There are a lot of choices when it comes to finding the best wool yarn for your next knitting or crocheting project. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best options and help you know what to look for when choosing wool yarn, because all wool and wool blend yarns are not created equal.
We’ll also give you some tips on how to care for your finished project. So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced knitter or crocheter, keep reading for great wool yarn advice!
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Factors to Consider when Choosing Wool Yarn
Let’s take a look at all the things that should come into play when choosing the right wool yarn.
1. Ease of Care
This is a big one in my book. I want a yarn that is easy to care for (especially since I have four kids!). Since this is a natural fiber yarn, it sometimes needs special care.
Luckily, most wool yarns on the market today are easy to care for thanks to the processing of the fiber. You can machine wash and dry some varieties of superwash wool yarn. I’ve personally tested many of these and they come out of the dryer looking good as new (and smelling even better).
This is what makes them such good choices for many different items. Make sure you check the recommended care method on the yarn label before tossing in the washer and dryer (trust me, the hubs did this and shrank a baby onesie to fit a doll!!!). Most are washed in cold water on delicate cycle.
2. Cost
There are plenty of affordable, quality wool yarns on the market today. Gone are the days of bargain-basement wool yarns that would rub your fingers raw (been there, done that!). Fiber processes have come a long way and this is great for us as knitters or crocheters, as we can easily find a yarn to meet our needs.
From sturdy, rough wool that can handle the wear and tear of repeated washings to a fine, comfy superwash merino wool, you can find great affordable yarns in just about any yarn weight.
3. Weight
Speaking of yarn weight, the type of item you are making is another thing to keep in mind when choosing the right wool yarn.
Wool yarn comes in pretty much every weight of yarn there is, from size 0 lace weight to size 6 super bulky (and maybe even some size 7 jumbo!).
4. Availability
I know the internet has opened up lots of options, but sometimes I just want to feel the yarn before I decide which yarn I want to use, especially with wool. They are still not all created equal, even though they are leaps and abounds above where they used to be. Some are scratchy, while others are so soft you can’t believe they are wool at all.
So as much as I love online shopping, there is just something about being able to handle the yarn that I love. I tend to use yarn that is available locally, although there are times that I really love ordering online, from places such as We Crochet or Mary Maxim.
Learn about the difference between yarn weights here.
Best Wool Yarns on the Market Today
There are many different wonderful yarns made of wool that make amazing projects, and it would be impossible for me to list them all here, but these are some yarn recommendations for my favorite brands that I have personally used and loved.
Some are hand wash and others machine washable, but all of these are beautiful yarn choices. I’ve listed out the care instructions for each yarn. Some of these are pure wool and some are blends, but they are all wonderful yarns you should try.
All of these can be ordered online and you can find many in yarn shops and craft stores. Here they are in no particular order:
Berroco Ultra Wool
Berroco Ultra Wool DK offers the same cozy texture and feel as their original 100% superwash wool yarn, and comes in a stunning selection of amazing colors. This luxurious plied yarn is ideal for any project from sweaters to hats and mittens, and it’s a soft yarn making it a great choice for both knitters and crocheters!
Fiber Content: 100% superwash wool
Yarn Weight: Worsted Weight #4 and DK Weight (#3)
Yardage/Weight: DK Weight 292 yards/100g
Care: Machine Wash, Machine Dry
Click here to check out Berroco Ultra Wool DK!
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Knit Picks/We Crochet Chroma Worsted
This is a gorgeous rainbow of vibrant colors with a color-transitioning wool and nylon blend yarn. It’s a single ply yarn in a medium weight with differences in thickness so it looks handspun. I love the subtle blended sections of this amazing yarn and the shading. It’s absolutely gorgeous!!
Plus, since it’s superwash it can be machine washed. I love this wool/nylon blend for colorful worsted socks, accessories and garments. I love that it comes in this common yarn weight instead of just a finer yarn.
Chroma Twist Worsted is also an amazing choice – the difference is that they took the original Chroma and gave it a 2-ply twist! No two hanks of this yarn are the same.
Fiber Content: 70% superwash wool, 30% nylon
Yarn Weight: Worsted Weight #4
Yardage/Weight: 198 yds/100g
Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Click here to check out Chroma Worsted!
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CASCADE YARNS 220 SUPERWASH
This yarn gets its name from the generous 220 yards you’ll find in each skein, and it’s the superwash version of their super popular Cascade 220. You can find it in tons of different colors including solids and heathered colors.
Since it’s superwash you can toss it in the washing machine, so it’s great for all kinds of different projects including accessories, garments, or bags (plus lots more).
Fiber Content: 100% Superwash Peruvian Highland Wool
Yarn Weight: DK weight yarn (#3)
Yardage/Weight: 220 yards/100g
Click here to check out Cascade 220 yarn!
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FELICI SOCK YARN
This is seriously one of my favorite wool/nylon blends of all time. If you’re a sock knitter you will love this self-striping sock yarn that is maching washable and dryable. It comes in a ton of fun colors and is a very affordable wool yarn.
Fiber Content: 75% superwash merino wool, 25% nylon
Yarn Weight: Fingering Weight Yarn (#1)
Yardage/Weight: 218 yards/50g
Care: Machine wash and dry
Click here to check out Felici Sock Yarn!
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LION BRAND YARN WOOL EASE THICK AND QUICK
This is my go-to super bulky yarn. I love all the colors it comes in, the feel of the yarn and how great the stitch definition is. It’s one of my faves!
