Anti-Pilling Acrylic Yarn Roundup

Acrylic yarns have been around since the 1940s. This synthetic fiber can be a great option for a variety of projects including blankets, baby items, and giftable projects where easy care is a must. Acrylics have come a long way over the years, too! In the early years, yarns made with acrylic were not very soft (think 70s chevron afghans). Fast forward to today where acrylic can now be manufactured with a variety of qualities, including anti-pilling and softness that mimics wool and other natural fibers.

If you haven’t worked with acrylic recently, it might be time to reconsider this versatile fiber.

What is Anti-Pilling Acrylic?

Perhaps the biggest and most impactful evolution of acrylic is anti-pilling technology. The fiber is specially treated to reduce and resist pilling, almost like magic! The name is a little misleading, because anti-pilling yarns may develop some pills through normal use, but simple machine washing and drying causes the pills to come off, rendering the finished item pill-free once again.

Anti-pilling acrylic yarns tend to be priced slightly higher than their traditional acrylic counterparts, but far lower than most wool and wool-blend yarns. You won’t have to invest much money to give anti-pilling acrylic a try.

Our Favorite Anti-Pilling Acrylic Yarns

Click the arrows to left and right on the carousel below to see our picks!

Yarn photos courtesy of the yarn companies featured.

Premier Yarns

The first company to bring anti-pilling acrylic technology to the market was Premier Yarns, with their Everyday line of anti-pilling yarns. There are lots of options in this collection, from solid colors in various weights to self-striping and dots. They even have merino/acrylic and bamboo/acrylic blends!

The Olivetta Sweater is a perfect use of Everyday Worsted. Kid’s garments are heavily used items. They will tend to pill over time and need frequent washing. The ability to machine wash and dry projects like this and have them coming out looking as good as new is a huge benefit. Use your leftover yarn to make the adorable Ollie the Owl!

Newer Anti-Pilling Options

In recent years, many other companies have introduced their own lines of anti-pilling fibers. Walmart’s yarn brand, Mainstays has a worsted weight acrylic option. Hobby Lobby’s brand, Yarn Bee offers two 100% anti-pilling acrylic yarns: Pearlspun and Soft & Sleek.

Lion Brand has Basic Stitch, another 100% anti-pilling acrylic worsted weight yarn. It comes in a ton of solids, along with prints, marls, and tweeds.

The Fireweed Throw from the Spring 2021 issue of Interweave Crochet is another project where anti-pilling acrylic really shines. We love to use our handmade blankets in real life, right? Being able to machine wash with confidence that our hard work will come out just fine is a wonderful thing.

Scheepjes’ Colour Crafter line was revamped in 2021 to transition to anti-pilling acrylic fiber. If you’re looking for all the colors of the rainbow and then some, this is your yarn! If you need a heavier weight yarn spun from the same fiber, try Chunky Monkey from Scheepjes, also available in tons of solid colors.

The Zooey Pillow from the Interweave Crochet‘s Fall 2019 issue of will look great in your family room for many years when made with Colour Crafter.

Related: Affordable Yarns for Home Décor Projects

Do you have any experience with anti-pilling acrylics?

What sorts of projects have you made with it? Are you new to the idea but now willing to give it a try? We’d love to read your thoughts and opinions in the comments!

Watch Now: Interweave Sneak Peek: Soft Serve from Plymouth Yarn Company

Originally from Iowa, Amy Gunderson lives in sunny Reno, NV. She’s been the creative director for Universal Yarn, yarn director for Jimmy Beans Wool, and all-around yarn enthusiast for over a decade. Her knit and crochet designs have appeared in most major magazines including Interweave Knits. When she’s not dreaming up a crazy sweater idea, you can find her violining, knitting at the dog park or smashing balls on the tennis court. Follower her on Instagram as @amyyounggunderson or on Ravelry as @amygunderson.