Published on October 3, 2023 By Sarah J 3 min read
For a simple gift or super speedy make, a scarf is always a perfect project to have on your hook or needles. But, what yarn is best for scarves? We’re sharing our favourite yarns of all weights and fibres, to knit and crochet the most sumptuous scarves, cowls and shawls. These yarns are sure to keep you warm all winter long!
There are no limits when it comes to scarves! You can create them in whatever shade, style and yarn weight you desire. Looking for a fast-finish scarf? Pick up a bulkier yarn like aran, chunky and super chunky. When it comes to the fibre, wools like merino and alpaca will make the softest scarves and keep you super snug all season long. There’s no right or wrong choice for a scarf - try out different yarns, find what you love and works for you!
1. MillaMia Naturally Soft Super Chunky
This sumptuously soft, 100% merino yarn is a dream to knit and crochet. A super chunky yarn that is spun with a twist, boasts beautiful stitch definition to show off the luscious, on-trend shades you can grab in this yarn. For a yarn this soft, it’s definitely worth spending a few extra pennies!
MillaMia Naturally Soft Super Chunky By MillaMia
The perfect patterns to pair with this super chunky yarn
Sale Selma Cable Scarf - Knitting Pattern in MillaMia Naturally Soft Super Chunky $2.88 $5.75
2. Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick
For an amazing, affordable chunky yarn for your scarf, Lion Brand is the way to go. The name says all you need to know - a thick, snug yarn that is quick to work up into your scarf pattern of choice! This acrylic, wool and rayon blend is perfect for adding cables to your scarves, keeping you toasty warm all year round, and it’s even machine washable!
Simple and quick scarves to make
Free Beginner Hat and Scarf in Lion Brand Hometown USA - L20101 Free
3. Debbie Bliss Paloma
To level up your yarn choice, this luscious merino and baby alpaca blend is sure to make a special scarf for a loved one. These fibres are ideal for keeping in the heat so you can hibernate in your handmade scarf. What’s unique about this wool is the chainette construction of the fibre, so your yarn will never split when you’re making one-of-a-kind makes with Paloma!
Debbie Bliss Paloma By Debbie Bliss
Gorgeous Debbie Bliss patterns in Paloma
Sale Adaline Scarf - Knitting Pattern for Women in Debbie Bliss Paloma $2.50 $5.00 Free Super Chunky Scarf - Free Knitting Pattern for Women in Debbie Bliss Paloma Free
4. Paintbox Yarns Simple Aran
For the transitional months of autumn and spring, a chunky yarn might be a bit too warm. Instead, an aran weight, acrylic yarn is a great choice - a lighter weight but still super quick to work with! Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran is an 100% acrylic yarn and the perfect pick if you’re on a budget. With a whole rainbow of shades, the colour palette possibilities are infinite!If you’re looking for the same selection of shades but with some added woolly goodness, check out Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Aran!
Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran By Paintbox Yarns
Fun and colourful scarf patterns
Free Cheerful Cable Scarf - Free Scarf Crochet Pattern For Adults in Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran by Paintbox Yarns Free Free Tasseled Tartan Scarf - Free Knitting Pattern For Women in Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran Free Wrapped up in Love Scarf Pattern $4.16
5. Rowan Tweed Haze
If you’re looking for a marvellous mohair with added character, this one is for you! To keep you wrapped up on countryside walks, this winter-warming yarn combines stylish shades of mohair wool and beautiful textured tweed. Rowan Tweed Haze is a fabulous choice for scarves you can wear year after year.
Rowan Tweed Haze By Rowan
6. Caron Yarn Cakes
Inject some colour into your scarves with Caron Yarn Cakes. For fun-loving, self-striping designs, this is the perfect choice! Create a simple garter stitch scarf for a last-minute make the kids will love, or play around with textures and cables that really pop in your yarn cake colour of choice!
Delicious designs for your yarn cakes!
Free Simple Texture Crochet Scarf in Caron Cakes - Downloadable PDF Free Late Night Infinity Scarf $5.00
Browse All FREE Scarf Patterns
FAQs
Pick up a bulkier yarn like aran, chunky and super chunky. When it comes to the fibre, wools like merino and alpaca will make the softest scarves and keep you super snug all season long. There's no right or wrong choice for a scarf - try out different yarns, find what you love and works for you!
What is the best type of yarn for scarves? ›
Pick up a bulkier yarn like aran, chunky and super chunky. When it comes to the fibre, wools like merino and alpaca will make the softest scarves and keep you super snug all season long. There's no right or wrong choice for a scarf - try out different yarns, find what you love and works for you!
