If you’ve ever walked into a yarn shop (or scrolled an online one) and felt your brain quietly short-circuit at the walls of colour, texture, and choice — you’re not alone. Yarn, yarn everywhere. Which one do you pick?
I’ve been there too. Standing in front of the shelves, pattern in hand, thinking, do I really know what I’m doing here? Do I go with wool, cotton, acrylic, alpaca, a blend? And what even is “worsted” anyway?
The truth is, choosing the right yarn can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t need to stop you from getting started. Here are some things to think about when you’re choosing yarn, whether you’re knitting your first scarf or diving into your tenth cardigan.
Start With the Pattern (if You’ve Got One)
Most knitting and crochet patterns will tell you the yarn weight and fibre they recommend. This isn’t about locking you into one brand — it’s about giving you a guide to what will actually work.
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Weight (or ply): This tells you how thick the yarn is. Using the wrong weight can completely change the size, drape, or fit of your finished piece.
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Fibre: Cotton, wool, bamboo, acrylic, alpaca — they all behave differently. The pattern suggestion is a good starting point.
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Yardage: Always check how many metres are in a ball. Two 50g balls of different yarns can cover very different amounts of fabric.
👉 If the pattern yarn isn’t available, we can help you match something close from our range.
Think About How It Will Be Used
Not all yarn is created equal, and that’s actually a good thing.
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Baby knits: You’ll want something soft, washable, and not itchy (cotton, bamboo, or blends are great).
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Everyday wearables: Wool is warm and forgiving, while cotton and linen breathe beautifully in summer.
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Homewares: Dishcloths? Go cotton. Blankets? Wool or acrylic blends that can handle a wash.
Think about the person (or pet!) who’ll use the finished item and what will make it practical as well as beautiful.
Don’t Forget Colour and Feel
Here’s a confession: I’ve definitely chosen yarn based entirely on colour. Sometimes the perfect shade is worth everything.
Colour plays a huge role in whether you’ll love wearing or using the finished piece. Don’t ignore your gut here — if the yarn makes your heart sing in the skein, chances are you’ll still love it when it’s a jumper.
And then there’s the feel. Some yarns are buttery soft, others crisp and structured. Run it through your hands. Imagine it against your skin. If it feels scratchy now, it’s unlikely to improve much in the wash.
Yarn, Yarn, and More Yarn (Without the Snobbery)
Here’s something you should know about us at The Wool Shop: we’re not yarn snobs. We adore our premium yarns but we know they aren't the best for everyone.
We know everyone has different preferences, budgets, and needs. That’s why we stock a broad range of yarn types and prices. We want you to knit, crochet, and create at whatever level, stage, or budget you’re at.
You won’t ever get us judging you for picking a cheaper yarn, especially if it’s exactly the right shade you needed. Yarn is meant to be accessible to everyone. At the same time, we also love our luxury fibres and understand the joy of splurging on something special.
Our role is to help you weigh up the options, show you what’s possible, and support you to find the yarn that fits your project. That’s how we help.
A Quick Guide to Common Yarn Fibres
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Wool: Warm, stretchy, forgiving. Great for garments, blankets, and accessories.
shop wool here -
Merino Wool: Softer and finer than standard wool, merino has incredible warmth-to-weight and natural breathability. It’s the gold standard for comfort — gentle enough for babies, but luxurious enough for heirloom knits. Shop merino
- Possum Blends: Unique to New Zealand, possum fibre adds silky warmth and lightness without bulk. When blended with merino, it creates beautifully soft, pill-resistant garments that feel like a hug.
- Mohair: Airy, fuzzy, and full of haloed texture. Mohair adds instant luxury and softness, especially when paired with silk. Perfect for layering, delicate shawls, or giving any project that soft, glowing finish.Shop mohair
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Cotton: Crisp, breathable, washable. Perfect for summer and homewares.
shop cotton here -
Acrylic: Affordable, durable, easy-care. Good for beginners, kids’ knits, and large projects.
shop acrylic here -
Alpaca: Soft, warm, with beautiful drape. Ideal for scarves and wraps.
Shop alpaca here -
Blends: The best of both worlds — combining softness, strength, or washability.
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Why We Create Samples
Remember how I said it can be impossible to imagine how a pattern will look in your colour, your size, or your yarn choice? That’s why we knit up samples for the shop.
When you can see a cardigan hanging on a rack, touch it, try it on, it takes all the guesswork out. And honestly, it’s why lots of people say, “I’ll take exactly that, please.”
We love that. There’s no prize for reinventing the wheel. If you see a sample you love, grab the yarn and go for it.
Where to Get Knitting and Crochet Patterns
Once you’ve got your yarn sorted, the next question is: what do you make?
At The Wool Shop, we’ve got:
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Pattern books and leaflets you can browse in-store.
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Our Ravelry shop where you can select and purchase knitting patterns directly through us. If you’re lost in the sea of options, we’ll help you find your favourites.
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Staff recommendations for tried-and-true designs.
- Most of our patterns are also online
The Bottom Line: Yarn, Yarn Everywhere (And That’s a Good Thing)
Yes, choosing yarn can feel overwhelming. But it’s also part of the joy. Yarn, yarn everywhere means you have options — to play, to explore, to match your budget, and to make something uniquely yours.
So whether you’re choosing your very first ball or eyeing up a luxury skein, know this: you’re welcome here. You can shop yarn online, send us a message if you’re stuck (we’ll pop into chat to help), or pop into the shop to see the colours in real life.
Remember - it's not about being the fanciest knitter or crocheter. It’s about making something you love, and yarn, in all its forms, is the start of that journey.
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