Yarn is a crocheter’s best friend. Choosing, collecting, and storing yarn is basically a hobby within itself. In this guide, you’ll learn the best yarns for crochet beginners, which yarns to avoid, and some important characteristics of yarn to make crocheting even more fun.
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Learning to crochet is tricky enough. Don’t make the process harder by choosing the wrong yarn. But, with so many beautiful yarns on the market, how do you know which is best for the learning process? Here are some tips on how to avoid the wrong yarns and choose the best yarns for crochet when beginning your journey.
Yarns to Avoid When Learning Crochet
1 // Highly Textured Yarns
Textured yarns are super pretty but it’s really tough to see your stitches, especially as a beginner.
What To Use Instead: Look for a smooth yarn with the same even thickness throughout the skein.
2 // Dark Colored Yarn
Like textured yarn, yarn that is too dark makes it tough to see your stitches.
What To Use Instead: Look for a yarn with a neutral or pastel color that’s easy on the eyes. I recommend sage green, light tan, or medium brown.
3 // Yarn that is Too Thick or Too Thin
Very thick yarn can be tough to manipulate because of its weight. And very thin yarn makes it tough to see stitches and is susceptible to tangles.
What To Use Instead: Look for a category 4 – worsted or category 5 – bulky weight yarn. Both are easy to find and work with.
4 // Single Ply Yarn
Single-ply yarn is often loosely spun, making it susceptible to splitting. It’s also very difficult to unravel if you’ve made a mistake.
What to Use Instead: Look for a yarn with a tighter twist and at least 2 plies (keep reading to learn more about plies!).
5 // Variegated Yarn
Though very pretty, variegated yarn looks like a labyrinth to the untrained eye. It will be very tricky to learn crochet with a yarn like this, as the pattern is much too busy.
What To Use Instead: Find a solid colored yarn that is the same color throughout the skein.
What Are the Best Yarns for Crochet Beginners?
After hundreds of hours of teaching crochet, I’ve learned a thing or two about what yarn makes learning crochet a little easier. When looking for a yarn to learn crochet with, look for these features:
- Worsted (category 4) or bulky (category 5). These yarns make it much easier to handle the yarn and see your stitches. Since you can see your stitches without holding the fabric too close to your face, you’re more likely to be relaxed and focused.
- Smooth, plied yarn. Look for a yarn with a smooth texture throughout. You should be able to easily identify the individual strands. A plied yarn means that a single strand consists of several strands twisted together (often between 2-12 individual strands “plied” together). Plied yarn means you’ll have better stitch definition, thus being able to see your stitches better.
- Gentle, solid color. By gentle color, I mean anything that is easy on the eyes. My students typically go for pastels, especially sage green or lilac, or neutrals like tan or medium gray. Also, be sure to choose a color that is solid throughout the skein. Choosing a gentle, solid color allows you to focus on your stitching and not on how hard it is to see and understand your crochet fabric.
- Inexpensive. The beginning stages of crochet involve a lot of trial and error. That means you’ll likely unravel and re-crochet the same yarn over and over again. Go for an inexpensive yarn when learning so you don’t feel bad about the beating that yarn might take. Once you get the hang of things, it’ll be easy to transition to pricier yarn.
Notice that I did not mention yarn fiber in this list. If you’re able to find a yarn that meets all of the criteria mentioned above, it doesn’t really matter what the fiber is. Go with your preference between animal fibers, plant fibers, and acrylic fibers.
8 Yarns for Crochet Beginners
Now that you know what to look for, here are some recommendations of yarns that work well for crochet beginners.
1 // Paintbox Cotton Aran
Specs: $3 per 93-yard skein. 100% cotton. Worsted weight.
Hook recommendation: 5mm
2 // WeCrochet Swish Worsted
Specs: $6 per 110-yard skein. 100% superwash merino wool. Worsted weight.
Hook recommendation: 5.5mm
3 // Red Heart Soft Essentials
Specs: $7.49 per 131-yard skein. 100% acrylic. Bulky weight.
Hook recommendation: 6.5mm
4 // Lion Brand Hue + Me
Specs: $6.99 per 137-yard skein. 80% acrylic, 20% wool. Bulky weight.
Hook recommendation: 6.5mm
5 // Cascade 220
Specs: $11.50 per 220-yard cake. 100% wool. DK weight.
Hook recommendation: 4.5mm
6 // Hobbii Amigo XL
Specs: $3.95 per 109-yard skein. 100% acrylic. Worsted weight.
Hook recommendation: 5mm
7 // Lion Brand Pima Cotton
Specs: $6.99 per 186-yard skein. 100% cotton. Worsted weight.
Hook recommendation: 5.5mm
8 // Big Twist Value
Specs: $3.99 per 380-yard skein. 100% acrylic. Worsted weight.
