13 Types Of Yarn For Crochet Comprehensive Guide

If you’re a crochet enthusiast, you know that selecting the right yarn is crucial for the success of your project.

With so many different types of yarn available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect one. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of yarn for crochet and help you make an informed decision for your next project.

When it comes to selecting the right yarn, there are several factors to consider, including the fiber content and weight.

The Craft Yarn Council has established a standardized weight system for yarn, ranging from super fine to jumbo. This system helps to ensure that you choose the appropriate yarn weight for your project. 

Additionally, the fiber content of the yarn can vary widely, from natural fibers like wool and cotton to synthetic fibers like acrylic and nylon.

Each type of fiber has its own unique properties and characteristics, which can affect the drape, texture, and overall look of your finished project.

With so many options available, it’s important to choose the right yarn for your project. Whether you’re looking for a soft and luxurious yarn or a durable and practical one, there’s a perfect yarn for every project. 

In the following sections, we’ll explore some of the most popular types of yarn for crochet and help you find the right one for your next project.

Types of Yarn For Crochet

When starting a crochet project, choosing the right yarn is crucial. There are many types of yarn available, each with its own unique qualities. Here are some things to consider when selecting the perfect yarn for your project.

Acrylic Yarn

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Acrylic yarn is a synthetic yarn that is machine washable, making it a great choice for large projects that will need to be washed frequently. It is also a soft yarn that has great stitch definition, making it perfect for projects that require a lot of detail.

Acrylic yarn comes in a variety of thicknesses, from thin to thick, and is available in many colors. Lion Brand is a popular brand of acrylic yarn.

Cotton Yarn

Cotton yarn is a great choice for summer garments and baby items. It is a soft yarn that is easy to work with and comes in a variety of colors.

Cotton yarn is also machine washable, making it easy to care for. Cotton blends are also available, which combine the softness of cotton with the durability of synthetic fibers.

Wool Yarn

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Wool yarn is a natural fiber that is warm and cozy. It comes in a variety of thicknesses, from worsted weight to bulky weight, and is available in many colors.

Wool yarn is perfect for knitting projects, such as baby blankets and warm scarves. It is also available in sock yarns, which are thinner yarns that are perfect for making socks.

Alpaca yarn and silk yarn are also popular types of wool blends that offer unique qualities.

When selecting yarn for your crochet project, be sure to check the yarn label for important information such as the weight of the yarn, care instructions, dye lot number, needle size, and crochet hook size.

By considering these factors and choosing a good quality yarn, you can ensure that your crochet project will turn out beautifully.

Merino Wool

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Merino wool originates from the Merino sheep, known for producing fine, soft wool. This type of wool is highly esteemed for its exceptional quality and is renowned as one of the finest and softest wool varieties.

Alpaca Yarn

Alpaca yarn is crafted from the fleece of alpacas and is cherished for its softness, warmth, and hypoallergenic qualities. Its luxurious texture is often likened to that of cashmere or silk.

Bamboo Yarn

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Bamboo yarn is crafted from bamboo fibers and has gained popularity in recent years due to its softness, luster, and eco-friendly nature. It is derived from the pulp of bamboo plants, which is broken down into a viscose solution and then extruded into fine threads.

Silk Yarn

Silk yarn is crafted from the fibers of the silk cocoon of the silkworm. This luxurious and high-quality fiber is prized for its softness, shine, and drape, making it a popular choice for high-end fashion and home decor projects, including scarves, shawls, and curtains.

Linen Yarn

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Linen yarn is crafted from the fibers of the flax plant and is recognized for its outstanding strength, durability, and natural luster. It is commonly employed in crochet and knitting endeavors, including tablecloths, napkins, towels, and summer garments.

Cashmere Yarn

Cashmere yarn is a luxurious type of yarn crafted from the soft and fine fibers of the undercoat of cashmere goats. Renowned for its exceptional softness, warmth, and lightweight feel, it is highly valued in the textile industry.

Mohair Yarn

Mohair yarn is crafted from the long and lustrous fibers of the Angora goat, prized for its softness, warmth, and silky texture. This type of yarn is frequently utilized in knitting and crochet projects, including sweaters, scarves, and hats.

Faux Fur Yarn

Faux fur yarn replicates the appearance and texture of genuine animal fur. Usually crafted from synthetic fibers like polyester or acrylic, it is engineered to produce a soft and fluffy texture.

Bernat Yarn

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You can purchase or create fabric and T-shirt yarn using old cotton T-shirts or fabric scraps. Since this yarn’s characteristics depend on the fabric used, experimenting with various crochet hooks is necessary to find the most suitable one.

One popular fabric yarn is Bernat Maker from Yarnspirations.

