Choosing weaving yarn may be a walkover for the experienced weaver. Unfortunately, for those just starting, it is a mind-boggling exercise.
With a myriad of thread weights and material options, you’ll likely find yourself at a crossroads. We can help with that by answering a simple question.
What is the best yarn for weaving? Cotton yarn is the most favorable weaving thread for all skill levels. It is soft, breathable, and works well for a variety of projects. Cotton is also affordable and readily available.
However, as you develop finesse, you will realize that the best yarn is relative to what you intend to weave.
In this article, we explore the best weaving yarn. Read on to learn more and familiarize yourself with great weaving yarn products available in the market.
Top 3 Weaving Yarn By Brand
Let’s begin with a round-up of the best yarn for weaving.
| Rank | Brand | Type of Yarn |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Paper Farm Cotton Warp Thread | Cotton |
| 2. | Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool | Wool |
| 3. | Lusie's Linen Yarn | Linen |
1. Paper Farm Cotton Warp Thread
For a taut warping yarn that doesn’t stretch, look no further. This 800-yard cone is made from 100% USA-grown cotton. It’s good for warping or for weft yarn and comes in a variety of colors.
This cotton thread is soft, won’t break easily, and is fade-resistant, which is about all you could want in a weaving yarn anyway. It’s an excellent choice for an ample supply of quality yarn in one go.
If the thin, almost lace-like quality of this 8/4 yarn isn’t quite right for your current project, you can always try this thicker 5/2 Perle Mercerized Cotton Yarn by Silk City. Whichever way you go, we think you’ll find cotton enjoyable and easy to work with.
2. Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool
Although technically a knitting/crocheting yarn, fisherman’s wool is high quality, and for a beginning weaver, it may be easier to just start with familiar wool yarn, as cones of wool for weaving can be tricky to find.
This 78% pure virgin wool still retains some of the natural lanolin, which helps keep sheep dry and warm in rainy weather.
This medium, worsted weight yarn is excellent for making warm items and have a little stretch to it. Plus, it’s machine washable!
Although wool is a bit thicker to work with and may be tricky to get through the heddles on some looms, overall, wool is also forgiving for beginners, as strands tend to “stick” together.
3. Lusie’s Linen Yarn
This 100% linen yarn comes in 1, 2, 3, or 4 ply and multiple colors, so if you fall in love with this linen yarn you can use it for all kinds of projects.
This linen is stronger than it may look and has an even texture – although yarn with variegated texture is always fun, it’s not always suitable for newer weavers.
Not every new weaver takes to linen, but it’s generally a fine choice for someone who’s already gotten a project or two under the belt. Still, there are beginners who start with linen and do just fine.
Your project will turn out light and flexible, thanks to the material. But again, this beautiful linen is still plenty sturdy. Plus, it has a nice sheen that’s sure to add that extra touch.
This fine yarn is also machine washable, if you’re careful, so you don’t have to worry too much about how you’ll use your creations.
Selecting Material for Weaving Yarn
Part of finding the best yarn for weaving is choosing a suitable material for your needs. Cotton is probably the best fiber for a weaving beginner, however.
It has just the right texture making picking a lot easier. It can also take the abrasion and tension of the loom without snapping.
Wool is an excellent choice too. It is a bit stretchy, which is a good thing for many projects. Some elasticity allows room for getting away with mistakes that you are bound to make as a beginner. But don’t worry, wool has got your back!
Silk and other slick fibers make gorgeous designs, but are a bit slippery. They’re probably best reserved for intermediate weavers or even semi-experts (at least when it comes to silk). They’ll be great for you when you gain confidence.
If you do not mind synthetic material, you can experiment with acrylic, polyester, and nylon. If you don’t like synthetic fibers, you may love linen, which weaves beautifully and is very lightweight.
Here’s a material guide chart of the best yarn for weaving:
| Yarn Material | Type of Fiber | Characteristics | Suitable Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Plant cellulose fiber | Natural, soft, absorbent and breathable, easy to use, durable, affordable | Towels, light blankets, throws, summer wraps, and scarves |
| Linen | Plant cellulose fiber | Absorbent, organic smell, tough, can be pricey, not always suitable for beginners | Lightweight projects which will get a fair amount of use |
| Hemp | Plant cellulose fiber | Very strong, a bit stiff, no luster, organic smell and look, takes dye well | Weaving runners, upholstery, wall hangings, placemats, and baskets |
| Rayon | Plant cellulose fiber | Natural-ish (contains polymers), vibrant when dyed, soft and slick, nice sheen, drapes well, best for intermediate or advanced weavers | Silk look-alike and is suited for stylish scarves and wraps |
| Soy Bamboo, and Tencel | Plant cellulose fiber | High sheen fibers, silky smooth, lightweight, excellent drape, not beginner-friendly | Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing |
| Wool | Animal protein fiber | Slightly elastic, warm and cozy, a little scratchy, mostly affordable, easy to use, more forgiving for newbies, products require some care | Weaving blankets, rugs, winter scarves, and other warm, but durable, items |
| Silk | Animal protein fiber | Brilliant luster, amazing drape, very strong, slippery, not for beginners, luxury material, pricey | High-quality or special occasion scarves and throws |
| Acrylic | Synthetic fiber | Strong and durable, soft, drapes well, affordable, available, easy to dye, static, consistent after washing/drying | Versatile for a wide variety of projects, but won't work well as a warp yarn on many looms |
| Polyester and Nylon | Synthetic fiber | Strong and durable, lightweight, soft, available in many colors, cheap, shimmery, can get novelty varieties | Ideal for kids' projects and personal practice |
Can You Use Knitting Yarn To Weave?
By all means, yes. You can use knitting yarn to weave, though weaving yarn beats knitting yarn in strength and is preferred for warping. Knitting yarn is ok as filler thread.
Still, if you just want to practice or make a scrap yarn project, there’s nothing stopping you from using knitting yarn or just about any material that fits through the heddles and doesn’t break while you’re weaving!
Now that you have a material guide and a few good name suggestions or the best yarn for weaving in mind, you probably already have an idea of which one will suit your project, skill level, and budget.
Up Next: Acrylic Vs Cotton Yarn – What’s The Difference?
