How to Choose the Perfect Yarn: Tips from Seasoned Knitters

Has this ever happened to you? You are in a yarn store, and you see a skein of yarn that instantly catches your eye. It’s a beautiful hand-dyed yarn or the softest merino wool or a shimmering merino-silk skein. Because you cannot resist, you pick it up. It feels as good as it looks—soft and lush. You know you want it, but first, hard as it may be, you need to decide if it is the best yarn for your next knitting project. Ask seasoned knitters, and you’ll be told that choosing the right yarn can make the difference between a project you love and one that never quite comes together. Drawing on their collective experience, we’ve compiled a few tried-and-true tips to help you choose wisely—and make every stitch a success.

What Makes the Perfect Yarn for Your Knitting Project?

There are 4 important facts to determine before you buy any knitting yarn: fiber content, Weight, Gauge and Washing/Care Instructions. If the yarn is produced by a responsible company or an independent, experienced dyer, all those questions should be answered on the label. 

Before learning about the first thing, you need to ask yourself, "What are you going to make? Socks, a shawl, a warm cowl, or a blanket for a kid? Once you’ve decided on the project, the next step becomes easy.

Tip 1: Understand the Yarn Fiber Content

Let’s start with its fiber content! Is it wool? Is it a blend of two fibers? Is it a plant fiber, such as linen or cotton? Is there any synthetic material involved? Only when these questions are answered and you understand the behavior of a specific yarn/fiber can you determine if it’s the perfect yarn for the project you have in mind.

If it’s merino wool, it will be soft and warm. It’s a favorite among knitters for all projects and all seasons. Dive into more details with our guide on everything you need to know about merino wool. If it is a blend of two different yarns, you need to know about how these two fibers interact. (Hint: a lot will depend on the percentage of each.) It pays to do a quick search of a fiber’s key attributes.

Here is a brief yarn guide stipulating some attributes of yarns derived from animals or plants.       

Tip 2: Determine Weight & Gauge

The next important thing to know is the weight of the yarn.  First, read the label to see what the yarn company states about its weight. The most often used yarn weights are fingering weight, DK weight, worsted weight, and bulky, but this can be subjective depending on who is producing the fiber. Gauge is a help as well.

Fingering weight is often used for socks, baby wear and finer garments like lacy shawls.  It is worked on smaller needles, such as US 1-3, and is suitable for intermediate or experienced knitters. The gauge for fingering weight yarn is usually 6.5 – 8 sts. per inch

DK weight is a medium-weight yarn known for good stitch definition, which makes it suitable for a wide range of projects and for showcasing color work or more intricate stitches. Scarves, hats, gloves and lightweight sweaters often use dk weight yarn. Normally, it works on US needle sizes 4-6; it is a good choice for both beginners and experienced crafters. The gauge for DK weight yarn is usually 5-6 sts per inch.

Worsted weight yarn is thicker than DK but lighter than bulky yarn and is commonly used for sweaters, blankets, hats, and other everyday items where warmth is wanted. It has a typical knitting gauge of 16–20 stitches per 4 inches, and a recommended needle size of US 7-9. It is a fine choice for beginners and experienced knitters. Gauge for worsted yarn is usually 4-5 sts per inch.

Bulky yarns are thick for quick-to-knit projects like blankets, scarves, and hats. A bulky yarn creates a cozy fabric and works up rapidly with larger needles (US 10- 13), making it a popular choice for beginning knitters who want a fast result. Gauge for bulky yarn is approximately 3-3.75. sts per inch.

Tip 3: Understand Gauge

Gauge is usually shown as the number of stitches knit over 4” (10 cm). This is a critically important piece of information since it will help you decide on needle size and what yarn is appropriate for the object you are making. It’s important to remember that gauge can vary—depending on the needle size, the knitter’s technique, and the yarn’s content. It may feel like a drag to do a gauge swatch before starting your pattern, but it’s critically important and can save you time or disappointment down the line.

Tip 4: Care for Hand Knits

Your work and time deserve the respect of good care, as does the yarn you purchased. It’s important to take the time to finish your project properly. A well-labeled yarn should have washing instructions included, but just to be safe, here are some basic facts about caring for your hand-made article.

Hand washing in cool water is the best way to go.

Use a pure liquid soap designed for wool or delicate fibers to ensure safe results. Gently dip the item(s) into and out of the water bath several times, making sure the final rinse in cold water is soap-free.

Another trick is blocking. Always lay the item flat on an absorbent surface and let it dry naturally. It is not advised to use a dryer with pure wool. If the yarn is described as machine washable, you can put it into the washing machine – just make sure to use only cold water and the gentle spin cycle.

Choosing the right yarn is both an art and a skill, one that every knitter refines with experience. So, the next time a beautiful yarn catches your eye, take a moment to feel it, read the label, and imagine what it wants to become. With these tips from seasoned knitters, you’ll find joy not only in the making but in every thoughtful choice along the way. As producers of fine knitting yarns, we share your passion for beautiful knitting fibers. Choosing the right yarn is one of the most important (and fun!) parts of planning a knit or crochet project. Hopefully, this information will help you make the right choice.

This article is part of an ongoing commitment to those who share the passion for beautiful yarns and making things by hand. Be sure to join the mail list to learn more and to be updated on what’s new!

Before you go ahead and buy yarn, here’s what you need to know:

Tips to work with Hand-Dyed Yarn