need to be washed frequently and how many busy parents have the time and space to deal with pure wool when you have a baby - and possibly other young children! - to care for.  If it's a warm-weather item, I'll go for a cotton/acrylic mix, and for cooler days, acrylic yarn or a mix of 75% acrylic 25% wool.  I go for yarns that can be easily machine-washed for the convenience of the recipient.

I love all kinds of yarns.

I love the acrylic yarn too...It last forever...I don't use it for baby items but do for most every thing else...

I love the pattern and colours.  The afghan is very beautiful!  

Questions  - is this just a normal ripple pattern , looks very special in the way the edges 'stand' up?  Also did she carry the yarn from the edges or cut off at each row?   As to yarn, I think the purpose, value and recipient should be determinng factor.  I usually use synthetics for afghans for pretty much everyone and and most baby blankets .  My charity Palative care group requries Lion Brand Homespun something to do with the way the group is able to clean. I like to make baby clothes and blankets of cotton or organic cotton for close friends.  Just made a helmet liner for a lady's nephew going to Afghanistan from a very nice soft wool, required per flammability..  So I would say each fiber has its place

So many comments! I love reading them.

@Char55: My bone with synthetic yarns is one related to sustainability. I also avoid cotton yarns unless the cotton's organic.

@njhou: She must have worked each row in the back loop only to produce the raised texture. I really like to work chevrons that way, for the added drama. I'm no longer at my parents' house, so I can't check to see if she carried the yarn up the edges. I suspect she did, since I do recall being impressed that I didn't see any ends poking out anywhere.

My bone of contention with "natural" and "organic" yarns is:

1. I cannot afford to pay $6-14 per skein for a 1-2 ounce skein of yarn...and my Scottish heritage frugality wouldn't let me even if I could afford it. That's why I get the 7 oz. skeins at 2/$5.00 at Michaels.

2. I prefer something that is not "high maintenance" as most "natural" and "organic" yarns are. I don't have room in my apartment for drying racks and blocking boards, etc.

3. wool drives my skin crazy with itching!...even the soft Angora wool!

That's beautiful! I love the colors and the texture.