Whether you are learning how to crochet or are experienced it can be difficult to find a quality yarn. There are so many different types but you don’t have to know your wool from your acrylic to understand that there can be a major difference in how a good product leaves your finished projects looking compared to the low-quality bundles out there.
To help you make a great decision and to support your next crochet project, we have created a list of the best yarn for crochet. Each one comes from a reputable brand, with the back of lots of satisfied customers. Whether you are freestyling or following a crochet pattern, you want to be using one of the yarns we recommend below.
- Editor’s Choice
Lily Sugar ‘N Cream The Original Ombre Yarn (Amazon) – Review - Best Soft
RED HEART Soft Yarn, Berry (Amazon) – Review - Best Yarn For Baby Crochet
Bernat Softee Baby Yarn, 5 oz, Mint, 1 Ball (Amazon) – Review - Best For Beginners
Lion Brand Yarn Lion Brand Homespun Yarn (406) Ocean (Amazon) – Review - Best Color Options
Patons Classic Wool Yarn (Amazon) – Review - Best Value
Caron Simply Soft Collection Yarn – (4) Medium Gauge (Amazon) – Review - Best Silky Finish
DMC Cebelia Crochet Cotton (Amazon) – Review
Editor’s Choice: Lily Sugar ‘N Cream The Original Ombre Yarn
This is the best yarn for crochet because of the quality although others might be slightly better for a beginner, we found this to still be easy to use with an H/8 crochet hook. The fact that you only get 95 yards in a ball explains why it is available at such as reasonable price but this means you can buy more than one and have plenty of quality cotton yarn for crochet at your disposal. The gauge 4-medium yarn is made from 100% USA grown cotton means it is high in quality and ideal for home decor crochet projects.
The color selection they offer is impressive as you can use different shades including pastels and neutrals among others. Although it is known for being pretty firm, a few washes ensure it softens but still maintains its durability. It is well suited to small projects such as making dishcloths but has the quality to take on a larger project. This is the sort of yarn that won’t test your patience as much as other brands which is why we have given it the top spot in our list of the best.
- 100% USA grown cotton
- Medium gauge
- Good value
- Best cotton yarn for crochet
- Available in lots of colors
Best Soft: RED HEART Soft Yarn, Berry
As you might expect from Red Heart, these quality yarns come in a variety of popular colors to support your crochet projects. There is everything from Lilac to watercolors so you can add a little flair to your designs and patterns. They are made from 100% acrylic and provide a soft luster with an ultra-soft hand. It doesn’t split apart lke some of the low-quality choices out there but is one of the best yarns for crochet because of its elegant drape. This makes it well suited to making garments and you get over 250 yards in this yarn.
You can purchase them in two sizes, for a 5mm knitting needle, and a 5.5 mm crochet hook. What a lot of people like is the durability so even after several washes, they maintain their vibrant color and still look as good as when you first started the first crochet. With a 4-medium weight and perfect for making hats, gloves, scarves, and other garments, they are some of the best products for beginners and experts alike.
- Good value
- 48 color choices
- 100% acrylic
- Washes well and maintains its color
- Some colors are softer than others
Best Yarn For Baby Crochet: Bernat Softee Baby Yarn, 5 oz, Mint, 1 Ball
You get a big 362 yards of yarn that is perfect for crochet from Bernat here. They recommend that you use a G/6 crochet hook and it is often touted as the perfect yarn for crochet baby projects. The soft colors almost have a pastel look to them making them perfect for mini clothes and there is everything from pale blue to soft peach.
Because they have been tested for over 300 harmful substances, they are kind on the skin and are easy to care for because they are machine washable. Made from 100% acrylic, they are versatile and easy to use on multiple projects and tasks. A 3 ply yarn it is very soft and has a pleasant sheen to it. Not everyone finds it as easy to use as some of the other brands on the list but the soft colors and what almost feels like an endless amount of yards of yarn, it is good value and popular for a reason.
