The secret to creating a lovely knitted item isn’t just skill – it’s also about choosing yarn made from the right fiber. This could be a type of wool made from the coats of animals – either from sheep, goat, rabbit, or alpaca. It could be a natural fiber like cotton or bamboo. Or it could be a synthetic fiber like acrylic or polyamide.

If you go too far wrong when choosing your yarn, I can guarantee you’ll be disappointed with the results. I’m the last person to sound gloomy about knitting. But I don’t want you to waste your precious time or money! Most of all, I want you to be proud of everything you make.

Your personal preferences in textures, feel, and colors all play a significant role in your yarn fiber selection.

Your knitting pattern is important, too. Patterns always give you suggested yarns and tell you what the yarn is made of. But what if it’s not what you want? This is why it’s so important to know the properties of each kind of yarn before you start looking at patterns.

In this post, I’ll explain the characteristics that make each type special. This guide will help you make sure you get results that you’ll love – even if you’re starting out on your very first project.

100% standard wool or Merino wool

Warmth Factor: Standard wool comes from sheep and is the traditional and best known fiber for knitting. Wool is excellent for cold weather. It’s like wearing a cozy hug.

Feel: Merino wool is especially soft against the skin but some wools can be a bit scratchy, especially for babies, young children, and those with sensitive skin (like me!).

Cost: Wool varies in price quite a bit, with Merino being on the higher end due to its softness and quality.

Care: Gently hand wash in cool water and lay it flat to dry.

Good to Know: Some types of wool can ‘felt’, which means it can turn into a tight, mat-like texture when washed roughly. So be careful!

Acrylic and Wool Blends (50% acrylic/50% wool)

Warmth Factor: Half sheep’s wool, half acrylic blends are warm and often less pricey than full wool.

Feel: They’re usually soft and less itchy than full wool. Personally, 50-50 acrylic and wool blends are my favourite – they look great but also wash well and are hard-wearing.

Cost: A mid-range price point, offering a balance of the benefits of wool with the affordability of acrylic.

Care: Many can be machine washed on a warm setting and dried at a medium temperature.

Good to Know: These blends offer the warmth of wool with the durability of acrylic.

Acrylic and Wool Blends (90% acrylic/10% wool)

Warmth Factor: Still cozy, but with more acrylic, they’re less warm than the 50/50 blends.

Feel: These are lightweight and quite soft.

Cost Slightly more expensive than pure acrylic due to the addition of wool, but still quite budget-friendly.

Care: Similar to 50/50 blends, these can often be machine washed and dried.

Good to Know: They hold their shape well, making them great for everyday wear items.

100% Acrylic

Warmth Factor: Good for milder climates; not as warm as wool.

Feel: Soft and hypoallergenic, perfect for those with wool allergies.

Cost: The most affordable option, excellent for those on a budget.

Care: Super easy—machine washable and can be tumble dried.

Good to Know: Acrylic yarns have a wool-like feel. They are very affordable and come in lots of colors. Acrylic yarns can vary in quality – don’t use the very cheap ones because they can be stiff and shiny in a bad way. (Acrylic is a synthetic fiber derived from petroleum, which has led to some environmental concerns. Polyamide – also called Nylon – is another manmade fiber used in knitting yarns but it is almost always blended with other fibers.)

100% Cotton

Warmth Factor: Cotton is breathable, making it great for summer wear. Don’t knit something in cotton for winter, as it’s not very warm.

Feel: Soft and gentle, it’s often used for baby clothes.

Cost: Generally inexpensive, though organic or specialty cottons can be pricier.

Care: Most cotton yarns can be machine washed and dried on a medium setting.

Good to Know: Cotton can lose its shape easily, so it’s not ideal for items that need to stretch. Personally, I wouldn’t knit an adult sweater in 100% cotton because of this – though these yarns can work well for clothes for babies and small children.

Mohair

Warmth Factor: Mohair is very warm.

Feel: It’s light, fluffy, and has a lovely sheen. It comes in some beautiful shades.

Cost: It can be pricey, especially if it’s high quality or blended with other luxury fibers.

Care: Wash with cool water and mild soap, and lay flat to dry.

Good to Know: Mohair comes from the hair of the Angora goat and is often blended with other fibers. Can cause skin irritation for quite a lot of people, even when blended with other fibers. So if you’re knitting a garment as a gift, it’s best to check this out first. I adore mohair, but can’t wear any item with even a bit of mohair in it, even over T-shirts or blouses, because it’s just too itchy for me.

Angora

Warmth Factor: Angora is very warm.

Feel: Extremely soft, with a fuzzy, warm texture.

Cost: This is a high-end, luxury yarn due to its softness and the labor-intensive process to collect the fibers, so it’s expensive.

Care: Hand wash carefully and lay flat to dry.

Good to Know: Angora comes from the fur of Angora rabbits. It sheds, so it might not be the best for items like dark-colored sweaters.

Cashmere

Warmth Factor: Cashmere is one of the warmest fibers available, yet it’s incredibly lightweight.

Feel: It is renowned for its supreme softness and often considered the epitome of luxury.

Cost: Cashmere is definitely on the higher end of the yarn cost spectrum – but can be a relatively affordable choice when it’s blended with other fibers.

Care: Best to hand wash in cool water with a gentle soap and lay flat to dry; avoid hanging to prevent stretching.

Good to Know: It can be prone to pilling over time with friction and requires gentle care to maintain its softness and shape.

Alpaca

Warmth Factor: Warmer than wool and great for cold weather.

Feel: Very soft and luxurious feeling.

Cost: Often more expensive than standard wool but less than cashmere. Like cashmere, it’s often blended with other fibers like wool and acrylic, which makes it much more affordable.

Care: Hand wash in cold water and lay flat to dry.

Good to Know: Alpaca fiber is hypoallergenic so is great for anyone with allergies. It can lack elasticity, meaning it won’t spring back into shape well. I love Alpaca – and it’s becoming increasingly popular in luxury yarn blends.

Silk

Warmth Factor: Silk is lightweight and can be worn in different climates.

Feel: It has a smooth and elegant feel.

Cost: A luxurious fiber that’s generally expensive because of its sheen and elegant drape.

Care: It’s best to dry clean silk yarn items.

Good to Know: Silk has a beautiful drape, making it perfect for classy garments. Silk is not the easiest fiber to work with. Also, it can stretch and discolor over time.

Bamboo

Warmth Factor: Breathable and thermoregulating, keeping you cool in warm weather and cozy in cooler temperatures.

Feel: Silky, soft, and gentle on the skin.

Cost: More expensive than basic acrylic but can be more affordable than most luxury fibers.

Care: Gently machine wash and lay flat to dry.

Good to Know: Bamboo yarn is considered eco-friendly and sustainable. It’s also naturally antibacterial and moisture-wicking, making it great for garments and items that will be worn close to the skin.

Choosing the right yarn can turn your knitting project from good to great. Whether you love the warmth of wool, the softness of cotton, or the luxury of cashmere, there’s a yarn out there for every project and preference. Remember, the best yarn is the one that feels right for you and suits your project’s needs. So grab your needles, pick your yarn, choose your pattern – and happy knitting!