It’s a fact of life. Knitting is one hobby, crochet is another, but collecting yarn is a separate beast altogether. One of the things that goes along with learning those two fantastic skills is the fact that whether you like it or not, your collection of yarn will grow and grow. Some people love having a big stash. Some people prefer to keep it neat, tidy, and minimalist, only buying yarn as they go. I respect the patience and dedication of these people, but for me, there’s nothing better than seeing a big yarn stash. What can I say, I like big stashes and I cannot lie.
However, when you’re a beginner, you want to keep things simple, you want to keep things manageable. And one of the things that you need to learn is that yarn comes in many different sizes, shapes, colours, textures. Some are great, some are less so, some are good for some things, some are better for others. And it can be a really intimidating experience when you step into a yarn store or browse through websites and think, oh my goodness, where do I start?
Well, that’s where your good sis Emma Knitty (me, hi) comes in, because I’m going to help you make the right choices as a beginner and help you enjoy the whole experience, meaning that you don’t waste your cash on yarns that you will never use and get to know some of the best brands in the business.
Choosing your first yarn can feel overwhelming. Take it from me, as I still have horrible flashbacks of making washcloths using acrylic yarn (why though) and attempting an entire baby blanket in sport.weight with not a thought about the fact that my baby would be 24 by the time I’d finished the thing… Sport weight yarn takes ages! Aside from the myriad of types avilable – Wool, cotton, acrylic, blends, you’ve also got to think about weight, texture, colour. If you’ve ever stood scrolling or searching through yarn options with no idea what to pick, you’re definitely not alone, and you definitely want to be well-informed and be able to make the right choices. After all, knitting anmd crochet is supposed to be fun, and life is far to short to work with the wrong yarn, no matter if it’s the wrong material or just a nasty-feeling texture.
The good news is that you don’t need anything complicated to get started. In fact, simpler is better. This guide walks you through the best yarns for beginners, with a few tried-and-tested options you can easily find online. I only recommend yarns that I know and love, and this post includes affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend brands I adore, so you’ll definitely be making the right choice.
Ok, so what makes a yarn beginner-friendly?
A good beginner yarn should be:
- Smooth so you can clearly see your stitches;
- Medium weight (DK is ideal) or more;
- Light coloured (this helps more than you think);
- Affordable, so mistakes don’t mean wads of cash down the drain. No skeins of 100% silk. Yet.
DK yarn is especially popular because it works for almost everything, from garments to accessories, it’s delicate enough to have great drape and thick enough to mean that you don’t have to wait a long time for your work to progress nicely. Yes, we know that knitting and crochet shouldn’t be all about how quick you make things and getting projects done at the speed of light (this is slow crafting, friends), but it’s always nice to see that progress at the beginning. It gives you that satisfying feeling we all want, right?
The best yarns for beginners:
★ Paintbox Yarns Simply DK
One of the best beginner yarns full stop. It’s smooth, consistent, and really easy to work with, which makes learning feel much less frustrating. I’m a huge fan of Paintbox Yarns in general, but this is by far the best DK yarn on the market. Not only is there a gigantic array of juicy and more neutralcolours to choose from, but you get a lot of yarn for your money per ball. Definitely a must-have, not only for new knitters and crocheters, but for those on a budget, too.
★ Stylecraft Special DK
A proper classic. Slightly softer than some acrylics and very forgiving (which makes it ideal for beginners) this is the choice for blankets especially. This yarn is so lush that even experienced knitters have this yarn as a staple in their stash, and the price means that you can tackle even the biggest, heftiest blankets without spending a fortune (295m or 323yds per ball!). Check out the shades Parchment if you love neutrals, or their peppy neons like Fiesta and flecked Honey Mix. In fact, their entire new flecked range is perfection!
★ Yarn and Colors Cheerful
A nice option if you like a more modern colour palette, this yarn has a clean finish and good stitch definition, so your projects look neat without much effort. I am a big fan of Yarn and Colors, not only because their branding and identity is always on point, but their yarn is always of a very high quality despite their small price tags. Once again, this is a brand with a huge selection of colours, so you’re bound to find the perfect shade for your next project.
Cotton favourites:
★ Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK
This is a go-to for crochet bags and homeware. It gives really crisp stitch definition and holds its shape beautifully. I adore the crispness of this yarn and its structure, but best of all I love how reasonably priced it is!
