There are many, many types of yarn! How the heck are you supposed to know which ones are best for which projects?

You've probably heard of acrylic or wool, but there are many more to discover and gain joy from.

There are so many types, whether animal, plant or synthetic.

Here's everything you need to know about the different types of yarn for crochet, yarn weights, and many more useful facts. Types of fibers
Animal fibers
These types of yarn come from the fleece of various animals, from alpacas to the humble but ever-popular sheep. They are usually sheared, and the different layers of the coat are used for different things.

The inner layer is soft, shiny and more luxurious, for a softer, warmer fabric.

The outer layer is used for heavier or everyday items and is warm but a tougher fabric.

Animal fibers include yarns such as wool, angora, cashmere and llama wool.

Vegetable fibers
Made from internal fibers spun and bonded together to create yarn, most of these straddle the line between synthetic and natural fibers.

They are a renewable source of yarn and generally have a rougher texture than animal fiber.

Natural fibers are usually blended with synthetic fibers to create softness or a special luster. However, you can also obtain 100% vegetable fiber yarn.

This category includes yarns such as hemp, bamboo, flax and, of course, cotton.

Synthetic fibers
As the name implies, these are purely manufactured yarn types created from synthetic fabrics such as acrylic, polyester and rayon.

It is colorfast, strong, lightweight yarn, which means you can put it through the washing machine and dry it. In addition, it is chemical, moth and wear resistant.

If you're a beginner, this synthetic fiber is a great place to start before trying other fibers.

Suitable for: any type of project, the perfect yarn for baby blankets.

General care guidelines: generally machine washable and dry.

Interesting facts: A very durable material, they last for years and holes are almost non-existent.

Alpaca
Of perhaps one of the cutest animals whose fleece creates yarn, it is native to South America, along with its cousin, the llama. (They are often confused for each other).

There are two breeds of alpaca Suri and Huacaya. The alpaca fiber is soft and warm.

It is more expensive than most types of yarn (especially baby alpaca fiber) and does not hold its shape as well as wool either.

Suitable for: softer and warmer than even merino wool, it is perfect for cozy and comfortable winter items.

General care guidelines: hand wash gently or dry clean.

Interesting facts: Hypoallergenic because, unlike sheep fleece, it has no lanolin.

Angora
It takes its name from the Angora rabbit, where the fiber comes from. Incredibly soft and fine, it is usually blended with other yarns such as wool or acrylic to help it last longer and hold its shape better.

Interesting facts: If spun enough, it can be even softer than silk! Despite this, it is less expensive than silk.

Cashmere
One of the softest and most luxurious types of yarn comes from the undercoat of the goat breed called Cashmere.

Despite its benefits, it is not as strong or resilient as, for example, wool, and is very expensive.

This is because obtaining the yarn is very labor-intensive; the goats cannot be sheared and must be hand-combed to obtain the fleece.
Considering that it only comes from the bottom layer, there is not much of a goat when processing is complete. Usually only about 4 ounces.

Suitable for: It is hypoallergenic and non-itchy, so perfect for making clothing where there are more sensitive skin areas, such as socks, gloves and sweaters.

General care guidelines: Dry clean only.

Interesting facts.

The name comes from the original spelling of the word Kashmir, the princely state in Southwest Asia.
The individual hairs are very fine, six times finer than a human hair.
Cotton yarn
Cotton comes from the fluffy-looking cotton plant. This is produced all over the world in warm climates for commercial clothing and, of course, yarn.

It is lightweight, absorbent, breathable and strong, excellent qualities in items that need to be sturdy.

Perfect for summer crochet!

There are different types in terms of thickness, so it is very versatile. However, it does not hold its shape well, tends to stretch and stitches will not always look neat.

In these threads, the definition of some stitches is not as clear as others.

Suitable for: Summer crochet, dishcloths, scrubbies, potholders, other household items, shirts, light, drapey tank tops or cardigans.

General care guidelines: machine washable.

Interesting Facts: Cotton can absorb more than 27 times its weight in water or liquid. Not the best material for swimmers, then.

