The Best Yarn for Scarves

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The last thing you want is to spend hours making a scarf with the wrong yarn. But how do you know what the best yarn for scarves is? It’s more than just weight and color. The right yarn will have the perfect drape and feel around your neck, and stitches can play a big role!

I learned most of this through trial and error – making a scarf out of yarn just because it looked pretty. So, to help you avoid all the guesswork, in this article, I’ll share the best yarn for scarves that I’ve found over the years and give you some helpful tips for picking the right one for the scarf you want to make this season.

UPDATED: JANUARY 4, 2024 BY BRITTANY
This post may contain affiliate links.

This guide was created to answer all your questions about choosing the best yarn for a scarf, whether you’re knitting or crocheting. With numerous yarn options available, from natural fibers to acrylics, each with its unique characteristics, it’s essential to find the perfect yarn for a scarf you’ll love wearing all winter. Before you invest time in creating your scarf, let’s explore the best yarn options.

A quick note before we begin: This post is not sponsored by any yarn company or brand. The recommendations are based solely on my experience and are what I would suggest to a friend or family member.

I also update this page regularly so you can be confident that you’re getting the most up-to-date information!

Here’s a quick overview of the topics we will cover in this article:

How to Choose the Best Yarn for Scarves

Whenever I start working on a scarf, I find it helpful to answer a few simple questions to guide my choice of yarn. By addressing these basic questions, you can easily navigate through the list of recommended yarns for scarves that I’ve prepared for you on this page.

1. Who Are You Making It For?

It’s essential to think about allergies, sensitivities, and preferences. If the person you’re making the scarf for has a wool allergy, opt for acrylic, plant-based fiber, or a blend of the two. For someone with sensitive skin, the best yarn for their scarf would be an ultra-soft one.

Keep these factors in mind as you explore my suggested yarns for scarves. I’ve categorized them, making it easier for you to choose based on the needs of the person you’re creating the scarf for.

2. How Durable Is the Yarn?

Scarves get more everyday wear compared to items like shawls, so when choosing the best yarn for scarves, think about durability next.

Balancing durability with softness against the skin can be a bit tricky, but know that all my recommendations are tough enough for a scarf while staying soft and cozy around your neck.

3. How Easy Is It To Care For?

When picking the best yarn for scarves, it’s wise to avoid yarns that need hand-washing if you prefer tossing your scarves in the laundry. Luckily, many yarns today are machine-washable, and some can even go in the dryer.

All the yarns I suggest below are easy to care for, but it’s a good idea to check the yarn label to make sure the one you choose can be washed and dried if that’s what you’re looking for!


So what makes any yarn the best for a scarf?

It’s usually a combination of all three of these things: Durable, easy to wash or care for, resistant to pilling (fuzzing over time), and has some elasticity to it.

Considering all these factors will guide you in finding the perfect yarn for your scarf. In the lists below, I’ve categorized the best yarns for scarves and provided some tips on why each yarn could be an excellent choice for your project.

Red Heart Super Saver Brushed Yarn (clay, teal pastels, shale) Buy on Amazon

Best Acrylic Yarn for Scarves


1. Lion Brand Mandala Yarn

Mandala yarn is the perfect choice for lightweight scarves, and there are some pretty good reasons why. First off, it’s super tough, so your scarf won’t get all fuzzy even if you wear it a lot. It’s also machine-washable, making it super convenient.

Plus, this Mandala yarn has some seriously cool color changes, so you can make eye-catching scarves without needing extra yarn. Just one of these yarn cakes is enough to make a pretty decent-sized scarf, so it’s not going to break the bank. With Mandala yarn, you’ll easily craft a stunning lightweight scarf that’s bound to turn heads.

Mandala yarn is absolutely one of my go-to choices for scarves, and it’s surprisingly soft yarn for acrylic. All you need is a stitch you love, a bit of Mandala yarn, and a few hours, and voila – your next favorite scarf is ready. If you’re looking for some stitch ideas, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Check out some of my favorite crochet stitches and knitting stitches, complete with patterns and tutorials to guide you through each one.

2. Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling Yarn

Let me tell you about Lion Brand Basic Stitch – a yarn that’s relatively new to my favorites, and there’s a good reason for it. What makes this yarn stand out is its fantastic anti-pilling feature, so you won’t have to worry about it getting all fuzzy over time. Plus, it comes in a variety of cool colors, giving you the freedom to unleash your creativity.

