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Scarves are wintertime essentials; unfortunately, many scarves are made from the wrong type of yarn. Have you ever tied a lovely-looking scarf around your neck to head outside for a great day of winter activities only to feel like you’ve mistakenly grabbed a vine of poison ivy?
When we crafters select yarn to make into a scarf, we need to remember that the neck is a very sensitive area of the body, and consequently, if the yarn is not soft enough, the scarf will never be worn no matter how beautiful it is.
Fortunately, there really is no need to worry about finding excellently soft and comfortable yarn for scarf making. With access to online yarn shops, local craft stores, and the ability to soften the yarn, our options are nearly overwhelming. But, overwhelming is a factor that we don’t want either.
That’s why this guide to scarf yarn has been created. We at Craft & Stitch aim to keep things simple and accessible. In this best yarn for scarves guide we are going to discover the best yarn and why it is the best. Once you have finished reading through this list, you will never be overwhelmed by options or overly worried that you’ve picked the wrong type of yarn. Shall we begin?
A Yarn Worthy of a Tale
The yarn you need to make a great scarf has more factors than just being soft and comfortable. Sure, this should be the main goal for crafters since itchy scarves don’t spend much time in the public eye, but sometimes, comfort has to take a backseat to design.
As we look at the different types of yarn that make scarves into wonderful wardrobe accessories, don’t be surprised to find a few options that are slightly less cozy than you prefer. Let’s look now at the features that make a yarn worthy of using in a scarf.
Texture – This is the most important feature since scarves are worn for comfort. We are looking for yarn that is soft and not itchy. There are varying degrees of softness and you may prefer the feel of a certain yarn fiber over another, but ultimately, we want something that will not cause any discomfort around a person’s neck.
Color – The color of a scarf is important because it can make or break the overall design of the scarf. We want something that suites our tastes and will look great with our wardrobe.
Price – Yarn can be expensive, especially if you opt for luxury brands or fibers. We want a yarn that will be both soft and in our color palette without causing financial stress.
Care – Scarves will need to be washed from time to time, so we need a yarn that is easy to wash.
Now that you know what features and factors make a great yarn for using to create a scarf, let’s look at some of the best yarns on the market for this sort of project.
Best Yarn for Warm Weather Scarves: Yarn Bee Authentic Hand-Dyed Yarn
This yarn collection is going to become your favorite go-to yarn for all sorts of projects. Once you touch a skein of this yarn, you’ll begin imagining all the wonderful things you can make from it. Not only does it feel soft and silky, but it also comes in fun and unique color schemes that will add élan to every wardrobe.
- Yarn Weight (Gauge): Superfine
- Contents: 100% Merino wool
- Skein Weight: 3.5 oz.
- Skein Yardage: 400 yards
- Care: Hand wash in cool water; lay flat to dry; iron on low heat
- Recommended Knitting Needles: 3mm
- Recommended Crochet Hook: C (3mm)
Recommended Scarf Pattern: Crochet Infinity and Beyond Broomstick Lace Scarf
Pros:
- This yarn is soft and silky to the touch
- This yarn is light and thin enough that it can be used to make warm weather scarves
- This yarn offers a great selection of color schemes
Cons:
- This yarn comes in a hank that will need to be unwound and turned into a ball before use
Best Yarn for Hat & Scarf Sets: Yarn Bee Alpaca Twist
You don’t even need to touch this yarn to know it is soft. The yarn is soft and fluffy and sure to make you feel snuggly warm in the winter. With this one, don’t stop at making a scarf, consider making an entire set of winter weather accessories.
- Yarn Weight (Gauge): Medium
- Contents: 90% Acrylic blended with 10% Alpaca wool
- Skein Weight: 3.5 oz.
- Skein Yardage: 175 yards
- Care: Machine wash in cold water; lay flat to dry; do not iron, bleach, or dry clean
- Recommended Knitting Needles: 5.5mm
- Recommended Crochet Hook: L (6.5mm)
Recommended Scarf Pattern: Serene Skies Knitted Scarf and Hat
Pros:
- This yarn is soft to the touch
- This yarn offers a great selection of colors
- This yarn has a slightly fluffy texture
- This yarn is strong and sturdy when pulled
Cons:
- This yarn’s loose fibers can get tangled and pulled
- This yarn can leave some fuzz on other materials
Best Yarn for Chunky Scarves: Lion Brand Scarfie Yarn
This yarn is designed to become a scarf. It is an acrylic yarn that is blended with just enough wool to make a scarf that is soft, sturdy, and exceptionally warm.
