5 Best Yarns for Doll Hair
Whether you have young children, grandchildren, or you simply want to delve into a bit of craft, making your own dolls can be a fun way to spend your downtime.
For so many, what starts as a hobby can slowly also evolve into a lush side business as they develop their own style and branding that friends and family also want to commission. A handmade doll can effectively be the best childhood present that many will love to keep well into adulthood.
Whatever scenario you find yourself in, one of the questions you will want to know is how to create doll hair. Yarn is one of the best things to use for doll hair. It is also the safest option for dolls for young children.
However, which yarns are best for doll hair? From wool to acrylic, as well as other blends on the market, there are many options to choose from. Depending on the look and finish you want to go for, some yarns will be better for your doll.
So which yarn is best for doll hair? The fact is it can very much depend on whether you plan to knit a wig, or knit in loose strands or braids. For a wig, wool or acrylic, or a blend of both will work perfectly, while silky yarn will give you the best long flowing hair. Mohair is also very realistic in terms of texture and is a popular choice for doll hair since it is brushable.
If you don’t know where to start, then don’t worry. We have listed some factors to consider, answered some frequently asked questions, and also given you a review of best yarns for doll hair.
Shopping for Yarns for Doll Hair: Factors to Consider
1. Recipient age
It is always recommended to consider the age of your recipient when making any bespoke piece. For young children who may put everything possible in their mouths, doll hair should be sewed on securely. Also, natural fibres will be safer just in case some parts of the doll may be ingested.
2. Wigs, long hair or dreadlocks
This can effectively determine the type of yarn you go far. Mohair and wool are perfect yarns for wigs, and can make very realistic hair for a doll. If you’re looking to create dreadlocks, then the world really is your oyster since you can get creative with different yarn types and colors to create spectacularly beautiful locks of hair for your doll.
3. Durability
Unless you’re making an ornamental doll, chances are, the doll you are making will get thrown around and dropped on the floor. The hair may even get pulled into bobbles and scrunchies. To this end, you will want to choose close knitted yarn which is strong and durable. Since handmade dolls are often kept for a very long time, durability is important so ensure it stays in an attractive state.
4. Color
When it comes to doll hair you can use your imagination with colors. You can choose whether your doll has pink, red, or even rainbow hair. However, if you’re looking to make a look-alike doll, or a realistic one, then human hair colors are also possible to find. Consider auburn, black or blonde colors. Try not to get too fixated on an exact shade though, since colors can vary, especially when it comes to natural colors and fibres.
5. Texture
Yarn can come in silky, wooly and scratchy textures. Whether you want to create fluffy or curly hair, or silky straight hair will have a bearing on the type of yarn you choose. For the former, mohair is a great choice, while for the latter, acrylic and even some blends with silk can be perfect.
Related Questions
1. How should I choose which type of yarn to use?
This will depend on the type of hair you want to create, and whether you want to knit a wig or create loose strands or braids. Wool and acrylic are both suitable for knitting on wigs, while silky yarns will make charming flowy hair. For braids and dreadlocks you can use a combination to create the effect you want. The world really is your oyster.
2. How can I make a brushed mohair doll’s hair wig?
When it comes to mohair for a doll, you have to consider whether to use long-staple mohair to create a cap which is fluffy, or use the bouclé mohair which creates more natural curls. For the fluffy hair, you simply need to knit or crochet a hat which fits your doll’s hair. Using a wire comb you can pull out the mohair fibers to make create the fluffy hair effect. The fluffiness will probably reduce and the hair will matt, but it can easily all be teased out again and can be quite fun for the doll owner to do this.
3. Is acrylic or wool yarn better for doll hair?
Both acrylic and wool yarn will create a similar effect when it comes to knitted hair for your doll. Be sure to follow any specific care guidelines relating to the yarn you choose.
4. Can doll hair made from yarn be brushable?
If the recipient of your doll is keen on practicing their hairdressing skills, then it can be useful to bare this in mind when selecting the perfect yarn for your doll. Most silky and lightweight yarns will be perfectly brushable with a wide tooth comb. Leave the strands long enough and the doll owner will be able to practice a variety of different hairstyles.
The 5 Best Yarns For Doll Hair
1. Estako Cozy Thick & Quick Yarn
The Estako Cozy Thick & Quick Yarn is a super bulky weight #6 yarn made from a warm 20% wool and 80% acrylic blend. Its thick gauge makes it ideal for creating bold, chunky doll hairstyles like dreadlocks, braids, and thick ponytails.
This yarn is soft to the touch while still holding its shape well, so doll hair made from it will stay styled without drooping. It comes in a wide range of colors, letting you customize your doll’s look from natural tones to vibrant shades.
Each skein gives you about 65 yards of yarn, and the multi-pack option means you can mix and match colors for highlights or ombré effects. The wool content adds durability, so the hair will hold up to regular play.
2. Namzi Soft Plush Loop Yarn for Doll Hair
The Namzi Soft Plush Loop Yarn is specifically designed for doll hair making. Its unique looped texture creates natural-looking curls and coils straight out of the skein, making it one of the easiest yarns to work with for doll hair projects.
Made from a soft wool and acrylic blend, this yarn has a plush feel that adds volume and body to doll hairstyles. It works beautifully for creating afro-textured hair, curly styles, and whimsical character dolls.
The yarn comes in natural hair colors and the 50g skein goes a long way since the loops create fullness without needing extra material. It can be attached using crochet, sewing, or needle felting techniques.
3. Brushed Mohair Yarn in Doll Hair Colors
This Brushed Mohair Yarn is purpose-made for doll hair in realistic hair colors. Mohair creates the most lifelike doll hair of any yarn type — when brushed out, it produces fine, wispy strands that closely resemble real human hair.
The yarn comes in a 50g skein and is available in natural shades like brown, blonde, black, and auburn. After attaching it to the doll, you can brush it with a fine-tooth comb to separate the fibers into silky, flowing locks.
Mohair yarn is the top choice for high-end doll makers and amigurumi artists who want a polished, professional finish. It works especially well for wigs on crochet and knitted dolls where a realistic look is the goal.
4. Eyelash Fun Fur Yarn
Eyelash Fun Fur Yarn creates wild, playful doll hair with a fuzzy, textured appearance. Made from 100% polyester, each strand has tiny fibers that fan out to create volume and movement — perfect for fantasy dolls, character dolls, or any project where you want dramatic, eye-catching hair.
With 175 yards per skein, this yarn offers excellent value. It comes in a huge range of colors, from natural tones to bright neons, so you can create everything from realistic styles to rainbow-colored fantasy hair.
This yarn is lightweight and easy to attach by sewing or crocheting directly into the doll’s head. The fuzzy texture makes it forgiving to work with since individual stitches blend together naturally.
5. Keche Velvet Chenille Yarn
Keche Velvet Chenille Yarn creates smooth, silky doll hair with a luxurious feel. This bulky-weight chenille yarn produces thick, flowing strands that look polished and well-groomed right away — no brushing or additional styling needed.
The soft texture makes it an excellent choice for dolls intended for young children since it won’t scratch or irritate. It comes in a range of colors including natural hair tones like camel, brown, and black.
At 132 yards per 100g skein, you get plenty of material for multiple dolls. The yarn holds its shape well after being cut and attached, and it won’t fray or unravel at the ends like some other yarn types.
