Walk into a Michaels craft store or Joann Fabric and you’ll probably be overwhelmed if you want to pick the best yarn to use for amigurumi. From rows of colors to different sizes and yarn materials, not all yarn is made the same and it doesn’t all work the same for amigurumi. We will explore a few types of yarn for making crochet amigurumi but more importantly how to pick the best yarn to use for amigurumi.
Read on as it can be a game-changer to all your amigurumi projects by having the right yarn to use!
Let’s Compare Best Yarn to Use for Amigurumi: Yarn Types
Cotton Blended Yarns
Cotton blended yarns are among some of the best crochet yarns for amigurumi. So what are the blends? Here are the common cotton blends –
- cotton-polyester
- cotton-acrylic
- cotton-bamboo
These are all great blends for amigurumi and there are pros and cons to using a cotton blended yarn when making amigurumi. The following reasons are why you’d want to use cotton blended yarns when making amigurumi projects.
Pros
- You can get a more refined yarn for your project since the blend is a mix of fibers.
- Cotton blends can hold their shape well and have less pilling.
- Certain blends can have brighter colors than 100% cotton yarns.
Cons
- Blends like cotton-bamboo can be more expensive than just 100% cotton. It really depends on the cotton blend.
- Unless you go for 100% natural like cotton bamboo, unnatural petroleum products are being used in the blend.
Conclusion on Cotton Blended Yarns for Amigurumi
You’ll have to try a few cotton blends to see which one your like best for your amigurumi projects. They all feel different in terms of structure and some have brighter colors. Overall, cotton blended yarns are easy to work with for beginners and great yarn to start with for amigurumi.
Cotton blended yarns can come as 100% natural blends so if that is something you want to consider in your amigurumi projects then cotton blends could be good for you too! Let’s compare how cotton blends yarns for amigurumi compare to acrylic yarns.
Is Acrylic Yarn the Best Yarn to Use for Amigurumi?
Some people argue that acrylic yarn is the best yarn to use for amigurumi, just like a cotton-blended yarn. It has its own set of pros and cons. Just to set the stage and provide a little background on acrylic yarn, it is made from synthetic fibers from a type of plastic.
All these little fibers of plastic-based products are made into acrylic yarn. If you are very eco-conscious, this might not be the yarn for you but nonetheless, let’s look at the pros and cons.
Pros
- Acrylic yarn can be one of the cheapest yarns for amigurumi.
- The colors are often bright and full.
- It is super easy to find acrylic yarn if you go to any yarn store.
- High-quality acrylic yarns can be soft but the cheap ones generally are not.
- There are no animal fibers or plant fibers in acrylic yarn which makes it hypoallergenic.
Cons
- The biggest drawback of acrylic yarn is the use of petroleum or oil-based plastic in the making of the yarn.
- Many of the lower-end acrylics are scratchy and don’t make for the most comfortable amigurumi projects.
Conclusion on Using Acrylic Yarn for Amigurumi
Acrylic yarn is a great choice for amigurumi if you want a low-cost yarn and one that can come in bright colors. As we mentioned, the drawback is the heavy reliance on plastic in acrylic yarn. If that is something you want to stay away from then our last yarn might be the best yarn for your amigurumi. Let’s explore 100% cotton!
100% Cotton Yarn: A True Amigurumi Yarn
100% cotton yarn almost goes without explaining. It has no other fibers in the yarn and is solely cotton. Here’s why you should consider it for your next amigurumi project.
Pros
- One of the most durable yarns to use for amigurumi is 100% cotton.
- It can be very sustainable and good for the environment.
- Stitches are easy to make with 100% cotton yarn when making amigurumi.
Cons
- Often your colors will be brighter and have more sheen with acrylic yarn.
- 100% cotton yarns can be more expensive than budget acrylics.
One More Thing to Know on Cotton Yarns: Unmercerized vs. Mercerized Cotton Yarns
Are you familiar with the terms mercerized cotton yarn or unmercerized cotton yarn? Mercerized cotton yarn means the yarn has had a chemical treatment to bolster the cotton. This chemical process not only makes the yarn stronger but it can lead to a brighter 100% cotton yarn.