Hook recommendation: 5mm
What Else Should I Know About Yarn?
There’s a world of knowledge about yarn that you can easily get lost in. If you really want to nerd out on yarn, you can learn more about different fibers and their origins, yarn dyeing processes, and how the number of plies impacts the crochet experience.
Some crocheters are here just to make it to the finish line and some like to be a bit more deliberate. Here, I’m sharing some basic knowledge about yarn that you may want to know, but you can always do further research on your own.
Yarn Fiber Basics
Fiber content refers to what the yarn is actually made of. Fibers fall into 3 main categories:
- Animal fibers – wool, alpaca, cashmere, etc. Benefits: warm, elastic, breathable. Disadvantages: can be irritating to the skin, cost prohibitive, special care instructions, tough to find in big box stores.
- Plant fibers – cotton, bamboo, linen, etc. Benefits: moisture-wicking, breathable, sustainable. Disadvantages: heavier fibers, inelastic, color can fade.
- Synthetic fibers – acrylic, nylon, polyester, etc. Benefits: affordable, accessible, easy-care. Disadvantages: environmental impacts, pilling issues, wide variation in quality.
One yarn store may have dozens of yarns with different fiber contents, so pay close attention to the label, especially if you have allergies to any of the fibers present. Also, different fibers come with different care instructions.
Yarn Weights
There are two kinds of weights associated with yarn. One weight is measured in grams and ounces. That speaks to how much the yarn in an individual skein/ball weights. The other kind of weight is how thick a single strand of yarn is. This weight is represented on a scale from 0 – lace weight to 7 – jumbo, placing every yarn into a category. Worsted and bulky weight yarns are considered the best yarns for crochet beginners because they fall right in the middle of the list.
The Craft Yarn Council is a magnificent resource for understanding yarn weights and their associated hook recommendations. Their handy guide on yarn weights also explains the different names of each category. For example, category 4 – worsted weight is also sometimes called “medium” or “aran”.
Yarn Put Up
Yarn put up describes the way the yarn is presented for purchase. Most often you’ll find yarn in the store in bullet skeins, twisted hanks, pull skeins, and donut balls. More and more yarns are being found in cones again, especially cotton yarns.
We makers have some pretty bad habits when it comes to using the right terms for put ups (I, for one, still call bullet skeins balls – I just can’t stop!). For the most part, it doesn’t really matter what you call the put up, but it’s nice to know the correct terms.
Yarn Plys
A yarn ply is a single strand of yarn. Often, multiple strands of yarn are twisted together, or plied, to create a single strand of commercial yarn. Single-ply yarn exists as well and is very popular.
The yarn manufacturing process is very complex. With so many companies making yarn, individual companies may get creative with the way the yarn is constructed. Wool yarns are sometimes blended with nylon to add strength, making them perfect for socks. Mohair and silk are often plied together for a hazy, luxuriously soft yarn. When shopping for yarn, take a close look at the yarn label to understand the fiber content, and don’t be afraid to pull the plies apart (gently!) to better inspect the yarn.
Yarn plies are used to describe how many individual strands are in the yarn, but you might also come across yarn plies being used to describe yarn weights (dk, worsted, etc.). Some countries, the UK and Australia especially, still do this. If you’re ever confused on how a UK yarn ply relates to a US yarn weight, check out this table from Ravelry.
Yarn Storage and Finished Project Care
Caring for your yarn is imperative to ensure that your hard earned money doesn’t go to waste. When it comes to yarn, keep new yarn in the put up that it came in until you plan to use it. This ensures that the yarn doesn’t lose its elasticity. Keep yarn in a cool, dry place. If you’re partial to cotton, try keeping it out of the sun so it does not fade. Bookshelves and storage containers are great places to keep yarn. Avoid keeping yarn in plastic bags – this can encourage yarn to retain moisture and mildew.
One piece of information that you’ll find on 99% of yarn labels is care instructions. Some labels spell out the instructions in text, while others may have the instructions in symbols. Not familiar with care symbols? Check out this post from the Craft Yarn Council.
Care instructions vary, mainly based on fiber. Here is a great rundown of care instructions by fiber from Spruce Crafts via SigoniMacaroni.com:
- Superwash wool can be hand or machine washed on the gentle cycle in cold water.
- Regular wool must be washed by hand in cold water, or it will felt and shrink.
- Cotton and linen yarn can be washed in the washing machine on a gentle cycle using either cold or warm water.
- Acrylic and other synthetic yarns can be washed and dried in with your regular laundry as they do not shrink.
- Unknown fiber content items should be hand washed in cold water and laid flat to dry.
Yarn Q&A
What are the best yarns for crochet beginners?