The best part? It’s reasonably priced at around $6 per skein, giving you excellent value for your money. Lion Brand Basic Stitch is a yarn you’ll definitely want to add to your stash. It combines quality, versatility, and affordability like a pro.

3. Lion Brand Heartland Yarn

Lion Brand Heartland Yarn (White Sands, Olympic, Badlands) Buy on Amazon

Here’s a great yarn choice for scarves. It’s incredibly soft, and it features this neat heathering that adds a charming touch and some texture to your scarves. The fantastic color variation brings an extra flair to your projects.

With Lion Brand Heartland, you can create scarves that are both cozy and stylish – they feel fantastic and are easy to take care of. Just throw them in the washer and dryer whenever they need a little refresh.

4. Red Heart Unforgettable Yarn

Let me introduce you to a yarn that’s truly exceptional in the world of yarn choices. It’s a gem not only because it’s incredibly soft but also take a look at those amazing colors! There really isn’t another acrylic yarn like it.

This yarn has been my go-to for scarves longer than any other yarn on this list. When I first laid eyes on it, I made it a mission to create a scarf in as many colors as I could. Many of those patterns are still available on this website today! You can check them out if you’re interested:

I also made several scarves using Unforgettable and just the basic Tunisian Simple Stitch, which you can find in this tutorial here.

As much as I adore this yarn, there is one tiny drawback – it can be a little finicky to work with. This yarn is what you call “roving” yarn, meaning that it’s a single-ply twist. This makes it prone to splitting, and it can be a pain to rip it out if you make a mistake. Despite these little quirks, the payoff is usually worth it to me!

5. Red Heart Super Saver Brushed Yarn

Let me tell you about a yarn that’s a real game-changer in the yarn world (or at least it has been for me!). It’s a newcomer, having debuted just last year, and I’m crossing my fingers that it’ll stick around for many more years to come. What makes this yarn special is its incredible softness – and I mean seriously soft! It’s nothing like the Super Saver yarn you might already be familiar with.

The brushed texture gives it an extra layer of warmth and depth, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to your scarves. Plus, it’s tough as nails, which makes it just perfect for scarf-making.

This snood scarf is the first one I ever made with it, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. It’s the warmest scarf I’ve ever made, and it still looks incredible despite wearing it over and over this past winter.

Best Blended Fiber Yarn for Scarves


1. Lion Brand Scarfie Yarn

This yarn truly lives up to its name because it’s practically designed for making gorgeous scarves. What makes Scarfie so special isn’t just its amazing range of colors, but also its stunning color fading effect that smoothly changes from one shade to another.

Even though it’s a wool blend, it’s surprisingly soft and keeps you super warm on those chilly days. Scarfie, another bulky weight yarn on our list, means your scarf will work up a little quicker, and that’s a big plus in my book!

It’s also one of my favorite yarns for shawls. Check out these two options if you need some shawl inspiration too!

2. Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick Yarn

This yarn is the ultimate choice when you want to whip up a fast, cozy, chunky, and warm scarf. Crocheters and knitters adore it, and it’s a well-loved favorite for good reason. It’s not just super durable, ensuring your scarf will stand the test of time, but it also resists those pesky fuzzies, so it stays looking fresh and beautiful.

It’s the only super bulky yarn on this list, which means it’s your go-to when you’re on a tight schedule. And let’s not forget the cherry on top: Wool Ease Thick and Quick comes in a stunning variety of colors to fuel your creativity, and it’s been around for ages so there’s no need to worry if it’ll be discontinued.

Taupe colored medium yarn weight.
La Mia Natural Wool Yarn (Beige) Buy it on Amazon

Best Wool Yarn for Scarves


1. Patons Classic Wool Worsted Yarn

When it comes to everyday wool-blend yarn, my go-to is Patons Classic Wool Worsted. Admittedly, it’s not the softest yarn on this list, but it makes up for that in other areas. While I find myself turning to this yarn for all sorts of projects, it’s one of my favorite yarns for scarves because it’s so incredibly durable.

This yarn has rightfully earned its spot on this list, and here’s why it’s such a winner. First off, it gives you pure wool at a price that won’t empty your wallet, so you can make fancy scarves without going broke. Second, they’ve really upped their game with the color choices, offering a bunch of beautiful and trendy shades that are perfect for 2024.

This yarn isn’t a washer-dryer-friendly option, but I find that it spot-cleans well if you get a stain on it.

2. Malabrigo Mecha Yarn

I’ve been in love with Malabrigo yarn ever since I picked up my first hank at a local yarn store. It’s hands down my first choice when I need a special yarn. It’s the yarn I put on my wishlist and the yarn I treat myself to on my birthday. It’s just absolutely perfect in every single way in my eyes.

