6 Yarns for Cold Weather That Will Warm the Hearts of Those You Love

Inside: 6 yarns for cold weather from acrylic to virgin wool for your fall and winter yarn crafts, along with knit and crochet ideas for each.

With the cold weather many of us start dreaming of alpacas, angora rabbits, sheep, and all sorts of critters with warm fur or hair that can be used to make the warmest yarns imaginable.

Crocheters and knitters in cold weather love to warm up with a pile of yarn and stitch up cozy creations for themselves and others.

Universal Yarn sent me these 6 examples that are some of the best yarns for cold weather.

You don’t even need to raise goats or trim a sheep fleece first!

Here’s a fun intro video to get us started off right:

Please note that pattern images may use yarns other than listed, they are to give ideas of patterns that will work well with the listed yarns.

Universal Yarn Deluxe Stripes

You’ll find a nice variety of colorways in this striped yarn. My favorite by far is Crayon Box (309), because it’s a rainbow.

I’ve already dug my hook into my Deluxe Stripes skein and started to make a new sample for my Danny Hat Pattern.

Yarn Specs

Universal Yarn Deluxe Stripes: (75% Super Wash Wool, 25% Nylon), Size 4 – Medium/Worsted/Aran, (11 wpi), 218 yds / 100 g, (2.18 yds/g)

Stitches per inch

Knit: 18-20 sts x 24-26 rows = 4″ // US Size 7-8 (4.5-5mm)
Crochet: 12-14 sc x 14-16 rows = 4″ // US Size H/8-I/9 (5-5.5 mm)

Yarn Care

machine wash – warm, do not bleach, do not tumble dry, do not iron, dryclean – any solvent except trichloroethylene

Universal Yarn Deluxe Bulky Superwash

With all the beautiful colors available, you can create something warm and cozy for just about anyone in Deluxe Bulky Superwash. Personally, I think the knit Missy Cowl would make a lovely knitting project to show off the beauty of this yarn.

Yarn Specs

Universal Yarn Deluxe Bulky Superwash: (100% Super Wash Wool), Size 5 – Bulky/Chunky, (7 wpi), 106 yds / 100 g, (1.06 yds/g)

Stitches per inch

Knit: 12 sts x 16 rows = 4″ // US Size 10.5 (6.5 mm)
Crochet: 9 sts x 10 rows = 4″ // US Size L11 (8 mm)

Yarn Care

machine wash – warm, do not bleach, tumble dry – low heat, iron – low heat, dryclean – any solvent

Universal Yarn Uptown Worsted

I love the sheen of Uptown Worsted. And the colors…so many colors! This yarn needs to be on your go-to list. It’s easy-care, worsted weight, comes in nearly 70 colors at the time I’m writing this, and wants to be cuddled.

I’m going to need more yarn cubbies.

OH!! The yarn I used for my Helen’s Squares Pullover is discontinued, this would be perfect for the re-write I need to do.

Plans are forming…

Yarn Specs

Universal Yarn Uptown Worsted: (100% Anti-pill Acrylic), Size 4 – Medium/Worsted/Aran, (10 wpi), 180 yds / 100 g, (1.8 yds/g)

Stitches per inch

Knit: 18 sts x 24 rows = 4″ // US Size 8 (5 mm)
Crochet: 12 sts x 15 rows = 4″ // US Size I-9 (5.5 mm)

Yarn Care

machine wash – cold, tumble dry – low heat, do not iron

Rico Design Baby Dream DK Uni

Oh the softness – the so very very soft-ness! My first thought when I touched Baby Dream DK Uni was that it would be wonderful for chemo hats or anyone with sensitive skin. Let’s face it, we all love soft clothing and blankets, this yarn is epic!

Not only is it amazingly soft, it’s also not an animal fiber, so there are less allergy concerns and it’s easy-care. What new parent or chemo patient really has the time and energy to hand wash?

Yarn Specs

Rico Design Baby Dream DK Uni: (50% Polyacrylic, 50% Polyamide ), Size 3 – Light/DK, (12 wpi), 126 yds / 50 g, (2.52 yds/g)

Stitches per inch

Knit: 22 sts x 28 rows = 4″ // US Size 6 (4 mm)
Crochet: 20 sts x 24 rows = 4″ // US Size G-6 (4 mm)

Yarn Care

machine wash – gentle or delicate, do not bleach, do not tumble dry, iron – low heat, dryclean – any solvent except trichloroethylene

Rico Design Creative Melange Chunky

Two of my earliest patterns that are still two of my most popular patterns use bulky yarn and would be so great in this yarn. The Lorraine Knit Ear Warmers and Lorraine Crochet Ear Warmers are screaming to be made in Creative Melange Chunky!

This wool blend with acrylic has the warmth and beauty of wool yarns along with the easy care of acrylic yarns. What’s not to love?!

Yarn Specs

Rico Design Creative Melange Chunky: (53% Virgin Wool, 47% Acrylic), Size 5 – Bulky/Chunky, (7 wpi), 93 yds / 50 g, (1.86 yds/g)

Stitches per inch

Knit: 14 sts x 19 rows = 4″ / US 10 (6mm)
Crochet: 11 sts x 12 rows = 4″ / US J/10 (6mm)

Yarn Care

Machine wash – gentle or delicate, do not bleach, do not tumble dry, dry flat, iron – low heat, can be drycleaned

Universal Yarn Bamboo Bloom Handpaints

I love a good thick and thin yarn. The colors with this Bamboo Bloom Handpaints yarn are spectacular and are set off perfectly with the texture of the yarn.

I would LOVE to see the Phoebe Poncho worked up in this yarn. However, for now, I’m making a groovy soda tab / pop top and crochet belt with color 325: Steven Belicious.

Yarn Specs

Universal Yarn Bamboo Bloom Handpaints: (44% Wool, 48% Rayon from Bamboo, 8% Acrylic), Size 5 – Bulky/Chunky, (7 wpi), 154 yds / 100 g, (1.54 yds/g)

Stitches per inch

Knit: 15 sts x 22 rows = 4″ // US Size 9 (5.5 mm)
Crochet: 14 sts x 16 rows = 4″ // US Size K-10.5 (6.5 mm)

Yarn Care

hand wash, do not bleach, do not tumble dry

There you have it, 6 yarns for cold weather and many ideas to go with them! If you haven’t hopped over to the Universal Yarn Website to see them from one of the many links in this post, CLICK HERE to go now and grab some warmth!