Best Yarn For Crochet Sweaters (2024)

Crochet sweaters are an amazing thing. But when you first get started, it can be hard to know what yarn to use. There are so many choices out there, and so many patterns. In this post I want to show you the best yarn for sweaters that I personally have used and love!

What to Keep in Mind When Choosing Sweater Yarn

Before getting into specific yarns, we need to talk about broad sweater yarn “qualities” that you want to look for. If you keep these things in mind, you will be able to evaluate yarns that are NOT included in this list, to see if they will work well!

#1: Weight

One of the biggest things to keep in mind when choosing a yarn for a crochet sweater is the weight. Let me start off by saying that this is something specifically for crochet sweaters—it’s not as important for knit sweaters.

With knitting, you can easily use a worsted or bulky weight yarn and still have an amazing sweater. But with crocheting, this isn’t always the case.

Crochet stitches are heavier and much more bulky than the majority of knit stitches. For this reason, crocheted sweaters made with heavy yarns sometimes can look too heavy, stiff, and awkward.

Now, hear me out. I’m not saying you can NEVER use a heavier weight yarn for a crocheted sweater. But, I do believe this is one of the biggest reasons crochet sweaters turn out badly.

Here are the rules I would stick to when you’re considering what yarn weight to use:

1. If you can, choose lighter weight yarns (fingering, sport, and DK). These yarns will work wonderfully and produce a nice drape on the fabric. They won’t be too stiff.
2. If you’re using a heavier weight yarn, choose something that is good quality. Value yarns (like red heart super saver) are usually not great for sweaters. If a pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, choose something softer and higher quality.
3. Consider what the pattern calls for. If you can, stick to the same yarn the designer used. If the yarn they used is not available to you, use something like yarnsub.com to find a similar yarn. If a pattern calls for a light weight yarn, never try to substitute a heavier weight. This will result in a stiff, heavy sweater without fail.

#2: Fiber Content

Once you choose a weight, another thing you need to keep in mind is the fiber content. Crochet sweaters look amazing in a variety of different fibers! I’ve used acrylic, wool, alpaca, and blends.

To be honest, natural fibers are my favorite for sweaters. Almost all my sweater patterns here on the blog use natural fibers like wool and alpaca. This is mostly because these types of yarns are lighter weights.

So yes, weight and fiber content often go hand in hand! Most acrylic yarns do NOT come in lighter weights. They generally come in DK weight (#3) and above.

If you want your sweater to use light weight yarn, you will likely have to go with something natural. However, if you want it to be thicker and warmer, you can try a heavier acrylic yarn.

#3: Ease of Care

All fibers have different ways they need to be cared for. This is one downside of using a natural fiber – these yarns often are “hand wash only.” This is why many people prefer using acrylic yarn. It can be thrown in the washer and dryer easily.

I would say acrylic is great for sweaters that will be worn during day-to-day life. These are the types of sweaters you need to be able to throw in the wash with the rest of the laundry.

But if you want something formal/elegant, you may not mind choosing a nicer yarn that is hand wash only. You will only need to wash these kinds of sweaters occasionally anyhow.

Some tips in this department:

• If you want the best of both worlds (natural fibers AND easy care) try a yarn that is labeled as “superwash.” There are many soft superwash wools that can be washed and dried as normal.

#4: Yardage

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a yarn is how many yards come in one skein. Crocheting takes more yarn than knitting (quite unfortunately!) So crocheters will usually need more skeins to make a sweater than a knitter. This leads right into the next point…

#5: Price

Yep, I said it. I totally understand that price is a huge factor in making sweaters. Because you need a lot of yarn, making sweaters isn’t always cheap.

I would think this is why many people go with a value yarn when crocheting a sweater—because it’s cheap. But please, do not do this! Trust me when I say the money saved is not worth it. I made several sweaters in red heart super saver when I first started crocheting, and they turned out awful.

You will need to be prepared to spend a little more on a sweater. It doesn’t have to be a crazy amount. You can still find high quality acrylic yarns at a fair price.

