by Catalogs.com Info Guru Angela K. Van Winkle

If you’ve found yourself in a rut and are looking to break away from standard acrylic yarn, then here are ten interesting and unusual options to try.

10. Merino Wool

Merino wool comes from the Merino sheep, which was domesticated in Australia and now are raised all over the world for their prized wool. It is breathable, antibacterial, and very soft (forget that scratchy stuff).

9. Super Bulky Yarn

Super bulky yarn is used to make those cuddly chunky sweaters and warm scarves and just about anything you want in “bulky.”

8. Pima Cotton

Pima cotton is the premium cotton grown in the Americas, both north and south (as opposed to Egyptian cotton). It is grown in the US, Peru, and also Australia, and is a soft, incredibly versatile yarn which is resistant to pilling and often used in Pima cotton women’s clothing.

7. Scrub It Yarn

Scrub It! yarn> is a textured cotton yarn used primarily to make dish scrubbers and cleaning cloths. It’s durable and light weight and fun to use for all kinds of interesting projects.

6. Baby Alpaca

It sounds horrible, but baby alpaca fiber is actually very eco-friendly! As long as you buy from a responsible source, baby alpacas are treated with respect (just like their parents) and live happy lives in natural settings. And their fur is soooo soft, making some of the finest, most chemical-free yarn you can purchase.

5. Angora

Angora yarn comes from the super fluffy, globally prized Angora rabbit. The fur is incomparably soft to the point of silky, making it one of the most luxurious fibers known to man. The stuff isn’t cheap, however, so save this for a special project when you really want to wow someone.

4. Quick Dry Yarn

Yarns labeled “quick dry” are usually a blend of wool and acrylic or some other synthetic which makes them breathable, soft, and able to, of course, dry quickly. This is what you want when making quick dry gloves, jackets (especially for kids), and socks that are prone to getting damp.

3. Bamboo

Bamboo is the latest star of the sustainable fibers world. Strong, durable, and able to be turned into everything from cutting boards to super soft hoodies, this versatile plant makes for a fantastic knitting medium.

2. Recycled Yarn

Using recycled yarn is the perfect way to make all your eco-friendly efforts come full circle. Made from recycled used clothing fibers, the cloth is carefully selected, carded, spun, and then dyed to make a beautiful, durable yarn you can feel good about knitting.

1. Silk

When looking for something eye-catching and singularly beautiful, go for silk. It boasts the most vibrant of colors, and is sleek and slippery and soft as, well, silk. If you’re wanting a greener option, look for recycled silk accessories and clothing made from discarded silk and factory remnants that would normally get tossed. No sense in wasting a natural treasure such as this.