Hemp yarn.
While it may be surprising, despite being tough and resilient, hemp is soft and comfortable. Originally used solely for weaving and macramé crafts, it has only increased in popularity as a yarn fiber in recent years.

An excellent renewable source of fiber, it also has excellent stitch definition.

Suitable for: Hardwearing clothing, such as hiking socks, fishermen and outdoor coats, coats, dishcloths and other home accessories.

General care guidelines: check package rules, but hand washing in cold water is good as a general rule.

Interesting Fact: A hemp plant produces 250% more fiber and material than a cotton plant! It also grows very fast and is ideal for many different uses.

Llama Yarn
From the South American packhorse, Llamas are also cultivated for their wool. Usually only the finer, softer undercoat is used, but it is more expensive.

Clothing
A fabric as old as time itself, this is a vegetable fiber made from the flax plant. It is cool, breathable, absorbent and dries much faster than other natural fibers.

There's a reason it was the ancient Egpyptian's material of choice for clothing and other items. It can be a bit expensive, as it is quite difficult to make.

Suitable for: The material for summer, hot and humid climates. Perfect for other household items such as dishcloths, curtains and tablecloths.

General care guidelines: machine wash.

Interesting facts: The history of clothing manufacturing dates back thousands of years, even before the ancient Egyptians.

Merino
Thick merino wool is very popular for extreme projects, such as rugs and home decor. It's wool, yes, but it comes from a breed of sheep, the Merino.

Originating in Extremadura, Spain, in the 12th century, they were taken to Australia and New Zealand, creating the modern merino.

It is very soft, and unlike other wools, it is hypoallergenic. It keeps its shape very well, even when blocked. However, it pills quite easily, which is annoying.

Suitable for: Merino wool is excellent for making winter items, even for those who have wool allergies, because this will not cause them.

General care guidelines: Hand wash in slightly warm water. Some merino wool is machine washable, called superwash, so be sure to check.
Interesting facts: Merino wool fiber can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture while remaining dry to the touch.

Merino fiber pulls 10 times more moisture away from the skin than synthetic fiber while maintaining all of its performance qualities.

Mohair
A luxury fiber due to its luster, softness and long-lasting quality. It is an excellent choice no matter the season and has excellent insulating properties while being breathable.

Don't confuse it with Angora rabbit, a yarn made from Angora goat is never called Angora. Just that of rabbit. Some people may experience skin irritation with this fiber.

Suitable for: Very flexible, many different uses.

General care guidelines: machine wash gently or dry clean.

Interesting Facts: It is very naturally colorfast, perfect for dyeing.

Nylon
A synthetic fiber first designed as a material for making parachutes. It increased in popularity for women's hosiery and other clothing. Because of the pure, shiny, soft and cool properties it has.

Today synthetic fiber is used for all sorts of purposes, but is still favored for those qualities.

Suitable for: all types of projects, but excellent for those that need to be lightweight and have drape.

General care guidelines: machine washable.

Interesting facts: Like so many inventions, the inventor stumbled upon it by accident.

Novelty Yarns.
All types of special interest yarns to create intrigue and variance in your crochet projects. Usually made from synthetic fibers, and are not the best choice for beginning crocheters because they can be difficult to crochet with.

Types of novelty yarns

Bouclé - Ranges in texture, made of loops and varying thickness to create a bumpy look.
Chenille - almost like velvet in texture and appearance, looks wonderful when crocheted, but is quite difficult to master.
Faux fur: as the name implies, this yarn looks exactly like faux fur when in the finished article. It is made of fluffy pieces attached to the main yarn made of nylon.
Railroad tape: as the name implies, it has small "tracks" attached to both sides of the yarn strands.
Ribbon yarn: yarn made from ribbons.
Polyester yarn - Yarn made from polyester, polyester is very flexible. There are all kinds to choose from.
Thick-Thin -A completed project has thin and thick sections. It will have a bumpy textured look.
Suitable for: Adding a little spice to ordinary projects.