An inexpensive, smooth, worsted or bulky weight yarn in a single color is the best choice for crochet beginners. Choose a fiber that you like (acrylic, wool, or cotton, typically) and a neutral or pastel color. I like to go for a sage gree 100% superwash merino wool, as it has great stitch definition, it’s easy to see your stitches, and the yarn is very smooth.
What weight of yarn is best for crochet blankets?
If you are a beginner crocheter, I recommend going with a category 4 – worsted or category 5 – bulky weight yarn to make blankets. Yarns like these are easy to find in the store and online, and they are easy to handle. Bulky weight yarns also work up very quickly so you can complete a blanket from start to finish in a weekend. If you are feeling more adventurous, try making a delicate blanket from fingering weight yarn, or a super cozy blanket from jumbo weight yarn.
What is the best quality acrylic yarn?
Acrylic yarn has come a long way. These days, you can easily find high-quality, luxuriously soft acrylic yarn in craft stores and online. Some recommendations to try would be We Crochet’s Brava, Lion Brand’s Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, and Berrocco’s Comfort.
Can you use crochet yarn for knitting?
Technically, there’s no such thing as “crochet yarn”. The term crochet yarn is typically used to describe very fine cotton thread, mainly used by crocheters to make blankets and other heirloom projects. This yarn can be knitted, crocheted, and applied to any number of yarn and craft projects.
Is acrylic yarn safe?
Acrylic yarn is a synthetic, man-made material. While acrylic yarn is praised for its versatility, accessibility, and value, there is a downside to this popular fiber. Acrylic yarn is flammable and melts into plastic. This may give you pause when gifting items made for babies. Acrylic is also produced with harsh chemicals that can have an impact on our health and our environment. Learn more about acrylic yarns and alternatives in this article from The Creative Folk blog.
Great day 1 information! Thank you for doing this.
Bravo! Toni! Congrats! Great job on the first day of Crochet Academy. 👍😊
Great information! It can be used as a reference for many projects to come! Thanks for day 1!
Great post for yhe first day of Crochet Academy! Thank you so much for the information. Looking forward to the upcoming lessons!
What does dk mean in yarn type?
Hi! DK stands for “double knitting”, and it’s a yarn weight in the category 3 – Light group.
I think I committed the first yarn sin by purchasing Paintbox Simple DK 5yarn color Granite Grey 🙁 – All good though. I’ll just add it to another project. I think I was going to use it for the hat.
Yes Toni this was a great first day of the academy. I’ve been crocheting for a few years now and it was a great refresher course. Right down to the nitty gritty as they say…laugh out loud…great job!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
This may be duplicated – buuuut – I think I committed a yarn sin 🙂 – I purchased Granite Grey Paintbox Simple DK – all is good though – I’ll just use it in another project. I think I got it to make the Marlo hat & scarf 🙂
I can’t get away from Lion Brand’s charcoal! Doesn’t matter the product, I NEED it in that dark grey!
Thank you so much for putting this all together, Toni! I was curious why my red heat super saver yarn says it can be washed but has to be laid flat to dry. I’m more curious though what would happen if I did dry it…would it shrink?
Hi Asma! Glad the info was helpful. I’d recommend a little experiment with your yarn. Make a 6″ square and measure it, maybe even take a couple of photos. Then wash/dry it with your other clothes. See if there are any changes and if it can, in fact, be dried.
I guess I’ve been working with yarn for so long that I’ve never even looked at my super saver labels to see if they can be dried! I always dry mine on cool – and delicate if I can help it! (Let’s be honest, though, not always because my husband sometimes “helps” 😉)
My best guess as to why it says lay flat is so that it pills less. I have a sweater I’ve made out of super saver that’s washed/dried pretty frequently and I’m pretty hard on that’s started to pill a fair amount, but the toys I’ve made from it (which I’m more careful about when I wash/ dry) still look very good.
Thanks Toni, great information—easy to read and understand. Ordered the four kits. Can’t wait to get started! 🥰
I am learning so much, and this is the first week of classes. Thank you so much for your guidance and your excitement and the way you teach.
Awesome!!! Great information!!
I wish I had known about the best yarns for beginners when I learned crochet years ago! I think I broke every rule 😂
Great info! I enjoyed reading about the different weights of yarn and fiber content.
Wow that was great information. I’ve been crocheting when I was little but I never knew the thickness or thinness of yarns. My mother just told me just get whatever yarn and she will usually check for me to learn and getting some practice of holding the yarn and how to use the hook and learning some stitch name and I will never question because mother knows what’s best👩👧. Thank you Toni. I feel like I was in summer camp of crochet 😇🧶.
Love the explanations. All those yarn labels are starting to make more sense to me now. Can’t wait for the next post!
Hi Toni, Enjoyed my first day. Even though I have been crocheting for a while I still like to learn new things and I did today so Thank you! Can’t wait for tomorrow!!!