- 100% acrylic
- 362 yards included
- Tested for over 300 harmful substances
- Ideal for baby crochet
- Can be a little stringy for some projects
Best For Beginners: Lion Brand Yarn Lion Brand Homespun Yarn (406) Ocean
An excellent yarn for crochet from Lion Brand these are made from 98% acrylic, and 2% polyester. You get around 185 yards which isn’t as much as some of the other brands on our list but you do have to consider the quality. It’s a bulky yarn which makes it quite forgiving for beginners and although it is thick, it is also incredibly soft to touch.
The multi-tweed color options are popular and because of the thickness of the yarn, it is easy to disguise knots and mistakes. This tends to be one of those yarns that everyone seems to use for making Afghans but it can be put to many other uses too. When you have turned it into your latest masterpiece make sure to use a cold machine wash and tumble dry on low.
- Thick and soft
- Easy to disguise knots
- 98% acrylic & 2% polyester
- Measuring cm’s and inches on the side of the label
- Some batches can fray
Best Color Options: Patons Classic Wool Yarn
In this product, Patrons make one of the best wool yarns for crochet. Made from 100% wool, you get a decent 210 yards in every ball and because of the material, it should only be hand washed. Use an H/8 crochet hook on all your garment and home decor projects with a 4-worsted weight that is suitable for a variety of uses. You can choose from around 50 shades of colors that include pure color and blended options. You get a good amount for the reasonable price but Patron has not scrimped on the quality.
The wool is great for making garments for a cold day and is known for being incredibly soft and maintains the color for a long time. It’s a popular yarn for felting projects and although some people suggest that is is a little lighter than medium, it is well suited to most crochet designs.
- Made from 100% wool
- You get 210 yards
- 50 different color options
- Some people prefer yarn with a bit more body
Best Value: Caron Simply Soft Collection Yarn – (4) Medium Gauge
This basic yarn represents good value for a beginner who is learning their trade or anyone looking for a simple yarn for crochet. 100% acrylic it is both made in the USA and imported and this is their medium gauge version. For the price, getting approximately 315 yards seems like a real bargain and the quality is surprising. It has a soft touch to it and the company recommends using a US crochet hook size of H/8.
It’s easy to care for and can go in the wash without an issue and maintains its vibrant color well even after multiple washes. A lot of people buy it for making baby clothes but even if you don’t have a project in mind right now, it can be good to snap up this yarn for crochet before it goes.
- 100% acrylic
- 315 yards of yarn is a lot for the price
- Good value
- Not the best quality
Best Silky Finish: DMC Cebelia Crochet Cotton
Often referred to as a 100% crochet cotton this has a silky finish when complete and tends to wash pretty well. People like it because t can be used on a variety of crocheting projects so whether you are looking for some yarn to use on garments, a bedspread, or something smaller like a doilie then it is a good option. You also get a lot of yarn for your money. At 282 yards, there is plenty of it and when done you can wash it in the machine and dry it there too.
A 3-ply thread made from double mercerized combed cotton, it doesn’t slip and is easy to work with so a beginner will find that this is an ideal cotton yarn for crochet. The texture is nice but the color options aren’t as vast as some of the competition since you only get 22 to choose from. Still, if you find the right one for your needs it will serve you well.
- 100% crochet cotton
- 282 yards is good value
- Machine washable
- Not as many color options
Your crochet projects can come in several shapes and sizes and everything from a phone cover to a jumper can be given a personal touch because of crocheting. To make the process more enjoyable, you need a yarn for crocheting that is going to make life easier, not snag and be difficult to work with.
If you are a beginner then it can be easy to spend money on the most expensive brands and hope for the best but when you know what to look for, you can end up with a quality product. Our buyer’s guide is designed to help you find the perfect yarn for your needs.
Weight
The ideal weight of your yarn will depend on the type of project you are starting. Bulkier yarns are better suited to heavy-duty projects like making rugs whilst lighter yarns are good for making soft baby clothes and items.
Often measure in ply with the most common being 2-ply, 3-ply, and 4-ply (the more ply, the thicker the yarn), or just going by the weight itself. This can be displayed by the name with the following being from finest to thickest:
- Crochet Thread
- Sock Yarn
- Baby Yarn
- Sport Yarn
- Worsted (Medium)
- Bulky Yarn
- Super Bulky Yarn
Yards
The number of yards you get in the skein of yarn will determine how much value you get. Not only that, it is a good indicator as to how many balls of yarn you need to buy for your project. Although some brands might seem cheap on first impressions, it is always a good idea to check on the amount you are getting before buying.
