What is the Best Yarn for Crochet Jewelry?

Choosing the right yarn is key to a successful crochet project. Different weights, fibers, and colors will all affect the final result. So what is the best yarn for crochet jewelry?

That’s what we’re here to find out! We’re going to look at what properties a yarn needs to create beautiful and durable crochet jewelry. We’ll recommend some options for your project. And we’ll throw in some hints and tips to get great results.

So if you’re ready, step this way to find out more!

The importance of yarn weight

One of the most important properties of a crochet yarn is its weight. But what exactly is that – and why does it matter?

You might think that the weight of a yarn is – well, how much it weighs! But while there’s a relationship between what manufacturers refer to as yarn weight and mass, it’s not quite the same thing. Instead, when it comes to crocheting, weight refers to the thickness of the yarn.

To calculate this, manufacturers count the number of times a piece of yarn can be wound over a distance of one inch. Picture a thread being wound around a rule, and you’ll get the idea. 

The thinner the yarn, the more times it can be wound around in that one-inch space. The thicker it is, the fewer “wraps per inch” there will be.

Some yarn manufacturers use different terms to describe yarn weight, which can be confusing. But generally speaking, the higher the number, the thicker the yarn.

The Craft Yarn Council has tried to simplify matters by introducing a standard system for describing yarn weights. This numbers yarns from 0 to 7, with each number corresponding to a range of “wraps per inch”, or WPI. 

Yarns ranked 0 are the thinnest, and those ranked 7 are the thickest. Each number is also accompanied by a descriptive word to help. Yarns rated 0, for example, are known as “lace”, while those rated 4 are “medium”, and 7 are “jumbo”.

When it comes to making jewelry, you want a yarn that’s light enough for delicate work. But you also need it to be robust enough to craft items that will keep their shape.

We’d recommend a yarn rated 2, known as “fine”. That will give you a good balance between delicacy and strength.

Identifying yarn weight

The easiest way to know the weight of a particular yarn is to look at the label. But what happens if you have some yarn that doesn’t have a label?

The good news is, you can check the weight yourself. And all you’ll need to do it is a pencil and a ruler. 

Just wrap the yarn around the pencil so that it’s snug, and the wraps don’t overlap. Then take your ruler, and count how many wraps there are per inch. You can then match the result to the yarn weight using the table below:

• 0 – Lace: 30 to 40 wraps per inch (WPI)
• 1 – Super fine: 14 to 30 WPI
• 2 – Fine: 12 to 18 WPI
• 3 – Light: 11 to 15 WPI
• 4 – Medium: 9 to 12 WPI
• 5 – Bulky: 6 to 9 WPI
• 6 – Super bulky: 5 to 6 WPI
• 7 – Jumbo: 1 to 4 WPI

As you can see, there’s some overlap between the different categories. A yarn with 12 WPI, for example, could be rated 2 (fine), 3 (light) or 4 (medium).

Yarn fiber types

While weight is important, it’s not the only factor to consider when choosing a yarn for crocheting jewelry. 

The fiber from which the yarn is made will also affect the finish, luster, weight and strength of your jewelry. And if you’re planning to dye it yourself, it will also affect how readily it absorbs the color.

There’s a huge variety of different yarn types out there. They include:

• Cotton
• Acrylic
• Bamboo
• Linen
• Nylon
• Recycled fabric
• Metallic 
• Experimental fibers made from unusual ingredients like milk or kelp.

There are no hard and fast rules here. If you want to get creative, the world’s your crocheting oyster! Buf if you’re just starting out, some types of yarn will be easier to crochet jewelry with than others.

Cotton yarn is strong, durable, and absorbs dyes well. Acrylic yarn is a good option too, and a good choice for beginners.

Even better is what’s known as mercerized cotton. This is cotton that’s been specially treated to hold color. It will stand up well to washing, and you won’t have to worry that your jewelry’s dye will rub off onto your clothes.

Mercerized cotton is also stronger than standard cotton, although it isn’t quite so soft. And it has a beautiful luster, doesn’t produce much lint, and will resist mildew into the bargain.

Yarn twists

The twist of a yarn is the direction in which the threads have been twisted. There are two main types: S-twists and Z-twists.

