The Best Yarn for Amigurumi

Ever walk into the yarn aisle and become paralyzed by all the options? Which yarn is best for amigurumi?

Yarn choice matters when it comes to amigurumi. You want your amigurumi to stand the test of time, withstand the play of children, and to look amazing! If you ask the Internet you’ll get a billion different answers and hear, “Whatever’s in your stash! You can use any yarn!”

And it’s true. You COULD use any yarn. But I’m going to make myself unpopular and say that you might not want to.

In my opinion, the best yarn for amigurumi is a cotton/acrylic blend or 100% cotton. Cotton holds its shape much better than acrylic and won’t stretch out. It also fuzzes much less so you won’t get that halo of fuzz around your piece.

My favorite yarn to use for amigurumi is Bernat Softee Baby Cotton, which is a light worsted blend of 60 percent cotton and 40 percent acrylic. You get the best of both worlds with a blend like this. The beautiful stitch definition and hold of cotton paired with the softness of acrylic and a hint of stretch. The bear in the picture above is made completely from Bernat Softee Baby Cotton.

The only downside to this particular line is the limited, pastel color range. I personally like being confined to a palette as I feel it gives my pieces cohesion and doesn’t give me decision fatigue, but I know plenty of people will prefer brighter colors. When I do need a bright color I reach for Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton, which is 100 percent cotton. It’s worsted weight and a bit thicker than Bernat but I’ve used the two together successfully.

You can find Bernat Softee Baby Cotton online at Yarnspirations or in store at JoAnn Fabrics. Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton can be found in store or online.

There are myriad other options for cotton/acrylic blends and 100% cotton but these are my tried and true favorites for amigurumi. Happy crafting!