★ King Cole Finesse Cotton Silk DK
A softer, slightly more elevated cotton blend. It has better drape and feels less stiff than standard cotton and this is a brill choice if you want a touch of luxury blended into your cotton.
Softer blends:
★ Rowan Softyak DK
This is more of a “treat” yarn, but still very beginner-friendly. It feels noticeably softer and gives a really beautiful finish. Yak is a deluxe fiber and can be pricey, so go for this during sales and multi-buy deals if you want to stock up without feeling the price pinch. I love this yarn for baby blankets that need a bit of extra luxury.
★ Drops Nepal Yarn
One of the most affordable wool blends out there and the first ever wool yarn I tried when I started knitting! Slightly rustic, warm, and very satisfying to work with, this yarn is an amazing starting point if you want to try out wool and you’re on a budget. This yarn still holds a special place in my heart.
Chunky and structured options:
★ Hoooked Ribbon XL Solids
Brilliant for crochet bags and baskets. It’s thick, works up quickly, and gives a really modern, structured look. Don’t thnk that ribbon yarn is just for baskets and poufs, because this yarn also makes for amazing blankets (check out the Suirana blanket I designed for Hoooked here) and you’ll be so surprised at how quickly it works up! The texture of this yarn looks flat but develops a beautifully puffy look when knitted up. Try it with simple stitches to make it pop.
★ Stylecraft Special Aran with Wool Nepp
A total fave of mine when my makes need a touch of rustic “wholesomeness” (is that a word?) this delicately nepped yarn has pretty flecks of colour and comes in a very generous 400g ball – perfect for a whole blanket. Try it for sweaters when you gain confidence and trusty scarves.
★ Yarn and Colors Happy
A chunky, soft yarn that works up quickly, which makes it perfect for beginners who want instant results Highly recommended for absolute beginners and veterans alike, I adore the colour range, softness and modern matte look this yarn gives. One of my top ten yarns ever!
Are there any yarns that beginners should avoid?
Some yarns look great, but when you’re a beginner, you want materials that make your life easier, not more complicated. Unfortunately, some of the most eye-catching options, like mohair, fluffy yarns, or eyelash yarns, can do the opposite. They look amazing on the skein and are perfect for projects you might try later, once you’ve built up some confidence, like toys or amigurumi. But when you’re just starting out, they can make things unnecessarily difficult.
Another type of yarn to steer clear of in the beginning is very dark colours, as they make it much harder to see your stitches. Super thin yarns can also be tricky. They take a long time to work up, can tangle easily, and again make it difficult to see what you’re doing.
The ideal balance is a yarn that’s a good thickness and in a bright, clear colour. Starting with those will make learning much smoother, and once you feel more confident, you can branch out and experiment with the more decorative, fancy-looking yarns.
Best yarn weights for beginners:
DK
This is the best all-round choice. Not too thick, not too thin. Tons of options available. If you use acrylic, there are a myriad of incredibly nice colours. You’ll find lots of brands offering lots of different compositions. DK cotton, DK acrylic, DK wool… You should most definitely make sure you have a good selection this weight to hand!
Worsted and Aran
Slightly thicker, very beginner friendly, and perfect if you don’t really like the look of chunky yarn. You can get the best balance between DK and chunky with this weight. An absolute favourite of mine for blankets and baby jumpers.
Chunky
Quick, hides mistakes and works up very easily. If you go for a chunky wool, this is the best kind of yarn that you can use because not only do you get the softness of wool, but you also get the beautiful forgiving texture that wool has. You can see your stitches well and you can also work quickly, which gives you quick, motivating results.
What to make as a beginner:
Keep it simple, keep it practical, and keep it satisfying. My recommendations are tote bags, scarves, dishcloths, and when you’re feeling confident enough, simple hats. When you learn increases and decreases, hats are a really nice way of practising.These give you simple, quick wins that help you build your confidence without putting too much pressure on you, and allow you to play with yarn and end up with something useful, too.
So, what’s the most important thing when choosing yarn and starting your fibre journey? Choose yarns that you love, take time to learn about textures you enjoy and only use yarns that make you feel happy. It’ll be worth it, and soon enough you’ll have started curating a stash that inspires you and brings you joy.
Would you add any other yarns to this list? Drop your recommendations in the comments and I’ll add them to the next yarny article!
Have a creative day,
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