- Yarn Weight (Gauge): Bulky/Chunky
- Contents: 78% Acrylic blended with 22% wool
- Skein Weight: 5.3 ounces
- Skein Yardage: 312 yards
- Care: Hand wash in cold water; lay flat to dry; do not iron, bleach, or dry clean
- Recommended Knitting Needles: 9 (5.5mm)
- Recommended Crochet Hook: J (5.5mm)
Recommended Scarf Pattern: Long Double Crochet Cowl
Pros:
- This yarn is soft and durable
- This yarn is self-striping in with an ombre pattern
- This yarn shows stitching details very well
Cons:
- This yarn can get tangled
- This yarn can leave some fuzz on other materials
- This yarn can vary in thickness
Best Yarn for Children’s Scarf: I Love This Yarn!
This yarn features fibers that are soft to the touch, full of strength and durability, and vibrantly colored. If you’re going to use yarn on a kid’s project, this should be it. You will not run out of colorful options, you will not be worried about washing details, and you will certainly enjoy crafting with this yarn during the entire project.
- Yarn Weight (Gauge): Medium
- Contents: 100% Acrylic
- Skein Weight: 5 ounces
- Skein Yardage: 252 yards
- Care: Machine wash in warm water; machine dry; do not iron or bleach; can be dry cleaned
- Recommended Knitting Needles: 5mm
- Recommended Crochet Hook: I (5.5mm)
Recommended Scarf Patterns:
- Kids Colorblock Knit Scarf
- Knitted Kid’s Hooded Scarf
- Knitting Lotus Scarf for Kids
- Bernat Like a Fox! Scarf
Pros:
- This yarn is soft and durable
- This yarn is easy to wash
- This yarn comes is available in a variety of colors
- This yarn shows stitching details very well
Cons:
- This yarn is only available at Hobby Lobby
Best Yarn for a Luxurious Scarf AndeanSun Baby Alpaca Yarn
If you want to create a scarf that is luxuriously chic and comfortable, you are going to want this yarn made from baby alpaca wool.
Don’t worry, this is a cruelty-free and ethically sourced yarn that is also sustainable. Knowing that yarn from this company is environmentally friendly and kind to animals, will make you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside; knowing that yarn from this company is soft and luxurious looking will make you feel warm and fuzzy on the outside.
- Yarn Weight (Gauge): Light
- Contents: 100% Baby Alpaca Wool
- Skein Weight: 1.76 ounces
- Skein Yardage: 122 yards
- Care: Hand wash only
- Recommended Knitting Needles: 3.75 to 5.4mm
- Recommended Crochet Hook: 4.5 to 5.5 mm
Recommended Scarf Patterns:
- These Days Scarf (Knit)
- Snow Country Super Scarf (Crochet)
Pros:
- This yarn comes is available in a variety of colors
- This yarn is soft
- This yarn is warm
- This yarn offers a 90 product return if you are not satisfied with the product
Cons:
- This yarn is expensive
- This yarn is very delicate and cannot be washed in a machine
Best Yarn for Fair Isle Patterned Scarf: Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift
If you’re interested in crafting a scarf from a Fair Isle pattern, then you are going to need this yarn. It is a wool yarn that offers fantastic colors and is designed to work with all types of yarn art, but is especially good when it comes to Fair Isle designs.
- Yarn Weight (Gauge): Fingering
- Contents: 100% Shetland wool
- Skein Weight: 0.88 ounces
- Skein Yardage: 114 yards
- Care: Hand wash only
- Recommended Knitting Needles: 2 to 3 (2.75 to 3.25mm)
- Recommended Crochet Hook: C to D (2.75 to 3.25 mm)
Recommended Scarf Patterns:
Pros:
- This yarn comes is available in a variety of colors
- This yarn is soft
- This yarn is warm
Cons:
- The fibers of this yarn are thin and can be difficult to grab and hold
- This yarn does not come with a lot of yardage for the price
- This yarn is expensive
What Does Yarn Weight (Gauge) Mean?
When a pattern or the cover of a skein of yarn references yarn weight it is referring to the thickness of the yarn strand. Yarn weight is referred to by different terms depending on where in the world you live or where the pattern originated.
