Knitting sweaters is undoubtedly a large project and can be quite overwhelming sometimes. The crucial aspect about making sweaters is to choose the best yarn for the project. A lot of consideration goes into deciding the weight and type of fiber.
The choice of yarn is majorly dependent on the pattern you would be using for your sweater. Take some time to choose the best yarn possible for the pattern you wish to knit. You can knit a swatch to check the feel, look, and drape.
You also need to decide the weight as it will dictate the way your pattern is going to turn out. Weight also determines the size of the needle that you need to use for executing your project.
It is faster and often easier to knit (or crochet) a pattern that uses a super bulky yarn. A fine yarn will be slower to knit. Worsted weight is somewhere in between.
But it also comes down to what kind of sweater you want to make. Thicker yarns are typically warmer, especially when made of wool or alpaca. Thinner yarns are naturally better for lighter cardigans and lacey sweaters.
Some patterns and styles also work best with some yarns and poorly with others. Aran knits are best with bulkier yarn and yarns which offer great stitch definition. Fair Isle should be done in thinner to medium weight and will likely look better without as much definition.
So what’s the best yarn for sweaters? While the best yarn for sweaters depends on the style and pattern of the sweater you are making, medium range to thicker yarns are usually the best choices. Bulky weights made of wool or wool blends are classic choices, but some styles favor thinner yarns.
We have shortlisted the best yarns available in the market for knitting a super comfy and warm sweater. We have thoroughly studied the yarn and have listed the features, pros, and cons. You can study them and pick the best yarn that is ideal for your project.
7 Best Yarns For Sweaters
If you’re looking for the right yarn for knitting or crocheting a sweater, look no further! We’ve done our research and found our top 7 yarn choices for you:
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Patons Classic Wool Roving Yarn | Bulky weight, 80% wool |
| 2. | Knit Picks Hawthorne Yarn | Fingering weight, 80% wool |
| 3. | Bernat Roving Yarn | Bulky weight, 20% wool |
| 4. | Tehete Angora Wool Yarn | Fine sport weight, 100% wool |
| 5. | Lion Brand Wool-Ease Yarn | Bulky weight, 20% wool |
| 6. | Caron Simply Soft Yarn | Worsted weight, acrylic |
| 7. | Lion Brand Baby Soft Yarn | DK weight, acrylic blend |
We’ve also included a full review of each, so keep reading!
1. Patons Classic Wool Roving Yarn
This bulky weight yarn stitches quite conveniently. It is lofty and has a cushiony feel. It promises excellent stitch definition for creating soft and warn knitting projects.
The color assortment includes the classics. You will find a shade conveniently for your project.
If you want your crocheted item to last for a long time, then a simple hand wash and natural drying is what you need to focus on. Patons offers the finest yarns for knitting home décor items and garments. You can craft timeless patterns using it.
Patons has the perfect blend and it offers 100% wool finish while knitting your yarn project. It will keep you warm and comfortable for long. You can make all sorts of patterns with this versatile yarn. It is also suitable for machine wash.
Key Features
- Warm and textured yarn
- Available in 14 lovely classic shades
- Has the perfect blend
- 100% wool finish
- Is warm and cozy
- Will keep your warm and comfortable
- Versatile yarn
- Is incredibly resilient
- Can be machine dried
2. Knit Picks Hawthorne Kettle Dye Yarn
This vibrant wool yarn is beautiful and available in kettle-dyed shades. There are subtle variations in the tone and depth.
If you are looking to impart a handcrafted touch to your sweater, then you need to opt for this yarn. It imparts a bounce and resiliency to your sweaters, shawls, socks, and more.
Each skein is unique and kettle-dyed by hand. You will never get the exact shade. The shade varies from one skein to another.
You can transform a simple skein into various craft items. This yarn comprises of 80% fine highland wool and 20% polyamide. You get 357 yards in total for every 100 grams of yarn you purchase.
Key Features
- Comprises of 80% Superwash Highland Wool and 20% polyamide
- Hand-dyed, yields unique skeins
- 100 grams of 357 yards of yarn
- Multicolor yarn with subtle variations
- Is sturdy and durable
- Has a natural bounce and resiliency
- Perfect for making sweaters, shawls, and socks
- Gentle machine wash for cleaning
3. Bernat Roving Yarn
This Bernat yarn is a thick, soft wool-blend. It is ideal for cozy knitting and crochet projects such as accessories and garments.
This yarn is available in both neutral and rich hues. You can use it for both color work and solid projects.
This bulky weight yarn works up quickly to create a lofty fabric. You can hand wash it to keep it clean. This yarn is ideal for every project and for everyone. It has been safety-certified as it is best-in-class baby yarn. You will love using Bernat yarns for your craft projects.
Bernat Roving yarn is a blend of 80% acrylic and 20% wool. You can craft your favorite winter collections with this super soft and warm yarn.