Thank you Toni. I really enjoyed todays content. The light bulb has gone on after years of using wrong yarns and projects not turning out as they should. Sure I will return to this post many times.
This is great Toni!! Can’t wait for the remaining content.
Great content Toni & the links are great, can’t wait for week 2!!
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge for free! What an incredible gift.
Thank you so much! You answered a lot of my questions! Great info!
Thank you so much! You answered a lot of my questions! Great info!
Good information. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to learning more each day.
It’s only day 1 and I’ve already learned a lot. Thank you Toni 🙂
What a Great Introduction! I already learned some new things eben though i‘m crocheting for years! Thank you Toni! I am so looking forward for the next days and Weeks! Thank you so much for the crochet Academy!!
Thanks for the info/reminder on acrylic yarn! It’s hard to avoid them but this is a good reminder why we should seriously consider other yarns.
Great article! Looking forward to Day 2! And thank you for the the like comparing UK and USA yarn weights, that’s one think I’ve found confusing.
Wonderful and informative post!
Great information. Thank you.
Hi Toni
I signed up for the academy and got a Instagram. At 5:00 I did not see you. I read the blog. So will we that signed up see you or are we just reading. Pleas help. I really want to continue with this class. I enjoy you on YouTube
Hi! Crochet Academy is a blog series, so the post that went up today is the only content you should expect. I will have a few YouTube videos, but there will not be one every day. Sorry for the confusion.
Hi Toni!
Great post! This is a wonderful initial guide for beginning crocheters!
I have one small comment about one of the links you provided about Acrylic yarn: https://www.thecreativefolk.com/is-acrylic-yarn-toxic%EF%BB%BF/ (I tried to comment on their site and wasn’t able to do so.)
While most of their info is great–they did get something wrong that is important for yarn buyers to know: They say, “Bamboo Yarn – Bamboo is incredibly eco-friendly and is used to make such a wide range of natural products. It is now being used to make eco-friendly yarn, which is 100% bamboo. It is very soft and drapes really well.”
This is INCORRECT, or rather, it is incorrect for the vast majority of yarn out there being marketed as “bamboo”. Real bamboo yarn should be similar to Linen yarn, and will have a somewhat rough and stiff hand. Most yarn out there marketed as Bamboo is actually Rayon/Viscose yarn made from Bamboo fibers–the chemical processing used to create rayon utterly negates the eco-benefits of using the bamboo (and the rayon from bamboo can’t be identified either chemically or via a microscope as having any difference from regular rayon). The properties lauded in “bamboo” yarns–such as softness, drape, and wonderful colors–are actually the properties of the Rayon. The US Federal Trade Commission is now actively prosecuting companies mislabeling their fibers as “bamboo” when the acceptable wording is “rayon from bamboo”. See https://www.ftc.gov/bamboo-textiles
Good info. Thanks, I didn’t know the whole story behind bamboo yarns. I did know that many people find it very difficult to work with because it’s very unforgiving when you make mistakes. They really show. This is pertaining to the slinky chemical processed bamboo.
Thanks for the info- very interestibg. I guess the one benefit of bamboo environmentally is that it is a renewable resource….Now I’m wondering about the environmental impacts of cotton processing.
Thanks Toni, this information is great! The only question that I have, that you didn’t address, is why are some yarns of the same weight different diameters?
Great question! With there only being 8 yarn weights and thousands of yarns, the categories are a loose way to bunch some like yarns together. But, even within a yarn weight, there are bound to be yarns that are heavier or lighter than others. That’s why it’s so important to be intentional about yarn substitutions.
I loved this response Toni. Speaking of substitutions, what day will you address yarn substitutions?
We’ll have the yarn sub conversation in today’s post. Can’t wait for you to see it 🙂
Extremely informative and would have saved me a ton of pain a few years ago:). I kept buying pretty yarn that was hard to work with but didn’t understand there were other options. I eventually figured it out, but I sure hope this helps others before they hit that pitfall! Thank you Toni—you rock!!
Excellent information! Way to go!
This is so helpful!! Thank you, and I’m excited about the next one!
Very informative! Good read!
Thanks for the tips! When I first started – and actually started successfully (still a newbie) – I started with the Home Dec yarn. I found anything too fluffy made it hard for me to find stitches. That was my greatest frustration. Seeing stitches. Ask me about the time I tried learning on dark blue Homespun and gave up for 20 years. LOL
I’m a knitter learning to crochet and all of these yarn “rules” apply to knitting too! Which is why I should have known better than to buy dark grey yarn for one of the CAL projects! Lol
Wow! So much GREAT information! I’ve been crocheting for years and I’ve already learned so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Thank you, Toni. I am really excited to learn new tricks.
