Walking into the yarn aisle can be overwhelming, especially when you're just starting out.
With crochet season coming soon (hello, cozy fall and winter projects!), we've been getting tons of questions about yarn choices.
Whether you're gearing up to make crochet holiday gifts for friends and family or just want to snuggle up indoors with your hook, picking the right yarn can make all the difference in your project.
I learned this one the hard way when I first started crocheting. I made the mistake of buying expensive yarns, thinking they'd make me a better crocheter.
Well, let me tell you, when you're learning and making mistakes (which we all do!), those fancy yarns get pretty messed up when you try to frog them. Some of them practically fall apart after being undone a few times!
That's why I always tell beginners to start with yarns that can handle being ripped out and restarted. Trust me on this one. Your wallet and your sanity will thank you.
Your Complete Guide to Choosing the Perfect Yarn
1. Acrylic Yarn (My Go-To for Beginners!)
Best for: Beginners, amigurumi, blankets, scarves, hats
This is where I always tell new crocheters to start, and for good reason!
Acrylic yarn is affordable, comes in every color you can imagine, and here's the best part...it's incredibly forgiving. When you mess up (and you will, we all do!), you can frog it multiple times without it falling apart on you.
I'm a huge fan of Lion Brand and Caron yarns for this. They're easy to find at most craft stores and online, machine washable, and durable enough to handle whatever you throw at them.
Another thing I love about acrylic? It holds its shape beautifully, which makes it ideal for home decor items and a few accessories like crochet scarves and shawls.
Pro tip: Look for the softer acrylics if you're making wearables—some of the budget versions can be a bit scratchy against the skin.
Check out these ICCT beginner patterns perfect for acrylic yarn:
- The Quinn Blanket (for camping!)
- The Finley Blanket (one of our most popular patterns ever)
- Easy Blanket Scarf Pattern
- The Waffle Throw (perfect pattern for beginners who want texture)
2. Cotton Yarn (Summer's Best Friend)
Best for: Dishcloths, summer tops, bags, coasters
Cotton yarn is strong, smooth, and perfect for showing off those beautiful textured stitches we love so much!
I reach for cotton whenever I'm making something that needs to hold its shape or will get wet. It's fantastic for kitchen items, summer garments, and sturdy accessories like market bags.
Plus, it's breathable and feels cool against the skin, perfect for those hot summer projects.
Here's what I love about cotton: it actually gets softer with every wash. And because it has such crisp stitch definition, your textured patterns and lacework will look absolutely stunning.
Pro tip: Cotton doesn't have much stretch, so take breaks while working with it. It can be a little tough on your hands during long crochet sessions.
Two of my favorite cotton yarns are 24/7 Cotton from Lion Brand and Dishie from KnitPicks.
Try these cotton-friendly ICCT patterns:
- Tunisian Crochet Waffle Stitch Dishcloth
- Tunsian Crochet Kitchen Towel Pattern
- All-Purpose Waffle Stitch Crochet Dishcloth
- Crochet Tea Towel Pattern
3. Wool Yarn (Cozy Season Essential)
Best for: Winter wear, socks, hats, scarves, felting
Nothing beats wool yarn for those cozy winter projects!
Wool is naturally stretchy, warm, and comes in so many beautiful varieties. I've been experimenting more with different types lately, like soft merino for next-to-skin projects, and rustic wools for those chunky outdoor accessories.
If you're worried about the care, look for "superwash" on the label. That means it's machine washable! Wool also has this amazing ability to keep you warm even when it's damp, which is why it's perfect for winter accessories.
Pro tip: Sensitive to wool? Try a wool blend or merino wool first. It's much softer than traditional wool and way less scratchy.
4. Wool Blends (The Best of Both Worlds)
Best for: Garments, accessories, everyday projects
I've gotten really into wool blends lately because they give you the best of everything! Lion Brand Hue + Me is one of my faves,
These combine wool with acrylic, cotton, or other fibers to improve softness, durability, and washability. They're perfect for sweaters, scarves, and accessories that get regular use. Plus, they're usually more affordable than 100% wool without sacrificing comfort.