Cotton Thread Yarn

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Cotton thread fiber is frequently utilized for lace projects and filet crochet patterns. It is a cost-effective superfine 1 weight yarn that can be easily obtained at most nearby craft stores.

One popular choice is Aunt Lydia’s Classic Cotton Thread, which is readily available at local craft stores and online.

Best Yarn for Beginners

As a beginner crocheter, the first thing you need to know is that not all yarns are created equal. The type of yarn you choose can make a big difference in the final outcome of your crochet stitches and finished project.

When selecting yarn for your first crochet project, it’s important to consider the type of project you’ll be making.

If you’re making a blanket or scarf, you may want to choose a soft and cozy yarn like acrylic or wool. If you’re making a dishcloth or washcloth, you may want to choose a cotton yarn that is absorbent and durable.

Another important factor to consider is the weight of the yarn. Yarn weight is determined by the thickness of the yarn and can range from super fine to super bulky.

As a beginner, it’s best to start with a medium weight yarn, also known as worsted weight, as it is versatile and easy to work with.

When it comes to the amount of yarn you’ll need, it’s always better to have too much than too little. Most crochet patterns will list the amount of yarn needed for the project, so be sure to check before purchasing.

When crocheting, I prefer using 100% cotton or an acrylic blend for most of my projects. Acrylic blends work wonderfully for blankets, while cotton (or cotton blend) yarns are usually reserved for items like hot pads or washcloths.

For beginners in crocheting, I recommend purchasing an acrylic blend yarn that is either a 4 (medium) or 5 (bulky) weight. Yarn of this size, which I elaborate on further below, is easier to handle and allows for better visibility of the stitches.

Overall, as a beginner, it’s best to stick with a simple and easy-to-work-with yarn. You don’t need to break the bank on expensive yarns until you’ve honed your skills and are ready for more advanced projects. Happy crocheting!

Yarn Fiber

Yarn can be made from a variety of fibers, each with its own unique characteristics. Some popular options include:

• Wool: This classic fiber is warm, durable, and comes in a wide variety of colors. It’s a great choice for cozy blankets and warm winter accessories.
• Cotton: This lightweight fiber is soft, breathable, and perfect for warm-weather garments and accessories.
• Bamboo: This eco-friendly fiber is silky, soft, and has a beautiful drape. It’s a great choice for shawls and other delicate items.
• Angora goat: This luxurious fiber is soft, fluffy, and warm. It’s often blended with other fibers to add a touch of luxury to your crochet projects.

Yarn Weight

Yarn weight refers to the thickness of the yarn and is measured on a scale from 0 (lace weight) to 7 (jumbo weight). Some popular options include:

• DK weight yarn: This medium-weight yarn is versatile and perfect for a wide range of projects, from scarves to sweaters.
• Lightweight yarn: This yarn is perfect for delicate, lacy projects like shawls and doilies.
• Thicker yarns: Thicker yarns, like bulky and super bulky, are great for quick projects like hats and blankets.

Yarn is available in various weights, ranging from the smallest, number 0, to the bulkiest, number 7:

• 0 Lace Weight (very thin and fine): 16+ wraps per inch
• 1 Fingering Weight (slightly thicker): 14-16 wraps per inch
• 2 Sport Weight: 12 wraps per inch
• 3 DK Weight, Light Worsted Weight: 10-11 wraps per inch
• 4 Worsted weight Yarn, Aran/Heavy Worsted: 8-9 wraps per inch
• 5 Bulky: 7 wraps per inch
• 6 Super-Bulky: 5-6 wraps per inch
• 7 Jumbo (very large, like wool roving): 4 or fewer wraps per inch

Remember, the most important factor when choosing yarn is to find one that you love and that works well for your specific project. With a wide variety of colors and textures available, the possibilities are endless!

Crochet Stitches

Now that you have an idea of what type of yarn to use, it’s time to pick a crochet pattern to make. We recommend that you start with practicing basic crochet stitches. 

Start with some acrylic yarn and practice single crochet stitches and double crochet stitches to begin with. These are the most common stitches you will find in patterns. 

We have video tutorials and guides to help you practice and you can always ask in Facebook groups with experienced crocheters.

Personally, I started with a worsted weight yarn and simply practiced chain stitches and then added the single and double crochet stitches.

Crochet Patterns

After you have mastered the basic crochet stitches, go ahead and find some easy crochet patterns. An excellent choice is these beginner crochet patterns.

Each pattern has a recommended yarn and with so many beautiful yarns available, we have no doubt you will find the perfect yarn. 

Don’t forget to check your email weekly as we share the latest crochet patterns we have gathered for beginner to experienced crocheters.

As a member of this community, if you have recommendations for picking the right yarn or have a great crochet pattern that is easy, make sure and leave that below.