What yarn to use for Granny Squares: a complete guide

So many patterns, so many yarns. I think every second email I receive about pattern support is about whether a yarn can be substituted for a different yarn weight, colour, or fibre composition.

And you are right. It is important, yarn choice matters for the end result of your project.

Why choosing the right yarn for Granny Squares matters

The yarn you choose can have a massive influence on how your Granny Square turns out. Think about it: yarn weight and fibre composition are what make a yarn a specific yarn, and different from other yarns. Thin yarn makes smaller, delicate-looking motifs. Thick yarn makes bulky, sturdy motifs.

The yarn type matters too. Cotton yarn is typically a crisp thread with minimal fuzz. This creates a visible stitch definition in the motif. Acrylic yarn is typically softer and more stretchy. This means that acrylic squares are usually more flexible and stretchy. Wool resembles acrylic in that way, but also adds warmth. It's also a natural fibre, which can be a major factor if you want to reduce plastic use.

But it's not only how a motif looks; it's also more practical than that. Cotton holds its shape very well and usually holds up in (rough) washing cycles much better than an acrylic or wool yarn. If you plan to use your granny square blanket every day with kids around, wool might be more beautiful, but it's not very practical in terms of keeping it clean and neat for long. As you see, there's a balance between looks, feel and practicality.

The Best Yarn for Granny Squares: Cotton, Acrylic, or Wool?

So what is the best yarn? That really depends on how you want to use your project. Let me summarise the pros and cons of the major yarn types below.

Cotton Yarn for Granny Squares

Pros:

• Crisp thread, leading to great stitch definition
• Usually available in many colours
• Easy to wash and care for
• Blocks easily to size and shape

Cons:

• Depending on the pattern, it can look a bit thin and 'holey'
• Can end up feeling stiff if you use a too small crochet hook
• Does not radiate the same warmth as wool does

Cotton is often a good choice all around. It comes in many colours, is moderately affordable and holds up really well over time. However, you need to figure out the right hook for cotton or it might end up feeling stiff for more solid squares. A great choice for both beginning and advanced crocheters.

My personal recommendation for cotton yarn is Scheepjes Catona. It has good stitch definition, is colourfast, and offers a huge range of colours to choose from.

Acrylic yarn for Granny Squares

Pros:

• Affordable alternative to natural fibres
• Usually available in many colours
• Has a bit of fuzz and elasticity, creating a cosy-looking square
• Easy to work with

Cons:

• It can start to wear out after heavy washing
• Does not block as easily as cotton or wool
• Usually not available in thinner yarn weights
• Synthetic fibre - not natural
• If it doesn't have quality marks, it uses a LOT of water during production.

Acrylic is a good, budget-friendly choice, especially for larger projects or those with limited experience. I personally wouldn't use it for items that I would wear frequently, like granny square cardigans, but a winter or show throw can look just as stunning in acrylic as it does in expensive wool.

My recommendation for acrylic is either Scheepjes Colourcrafter or Stylecraft Special DK. Both are available in a host of colours, are affordable, and are soft on the hands.

Wool and wool blends

Pros:

• Beautiful, natural fibre
• Warm and elastic, making for a comfortable fabric
• If it's a superwash blend, it can be washed in the washing machine
• Quality wool holds up perfectly over time and can last for 20 years or more.

Cons:

• Some people find wool scratchy and smelly
• Expensive. Especially 100% wool yarns can be pretty pricy
• The fuzz of the thread can make it harder to see stitches during crocheting, especially for dark colours

If you have the opportunity, wool creates a natural-looking, stunning project. However, for big projects like granny square blankets, it can get (very) expensive. I'd leave wool until you are an advanced crocheter.

My recommendation? If you're a beginner, stick with cotton and acrylic for affordable, easy crocheting and aftercare. If you're an advanced crocheter, wool is also a great option as it creates the most natural-looking fabrics.

Best Yarn Weights for Granny Squares

There are various yarn weights available. It's a term that's not commonly used outside of the US, so if you're a non-US reader, read the paragraphs below for an explanation about yarn weight.

What is yarn weight?

Yarn weight relates to the thickness of a yarn. Sometimes it's indicated as a number ranging from 0 to 6, or in words such as 'aran', 'sportsweight', or 'worsted'.

As you can see, there's some overlap in the words for yarn weight between categories. In general, cottons are made in Babyweight, Sportsweight, and sometimes even DK weight, while wools and acrylics often don't go below Sport or Babyweight.

I've listed some examples of yarn weights below.

Why is yarn weight important for Granny Squares?

Yarn weight is important because it influences both the size and the drape of a square. If you follow the pattern as written, a bulky yarn weight will result in a larger square compared to a lace or DK weight square. So for the size of the square, it's essential to check what the pattern recommends. You won't find many patterns with Grannies in bulky weight, just as you won't find many in lace.

Many patterns use Fingering to DK weight for granny squares. Those yarn weights are best for most granny square patterns.

Another thing to remember is that when you use the same hook, different weights drape differently. Let's say you use a 3.5mm hook. A lace-weight yarn will look floppy and holey on that hook, while a sports-weight cotton will look fine. And don't even try to work a superbulky yarn on a hook that size; you will get something resembling a stiff cloth, if you can crochet anything at all.

You need to work with a hook size that matches the yarn weight. Luckily, recommended hook sizes are always listed on the ball bands of yarn.