So many options. It's amazing how many types of yarn there are. Unfortunately, the more choices there are, the harder it is to decide! What is the best yarn for crochet? This post should help you answer that question. Yarn, without it, a hook is completely useless. Beautiful and beautiful things - the basis of the hobby that brings us so much joy. But if you are a beginner, which one do you choose? The way the yarns come
It's essential to know how your yarn comes, as this can affect how easy it is to start knitting. There are four ways a yarn can be sold.

Cake - Usually created with a yarn winder, this is flat on the top and bottom, like a cylinder. It has the end in the center, so you can pull it from the center, making it easier to crochet.

Ball - It is wrapped like a ball, hence the name, and can be used right away, although it is prone to tangling.

Hank - This is a large ring twisted to prevent tangling, and most indie / fancy / hand dyed yarns are sold this way. You should wind it into a cake or ball by hand or use a yarn winder before knitting.

Trying to crochet directly from a skein is asking for disaster!

Skein - Similar to a ball, however, it is oval in shape, not circular. This is the shape that most of the cheaper cravings come in.

Yarn vs. thread - What's the difference?
Yarn is thicker, designed for regular projects like sweaters, socks and blankets. Yarn materials are made from varies. Yarn is much thinner, often made of cotton, designed for delicate projects like tablecloths or rugs.

If you are a beginner, it is best to start with yarn, and once you drop it, tackle smaller projects using yarn.



Types of fiber
There are many types of yarn, but the most popular types of yarn for crochet is acrylic, cotton and wool.

Acrylic - the synthetic fiber, and inexpensive and plentiful. Acrylic yarn is very popular among crocheters and a perfect choice for a beginner crochet project.

Some of the cheaper ones can be difficult to crochet with, as they tend to split regularly. Reading customer reviews should help you decide.

Cotton - This is great for something like a dishcloth because it is inflexible and holds its shape very well. For something that needs to have a little more breathing room, this is not a good choice.

It can be a little harder to use than wool or acrylic, but it's great for the warmer months.

Wool - From the ever-popular sheep, this material is a no-brainer. Warm, moisture wicking, soft, easy to work with, flexible, what's not to love?

This is a perfect choice because it's easy to unravel and reuse without becoming pilled and curly. But if you are allergic to animal fibers, this is something to avoid.

Store for good yarn

Different weights of yarn
There are a few different types, each for a different purpose and project use. How thick the yarn is, not how much it weighs. Numbers classify them. The higher, the thicker it is.

You should use the recommended crochet hook size with the weight according to the yarn label.

Here's a helpful list for Yarn Weight | Number ID

Lace - 0
Superfine, fingering, baby weight - 1
Fine, Sport - 2
Light worsted, DK - 3
Medium, Combed Weight, Afghan, Aran - 4
Bulky, Coarse - 5
Super bulky - 6
How to read yarn labels
These are the essential parts of a label that contain useful information. Keep an eye out for these when shopping yarn.

Yardage - This is the amount of yards a ball would measure if it were stretched. This is so you can tell how many of a product you need for a project.

Dye Lot - This is to tell you what dye lot the yarn was part of. If you want everything to be the same color with no noticeable differences, make sure your entire purchase comes from the same dye lot number.

Care instructions - this tells you how to wash it, whether or not you can iron it, and other useful information to help you know how to care for your handmade item.
Dye lot: if you are doing a large project in the same color, you will want to buy everything from the same dye lot. Then there will not be slight differences in the colors.

Price - This can vary greatly depending on many factors, from fiber to weight to company and more. Cotton, acrylic and wool yarn are the best choices for beginners because they are more affordable.

Texture - Smooth, smooth yarns with a uniform texture are best because textured and novelty yarns are difficult to use.

Yardage - The amount of yarn in a ball, generally the more there is, the more expensive it is. It's to help you tell how many balls you need for a project.

I hope you find the perfect yarn to get you started on your crochet adventures. Best of luck! There are so many choices out there. It's easy to feel overwhelmed. But I hope this post has given you a starting point. Red heart with love
Red Heart with Love
A soft yarn with a variety of solids and multicolors. It is machine washable and safe to place in a dryer. Solids are 7 oz, and multiples are 5 oz balls.

