Cotton, Acrylic & Blends
Not every knit needs luxury fibre. Cotton, acrylic and blends carry huge volumes of commercial knitwear — and used well, they're the right call, not a compromise.
Fibre choice is a balance of hand-feel, performance, season and price. Wool and cashmere get the glory, but cotton, acrylic and blends are where a lot of smart, profitable knitwear lives.
Cotton
Breathable, soft and year-round — strong for spring/summer knits, polos and lighter sweaters. It's less elastic and heavier than wool in a knit, so it drapes differently and can grow if not engineered well. Organic (GOTS) options support a sustainability story.
Acrylic
Affordable, durable, colour-fast and easy-care (often machine washable). It lacks the prestige and breathability of natural fibres, but for accessible price points and bright, washable basics it's a workhorse.
Blends — usually the smart answer
Blending combines strengths: a wool/acrylic blend keeps warmth and softness while improving wash durability and cost; a cotton/acrylic blend adds easy-care to cotton's breathability; a touch of elastane adds recovery. Blending is how brands hit a target hand-feel and a target price.
Rule of thumb: choose the fibre for the job — cotton for warm-weather breathability, acrylic for accessible easy-care, blends to tune performance and cost. Premium fibre everywhere isn't always the right (or affordable) answer.
Spec it with us
We source cotton, acrylic, blends and natural fibres from accredited suppliers and will recommend a yarn that hits your hand-feel and price. Costs by fibre are in the cost breakdown; tell us your target and we'll match it.
Ready to make it?
Send a tech pack, a reference garment or a brief. We respond within one business day with a capacity check, indicative pricing and a sample timeline — direct with the founder.