The Huddersfield branch of The Knitting & Crochet Guild AND the knitting group I attend every week had a wonderful few hours on a guided tour of Spa Mills this past Wednesday. Nestled in the picturesque village of Slaithwaite, just 5 mins walk from my house, Spa Mills has a rich history—once a cotton mill, it has been home to Stylecraft yarns and other wool brands for several years now.

Stylecraft is well known for its Special DK yarn, a popular 100% acrylic staple in the knitting and crochet world. For years, this yarn was produced in Turkey, but in an exciting and expensive development, the process has recently been brought back in-house. As part of this shift, Stylecraft introduced 20 new shades, each bearing a proudly Yorkshire-inspired name. Seeing this production process firsthand was an incredible experience!

The transformation from a massive cake of acrylic into the soft, bouncy balls of Special DK we all recognize is a surprisingly complex and fascinating journey. Although we weren’t allowed to take photos—no doubt due to the top-secret nature of the process—we watched in awe as the raw material underwent multiple stages to achieve qualities that mimic wool. The fiber's staple length, softness, and twist are all carefully engineered, ensuring the yarn behaves beautifully in knitting and crochet projects.

I left the tour with a newfound appreciation for man-made fibers. While I’ve always leaned towards natural wool, I can now see the appeal of high-quality acrylic—especially when it’s designed to combine durability with softness. For projects like children's garments, where vibrant colors, softness, and easy care are key, acrylic yarns like Stylecraft Special DK offer an undeniable advantage.

This visit was a fantastic reminder that every yarn has its place, and understanding how it’s made can deepen our appreciation for the materials we choose.