It is good to know what terms are used and how they are defined so that you can select the proper yarn weight. This will also assist you as you select the size of knitting needles or crochet hook to match the thickness of the yarn. Here is a breakdown of yarn weights for your reference:
| Australia & New Zealand | United Kingdom | United States | Alternative Terms | Crochet Hook Size | Knitting Needle Size |
| 2 Ply | Lace | 0/Lace Weight | Cobweb; Thread | B-1; 6-8; 2.25mm | US 000 to 1; 1.5 – 2.25mm |
| 2 Ply | 2 Ply | O/Lace Weight | N/A | B-1; 6-8; 2.25mm | US 000 to 1; 1.5 – 2.25mm |
| 3 Ply | 3 Ply | 1/Super Fine | Baby; Light Fingering; Sock | B-1 to E-4; 2.25 – 3.5mm | US 1 to 3; 2.25 – 3.25mm |
| 4 Ply | 4 Ply | 1/Super Fine | Baby; Fingering; Sock; Sport | E-4 to 7; 3.5 – 5.0mm | US 3 to 5; 3.25 – 3.75mm |
| 8 Ply | DK (Double Knit) | 3/Light | Light Worsted | 7 to I-9; 5.0 – 6.0mm | US 5 to 7; 3.75 – 4.5mm |
| 10/12 Ply | Aran | 4/Medium | Worsted | I-9 to K10.5; 5.5 – 6.5mm | US 7 to 9; 4.5 – 5.5mm |
| 12/16 Ply | Chunky | 5/Super Bulky | N/A | K-10.5 to M-13; 6.5 – 9.0mm | US 9 to 11; 5.5 – 8.0mm |
| 16 Ply + | Super Chunky | 6/Super Bulky | Roving | M-13 to Q; 9.0 – 16mm | US 11 to 17; 8.0 – 12.0mm |
FAQs
Question: If The Yarn I Select is Not Soft is There Any Way to Soften It?
Answer: Yes, this is actually an easy process that can be done on many different types of yarn fibers. Here are a few ways to soften your yarn:
The first way to soften yarn is simply to wash the yarn in a washing machine with a lot of liquid fabric softener. Then, dry the yarn in a machine dryer with a dryer sheet. This should not be done with delicate or hand-wash only yarns since machines are not always very delicate during cycles.
The second way to soften yarn is to cover it with a hair conditioner and soak it in a tub of cool water for twenty minutes. You can either rinse and hand wash the yarn to remove all the conditioner or throw it in a washing machine.
The third way to soften yarn is to soak it in a mixture of cool water and white vinegar (1TBSP of vinegar for every 4 cups of water). You can either hand wash the yarn to remove the vinegar or throw it in a washing machine. The fourth and final way to soften yarn is to try all the above methods together. Sometimes yarn fiber doesn’t soften without a little help, and sometimes it won’t at all, but it is worth a try.
Question: Where Can I Find Really Great Scarf Patterns?
Today, it is very easy to find crochet and knit patterns that are cheap or free. Depending on how you like to learn new patterns, you may have a preference. Here are few ways to look for fun scarf patterns to try out this winter.
Books
Check with your local library and find out if they have any books on crocheting or knitting. If they do, you’ll just need to drop by your local craft store for some yarn and you’ll be ready to go. If your library does not have an option for you, then consider purchasing a book from a nearby book store or from an online store.
Recommended Books:
Crochet Scarves
45 Scarves to Knit
Blogs
Online bloggers have some of the most wonderful ideas and crafting patterns, and usually, they are free. Gather several of your favorite patterns from your favorite bloggers, invite your crafter friends over on a cool evening, and enjoy all the wonders of community.
Recommended Blogs:
• All About Ami (Crochet)
• Fifty Four Ten Studio (Knit)
YouTube
Videos are a fabulous way to learn new skills, techniques, and even yarn art patterns. These are visual aids that will allow you to pause, rewind, and even contact the YouTuber or other viewers for help with pattern issues. Don’t miss out on the beauty of technology just because it can be overwhelming. Start with a few favorites and slowly branch out from there.
Recommended Videos:
• How to Crochet a Scarf for Complete Beginner by B. Hooked Crochet & Knitting
• How to Knit a Scarf for Beginners Step By Step by Sheep & Stitch
Community
Don’t forget to check for crochet or knitting classes in your local community. Oftentimes, these are offered at craft stores, community centers, and even junior colleges. Check their websites or give them a call. If those don’t turn up anything, why not start your own crafting community?
Are You Ready to Begin?
Now that we have covered all the ins and outs and ups and downs of yarn, you should be ready to decide what type of yarn is best suited for the scarf project you have in mind. For me, I can hardly wait to try out a Fair Isle Pattern with Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift yarn. This yarn looks wonderful and I adore the look of these scarves.
I hope this article leaves you fully inspired, informed, and ready to dive into your project. Happy crafting!