I’ve been using this yarn since I first started knitting in 2006. I’ve both knit and crocheted with it (hats, scarves, etc) and have made my hubs a sweater in it (that I never released on the blog). It’s super comfy and warm and he loves it!
This is an acrylic and wool yarn blend.
Fiber Content: 80% acrylic, 20% wool
Yarn Weight:Super Bulky (#6)
Yardage/Weight: 106 yards/170g
Care: Machine wash and dry
Click here to see Wool Ease Thick & Quick!
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KNIT PICKS HAWTHORNE TONAL
This is my go-to sock yarn for beautiful tonal socks. Sometimes I want striped socks, so I go with Static or Felici, but other times I want the stitch definition itself to stand out and I always reach for Hawthorne.
It’s also great for any other projects where you want subtle color changes of the same hue and a superwash wool and nylon blend. I designed these Mock Cable Ankle Socks with this yarn – check out the gorgeous color changes!
Hawthorne yarn also comes in bare (for dyeing your own), multi, speckle, kettle dye and even value packs.
Fiber Content: 80% Fine Superwash Highland Wool, 20% Polyamide (Nylon)
Yarn Weight: Fingering Weight Yarn (#1)
Yardage/Weight: 357yds/100g
Care: Machine wash and dry
Click here to check out Hawthorne yarn!
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KNIT PICKS HEATHERLY
I am so in love with this acrylic/wool blend that I bought the value pack in every color!! It’s a dream to work with and the acrylic component makes it very easy to care for. You can see this yarn in my Textured Snowflake Beanie in the worsted weight.
I like this type of yarn because it combines the best qualities of a synthetic with the natural feel of a natural fiber.
It comes in both sport weight and worsted weight yarn, so whether you like your yarn on the thinner side or in the medium range you are covered. It’s a mixture of bright colors with white to make a heathered tone (hence the name!) and they are all gorgeous.
This is a great fiber blend when you want a wool component but you want to wear it next to your skin. So hats, mittens, tops and even blankets are great in this yarn.
Fiber Content: 80% acrylic, 20% wool
Yarn Weight: Comes in Sport (#2) and Worsted (#4)
Yardage/Weight: Sport: 328yds/100g Worsted: 218yds/100g
Care: Machine wash and dry
Click here to check out Heatherly Sport yarn!
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LB COLLECTION SUPERWASH MERINO
This DK weight wool yarn is from Lion Brand Yarn and is part of Lion Brand’s LB Collection, which is a special line of affordable luxury fibers. I used this yarn for a handbag as part of a published book project, and it was amazing!
It’s superwash, so you can wash and dry it, and it feels heavenly. It comes in a wide variety of colors, too!
Fiber Content: 100% Extra Fine Wool
Yarn Weight: DK (Category #3)
Yardage/Weight: 306 yds/100g
Care: Machine wash and tumble dry
Click here to check out Superwash Merino yarn!
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MALABRIGO CHUNKY
I just had to add one of the wool chunky yarns on the market for everyone out there like me who enjoys thicker yarn and projects that whip up quickly! I have used many different Malabrigo yarns, and let me tell you every one of them has been absolutely amazing!
I recommend the larger yarn for beginners, so if you are newer to knitting or crocheting, check out this yarn right here. It just might be the perfect yarn for your next project. The range of colors for this yarn is amazing.
The colors of Malabrigo are to dye for (haha!). Seriously, every one I have ever seen has been spectacular. This chunky yarn is no exception, and if you are looking for a great chunky wool yarn, you won’t be disappointed. Keep in mind, though, that this is NOT superwash, so you will need to hand wash.
Fiber Content: 100 Percent Merino wool
Yarn Weight: Bulky Weight Yarn (Category #5)
Yardage/Weight: 104 yds/100g
Care: Hand wash only
Click here to check out Malabrigo Chunky yarn!
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Common Wool Yarn Questions
Which brand wool is best?
There are many great wool yarns on the market, but I feel the best ones are from Malabrigo, Lion Brand Yarn and Knit Picks. They offer quality yarns that are affordable, both in superwash varieties and in regular wool. They also offer premium wool blends.
Is wool yarn good for sensitive skin?
Wool might not be a good choice if you have sensitive skin. One hundred percent wool can be scratchy, so if you do want to use wool and you have sensitive skin, consider a wool blend, such as Heatherly from Knit Picks, which is 80% acrylic with 20% wool but still has the feel of a natural fiber.
What are wool yarns good for?
Wool yarns are good for most any projects, even those that will be subjected to high heat (it doesn’t melt like synthetic fibers, but it can burn) and some people do not like using it for garments and accessories that are close to the skin as it can be scratchy or irritating. Some people are also allergic to wool.
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You Might Also Like…
Acrylic vs Cotton Yarn
Acrylic vs Wool Yarn
Best Yarn for Sweaters
Best Premium Acrylic Yarn
Best Yarn for Scarves
Final Thoughts about the Best Wool Yarn
Today we’ve learned about the best wool yarn, whether you choose to knit or crochet with it. Wool is amazing for all types of projects, from knitting socks to warm scarves and sweaters.
Wool has excellent stitch definition, is an excellent choice for a variety of projects (honestly wool is probably the most versatile of the animal fibers) and comes in a wide range of many beautiful colors.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post!
Happy Knitting and Crocheting!
Amanda
