How to choose the right yarn for your project

The colour is the fun part. The fibre and the weight are the parts that decide whether your finished piece looks like the pattern photo or like a sad, misshapen cousin of it.

Here's how to read a yarn label like a designer, and how to pick the right ball for what you're actually making.

Cotton vs acrylic vs wool

Cotton is crisp, holds its shape, and shows stitch definition beautifully — perfect for amigurumi, market bags, and anything a child will chew on. It is heavier and less stretchy than the alternatives.

Acrylic is soft, cheap, and comes in every colour imaginable. It is a lovely choice for blankets and wearables, but it hides stitch detail and can look shiny in photos. Skip it for amigurumi you plan to gift.

Wool is warm, elastic, and forgiving of uneven tension. It is the queen of garments — but it felts if you look at it wrong, so avoid it for anything a toddler will drool on.

Reading the label

The recommended hook size, meterage per ball, and washing symbols matter more than the brand. Two balls labelled 'DK' can behave completely differently — always check the recommended hook and gauge on the back.

Match the recommended hook size to the pattern's called-for gauge, not the other way round.

Our house recommendation

For every amigurumi pattern in our shop, we test with a 3.0 mm hook and a DK-weight mercerised cotton around 125 m / 50 g. Anything in that ballpark will give you a finished plush the same size as the photos.