If you're looking for creative things to do at home, why not consider knitting? It's a beautifully simple craft that leaves you with lasting results and it's easy to pick up at any age. You can whip up everything from clothing and scarves to baby blankets and socks in a matter of days or weeks, but you'll need the right wool (or yarn) to make it work!
We know it can be hard to identify the best brands for quality, functional craft products, especially for beginners. We want you to have the most fun possible on your knitting adventure, so we've scoured John Lewis, eBay and Amazon for the brightest, bounciest, easiest-to-handle yarn to help you create striking projects you'll keep for years.
Quick List - Top Knitting Wool
Wool and the Gang
Soft, Heavy-Knit Peruvian Wool in a Kaleidoscope of Colours
West Yorkshire Spinners
Machine Washable British Wool in Nature-Inspired Shades
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Table of Contents
In order to pick the loveliest possible yarn, it's best to keep a mental checklist of some key factors, such as the kinds of projects you have in mind, the way you hope your final item will look and even things like texture, colours and the ethics of the brand you're buying from.
Firstly, you'll need to pick your wool length according to what the pattern recommends, as well as making sure you have the correct amount of wool in each colour necessary for the pattern.
On the label of the wool itself, you'll usually see the amount listed in metres and the pattern will specify how much you'll need. So don't forget to check before you buy!
Choose the type of wool you'd like to use based on the texture and the thickness you need. Different projects require different types of wool, so check your pattern before you begin. Each type feels different to wear and will have different care instructions, too. To help out, we've listed a few below.
A more luxurious animal fibre is cashmere, which, when blended with sheep's wool or other fibres, lends an exceptional softness to garments, toys and other knits. The signature feathery 'halo' of cashmere knits looks and feels beautiful. While costly alone, cashmere can be more affordable when blended.
The third natural fibre to mention is plant-derived silk, which is also often mixed with cheaper synthetic or natural fibres to keep the price tag reasonable while adding smoothness and lustre.
Synthetic fibres such as nylon, polyamide and acrylic tend to be light and soft to the touch yet also very durable. They're also not prone to piling up or loosening over time as wool tends to do.
Synthetics don't retain as much heat as animal fibres, so are better suited to lighter projects than they are to toasty winter jumpers. Look out for blends that combine natural wool with man-made fibres for a balance of softness, quality, durability and stretch that you can machine wash, too!
Heard the term 'ply' but not exactly sure what it means? Keep reading! Yarn is basically a length of interlocked fibres, either animal, plant or synthetic. These individual fibres are also known as plies, and the more plies spun together, the thicker the yarn becomes.
In the UK, yarn weight is divided into the following categories from finest to thickest, each suiting certain projects:
When choosing wool, you'll also have to make sure you've got the right needles for it. This will usually be dictated by the 'weight' (that is, the thickness or number of ply) of your wool, so check the label to be safe.
You'll see on our specification tables that we've included the appropriate knitting needle size for each ball of wool, as recommended by the producers, so you can be certain your new yarn is just right for what you have on hand.
When buying wool for knitting projects, it's obviously key to make sure that the brand you've chosen is available in the colour or colours you'll need. If it's an item of clothing or accessories for yourself or a family member, you can be a bit freer when choosing your own colours.
When it comes to soft toys, though, such as knitted animals, keep an eye out for the colour options so you're not left with an orange panda or purple frog (unless that's what you're going for!).
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Wool and the Gang Crazy Sexy Super Chunky Yarn | ![]() | Soft, Heavy-Knit Peruvian Wool in a Kaleidoscope of Colours | |
2 | West Yorkshire Spinners Chunky Roving Re:Treat Yarn | ![]() | Machine Washable British Wool in Nature-Inspired Shades | |
3 | Rowan Big Wool Super Chunky Merino Yarn | ![]() | Plush, High-Quality Chunky Wool for Medium-Sized Projects | |
4 | Sirdar Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK Yarn | ![]() | A Sublimely Soft Blend of Merino, Cashmere and Silk | |
5 | West Yorkshire Spinners ColourLab Double Knit Yarn | ![]() | 225 Metres of Practical, Washable, Pure Wool | |
6 | Wool and the Gang Glitterball Sock Yarn | ![]() | Finer Yarn for a Disco-Tastic Pair of Sparkly Socks | |
7 | Cygnet Seriously Chunky Knitting Yarn | ![]() | Vibrant, Chunky Yarn Perfect for Cosy Knitwear | |
8 | Sirdar Snuggly DK Knitting Yarn | ![]() | A Soft Mix for Snuggly Baby Clothes | |
9 | Caron Cakes |Rainbow Sherbet | ![]() | Wonderfully Thick Acrylic Wool in a Blend of Sweet Shades | |
10 | King Cole Glitz Double Knit Yarn | ![]() | Double Knit Wool to Add Some Sparkle to Your Knits |
Topping our list is this luxurious, super chunky Peruvian wool which comes in a truly magnificent rainbow of shades, including multicoloured blends such as this brilliantly-named 'TV Static'. To name a few of its qualities, this yarn is fairly priced, super-soft to the touch and very easy to use no matter your level.