Many are machine washable and pill-resistant, which makes them especially great for gifts or items that need to stand up to everyday life.
Pro tip: Always check that care label. Some blends still need special washing or air-drying.
Our Cora crochet blanket pattern is made with a wool blend yarn and to this day, it's one of those patterns we get the most feedback about - good feedback that is! People love the yarn and the ease of the pattern.
5. Bamboo Yarn (Silky Smooth Luxury)
Best for: Baby items, shawls, summer wear
If you haven't tried bamboo yarn yet, you're missing out! I love, love, love Coboo yarn from Lion Brand.
It's incredibly silky and has this beautiful drape that makes everything look professional. Plus, it's naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic, perfect for baby projects or anyone with sensitive skin.
I love how bamboo feels cool to the touch and has this gorgeous sheen. It's also eco-friendly, which is always a bonus in my book!
Pro tip: Bamboo can be slippery to work with, so use stitch markers and count carefully. But that silky texture is so worth it.
The Vivia crochet baby blanket pattern uses a mixture of bamboo yarn - Coboo - with a fine fingering weight acrylic yarn. Check it out here.
6. Polyester & Nylon Yarns (Built to Last)
Best for: Durable accessories, home decor, toys
These synthetic yarns are workhorses. Perfect for anything that needs to stand up to heavy use.
I reach for these when I'm making baskets, rugs, or stuffed toys that will see a lot of action. They're usually machine washable, resist fading and pilling, and come in some really fun colors and textures you won't find in natural fibers.
Pro tip: Great for home items and accessories, but they might not breathe well enough for clothing projects.
7. Velvet & Chenille Yarn (Pure Luxury)
Best for: Plush toys, cozy blankets, scarves
These are some of my favorite yarns for those special, snuggly projects!
The texture is absolutely divine, but I'll be honest, they can be tricky to work with because it's hard to see your stitches. The results are totally worth the extra effort, though. Everything comes out looking so luxurious and feeling incredibly soft.
Pro tip: Use good lighting, count your stitches carefully, and don't go too small with your hook size.
Our Logan crochet blanket pattern was made with Lion Brand's Chenille Appeal yarn.
8. Bulky & Super Bulky Yarn (Instant Gratification)
Best for: Quick projects, chunky scarves, throw blankets
When I need fast results, these are my go-to yarns!
Perfect for last-minute gifts or when you want to see quick progress on your project. They create bold, dramatic textures and are super forgiving for beginners. Plus, there's something so satisfying about watching your project grow quickly!
Pro tip: They can get heavy, so keep that in mind for larger projects like blankets.
We already mentioned the Cora blanket under the Wool blends yarn made with Hue + Me, which is considered a Bulky weight yarn.
9. Lace & Fingering Weight Yarn (For the Patient Crafter)
Best for: Lacy shawls, lightweight tops, intricate details
These fine yarns are for when you want to create something truly special.
We just finished a gorgeous shell stitch shawl using KnitPicks Stroll mini pack fingering weight yarn and we're still swooning over how it turned out!
The colors in their mini packs are absolutely stunning, and there's something so satisfying about working with such fine yarn. Yes, they take more time and precision, but the elegant, delicate results are so worth it.
Pro tip: Use stitch markers religiously and work in really good lighting—trust me, it makes all the difference!
My Personal Yarn Shopping Strategy
Here's what I've learned after years of yarn shopping (and making plenty of mistakes along the way!):
Start with affordable, forgiving yarns while you're learning. I can't stress this enough! Once you've got your technique down, then splurge on those gorgeous luxury fibers.
The most important thing? Don't be afraid to experiment! Every yarn teaches you something new about how your stitches look and feel.
Ready to put your yarn knowledge to good use? Join our Tunisian Crochet Facebook Group where everyone shares their latest projects and the yarns they're loving! And don't forget to sign up for our email list where I share what I'm currently working on, plus showcase amazing projects from our community.
Looking for more crochet inspiration? Follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Facebook for daily pattern ideas and tips! And check out our collection of free patterns perfect for trying out different yarn types.
