Find out how to choose the right yarn for your crochet or knitting project with a few simple and easy to follow criteria!
Learning to choose the right yarn for a crochet or knitting project is honestly one of the hardest things about picking up these fun hobbies. And no one really talks about it very much. I guess they just assume you’ll figure out which yarn to use for which project? I know that’s how I had to do it and I definitely made lots of mistakes along the way.
So today we’re talking about picking the best yarn for your knitting or crochet project based on a few easy-to-follow criteria. I’m going to do my best to explain everything as simply as possible so hopefully you can follow along!
How do you choose the right yarn for your knitting or crochet project?
Step 1: Pick your pattern
Tempting as it may be to build a stash, just don’t. Seriously. It’s much easier to choose the right yarn for a pattern that to choose the right pattern for the yarn.
I know that yarn shopping is so fun and it’s so hard to not grab something that calls to you from across that gorgeous new yarn store you just discovered. But unless the shop has a sample pattern next to the yarn and you really want to make that exact pattern, skip it. You can take a picture and save it for another project though!
When you start with a pattern, choosing which yarn to use will be significantly easier.
Step 2: Consider the yarn weight
While I can’t fully explain gauge in one little paragraph, you can think of it as basically how many stitches of yarn are in an inch (or more often how many stitches are in 4 inches). If you do not have the correct number of stitches per inch, your finished item will be either too big or too small. So it’s really really important.
Gauge can be affected by 3 things, the weight of the yarn, the size of your knitting needles, and your tension (how tightly you hold the yarn). The first two make the most difference.
When you consider the gauge of your project, look at what yarn weight the pattern that you have chosen recommends and choose yarn that is that weight.
If your pattern recommends worsted weight yarn, you should choose a worsted weight yarn. Do not try and substitute another yarn weight. Go directly to the worsted weight section of the yarn store and do not be distracted by anything else you see on the way!
Unless you are a very seasoned knitter, it’s just really difficult to adjust a pattern that’s written for one yarn weight to another yarn weight and have it come out the right size.
Step 3: Consider the material
Picking the right yarn material for a project can also be hard. If you’re in a large craft store there will be tons of acrylic yarns but at your local yarn shop, it’s probably mostly wool. When choosing yarn material, consider what the object is that you’re making and who the intended recipient is.
When you think about what the object is, think about what it needs to do. For example, if you’re knitting dishcloths, then you probably want a cotton yarn. If it’s a scarf, choose something super soft like alpaca. If it’s a shawl, you want something beautiful and drapey, maybe a yarn with some silk in it!
When you consider the recipient, ask if there is a particular kind of yarn they like or don’t like. You may also want to consider whether or not the person is sensitive or allergic to wool. Or if you’re knitting for babies, there are other important things to consider as well.
Step 4: Pick a color
Are you surprised that I put choosing a yarn color near the end of the process of choosing the right yarn? As I alluded to in the first step, when knitters and crocheters build a stash they’re often swayed to buy yarn by its color or pattern…we get FOMO (fear of missing out) on that one hand-dyed skein…and that’s how you end up with a bunch of yarn you haven’t used.
If you’re following along with my advice, when you got to the yarn store, first you chose a pattern, then you chose a yarn weight, went only to the section of the store that carries that yarn weight, then you looked at only those yarns that are made of the material you want, NOW you can see what your color options are.
Of course, color preference is subjective, but if you like the colors the designer used in the sample for the pattern you’re using, choose something similar. That makes it easy! Otherwise pick what you like or think about asking the yarn shop owner for advice.
Keep in mind that if you’re knitting or crocheting a busy pattern with lace or cables, for example, a speckled or multicolor yarn is not a good choice. A light to medium darkness solid colored yarn will show the details the best.
If you’re knitting colorwork, solid colored yarns or yarns that change colors or fade from one color to the next slowly instead of dramatically will work the best.
Save the fun speckled, multicolored yarns for simpler patterns with areas of stockinette stitch or single crochet where you can really show off the yarn.
Step 5: Make a swatch
I think not making a swatch for your knit or crochet project is the single biggest reason people have problems with knitting patterns and crochet patterns.
As I mentioned, the three things that affect the gauge of your project are yarn weight, needle or hook size and tension. Most people have little to no control over their tension so you can really only adjust yarn weight and needle or hook size.
Since you have already chosen the yarn weight that your pattern recommends, and you don’t have much control over tension, you now need to make a swatch to make sure that you’re using the right size knitting needles or crochet hook so that your project will turn out to be the right size.
Start by using the size of knitting needles or crochet hook that your pattern recommends and knit or crochet a swatch that is at least 6 inches by 6 inches in the main stitch pattern of your project (i.e. stockinette or seed stitch or double crochet).
If you’re going to block your finished object, you should also block the swatch. Then measure the gauge. Every good knitting pattern or crochet pattern should have a gauge measurement included.
If your gauge matches the pattern gauge, great! Go ahead and start your project!
If you have more stitches per inch than the pattern specifies, you need to use a larger set of knitting needles or crochet hook. Go up by one size and make another swatch.
If you have fewer stitches per inch than the pattern specifies, you need to use a smaller set of knitting needles or crochet hook. Go down by one size and make another swatch.
Once your swatch is finished, you’re all set! You have chosen the right yarn for your project! Hooray!
