When you’re just starting out with fibre arts, it’s totally normal to ask: How many types of yarn are there? Which ones are the best? Where do they even come from? And why are there SO many?

The thing is, every fibre artist has their favourites. Some swear by one brand or material. But truthfully? There’s no ultimate best. It all comes down to what you enjoy working with. On our team, some love wool blends, others prefer cotton. We’re all different—but that’s the beauty of it. With those differences, we still come together to create amazing works of art.

Yarn Basics: The Four Main Categories

We like to think of yarns as falling into four groups:

  • Synthetic fibres
  • Plant fibres
  • Animal fibres
  • Blends

Let’s break these down, simply and clearly.

Synthetic Fibres

These are man-made and often mass-produced, so you might not find them in every yarn store. That said, they’re super handy—and chances are you’ve got a few balls of acrylic sitting in your stash already.

Common synthetic yarns include:

  • Acrylic – affordable and perfect for beginners due to being very easily accessible in most yarn stores and come in a higher range of different colours.
  • Nylon – great for strength and stretch
  • Polyester – often used in novelty yarns like eyelash yarn

Plant Fibres

Plant-based yarns are made from natural materials—and cotton is the star here. It’s found just about everywhere! That said, cotton doesn’t have much stretch, so it can be a little tricky when you’re starting out. But it’s brilliant for homewares and clothing.

Other plant fibres include:

  • Linen – durable and breezy
  • Bamboo – silky and soft
  • Hemp – strong and rustic
  • Paper – yes, it exists! A creative novelty yarn

Animal Fibres

Animal fibres are probably the most common in fibre arts, and yes—many types of fur can be spun into yarn. We’ve even heard of rabbit and dog fur being used (not for beginners, and only if processed properly).

Sheep’s wool is the classic, and different sheep breeds give us different types of wool. In Australia, you’ll see a lot of Merino wool, since Merinos are native to this region and New Zealand.

Other sheep wools include:

  • Blue-Faced Leicester Wool
  • Peruvian Highland Wool

And from other animals, we’ve got:

  • Alpaca – soft and warm
  • Mohair – from angora goats, fuzzy and strong
  • Silk – luxe and shiny
  • Cashmere – super soft (also from goats)
  • Yak – rugged and warm

Blended Fibres

Blends are everywhere—and that’s not a bad thing. Most yarns are blended to capture the best qualities from each fibre. For example, sock yarn is usually a mix of wool and nylon. The wool keeps your feet warm, while the nylon adds durability so they don’t wear out too quickly.

Common blends include:

  • Sock Yarn – wool + nylon
  • Milk Cotton Yarn – acrylic + cotton
  • T/C Yarn – polyester + cotton

Novelty yarns can also be blends, like eyelash yarn, which often mixes fibres—or might be 100% polyester. Blends make yarns more versatile, depending on what you’re making!

There’s no single “right” yarn to use—it’s all about what feels good to you and suits your project. Whether you’re crocheting coasters or knitting sweaters, each yarn has its own charm and purpose. So go ahead: explore, experiment, and create. Your yarn journey is just beginning!