All Malabrigo yarns are hand-dyed and stand out like no other yarn does. The colors are seriously rich and vibrant, and they come in a bunch of amazing combinations that’ll really get your creative juices flowing.

Malabrigo Mecha Yarn (English Rose) Buy it on Amazon

While you’ll find me drooling over any Malabrigo yarn, Mecha is my choice yarn for scarves. I love a good roving yarn because it has an impeccable stitch definition that can truly be admired in a scarf. But this roving yarn isn’t like any other I’ve worked with. Usually, the payoff is that roving yarn isn’t as durable, and that it pills over time.

That’s not been my experience with Mecha (or any other Malabrigo roving yarns). This stuff seems tough as nails. It can handle season after season of wear and tear, and it’s hardly noticeable if you have to rip out your stitches over and over. I’ve even frogged an entire project and crocheted something completely different, and you couldn’t even tell.

While it’s easily the priciest option on this list, I truly believe it’s worth every penny to make the perfect scarf.

3. LB Collection Superwash Merino Yarn

This yarn from Lion Brand is my go-to DK-weight natural fiber yarn for scarves for a few reasons. First off, it’s a fantastic deal compared to other wool options on this list, and it comes in a gorgeous range of colors for you to enjoy. Plus it’s manufactured by one of the biggest yarn companies, so it’s usually pretty easy to get your hands on.

But probably the biggest reason I love this yarn for scarves is its silky smooth texture. It’s soft as you’d expect for a premium natural fiber yarn, but that also means it has amazing stitch definition. So if you have an intricate cable or lace pattern in mind for your scarf, this yarn will help it pop.

4. Red Heart Chic Sheep Yarn

I’ve been a huge fan of Chic Sheep yarn for quite some time now, and it’s easily my top recommendation for a pure wool yarn that’s affordable, soft, and durable. It doesn’t sacrifice anything really. It’s so soft and cozy, and I’m pretty sure you’ll fall in love with it. Like the last yarn, its silky smooth texture means that it has an amazing stitch definition.

They’ve got a bunch of vibrant colors to choose from, so you can have a blast picking the ones that suit your style and personality. But maybe the most notable thing about Chic Sheep is that it’s completely safe to put in the washer AND dryer! Can’t say that for many other wool yarns out there!

Best Yarn for Scarves Pros and Cons

If you’re still not sure which yarn is best for your scarf, I totally get it. It’s a big decision because you’ll invest a lot of time into making this scarf.

Generally speaking, if the person I’m planning to make a scarf for has no allergies or preferences, I consider these pros and cons when deciding which is the best yarn for scarves…

YARNPROSCONS
Acrylic YarnDurable and affordableNot always the softest option
Animal Fiber YarnHeavy, doesn’t stretch, and can be hard on the hands.Can be really expensive
Cotton YarnGenerally less expensiveHeavy, doesn’t stretch and can be hard on the hands.


These lists certainly aren’t exhaustive. I know there are other yarns out there that would make a great scarf. However, when recommending yarn to my friends and family, I want to recommend something that I’ve used before, that’s easy to find, affordable, comes in a variety of colors, and has practical care instructions. These yarns fit into all of these categories.

It’s also important for me to stress that this post was not sponsored by any yarn brand or company. These recommendations are based purely on my own experience and, most importantly, what I would recommend to a friend.

I am, however, an affiliate of Amazon, which means at no additional cost to you, I’ll earn a small commission on qualifying purchases should you choose to purchase any of the yarns on this page through my affiliate links.

Planning to make a blanket this season too?

Here is my list of the best yarns for blankets this season!

Frequently Asked Questions About Yarn for Scarves

Which yarn is best for a scarf?

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.

What weight of yarn do I need for a scarf?

I find that the best weight of yarn for a scarf is either lightweight or medium-weight. These two options when paired with the right hook or needle size produce a nice drape for a scarf.

Is one skein of yarn enough for a scarf?

The amount of yarn you need for your scarf depends on what weight of yarn you plan to use. For most lightweight and medium-weight yarns, you’ll need about 375-500 yards to finish your scarf. Some yarns offer skeins this big, but you’ll likely need more than one skein for a scarf. Check the yardage included in the skein of yarn you want to use to decide how many skeins you need.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through these links. Please note that prices and availability of products are subject to change. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support the content on this site. I only recommend products that I have personally used and genuinely believe in. Thank you for your support!