Some of my favorite yarns are:
- Malabrigo Worsted
- Vanna’s Choice
- Paintbox Simply Aran
- Paintbox Baby DK
- Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino
- Red Heart Soft
- Loops & Threads Impeccable
- CoBoo Cotton/Bamboo Blend
Find out how to choose the right yarn for your knitting or crochet project with a few simple and easy to follow criteria! Tempting as it may be to build a stash, just don't. Seriously. It's much easier to choose the right yarn for a pattern that to choose the right pattern for the yarn. I know that yarn shopping is so fun and it's so hard to not grab something that calls to you from across that gorgeous new yarn store you just discovered. But unless the shop has a sample pattern next to the yarn and you really want to make that exact pattern, skip it. You can take a picture and save it for another project though! When you start with a pattern, choosing the right yarn will be significantly easier. While I can't fully explain gauge in one little paragraph, you can think of it as basically how many stitches of yarn are in an inch (or more often how many stitches are in 4 inches). If you do not have the correct number of stitches per inch, your finished item will be either too big or too small. So it's really really important. Gauge can be affected by 3 things, the weight of the yarn, the size of your knitting needles, and your tension (how tightly you hold the yarn). The first two make the most difference. When you consider the gauge of your project, look at what yarn weight the pattern that you have chosen recommends and choose yarn that is that weight. If your pattern recommends worsted weight yarn, you should choose a worsted weight yarn. Do not try and substitute another yarn weight. Go directly to the worsted weight section of the yarn store and do not be distracted by anything else you see on the way! Unless you are a very seasoned knitter, it's just really difficult to adjust a pattern that's written for one yarn weight to another yarn weight and have it come out the right size. Picking the right yarn material for a project can also be hard. If you're in a large craft store there will be tons of acrylic yarns but at your local yarn shop, it's probably mostly wool. When choosing yarn material, consider what the object is that you're making and who the intended recipient is. When you think about what the object is, think about what it needs to do. For example, if you're knitting dishcloths, then you probably want a cotton yarn. If it's a scarf, choose something super soft like alpaca. If it's a shawl, you want something beautiful and drapey, maybe a yarn with some silk in it! When you consider the recipient, ask if there is a particular kind of yarn they like or don't like. You may also want to consider whether or not the person is sensitive or allergic to wool. Or if you're knitting for babies, there are other important things to consider as well. Are you surprised that I put choosing a yarn color near the end of the process of choosing the right yarn? As I alluded to in the first step, when knitters and crocheters build a stash they're often swayed to buy yarn by its color or pattern...we get FOMO (fear of missing out) on that one hand-dyed skein...and that's how you end up with a bunch of yarn you haven't used. If you're following along with my advice, when you got to the yarn store, first you chose a pattern, then you chose a yarn weight, went only to the section of the store that carries that yarn weight, then you looked at only those yarns that are made of the material you want, NOW you can see what your color options are. Of course, color preference is subjective, but if you like the colors the designer used in the sample for the pattern you're using, choose something similar. That makes it easy! Otherwise pick what you like or think about asking the yarn shop owner for advice. Keep in mind that if you're knitting or crocheting a busy pattern with lace or cables, for example, a speckled or multicolor yarn is not a good choice. A light to medium darkness solid colored yarn will show the details the best. If you're knitting colorwork, solid colored yarns or yarns that change colors or fade from one color to the next slowly instead of dramatically will work the best. Save the fun speckled, multicolored yarns for simpler patterns with areas of stockinette stitch or single crochet where you can really show off the yarn. I think not making a swatch for your knit or crochet project is the single biggest reason people have problems with knitting patterns and crochet patterns. As I mentioned, the three things that affect the gauge of your project are yarn weight, needle or hook size and tension. Most people have little to no control over their tension so you can really only adjust yarn weight and needle or hook size. Since you have already chosen the yarn weight that your pattern recommends, and you don't have much control over tension, you now need to make a swatch to make sure that you're using the right size knitting needles or crochet hook so that your project will turn out to be the right size. Start by using the size of knitting needles or crochet hook that your pattern recommends and knit or crochet a swatch that is at least 6 inches by 6 inches in the main stitch pattern of your project (i.e. stockinette or seed stitch or double crochet). If you're going to block your finished object, you should also block the swatch. Then measure the gauge. Every good knitting pattern or crochet pattern should have a gauge measurement included. If your gauge matches the pattern gauge, great! Go ahead and start your project! If you have more stitches per inch than the pattern specifies, you need to use a larger set of knitting needles or crochet hook. Go up by one size and make another swatch. If you have fewer stitches per inch than the pattern specifies, you need to use a smaller set of knitting needles or crochet hook. Go down by one size and make another swatch. How to Choose the Right Yarn for your Knitting or Crochet Project
Step 1: Choose Your Pattern
Step 2: Consider the Yarn Weight
Step 3: Consider the Material
Step 4: Pick a Color
Step 5: Make a Swatch
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Aileen H. Kimel says
THIS IS GREAT INFORMATION. I KNIT WITH A GROUP OF WOMEN WHO MAKE HATS FOR BABIES IN SEVERAL HOSPITALS. I AM A BASIC AND OLD FASHIONED KNITTER, AND THE INFORMATION ABOVE IS VERY VERY HELPFUL. AS ALWAYS….THANK YOU SO MUCH CA SSIE!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!!
Adam Golightly says
My aunt has been thinking about getting into knitting scarves while she watches TV. She would really like to get some yarn from a professional that is recycled textiles. Thanks for your tips about how she can help details in the pattern show up by using light to medium darkness in solid colored yarn.
Melanie says
Thank you, Cassie, for some very informative posts. Enjoy them very much. Today I printed your Valentine’s Bingo cards! So helpful as I’m mentoring a little 7 year old who always looks forward to our weekly “projects.” Knitting is a bit advanced for her yet, but I’m hopeful in the future she will be ready.
Cassie May says
Great! I’m so glad it was helpful! Have fun with BINGO!
Meredith Hill says
This post is very helpful. Thank for writing it.
Mary says
Thank u,this was very helpful.
Cassie May says
oh good, glad to hear it! Thanks for stopping by!