I’ve been crocheting for years and am still really excited to go back to basics and see if I can improve in any way.
Just what I was hoping for. Thx Toni.
Great info. I’m new to crocheting and had no idea of the various yarn types and textures.
Thank you
Thanks so much Toni. Great first lesson. Very informative. Looking forward to the rest of the lessons.
First day down! It was a perfect intro, thank you Toni!
Wow, all great information. thank you so much. iam so grateful that I found you, thank you, thank you
Thank you for this information. It’s very helpful. Looking forward to what you have next!!!
Day 1 – Nailed it! Thank you for making it simple and concise. I coach some makers in my community, and love to check my own knowledge and learn new tips. This will definitely help me be a better maker as well as an encourager and helper of others.
Crazy informative! I can’t imagine how long it took to pile this together, Toni. I’m an experienced crocheter and still learned something new. Thank you!
Toni, Wonderful way to start the week!! Thank you so much for the Day 1 class. It was very informative. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for the next blog!!
Thank you.
Even though I wish I knew this years ago but never too late. I’m excited
CA Day 1 —- AWESOME info! and who knew there were so many ‘terms’ for the way yarn is put together for sale… I like HAKENSKEIN! As a beginner, I have been given yarn of all types. You are definitely right about not learning with the odd looking skinny yarns! Boy was that not a fun lesson.
This was super helpful!
Thank you!!!
Thank you for a great first day of information, Toni. You’ve presented some key information in a way that’s very clear and digestible. I’ve been crocheting for a while now and I refer to how my yarn comes as the way it’s “organized” in a ball, skein, hank etc. Now I know to call it a “put up”. Teach me more of your ways:-).
First off Yaaayyy!!! Second, thanks so much for creating such an awesome project!! This post is not only concise but packed with so many priceless gems of info, that I found myself taking notes. Im so guilty of keeping my WIPs and unused yarn in a plastic grocery bag (habit since 1985) … Please advise.
Thank you! This is awesome!
Thanks for the info Toni. I appreciate the link to the Creative Folk blog regarding acrylic yarns. There are many OEKO-TEX certified acrylic yarns (e.g. Red Heart Super Saver and Bernat Blanket – check out the Yarnspirations website.) This certification ensures that the chemical impact is reduced. For those interested – check out GOTS certification as well for organic and fair trade brands.
Yay!!! Crochet Academy Day 1 on the books congratulations!! You should absolutely do a weekend Crochet retreat next!!
YAY! Thank you Toni!
I am so excited. I can already tell I am on my way to being a better crocheter.
Toni, thank you for spending time to put together this Academy for us! I enjoyed day one and excited for the rest of the sessions. Why do I want to buy all the things? Lol. The links take us to great sales too! I’m in trouble!
That was sweet!! I learned a lot but did not memorize it, so I am sure I will refer to this often. Love that, thank you.
Very interesting, and helpful to me, thank you!!
Hi Toni,
This is really helpful information. I love the Red Heart Soft yarn. I knitted my first afghan with it recently. Sooo soft. But that was just a lucky choice. Your lists and explanations will make yarn selection much more systematic and therefore more likely result in successful projects. Looking forward to more great info!
Thank you so much, Toni! I’m so excited to start! As a knitter I’m feeling familiar with the yarn, but as a foreigner the english terms and symbols are very helpful for me.
I thank you Toni from the bottom of my heart!!! This first lesson was so informative. Never had any one to teach me about different weights and size of yarns. Really reading the labels is a mystery still and I’m going to reread your information again. Once again thank you Toni!
Congratulations on the launch of Crochet Academy! As usual, your content is intentional, easy to understand and high quality. Thank you for being you. I am looking forward to the future blogs.
My mom taught me how to crochet, but nothing about yarn. I had my first “Ah ha” moment when you mentioned single ply yarn splitting and being difficult to undo. My beautiful red yarn ( from some foreign country) was difficult to work with, but made a beautiful sweater!! Thanks for the explanation!
Thank you! Great info!
Toni all I need to say is that you are AMAZING!!!!!! I have been a knitter for ten years and a crocheter for only eight months and I have learned more about yarn in the last eight months (found you when I started crocheting) then I have in ten years. I love your yarn reviews on youtube, they really have taught me what to look for when purchasing yarn. I’m so glad you decided you make the Crochet Academy:) your knowledge about yarn and crocheting has been so inspiring to me. Keep it up!!!!:)
Wow I must say I’m gonna enjoy this journey,
Thank you so much for the information and I love that references are there links and staff like…. Mmmmmmm God please bless Toni 10x more for me🥰🥰🥰🥰
Thank you a Toni. This was great day one information. I’ve been crocheting for decades and never learned the differences in yarn and fibers. You make me feel like being a bit more adventurous when making yarn choices. Can’t wait for the next one.