How much size 6 yarn for a scarf? ›
How much yarn do I need to make a ____?
| Yarn Weight 1 | Yarn Weight 6 |
|---|
| Scarf | 525-825 Yards | 250-375 Yards |
| Socks | 350-500 Yards | 200-250 Yards |
| Shawl | 550-850 Yards | 350-475 Yards |
| Adult Sweater | 3375 Yards | 825-1125 Yards |
3 more rowsWool is easy and fun to manoeuvre making it suitable for beginners. Wool yarn is perfect for making chunky pieces like sweaters, hats, scarves and bags. Cashmere is ideal for crafting luxurious pieces that boast warmth and smooth exteriors such as beanies, jumpers and scarves. Cotton is smooth and chunky.
What ply yarn for a scarf? ›
Yarn Size And Weight
| Project | Ideal Yarn Weight (AU) |
|---|
| Scarves & shawls | 8 ply and up |
| Beanies | 8 ply and up |
| Sweaters & cardigans | 8 ply and up |
| Blankets & rugs | 12 ply and up |
4 more rowsWe recommend the Cherub DK yarn from Cascade Yarns. It's 55% Nylon 45% Acrylic, DK Light Worsted yarn. You can certainly make a scarf for a whole year (but, then you have to wait a year to wear it!) or you can do one for each season!
How many balls of yarn do I need for a long scarf? ›
You may need approx. 5 or 6 50g balls of wool to make your scarf. You can choose any colour wool, even a multicolour wool.
How many skeins of yarn to knit a scarf? ›
For a scarf of about 60 inches long, you would need 2-3 skeins of worsted weight yarn (4 on the yarn thickness) at approximately 200 yards per skein using size 8 knitting needles to obtain a gauge of about 20 stitches per 4 inches and 24 rows per 4 inches.
What does number 6 yarn mean? ›
Super Bulky or 6 weight yarn is a very thick yarn that works up quickly on large needles and hooks. Most often it is used for cowls, scarves, and hats. Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 11-17 or 8mm-12.75mm. Recommended Crochet Hook Size: M-13 to Q or 9mm – 15mm.
What yarn doesn t get fuzzy? ›
Linen Yarn
Linen is a popular choice for its luxurious smoothness, impressive strength and beautiful visual appearance. Unlike inferior yarns, linen is naturally non-pilling and continued washing can actually make projects based on a linen yarn softer instead of degrading the fibres.
Digard uses single-ply merino wool from Australia – only this provides the delicacy required – as well as linen and cotton velvet for embellishment. The yarn is dyed by hand using vegetable dyes in France.
What is the best yarn for scarves? ›
There are many great yarns for scarves. Some of my favorites are Malabrigo Mecha, Red Heart Super Saver Brushed, Lion Brand Scarfie, and Lion Brand Mandala. You want to use a yarn that's durable and soft.
How thick should yarn be for a scarf? ›
Yarn quantity table
| Yarn Weight | Hat | Scarf |
|---|
| Yarn WeightDK | Hat180-225 | Scarf340-450 |
| Yarn WeightAran/Worsted | Hat180-200 | Scarf340-450 |
| Yarn WeightBulky | Hat120-180 | Scarf225-340 |
| Yarn WeightSuper bulky | Hat120-140 | Scarf225-340 |
2 more rowsFormula: (length x width x gauge) / 6 = yards needed. Length and width are in inches and gauge is in stitches per inch. The division by 6 is to convert the answer from square inches to yards. For example, if you'd like a scarf 48" long and 8" wide using a worsted weight yarn, (48 x 8 x 5) / 6 = 320 yards.
Is cashmere or wool better for scarf? ›
Softness: Cashmere still wins in terms of softness and material-to-skin feeling. The highest quality cashmere has a superior feel to it. Warmth: Both materials offer fantastic warmth and insulation, but the alpaca wool pulls slightly ahead in this department.
What yarn holds its shape best? ›
Wool is highly praised for its flexibility and hardwearing nature. This animal-fiber has great stitch memory, meaning garments made in wool are more likely to keep their shape over time.
How many balls of yarn does it take to make a scarf? ›
So, you can probably see that if you have perhaps 4 or 5 balls of a DK yarn (so about 200-250gm/7-9oz), you should get a good-sized scarf. With 4 balls, it would perhaps be a bit more of a skinny scarf or a slightly shorter one, but 250gm/9oz should give you a nice length or a bit of a thicker texture.