To tell the difference, simply look at a piece of the yarn. If the fibers run from top left to bottom right – like the middle sloping line of an “S” – it’s an S-twist. If they run from top right to bottom left – like the diagonal in a “Z” – it’s a Z-twist.

Most commercial yarns are S-twists. That’s great for left-handed crocheters and right-handed knitters, because the knitting and crocheting action works with the twist.

If you’re a right-handed crocheter (or left-handed knitter), though, you’ll gradually loosen the twist as you work. For most projects, that shouldn’t matter too much. But if you’re working on a piece of jewelry that requires fine detail, it can have an impact. 

So if you crochet right-handed, looking for a yarn with a Z-twist can give you a finer result.

One more word about twist: the more twist there is in a yarn, the better it will hold its shape. So a yarn with plenty of twist, known as “hard twist”, is a good option for jewelry.

Yarn plies

Each yarn is made up of thinner individual threads, known as plies. You’ll hear yarn referred to as “2-ply”, “3-ply” or even “6-ply”, or alternatively as “2-cord” et cetera. The terms simply mean how many of these individual threads make up the yarn.

When it comes to crocheting jewelry, the higher the ply-count, the easier it will be to create fine detail. A 6-ply yarn is a great option. But 3-ply can also work well, depending on the type of fibers and the overall yarn quality.

And on the subject of quality – the best cotton yarns are those that use long threads of cotton. That gives them a smooth finish and an attractive sheen. And they’ll wear better over time too.

Colors

Color is important whatever you’re crocheting. But when it comes to jewelry, it’s especially important.

Dyeing your yarn a bespoke shade will give you a finished item that’s truly one of a kind. If you’re going to do this, though, make sure you choose a yarn that will absorb and hold the color well. Cotton yarns are generally a good option, and mercerized cotton is even better.

But if dyeing your own yarn seems like a lot of hard work, don’t worry. There’s a huge range of pre-dyed crochet yarns out there in a whole rainbow of shades. So just spend some time thinking about your color palette before you head to the stores.

A Great Resource for Crochet Jewelry Yarn

If you are looking for the perfect yarn easy on your fingers to make crochet jewelry, check out Loopara. A MUST for any crochet lover and hooker this site has every yarn (and free patterns) you could want.

Loopara carries a great variety of nice cotton yarns intended to be used for jewelry Another investment (or not), especially if they are mercerized and have that lovely shimmer we've been talking about. There are yarns in all weights including the fine sport weight used for daintier jewelry. They offer an enormous rainbow of colors, so you can easily pick the perfect shade for your project without having to dye it yourself.

But Loopara isn't just about yarn. It is also a platform loaded with crochet patterns, free and many for jewelry as well. This makes it an all-in-one place for you both to buy the materials and get inspired of your next crochet jewelry project.

Match your yarn to your look

If you’re looking for a good yarn for crochet jewelry, you won’t go far wrong with a fine mercerized cotton thread. But different options will give you different looks. Here are some alternative ideas to consider.

Dramatic winter style

As we head into the colder months, clothing fabrics get thicker and heavier. That means they can work well with bolder, weightier jewelry.

Why not try branching out with a thicker yarn, such as a light or medium weight acrylic? It won’t give you the same definition as fine sport yarns. But it’s great for a statement piece.

Summer finesse

At the other end of the spectrum is crochet thread. This is a type of lace-weight yarn, but it’s twisted more tightly than other kinds. It can be used to create super-delicate jewelry that looks almost like lace.

This type of thread is usually used for dainty home decorations like doilies. But it can also work well for highly detailed jewelry creations.

Just bear in mind that it isn’t as strong as a standard sport cotton thread. So this is best kept for special occasion pieces that won’t be worn regularly.

Best type of yarn for crochet jewelry: a quickfire summary

Lots of different types of yarn can work well for crochet jewelry. As you grow in experience, you may want to branch out and try different fibers and weights.

But for good, reliable results, a fine mercerized cotton sport yarn is a great choice. If you’re planning to dye your own shades, it will hold the color beautifully. And it provides a great balance between strength and fine detail.

Whichever yarn you choose, we wish you success with your crochet jewelry project!