P.S. Thanks for recommending the Clover hooks. The tools really do make a difference! Now what do I do with all my Boye hooks. 😉
So much great information in this first lesson, Toni! Especially helpful is the explanation of the different yarn weights. I have been crocheting for a couple years now, and have been struggling with the whole “Aran” vs “Worsted” vs “Medium” thing, and now it’s so much clearer.
Can’t wait to see what tomorrow has in store. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, experience, and passion, Toni!!
Great information for introduction. I like many others wish I’d known then what I know now.
Thank you so much!! I totally call bullet skein balls or just store yarn, lol. Thank you for the proper terms! I was self taught and totally started on homespun, lol. Wish I had found you 5 years ago, but now I get to learn/correct my problem area. You are a fountain of knowledge thank you so much🥰
Have been a super duper stoked for the academy to start! Day 1 lived up to, and went beyond my expectations! Have just started crocheting to help with my stress monsters related to breast cancer recovery. So this is so exciting and a wonderful diversion for me!
Thanks a million Toni for sharing for abundant priceless wealth of knowledge and expertise with us! Your a Rock Star!
So nice to have this information about yarns altogether. You’re a good teacher. Thanks for sharing your talent.
1) Have you ever used yarnsub.com and if so do you think it’s a good resource?
2) Are you going to help us learn how to figure out yardage for patterns on our substituted yarns?
I appreciate the lessons.
Bless you!
Hi Cindy! Great questions. Look out for today’s post for the answers 😉
Thanks for all the info!! I convinced bmy daughter to sign up as she has decided she would like to learn and we figured an outside person sharing info would be good!! This came at a great time! Thanks again, so much!
Thank you Toni! Great first post. So glad I joined. Looking forward to the coming weeks. This will be my first Crochet along.
Thanks for including the Aussie info in here as well, it’s been great to learn more about yarn weights and then assimilate it to the ply weighting that I’m used to here in Oz.
Thank you for the generous content Toni, I am excited to learn.
Thank you so much for this information! This is going to be a lot of fun learning and making things. Again Thank you!
Great first lesson! Looking forward to learning more — Thanks, Toni 🙂
Thanks! I learned so much! This answered so many of my curious questions about yarns, how to wash, what are these weights… Thank you !!
Thank you for sharing all this info! Looking forward to learning more!
Thanks! I learned so much! This answered so many of my curious questions about yarns, how to wash, what are these weights. All good!
Hi Toni and crafters, I am so looking forward to learning more about crochet. This first blog was great, easy to digest and I learned a lot. For instance I’ve been crocheting for nearly 3 years and it just clicked that worsted = aran = medium yarn! Who knew, well I guess someone did, but no one put them all together. So much lost time trying to find worsted when I had it all along…lol..I look forward to learning more to hone my skills, etc. Congrats on a successful launch!
Thank you Toni for all this great info! I’ve been crocheting for years & never realized that yarn shouldn’t be kept in plastic bags (I’m going to take those out right now). I can’t wait to see what other info you share with us! I’m so glad I decided to join because I thought I knew all there was to know but apparently, I’ve still got more to learn!
Thanks so much for the info! Great job on Day 1.
Hi Toni,
This is a wonderful series you are putting together. As a long time knitter I could have used this information years ago! I’m thrilled to have it now as I start my crochet journey.
I am in Canada so some of the yarns are difficult to get in smaller quantities (shipping costs). Could you tell me if the Red Heart Soft and the Red Heart Soft Essentials are similar for learning purposes?
Thank you and wishing you success and enjoyment on this venture. I am very excited to join you.
Hi Charline – so glad to have you in Crochet Academy 🙂 Off the top of my head, I believe Soft is a worsted weight and Soft Essentials is a bulky weight. But otherwise, they are similar and both great to learn with.
Hi Toni,
I am so excited about this class. I am new to your blog–I clicked on a link from the SQUAM newsletter–it made my day!
I have several windows open tying to decide what my project(s) will be–and what colors I want! This is a helpful post! I made an afghan years ago with different weighted yarn and although I still love it, it still looks funny. This information is valuable to anyone. Thank you!
I learned a lot about yarn. Thank you!
I’m Learning! I’m Learning! And it’s FUN!
Fabulous day 1, I’m not a beginner but this info is great! I wish I would have known about those textured yarns. I threw away so many in frustration and now I won’t even bother with them.
Thanks for all the information on the yarn weights! I love your YouTubes and I was always confused when you mentioned the yarn weights 🤷🏼♀️. NOW I get it!! Can’t wait for the next podcast! I’ve crocheted for awhile off and on but was “winging it” , Grandma just showed me the basics 😆🤗. Gotta Love Grandma 👵
Thank you for this foundational information. I’m really looking forwards to the rest of the lessons!