Unmercerized just means it hasn’t had the treatment and wasn’t touched in the chemical treatment. Keep that in mind if you want a yarn that has fewer chemicals. Just because you are buying 100% cotton doesn’t mean that there aren’t chemicals in the process.
Conclusion on Using 100% Cotton Amigurumi Yarn
100% cotton yarn is great for amigurumi if you want to support a natural and sustainable yarn. Keep in mind if it is mercerized or unmercerized when making your decision to buy amigurumi cotton yarn. You can’t go wrong if you pick up a 100% cotton yarn for amigurumi.
So, How Do You Choose The Best Yarn for Amigurumi?
Choosing the best yarn for amigurumi is simple. Consider any personal objections first. Some people are against acrylic yarn but most people will use it. Then consider your project. Do you need bright colors or do you want something that will make very easy stitches?
Once you have played with a few yarns, you’ll probably have your own personal choice as the best yarn for amigurumi. If you arent there yet, we have a few of the best yarn brands for amigurumi to get you started.
The Best Yarn Brands for Amigurumi: Our Top Picks
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton
Lion brand 24/7 cotton is one of the best crochet yarns for amigurumi. It comes in a massive selection of 37 colors and is mercerized. If there is a color you are thinking of for your amigurumi project then it is likely you can find it with Lion Brand 24/7 cotton.
Two of our favorite colors are Beets and Lime. A skein usually runs in the $5 range.
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK
Paintbox yarns deserve their name. Their colors are just like working with paint. They are bright, vibrant and consistent but that is what you get with their worsted weight acrylic yarn.
Paintbox yarns simply DK is 100% acrylic and comes in a wide array of colors. If you want to balance the price with a high-quality acrylic yarn then be sure to pick up a few skeins.
Mira Handcrafts Acrylic Yarn Skeins
Mira handcrafts makes our list of the best yarn brands for amigurumi but will get a disclaimer. This is a cheap yarn. While it works for beginners, if you are more advanced, you might want to buy a bit higher quality acrylic yarn.
You can get a lot of colors from Mira to try but if you want to step up a bit then you may want to phase out after a few projects. Non the less, for a beginner who wants to get their hands on a lot of colors for amigurumi, Mira Handcrafts has a great set of mini skeins to try.
Common Amigurumi Yarn Questions
What is the Best Yarn Size for Amigurumi?
The best yarn size for amigurumi is a worsted weight yarn. All yarn manufacturers often make yarn in this size. Worsted weight simply means medium. It isn’t super thin or super chunky. Having a worsted weight or medium yarn is the best yarn size to use for amigurumi.
Can You Use Polyester Yarn for Amigurumi?
Polyester yarn can be used for amigurumi but the 3 best yarns for amigurumi are acrylic, cotton blends and 100% cotton. Polyester is a good substitute for acrylic yarn if you want another synthetic yarn.
What is the Best Yarn Weight for Amigurumi?
The best yarn weight for amigurumi is a worsted weight yarn. Essentially some beginners will ask what is the best yarn size for amigurumi while others will ask for a recommendation on the yarn weight for amigurumi. It is very interchangeable in terms but if you stick with a medium or worsted weight then you will have no issues making amigurumi.
Looking for Your Next Amigurumi Pattern?
Okay so now you know that the best crochet yarn for amigurumi is mainly personal preference between acrylic, cotton and cotton blends as well as some of the best yarn brands for amigurumi.
From here, you are going to need a fun and easy amigurumi pattern to try your yarn with. Luckily we have them. Head over to the amigurumi tutorials section and find tons of free amigurumi patterns for your next project.
Final Thoughts on The Best Yarn to Use for Amigurumi
If you are still deciding between acrylic and cotton, grab both! Make sure you get a medium weight yarn so you get the best yarn weight for amigurumi and after that, you’ll be able to decide on the best yarn to use for amigurumi.
At the end of the day, as long as it is a yarn you are happy with and you are making great amigurumi, the brand and fiber content don’t really matter! While you should certainly have enough information to get started, you’ll have to put it to practice and see which yarn you enjoy.