Color Options
The best yarns for crochet will be from brands that offer lots of colors. This means you can match different shades so they do not look out of place. Also, a lot of people like to work with different types of colors such as pastel or natural. If you find a yarn that you enjoy working with, it is always good if they have all the colors you need available.
Texture
A smooth yarn tends to be easier to work with as it is less susceptible to fraying and is easier to crochet. For the beginner, this is something to consider before you move onto the textured yarns that require more patience and are more likely to split.
Value
Don’t be fooled by cheap yarn as it can be the sign of a low-quality product or one that doesn’t give you many yards. For the best value yarn, find one that is easy to work with. Acrylic and cotton tend to be the most affordable and are well suited to beginners where there is a level of trial and error involved.
Washing
When it comes to buying your yarn for crochet, consider ho the washing guidelines might affect your decision. Certain materials such as wool are going to be harder to keep clean or will need to be hand-washed. Others are more forgiving and durable meaning they can go in the wash and some can also be put in the dryer.
Although this is a common question, the answer is simple. A skein of yarn is a name given to the ball itself so it can be described as the unit itself. This is how a lot of people identify how many they need to complete their projects.
This shouldn’t be the only thing you consider though as one brand can give you more yarn in a skein than others so where one brand might require you to buy 3 skeins of yarn to complete the project, another might only need two to finish it.
There are a lot of considerations before you buy yarn for crochet but one of the most important is the type of fiber you choose. Depending on the project, each one is well suited to different needs. Here are the most common:
Wool
Ideal for learning how to crochet as it is easy to amend mistakes and one of the more forgiving fibers available. Most people find wool to be one of the easiest materials to unravel should you have to correct a mistake and it is great for making insulated winter garments. Although it isn’t always washing machine friendly, and some people have allergies to wool, it is one of the most popular and affordable yarns for crochet.
Acrylic
One of the most common fibers used for crocheting, acrylic is also one of the cheapest. You tend to get a lot of yards for your money when buying acrylic although it is more likely to split compared to others. You will find that it comes in plenty of color options and they maintain their vibrancy even after multiple washes.
Cotton
Although it is firmer than a lot of the other fiber choices, cotton keeps its shape well so it is a good option for anyone looking to crochet a garment or something likely to go through the wash quite a bit. Lighter than wool, and in some ways more challenging, it is a good, versatile fiber for crochet.
For a lot of people, crochet is easier than knitting because you only need one hook as opposed to two needles. It tends to be more expensive with most crochet projects requiring around 25 – 30% more yarn than a similar knitting project.
However, crochet is considered to be easier to learn and when you get up to speed, it is a lot faster. The downside is that there are generally fewer crochet patterns available as opposed to knitting because the latter tends to be more popular.
There isn’t much than a knitter can do that a crocheter can’t and the long list of crocheting items and projects you can take on includes some of the following (although there are thousands more out there):
- Hat
- Scarves
- Phone Cover
- Baby Blankets
- Afghans
- Towels
- Cozies
- Rugs
- Gloves
- Bag
- Kid’s Toy
It is difficult to gauge the amount of yarn you need for a crochet project but there are certain ways you can get close to guessing. Take the pattern that you are considering and write down the number of stitches. Multiply this by the inches per stitch this uses. There are 36 inches in a yard so divide it by that for the number of yards.
Usually, the pattern will give you an indicator as to how many yards of yarn you will need or even how many skeins it will require.
Like any new skill, crochet requires a level of patience and you will have to stick to it even when it gets frustrating. However, it doesn’t take long to learn the basic stitches and once you have increased your ability and grown in confidence you can move onto the more complicated stitches and patterns and work your way up from there.
There are plenty of videos out there designed to help a complete novice learn how to crochet and before long, you’ll be crocheting large projects and enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Generally speaking, you can learn to move beyond the basic level of crocheting within a month and before 12 months are up, you can be a fully-fledged crocheter, capable of a variety of patterns and project sizes if you have stuck with it.