Great start with lots of really useful information. Thanks
Appreciate you doing this for us Toni! I’ve been knitting/crocheting for about a year now (picked up during quarantine) and have learned some new things! I have been taking a bit of a hiatus from knitting since I find it to be a bit harder 😅
Hi Toni
A very informative session indeed! It is great to have all this info ready in one blog. I usually have to google various sites to read up on information needed which can be quite tedious at times.
i just want to say thanks for all the info notebook with lots of notes made im few hours behind as im in the uk but great 1st day cant wait for todays lesson.
Off to a great start! Thank you for doing this.
Thank you for the wonderful information! Highly appreciated and looking forward to more crochet academy!
Excellent info regardless of your crochet skill level. Can’t wait to learn more as the days progress!
Thank you love the breakdown of the different yarns…usually get caught up in the beautiful colors and forget about what you are doing…like a kid in a candy store…lol…thank you.
Love this. Always something to learn even if you’ve been crocheting for years.
I have tons of Aran (4) but nothing in Worsted (5) weight yarn.
Can I use it for the wrap and a scarf + hat, maybe even for the cardigan? So the wrap would be smaller and the hat narrower, which is ok because it’s about practice, but with the hat and scarf, would adding a multiple work? What about the hook size?
Hi! Aran and worsted are in the same category (4). Aran is typically a little heavier than worsted. Are you saying you have a lot of Aran but not a lot of bulky (5)? The wrap uses worsted (4), so aran should work as well.
Great information that is readily available! This is great for beginners and not so beginners who need reminders! Man, if I would have learned with this info, I would have avoided a lot of frustration and wrong yarn choices!
Thank you Toni for the fantastic information!!! <3
This is wonderful. I’m so happy that I signed up. I have learned a few things already.
This is such an awesome resource! Thank you for putting this together:)
There’s plenty of good information in this post. I’ve been crocheting for a really long time, so none of this info is new to me, but it can be helpful for us old-timers to remember what it was like to just be starting to learn our craft, and a bit of a refresher is always good. I’m hoping to turn crochet into a business myself, and I have very little idea where to begin. I think learning what and how to teach, and finding out what people struggle with is a good jumping-off point. Thanks!
Hi Toni! This such a comprehensive resource! As a long-time knitter just learning crochet, I can’t thank you enough for your generosity in putting this course together. I’m so glad I found it and I’ve already learned a lot!
Anyone else have a hell of a time finding the starting loose end of the yarn to begin their project and end up unraveling half the skein/ ball??
Fantastic content! Thanks for the breakdown on plies. What are your thoughts on doubling strands of yarn (like two strands of DK or two strands of worsted) to make it heavier? Thanks in advance.
Hi! I’m all for doubling yarn when you need to. It’s also a great way to use up some stash 🙂
Hi Toni,
I absolutely loved this first post. I’ve been experimenting with different animal fibers and I’ve come to realize that I like wool. This would have been handy to have on hand when I was first learning how to crochet.
Good post! One other thing to bear in mind with acrylic yarns is micro-plastic. It’s hard when you’re broke to choose anything else but it also sucks to know that every ball you buy of it means more plastic for you to eat.
Love this! Trying to catch up!
Catching up. So much GREAT information. You go girl!!
Hi Toni.
Thank you for the first lesson. Lots of Information. I got lost for a couple days. I thought I would find these lessons on your blog and I keep searching; then I checked my email.
I’m a little behind, but great 1st day….informational!
TONI- Thanks for the all the info so far. I am a beginner crocheter but an intermediate knitter with a pretty big stash. I have almost enough Lion Brand Scarfie (a beautiful single ply yarn that looks handspun) for the throw, so thought I would try some practice crochet to check it out and see.
Oh. my. goodness. No! First of all, my starting chain keeps twisting around and it’s hard to find the >>>>>>>s. Especially being a dark color…..Then, when I tried to unravel it, of course it sticks to itself like crazy.
And I know I will be doing a lot of frogging.
So people, listen to the teacher. She knows what she’s talking about.
Toni,
I am late to the party! I enjoyed this initial blog post for the 7 week tutorial! The is so much useful information. I am excited about learning more and getting started on my crochet journey.
Toni in you learn to crochet youtube video you had a nice cotton and nylon yarn with a brand name of Yarn and Colors Zen. Where did you purchase that. I can’t seem to find it here in the USA.
Hi! You can purchase Yarn and Colors yarn from their website, yarnandcolors.com.
I signed up for this course as a refresher (been crocheting for 10+ years) of the basics. Love this info. I definitely learned something new today 😀
This is very helpful information. I’m so glad that I found your YouTube channel. You actually taught me the basics of crocheting when I startedin February. This is teaching me so much more. Thank you!