Even high quality natural fiber yarns can be scored for good deals. My favorite place to buy low-cost natural fibers is We Crochet. This is an online yarn store only, which allows them to keep their prices down. You will not be disappointed by their yarn; it is amazing!

In fact, some of the yarns I will show in the list below are from this shop. 😉

#6: Availability

On that note, availability is another thing you will want to think about. If you can muster up the courage to buy yarn online that you’ve never touched before, it can definitely be worth it. Like I said, We Crochet is my favorite store for doing this.

However, if you run out of yarn while making your sweater, you will have to wait for more yarn to ship to you before you can finish. This is definitely a downside.

If you don’t want to risk it, you can choose a high quality yarn from Joann’s, Michaels, or Hobby Lobby (or whatever craft store is local to you!) Then, if you run out, you can go grab another skein.

#7: Color

The last thing to keep in mind is the color. To me, this is always a big deal. I am specifically drawn to yarns that are blue, green, teal, etc. (It goes great with my red hair, LOL!)

When you’re looking for a sweater yarn, always check out the colors to see if they have what you like. Sure, it may be the “perfect” yarn in terms of weight, price, etc. but if it doesn’t have the colors you like, are you really going to wear that sweater?

To me, this can definitely be a deal breaker. Make sure to keep it in mind when looking at the yarns I’m about to show you below.

Related:

• Best Yarn for Scarves
• Best Yarn for Dishcloths
• Best Yarn Bowls

Best Yarn For Sweaters

With those tips in mind, let’s get into the best yarns for sweaters! I’m going to break this up into two sections: natural fibers, and acrylic. I will include the care information, price, availability (everything mentioned above) so you can see how each yarn measures up.

You may want to decide which of the factors are MOST important to you before reading. Then you can easily evaluate each yarn to see which one you’d like most!

Section 1: Acrylics

Brava Sport & Worsted

First of all, take a look at Brava yarn! This is a yarn from We Crochet. It is one of my favorite acrylic yarns because it comes in 2 weights: sport AND worsted! This is a great find because most acrylic yarns do not come in lighter weights, like I mentioned above.

Weight:	Sport & Worsted
Fiber Content:	100% Premium Acrylic
Care:	Machine Washable & Dryable
Yardage:	218 for worsted and 273 for sport
Price:	$3.49
Availability:	Online Only
Colors:	45 color options

Pattern that uses this yarn: Becky Cardigan in Sizes S-3XL

Caron Simply Soft

Next up, a great sweater yarn is Caron Simply Soft. This is a well known yarn at many typical craft stores. You’ve probably heard of it! I like this yarn for sweaters because it is a nice worsted weight that doesn’t come out stiff or bulky (so long as you use a good hook size). I made a cardigan for my mom in it last Christmas and it turned out great. I also recommend this yarn as a substitute for the yarn used in my ever popular Angelica Cardigan pattern.

Weight:	Worsted
Fiber Content:	100% Acrylic
Care:	Machine Washable & Dryable
Yardage:	315 yards
Price:	Varies
Availability:	Joann’s, Michaels, Amazon
Colors:	Over 50 color options

Pattern to try with this yarn: Angelica Cardigan

3. Heartland

Another acrylic yarn that works great for sweaters is Heartland by Lion Brand! This has forever been a favorite of mine. It is unique in that it comes in a lot of “marled” type colors that give extra uniqueness than a plain solid. There are both light and dark colors in beautiful hues!

Weight:	Worsted
Fiber Content:	100% Acrylic
Care:	Machine Washable & Dryable
Yardage:	251 yards
Price:	Varies
Availability:	Joann’s, Lion Brand Online, Amazon
Colors:	Over 25 color options

Pattern to try in this yarn: Heidi Sweater for Kids

Lion Brand Jeans

Section 2: Natural Fibers

Galileo

Galileo is one of my all time favorite natural fiber yarns. It is bouncy, soft, and wonderful to work with all around! I just love it. This yarn is great for summer tops and cardigans, because it is has bamboo in it. But it also has wool, so I could see it working for a warmer sweater as well.