It's essential to check the yarn used in the original pattern. You can change the yarn weight if you want to, without changing the pattern, but remember that it impacts the size of the granny square and the drape, if you do not adjust your hook accordingly as well.

Best yarn for beginners making Granny Squares

What's a good beginner yarn for making granny squares? Consider the pros and cons of the yarn types I mentioned above. As you can see, for a beginner, I recommend either acrylics or cotton. The reason for this is that they are generally easy to work with. These yarns come in many colours, are affordable and have a great stitch definition.

Choosing colours for your Granny Squares

Colours can make or break a project, so it's essential to pick the right ones. You can select the colours that the pattern was made with, or you can find your own combination. If you go with your own selection, the first question is: one colour or multiple colours?

Single colours

If you opt for a single colour, take a look at the pattern. In a single colour, some details can get lost. Textures such as Front and Back post stitches can look lovely in a single colour, but a dark colour can completely wipe out other details such as popcorns or puff stitches.

Multiple Colours

If you know me, you know I almost exclusively work with multiple colours. There are several ways you can go about this:

• One colour per granny Square round
• One colour per square, but multiple colours in the project
• One colour for all squares, another colour for joining and/or border

Whatever you choose, I would start by looking for colour inspiration in an image or video. Select four or five colours that really strike your fancy and use those as a base to work with. Don't forget to select a few light and a few darker colours to complement your selection.

If you want to go towards a rainbow, you could use the method I used for my Rainbow Granny Square Blanket, which combines many different colours in a colour wheel.

Also interesting

Rainbow Colour Crafter Pillow

Granny Square Pillow

If you are low on inspiration, check out my Pinterest board for Colour inspiration. I regularly look to it for guidance!

Common mistakes when choosing yarn for Granny Squares

I told you a lot about what you should do, but I can also tell you more about what you shouldn't do when selecting yarn for granny squares.

Mixing different yarn types

One of the most common mistakes is mixing different yarn types in a single project. I wouldn't recommend combining multiple yarn types in one square, especially if you're a beginner. Think plain cotton and fuzzy fur yarn, or bulky wool and lace thread. These yarns do not have the same thickness, which can cause your square to warp. It will be very challenging to make a nice, flat motif with different yarn types.

Also, different yarns behave differently when washed. This can lead to uneven granny squares, colours that fade at different rates and squares that lose their shape over time. It's best to stick to one type throughout your blanket or garment.

Using yarn that is too thick or too thin

Another issue is using yarn that is too thick or too thin for the pattern. While technically you can make a granny square out of every type of yarn, not all types are equally suitable. A very bulky, elastic yarn will lose its stitch definition very quickly. Any detail in the granny square will quickly get lost.

Additionally, it will make projects like blankets heavy and difficult to join. This is the reason that most patterns recommend a DK or worsted-weight yarn for granny squares, as it provides a balance between drape, comfort, and structure.

The same applies to a thread that is too thin. While you can crochet miniature granny squares with lace or embroidery thread, it is really something for advanced crocheters, and I wouldn't recommend it to beginners. Your squares will end up small and possibly fragile, and you do not want that in a blanket or home decor project.

Do you want Granny Square inspiration? Check out these roundups I made:

• 18 free patterns for Granny Squares (for beginners and advanced crocheters)
• History of the Granny Square and 9 free crochet patterns for them
• 15 small Granny Square projects
• 12 Home and living Granny Square patterns

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use scrap yarn for Granny Squares?

Why yes, you certainly can! A scrapgranny is always a fun project to work on. You can curate your scraps to match a specific aesthetic in terms of colour, or use them all together. Just make sure that you have at least a few yards to work with per colour. Personally, I would make scrap granny squares and then join them with one solid colour.

Also interesting

Rainbow Colour Crafter Pillow

Granny Square Pillow

What is the softest yarn for granny square blankets?

Assuming you're not going to make a blanket out of pure alpaca wool or silk, the softest and most affordable yarns for your blanket are wool blends or speciality acrylics. Pure wool can be a bit rough, but Superwash wool (wool blended with nylon for washability) can be very, very soft. If you prefer cotton, baby cotton yarns are often treated to be extra soft.

Which yarn is best for summer projects vs winter projects?

For summer projects, I recommend using light yarns, such as cotton, to create a cool and airy effect. It's a breathable, natural fibre that doesn't trap heat like wool does. Alternatives are lace yarns. They have a thin thread, making lightweight garments or blankets.

For winter projects, it would be the other way around. Wool and wool blends retain heat and wick moisture, providing a comfortable feel against your skin. The fuzzy and elastic properties of the wool thread create a soft and cosy texture for your project, making it ideal for winter.

Rainbow Colour Crafter Blanket

Rainbow Granny Square Blanket

Rainbow Colour Crafter Pillow

Granny Square Pillow

Stone Washed XL Shawl

XL Granny Winter Shawl

Conclusion

If I had to sum it up, choosing the best yarn for granny squares depends on the type of project you're making and the look you want to achieve. Cotton is crisp and sturdy, while acrylic is affordable and versatile. Wool brings warmth and authenticity, and there's something to say for each of these factors.

Depending on whether a project is for show or actual use, how much money you want to spend on it and whether colour range matters to you, you can select what works for you, whether that's a cosy blanket, a lightweight summer top or a decorative pillow cover.

So grab a few skeins, experiment with different fibres, and find out which yarn feels best in your hands. With the right choice, your next granny square project will be both fun to make and to use!