Key Features
- Thick and soft wool blend
- Ideal for knitting and crochet projects for garments and accessories
- Creates a lofty fabric
- Consists of a blend of 80% acrylic and 20% wool
- Super soft and warm
- Easy to clean
- Available in bold and colorful shades
- Versatile
4. Tehete Angora Wool Yarn
Angora wool is produced from Angora rabbit and is distinct from mohair which comes from Angora goat. This fiber is popular for its softness and is also thin in terms of texture.
Its distinct fluffiness and silky wool texture make it warmer and lighter. If you’re looking to make a cozy soft sweater with a Fair Isle collar, this is your new best friend.
The fluffy surface texture is ultra-soft to touch. This luxurious yarn is available in a variety of colors. You can use it to craft all sorts of apparel including sweaters, scarves, mittens, skirts, and jackets. Tehete is a reputed brand focused on producing yarns that is suitable for crafting quality apparel.
Key Features
- Natural luxurious fiber
- Durable and easy to dye
- Is hand washable and non-allergenic
- Does not irritate the skin
- Blends well with other fibers
- 100% angora wool
- Warm fiber with superior insulating properties
- Fiber is fine and delicate
- Is elegant and is highly valued in the fashion industry
- Available in luminous shades
5. Lion Brand Wool-Ease Yarn
This 2-ply wool blend yarn is super bulky. This makes it an ideal choice for knitting warm sweaters, hats, vests, and slippers. It is ideal for beginners.
If you’re looking for an Aran-style bulky sweater that’s easier to wash (and less likely to itch), this 20% wool blend is a great, economic choice. It has the classic look of a bulky wool, with the convenience of an acrylic blend.
The fiber content of this yarn makes it ideal for making blankets, scarves, and blankets as well as bulky sweaters. You can always go down to a medium weight wool blend from Lion Brand for making other sweater patterns if you’re not sold on the chunky look.
Key Features
- Soft and warm
- Thick and quick and is super bulky
- Easy to care for
- Made in Turkey
- 80% acrylic and 20% wool
- Offers softness and warmth of wool
- Easy to clean
- Good quality and choice of colors
- Feels comfortable
6. Caron Simply Soft Yarn
Caron Simply Soft yarn is versatile and most popular worsted weight yarns available in the market. It is extremely soft to touch and can be used in a variety of projects.
Simply Soft is available in a multitude of colors ranging from brights to pastels. You will find a perfect shade for your project from the collection.
The yarn has a unique sheen and it offers a beautiful drape. It is convenient to clean. You can maintain it easily with a simple machine wash followed by gentle drying.
While this is not your best choice for Aran sweaters or even a traditional Fair Isle knit, this slick acrylic is easy to work with, especially for crocheting, and is a solid option for looser sweaters with more drape and less structure.Think loose lace cardigans or sweaters that pair over another shirt.
Simply Soft is durable and soft yarn. You have plenty of options to use it in your projects. It is made from 100 percent acrylic fiber and has a rich shine.
Key Features
- Durable and soft yarn available in a striking shade range
- Perfect yarn offering endless possibilities to the users
- 100% acrylic fiber
- Manufactured in North Carolina, USA
- Machine washable and dryable for easy care
- Perfect for knitting sweater and other crochet garments
- Is suitable for machine wash in warm water
7. Lion Brand Baby Soft Yarn
This special, soft acrylic blend is a medium weighted yarn. It is available in pastel shades and prints.
This yarn consists of 60% acrylic and 40% polyamide. This yarn is lighter and the finished products have a natural bounce.
While it may not be your first choice for an adult sweater (although you could technically use it for one), this is the ideal choice for baby and toddler sweaters. “Baby soft” is in the name, after all.
It’s also a great choice if you’re looking to surprise little ones with a handmade sweater for a favorite bear or crocheted animal.
This high-quality yarn is long-lasting. It is perfect for crocheting blankets and sweaters. It is also soft and light. It is easy to work with and has good elasticity. If you are looking for a nice, smooth knitting experience, then you should go for this yarn.
Key Features
- Soft acrylic blend
- 60% Acrylic and 40% Polyamide
- Available in beautiful pastel colors and prints
- Durable and long-lasting
- Is soft and light
- Can be cleaned in a simple machine wash
- High-quality acrylic
- Ideal for crocheting sweater and baby blankets
Related Questions
How Can Beginners Pick the Right Yarn For a Project?
In addition to looking for articles like this, you can also try reading the descriptions of yarns, on the label and on the listing (if you’re buying online). These will sometimes give you some ideas for common projects to make with that yarn, such as scarves, sweaters, blankets, or more.
It will also tell you how many yards are in the skein. Based on this information you can buy appropriate skeins for your knitting project.
Can I Use These (Sweater) Yarns For Making Crocheted Rugs?
Yes, you can use these yarns for crocheting rugs. You may prefer chunky yarns with more texture for rug-making, though. Fine yarns will be very thin and may be less effective. Roving yarn would be an excellent choice.
Up Next: The 7 Best Yarns For Crochet Socks