Weight:	#2 Sport
Fiber Content:	50% Merino Wool, 50% Bamboo
Care:	Hand wash, dry flat
Yardage:	131 yards
Price:	$5.99
Availability:	We Crochet – online only
Colors:	12 colors, many deep hues

Pattern to try in this yarn: Midsummer Cardigan

Stroll Sock

Sock yarn is NOT limited to socks only, trust me! You can get some of the most beautiful crochet sweaters by using fine yarn like this one. The stitches will be small, and it will take a longer amount of time, but it will be oh so worth it. Stroll Sock is a great choice because it is mostly wool, yet still easy to care for. It also has good strength to it since it has nylon in it as well.

Weight:	#1 Fingering
Fiber Content:	75% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon
Care:	Machine wash gentle, tumble dry low
Yardage:	231 yards
Price:	$5.99
Availability:	We Crochet – online only
Colors:	Over 30 color options

Pattern to try in this yarn: Summer Breeze Vest

Truboo

Here is a great natural fiber option that is ALSO widely available at craft stores: Truboo Yarn! This is a DK weight bamboo yarn that is great for spring and summer projects. It is soft, and gives a great drape too. Not to mention, the colors it comes in are totally gorgeous!

Weight:	#3 DK
Fiber Content:	100% Rayon from Bamboo
Care:	Machine wash, dry flat
Yardage:	241 yards
Price:	Varies
Availability:	Joann’s, Lion Brand Online, Amazon
Colors:	30 color options

Patterns to try in this yarn: Cotton Candy Cardigan

Sugar Bush Bold Yarn

Another amazing choice is Sugar Bush Bold yarn! This yarn is definitely on the expensive side, but I just had to include it because I love it so much. It is made from 100% premium wool for an ultra soft, luxurious feel. If I could afford it, I would use this yarn for all my sweaters. It feels so much better on the hands then regular acrylics!

Weight:	#4 Worsted
Fiber Content:	100% Extra Fine Superwash Merino Wool
Care:	Hand wash, dry flat
Yardage:	190 yards
Price:	Varies
Availability:	Online stores like Webs, Amazon, Yarnspirations
Colors:	Limited – depends on the place you buy

Pattern to try in this yarn: Timberlane Sweater

Crochet Sweater FAQ

Is cotton yarn good for sweaters?

Yes, cotton is a great choice, especially for summer garments! It is breathable, which makes it best for warm weather. The only thing to keep in mind is that cotton can tend to be heavy. I prefer to use lightweight cotton yarns.

Is acrylic yarn good for sweaters?

Yes, acrylic is a great choice for everyday-life type sweaters that will get a lot of use. Just stay away from “value” yarns because these result in stiff sweaters that don’t look the greatest.

What type of yarn is best for crochet tops?

For summer tops, you’ll want to choose lightweight plant-based fibers! Think cotton, bamboo, or linen. These all work great for tops.

What is the softest yarn for sweaters?

Natural fibers will usually produce the most soft, luxurious sweaters. Stick to fibers like alpaca or merino wool and you will end up with a lovely soft sweater!

Which yarn is not itchy?

One big complaint about wool yarn is that it is often itchy. This is not desirable in a sweater, I know! To avoid this, make sure to choose a merino wool. These are much softer and not itchy at all!

What yarn weight is best for sweaters?

It totally depends on the look you’re going for! Lighter weights are perfect for drapey, flowy garments. But you can still choose worsted or bulky if you want a warm, cozy sweater.

Which ply is best for sweater?

Yarns will multiple plies will be better than single-ply yarns. Single ply doesn’t hold up as well over time.

How much yarn do I need to crochet a sweater?

It depends on the pattern you’re using, and also the yarn you’re using! It also depends on the size you’re making. I don’t need as much yarn for my sweaters since I am an extra small. You can expect to buy at LEAST 6-7 skeins for a sweater, but it can also get up to 10+ skeins.

Conclusion

There are lots of things to keep in mind when choosing a yarn for a crochet sweater. Don’t forget to check the fiber content, weight, color options and more! Try the yarns and patterns I mentioned in this post, or find your own! With these tips under your belt you should be more than ready. Good luck!