Bernat Blanket Yarn
Bernat Blanket Yarn
A beautiful soft chenille yarn, perfect for blankets and home decor items. Its super bulky weight means crochet projects quickly.

Ball size: 300g / 10.5 oz, 201 meters / 220 yards.

Pro

Machine washable and dryable
Economical size
Cons

Be sure to check that the color you select is 10.5 oz. Some colors are the smaller size of 5.3 oz.
Bernat Super Value
Bernat Super Value yarn is an economical worsted weight yarn in a wide range of colors. Available in solid and multi-color shades from brights to neutrals and stripes.

There are different ounces for ball size - Solids / Ragg / Heather: 197g / 7 oz, 389 meters / 426 yards & Ombres ball size: 142g / 5 oz, 251 meters / 275 yards.

Pro

Machine washable and dryable for easy care
Good quality and does not tend to split
Cons

Be sure to check the ounces of yarn for the color you select.

Lion's Mark Scarfie Yarn
Scarfie is a soft, lofty wool blend yarn with enough yardage to knit or crochet a full-length scarf.

Pro

Beautiful range of colors
Suitable for garments, accessories and afghans.


Crochet Yarn - Your questions answered
Which yarn is best for beginners Crochet?
Either wool or wool blend yarns, acrylic or cotton yarns, with a soft texture, and DK or sport weight. Wool yarns are excellent for practicing crochet stitches.

What is the best yarn for crochet garments, wool or acrylic?
It depends on your preference. If you are a beginner and want affordable, lightweight and hypoallergenic, acrylic is the best choice.

If you want one that is moisture wicking, soft and durable, wool is the best choice. These are your crochet projects. You decide what's best.

What is the best yarn for crochet hats?
Hats need a stretchy, flexible yarn that can still hold its shape so it can fit a variety of heads without becoming floppy. If it's for winter, get a chunky yarn, such as worsted weight or chunky yarn.

Wool or wool blends are an excellent fiber choice, but if you or the person you are making it for has allergies, avoid this type.

If it is for the warmer months, choose a lighter weight. Regardless of the weather, make sure it's soft - you want a comfortable hat to wear! Consult your crochet pattern for any advice you may have.



What is the best yarn for crochet socks?
For winter months, thick yarn, for everyday wear, thinner is better. You want to make sure they fit in your shoes if you are going to wear them outside.

Make sure it is breathable and moisture wicking, so it is easy to wear longer. A cotton blend is a good idea.

It's best to buy yarn designed explicitly for socks. It is labeled with sock yarn.

What is the best yarn for crochet scarves?
This is a flexible project-you can use any type of yarn you want! But here are some questions to ask yourself when selecting one.

In what weather are you going to use it?
How thick should it be?
Any allergies or preferences to consider?
What color or a mix of colors do you want?
What is the best yarn for crochet sweaters?
You want flexibility in yarn if you're going to make a sweater. If it's a cardigan, this isn't as important, but both should be able to hold their shape. Consider the season you want to wear it in as well.

What is the best yarn for crochet blankets?
Make sure it is soft yarn. I can't stress the importance of this enough! Crocheted blankets are for snuggling under. Make sure it is soft, cuddly and warm.

Larger crochet patterns for blankets can be expensive because thicker ones cost more, so keep your budget in mind.

Baby blankets won't have this problem though, as they need to be lightweight. If you are making one of these, make sure they can handle machine washing/.

Often, a company will have product lines designed for blankets in their softness and quality.

What size yarn is best for crochet beginners?
Thick but not cumbersome, so it's easier to handle and not as complicated. You want a soft, medium thickness yarn that is sport, DK, medium weight or worsted weight.

Can I crochet with knitting yarn?
Yes, of course! There is no such thing as yarn specifically and only for knitting. You can use any yarn for both. Except crochet thread cannot be used for knitting, as it is too fine for knitting needles.

Things to remember when choosing the best crochet thread
Care instructions - Washing instructions vary significantly from yarn to yarn. Sometimes you need it to be machine washable. Be sure to read the label carefully to help you decide.

Color - If you are a beginner, choose lighter colors because it is much easier to crochet with, and it is easier to see your stitches than something darker.