Best Yarns for Spring Knitting: NWK’s Top Picks
Spring is in the air, and as knitters, we can't help but get excited about all the new possibilities that come with the change of seasons. After all, spring is the perfect time to experiment with new yarns and patterns, to shed those heavy winter wools, and to embrace lighter, brighter, and more colorful fibers. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of the best yarns to knit with in spring. So, without further ado, let's dive in!
Looking for springtime pattern inspiration? Get 7 beautiful pattern recommendations for spring!
Mohair yarns
Mohair yarn is an excellent choice for knitting in the spring season. This luxurious yarn is made from the hair of the Angora goat and is known for its softness and warmth. However, it is also lightweight and breathable, which makes it ideal for use in transitional weather. The airy texture of mohair yarn is perfect for creating open, lacy, and delicate patterns that allow for plenty of airflow, keeping you comfortable on warmer spring days. Overall, the unique properties of mohair yarn make it a wonderful choice for springtime knitting projects.
Rowan Kidsilk Haze
My favorite mohair yarn that I have ever worked with is Rowan Kidsilk Haze. It combines the luxuriously soft feel of kid mohair and the fine feel of silk to create an incredibly beautiful yarn. And it comes in TONS of colors!
Cotton yarns
As the weather warms up, cotton is a go-to choice for many knitters. It's soft, breathable, and perfect for light spring garments like tanks, tees, and cardigans. My favorite cotton yarn for spring is Cascade Ultra Pima, which comes in a range of fun, fresh colors.
Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton
Pima cotton is very soft, and resistant to pilling or fraying! This DK-weight yarn is very lightweight, and is comfortable even in the hottest months. And it’s available in pretty much every color imaginable!
Linen yarns
Linen is another great choice for spring, thanks to its cool, crisp feel and natural sheen. It's also incredibly versatile, working equally well for summer tops or lightweight shawls. Linen is a very strong, durable, and long lasting fiber, but it can be quite course on its own. My top pick for linen yarn is Lindy Chain by Knit Picks because it is blended with pima cotton, creating a a yarn that combines the gorgeous benefits of both linen and cotton.
Lindy Chain by Knit Picks
Amazingly lightweight , this chainette yarn is just the thing for spring and summer! It creates awesome stitch definition and a lovely drape that gets softer with every wash. Check out their range of rich hues and pastels!
Silk yarns
For a touch of luxury, silk yarns are a great option. They're lightweight, silky smooth, and add a touch of elegance to any project. Plus, they come in a range of stunning spring shades. One of my favorite silk yarns is Malabrigo Susurro, which is a DK-weight yarn that is composed of 50% silk, 25% linen, and 25% wool. Altogether, it creates a beautiful lightweight yarn that will hold up for years to come.
Malabrigo Susurro
Made of Mulberry silk, Merino wool, and Linen, this gorgeous blend gives the yarn a sharp contrast between the linen texture and the silky sensation of the merino. These three fibers also create a gorgeous depth of color for the yarn, providing an almost metallic sheen.
Bamboo yarns
Bamboo is another lightweight fiber that's great for spring projects. It's silky soft, eco-friendly, and has a lovely sheen that catches the light beautifully. My top bamboo pick is Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop, which offers a great combination of drape and stitch definition.
Bamboo Pop by Universal Yarn
This DK-weight yarn is made from equal parts bamboo and cotton. It shows off the sheen of the bamboo and the strength of the cotton in a wide range of straight colors and variegations! It is also machine washable, so it's perfect kids' items and gift knitting/crocheting, too.
Merino wool
While we might be shedding our heavy winter wools, that doesn't mean we have to give up wool entirely. Merino wool and merino wool blends are a great choice for spring because of how the fibers naturally absorb moisture from your skin and evaporate them into the air. I just recommend opting for lightweight yarns, like fingering, DK, or sport-weight yarns to make sure they aren’t too heavy and warm. I love Malabrigo Arroyo for its gorgeous hand-dyed hues and beautiful stitch definition.
Malabrigo Arroyo
Versatile and fun, Malabrigo Arroyo is a super-soft sport-weight yarn that comes in so many tonals and variegations! This scrumptious yarn is made out of 100% Superwash Merino wool, meaning you can machine wash your garments if you so choose (just make sure it's on the delicate setting with cold water!).
Spring is the perfect time to experiment with new yarns and fibers. Whether you're knitting a light tee or a delicate sweater, these yarns are sure to inspire you and bring a fresh burst of color and texture to your spring knitting projects. So, go ahead and indulge in some springtime yarn shopping – your needles will thank you!
What are your favorite yarns for spring? Comment below!