Toni: This was so informative and well presented. I am looking forward to the next Crochet Academy post.
Hello Tony,
My question is for example I have a Premier Cotton Sprout ball of yarn, Cotton sprout it gives 230yds/210m*3.5/100g.
I understand the yards, but what in the world is all the other information about? The only thing I have been concerned with is the yards. Help!
210M is meters, which is the more common measurement for other countries. 3.5ounces or 100g is the total weight of your skein. These are important to know if you are buying a certain amount of yarn for a project or looking for a yarn substitution. You can learn more about reading a yarn label in this blog post – LINK
Wonderful post! Looking forward to the next one 🙂
Thanks so much for this. I’m not a beginner and have been crocheting off and on for years now, but i’m definitely getting back into the habit. This information is very helpful to those who wanna brush up on their skills.
Thanks for the information, Toni.
I’m excited for this! Ready to learn more about crotchet.
You rock, Toni! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills. ❤️
Toni, Thanks for the information. Thanks to one of the comments I now know what DK means. I do have some “dark” yarn, but I have yet to touch them. I am still a new knitter, but I want to learn how to crochet too so this is helpful in what I can use to practice.
Toni,
Thanks so much for this information. Day 1 has been awesome 😃
Hi! Have u heard of winding twisted hanks & then winding them a second time for less stretch?
Thanks!
I’ve knitted for a years and took up crocheting a couple of years ago. This first session has taught me more about yarn than I thought I would learn in this academy…. Loving the new knowledge..
For example: my mother made a lovely Tunisian afghan many years ago and after she died and I came into ownership of the afghan. I found there was a stain on it and I thought I was going to have to forever, strategically display it so the stain didn’t show.
After reading some of the care articles you linked, I believe I will attempt to gently clean the area and see if I can remove the stain…. Who knows how long it’s been there… This afghan was displayed on my mother’s and grandmother’s couch back for many years…
Wish me luck..
Rebecca
You got this! I recommend trying this out on a small corner of the blanket first, just to make sure such an heirloom can handle the agitation. Take your time – it sounds like a very precious piece 🙂
Thank you! Helpful even though I’m not a beginner. The link for Berrocco’s Comfort goes to Lionbrand.com, which doesn’t seem correct. Not sure if you want to update. Looking forward to learning more!
Thanks for the heads up – I just made the update 🙂
Day 1 was very informative. Thanks.
Hi Toni,
I just recently decided to try and Learn to crochet again after getting frustrated and quitting. That is mostly because of your videos so thanks. I do have a question can you explain what you mean by “pilling” because I heard it a bit when binge watching your yarn review videos?
Sure thing! Pilling is when fibers work their way out of the fabric and knot themselves together, causing little fluff balls on your piece. Think of the little fabric balls that collect under the arms of sweatshirts or on the inner thighs of pants. It happens in commercial fabrics as well. Thankfully, there are tools you can use to remove the pills and refresh your fabrics 🙂
Thank you Toni! What a great refresher! I also learned something new💜
Thank you for being amazing 🧚
❤️Always,
Your bestie,
Elizabeth Owen
Hi Toni. So glad I’m on this journey with you. You’re explanations are simple and to the point. Thank you for the descriptions for the various weights of yarn. I learn to crochet years ago, and this was not covered. Looking forward to the yarn substitution blog as that is something I’m looking forward to learning about.
Love your videos. You’re a fantastic teacher!
Dear Toni,
Thank you so very much for sharing this wealth of information (and it’s only Day 1). As someone newer to crochet, you have provided me with a tremendous foundation. I am so glad I signed up for the Crochet Academy.
Very helpful info! Any recommendations for those poor souls who need to re-wrap a skein after unraveling half a scarf? I found myself in a knotted nightmare last night, and I wonder if there are tricks to managing loose yarn.
Absolutely! I’d recommend checking YouTube on how to wind a center pull ball of yarn. You do it right on your finger and it’s much easier to store that way. You can also get a yarn swift or a yarn wand to re-wind your yarn.
Thanks for all this info. Very helpful.
Great first class. I am a beginner (started crocheting a month ago) and learned so much with your explanations in this post.
Thank you.
Toni, I am confused if acrylic yarn can be washed with regular clothes and dried. Then why is also known to not be safe to heat. Does that mean wash cold and dry on low heat or what? I make acrylic mini cows. ?????????
Great question! Acrylic does fine in medium temp wash and cool dry. There will be notes on the skein on how to launder it.
Love the info in this blog. I’ve read it 2x already trying to pick the right yarn for my next project. Will you be making a printable version available for future reference. I like having a resources available to physically got to and add to my growing crochet library.
Hi Linda! I’m so glad you enjoy the information. It will live here on my blog always, but you’re welcome to grab snippets to make a resource for yourself.