The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Crochet Yarn Types

The question we get most often on WhatsApp from people about to learn crochet isn’t about stitches. It’s about yarn. “Which yarn should I buy first?” That makes sense, because the yarn shelf at a craft shop or on a marketplace can be overwhelming. There are dozens of brands, weights and fibres, at very different prices.

In this guide we walk through the five yarn types that are easiest to find in Indonesia: milk cotton, acrylic, cotton, polyester and wool. We’ll cover when each one works best, and how to choose a first yarn that won’t make learning frustrating.

Why the yarn matters

Yarn decides three things at once: how easy it is to crochet, what the finished piece looks like, and how it needs to be cared for. A bag made with a yarn that’s too stretchy will sag as soon as you fill it. A doll made from fuzzy yarn will look tired after a few months of hugs. A hat in a yarn that doesn’t absorb sweat will feel stuffy in tropical heat.

That’s why in our studio every product category has its own go-to yarn. Amigurumi need a soft yarn that can be crocheted tightly, while crochet bags need a stiffer yarn so they don’t stretch.

How to read a yarn label

Before we get to fibres, learn what the label tells you. This is the key to buying the right thing.

• Ply. This describes thickness. 4-ply is fine and suits small details like amigurumi and flowers. 8-ply is thicker and works up quickly, which makes it good for bags, hats and beginners.
• Weight and length. Usually shown as “50 g / 125 m”. Compare the length, not just the weight, because a heavier ball isn’t necessarily longer.
• Recommended hook size. Given in millimetres, for example 3–3.5 mm. It’s a safe starting point for beginners.
• Care symbols. Water temperature and whether tumble-drying is allowed. Keep the label if you’re making something for someone else.

1. Milk cotton: the beginner and amigurumi favourite

Milk cotton is a blend of cotton and “milk” fibre (usually a finely processed acrylic). It’s the most popular yarn in the Indonesian crochet community, for good reason.

Pros:

• Soft, not slippery, and it doesn’t split easily when the hook goes in.
• Stitches are clearly visible, so counting and fixing mistakes is easy.
• A huge range of colours, from pastels to brights.
• Affordable and easy to find.

Cons:

• It can pill a little where it rubs a lot.
• Not stiff enough for large bags without a fabric lining.

Best for: amigurumi, flowers and bouquets, keychains, scrunchies and your very first project.

2. Acrylic: strong, bright and budget friendly

Acrylic is a synthetic fibre made to resemble wool. You’ll find it in everything from rough to very soft (“soft acrylic” or “premium acrylic”).

Pros:

• Bright, fade-resistant colours, good for decor that sits near a window.
• Light and fairly stretchy, pleasant for cardigans and blankets.
• Easy to wash and quick to dry.

Cons:

• It doesn’t absorb sweat as well as cotton.
• Cheap acrylic can feel scratchy and pill quickly. Look for “soft” or “premium” on the label.
• Never iron it directly, because the fibres can melt and go shiny.

Best for: cardigans, granny squares, home decor, and blankets.

3. Pure cotton: cool enough for the tropics

100% cotton yarn is made from cotton fibres. It feels denser and slightly stiffer than milk cotton.

Pros:

• Absorbs sweat and stays cool, ideal for clothes and hats in Indonesian weather.
• Doesn’t stretch much, so your fabric stays in shape.
• Gets softer with every wash.

Cons:

• Less elastic, so beginners’ hands can tire quickly.
• Can shrink a little if washed in hot water.
• Colours may fade slightly with lots of strong sun.

Best for: bucket hats, crochet tops, coasters and dishcloths.

4. Polyester and cotton-poly blends: for sturdy bags

Pure polyester is rarely crocheted on its own because it’s slippery. What you’ll see more often are cotton-polyester blends, or cord-style yarns (t-shirt yarn and macramé cord) made from polyester.

Pros:

• Very strong and resistant to pulling, so it suits pieces that carry weight.
• Holds its shape, even after washing.
• Long-lasting colour.

Cons:

• The surface can be slippery, so beginners need to watch their tension.
• Less soft for clothing worn against the skin.

Best for: totes, shopping bags, baskets and mats.

5. Wool: warm, but rarely right for Indonesia

Wool is an animal fibre, usually from sheep. In four-season countries wool is king. In Indonesia it’s used much less.

Pros:

• Very warm and elastic, with neat, even stitches.
• Can be reshaped with wet or steam blocking.

Cons:

• Too warm for everyday wear in a tropical climate.
• Some people find it itchy against the skin.
• Fussy to care for. Wool shrinks and felts if washed warm and rubbed.
• Relatively expensive.

Best for: scarves or hats for a holiday somewhere cold, or special decor projects.

Quick comparison table

Yarn	Difficulty	Softness	Strength	Best for
Milk cotton	Easy	High	Medium	Amigurumi, flowers, accessories
Acrylic	Easy	Medium–high	Medium	Cardigans, decor, blankets
100% cotton	Medium	Medium	High	Hats, tops, coasters
Cotton-poly	Medium	Medium	Very high	Bags, baskets
Wool	Medium	High	Medium	Warm clothing

Yarn for babies

For anything a baby will use, such as baby booties, blankets or toys, choose a yarn labelled “baby”, like baby milk cotton. It’s smoother, doesn’t shed and stays soft after many washes. Avoid long-haired yarns (like faux fur or mohair) because loose fibres can end up in a baby’s mouth.

Our recommendation for a first project

If you’re a complete beginner, this is the safest combination.

1. 8-ply milk cotton in a light, solid colour, such as cream, yellow or pink. Dark colours make stitches hard to see.
2. A 4 mm hook with a rubber grip so your hand doesn’t tire quickly.
3. A small, quick project, like a round coaster or our heart keychain pattern.

Once you’re comfortable with the basic stitches, move on to 4-ply yarn and a smaller hook for amigurumi. For help with stitches, read crochet for beginners or open our crochet glossary.

Common yarn-buying mistakes

• Buying one ball first and adding more later. Colours can vary slightly between production batches (dye lots). For big projects like a cardigan, buy everything at once and check the dye lot number on the label.
• Learning with fuzzy yarn. Mohair and faux-fur yarns are gorgeous, but you can’t see your stitches. Save them for later.
• Ignoring the care label. Gifts are best made from yarn the recipient can look after easily.

Choosing the right yarn is half the success of any crochet project. To see the difference each yarn makes, browse our crochet bouquets and crochet bags. And if you’d like to know how to care for each fibre properly, continue to how to care for crochet.