Hand wash this plush wool carefully to keep it in its best shape and texture, and it'll last and last. Plus, not only is this wool incredibly simple and comfortable to handle, but it's also great for inspiring new projects 'cos it just looks so darned appealing!
For some exciting, mood-boosting knitting projects packed with colour, this wool is a fine choice. It is crafted from the wool of Bluefaced Kerry Hills sheep and dyed in a range of rich, earthy and jewel-like tones inspired by the wonders of nature.
Not only are the uplifting yarns very easy on the eye, but the top-notch wool itself actually feels like a professional finished knit before you've even cast on. You'll need 6.5 mm needles for this Aran-weight wool.
Buy this 100% pure sheep's wool if you seek high quality, stroke-able yarn in a range of attractive, naturally-derived colours. At 80 metres in length, Rowan's big wool ball suits small to medium projects perfectly. The chunky ply means you'll be best off using 10-15 mm needles, which also makes it a good one for newer knitters.
The gorgeous shades you can buy this wool in range from floral pinks to luscious greens, so you're bound to find something that takes your fancy. Just remember to wash carefully to protect it, and it will last very well.
Ideal for creating practical knits and crochet projects – especially cute baby clothes and accessories, as the candy colour theme suggests – this wool is a soft, squishy blend of luxurious cashmere, silk and Merino wool.
Take your pick from 11 lovely shades including chirpy pinks, gentle blues and springtime greens, and comfortably wash your finished products at 30 degrees without worries of shrinking or damage.
West Yorkshire Spinners are renowned for their great yarns and with good reason. One of two products from this brand on our list, ColourLab is made from 100% wool, spun to perfection and supplied in a generous 225 m bundle.
There are 14 funky colours available in this range so you can select a few for a rainbow-bright project of soft toys or accessories or something more muted if you prefer. The double knit means it's best suited to 4 mm knitting needles.
This fabulous sparkly wool is just the ticket for knitting up a pair of glittery socks or another lightweight garment for yourself or a lucky recipient. Made from British Bluefaced Leicester wool and a little lurex, the yarn is locally-sourced and of excellent quality.
As it's a fine 4-ply and is to be used with 2.25 mm needles, the brand do recommend this one for more experienced knitters. Your finished project must also be carefully hand-washed to keep its shape, though we think it's worth it for the disco sparkles!
This easy-care wool is soft and simple to use. As well as the appeal of its gorgeous mustard-gold colour, it has a truly sumptuous chunky texture that can be knitted up into quick, joyful projects such as scarves, jumpers and hats.
This acrylic yarn is brilliant for beginners, as it's good and thick as well as being very easy to work with and untangle if you make a mistake. There's a pleasant bounce to this wool that sings out from your finished garment, and many knitters praise the vibrance and excellent quality-to-price ratio.
Available in a huge range of tasteful shades from delicate pastels to bold indigos, this super-soft wool is a great shout if you're on the lookout for yarn to use in projects for newborns or little ones.
This mix of acrylic and nylon might not contain any real wool, but this just means that it is extra-gentle on delicate skin, plus it's affordable, easy to work with and will retain its baby-soft texture even after frequent washing and tumble drying.
The best thing about this wool is surely its dreamlike colour theme, whose warm sunset shades made it ideal for a crocheted festival bikini, a macrame hanging basket or a jazzy hat. Caron's popular 'Cakes' range are well worth checking out if you love all things sweet and colourful.
This particular cake is a lovely long length and can easily be machine washed, so it'll be a breeze to care for if you do make clothing with it. Plus, it's pleasantly soft and the changing colours of the strands produce a cool effect as you complete your knit. The only drawback is that it's a little pricey given that it's a synthetic yarn.
This fun, twinkly wool is a glorious choice for any keen crafter hoping to add a touch of glitter to standard knits. The dreamily soft acrylic blend gives a wearable, touchable texture, plus you have the long-lasting benefits of synthetics which are extra durable through regular washes and lots of wear.
The funky mix of reds and greens is probably better suited to a long-term Christmas project, though you can find two other mixes of greens or purples if you want something a little less festive. Either way, we think these yarns are still cheerful, cheap and charming!
If you're feeling inspired to get your craft on after reading this article, stay right there! Check out our suggestions for other top ten lists we've made, recommending superb at-home creative projects you can do in the cosy comfort of your living room.
So there we go, this all-inclusive yarn guide has come to a close. We hope you've been informed and educated on the subject of wool so you can buy a product (or two) that looks gorgeous, is easy to use and makes knitting your own items a breeze!
Author: Annie Hopkins
No. 1: Wool and the Gang|Crazy Sexy Super Chunky Yarn
No. 2: West Yorkshire Spinners|Chunky Roving Re:Treat Yarn
No. 3: Rowan|Big Wool Super Chunky Merino Yarn
No. 4: Sirdar|Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK Yarn
No. 5: West Yorkshire Spinners|ColourLab Double Knit Yarn
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