You are in the right place then!!! I have had 12 different brands tested. And by testing I mean = crochet a ball and a flat piece + wash them + iron them. That’s to see the size difference and how well they handle washing and ironing. With this information you’ll be able to make an informed decision on which yarn is best for you.
As you will see in the review below, they all look just the same in the picture BUT the end result isn’t the same. Some had a surprising outcome. Like shrinking. Yikes! Or surprisingly annoying to work with. Even worse than yikes! So definitely keep reading. You’ll want to know all these things.
In this review you’ll find an honest, unbiased, unsponsored review of 12 different brands of yarn. It’s exactly what you need!
First I would like to thank my sister Jozefien for doing all the tests and taking all the pictures! Couldn’t have made this post without her. Thank you!
All flat test pieces were made with a 2mm crochet hook. They are all 25 stitches x 20 rows. The crocheted balls were made with the same 2mm crochet hook.
All washing was done in the washing machine at 30 degrees celcius.
From left to right (top first): Scheepjes Catona – Rainbow 8/4 by Hobbii – Annell Tahiti – SMC Catania – Yarn & Colors – Katia Capri – Drops Safran – Lana Grossa Cotone – Durable Coral – Grundl Cotton Quick – Phildar Cotton 3 – ByClaire Cotton
Ranked according to softness (with the softest first): Annell Tahiti – Katia Capri – Rainbow – Catona – Lana Grossa – Phildar – ByClaire – Catania – Drops – Cotton Quick – Durable – Yarn & Colors
| First impression: | very shiny |
| Shiny or dull: | shiny |
| Opinion on flat sample piece: | very soft but also very shiny |
| Does flat sample piece curl up: | yes |
| Available colors (in July 2022): | 44 |
| Did it shrink after washing: | Yes (5mm/0.2″ smaller after washing) |
| Dit it change color after washing: | no |
| Opinion on after washing result: | definitely hand wash only due to shrinkage |
| Would I buy it again: | yes, IF washing won’t be necessary |
| First impression: | surprisingly soft |
| Shiny or dull: | shiny |
| Opinion on flat sample piece: | pleasantly soft, has a nice shine, feels thinner than Lana Grossa for example |
| Does flat sample piece curl up: | yes and the curling starts early on |
| Available colors (in July 2022): | 61 |
| Did it shrink after washing: | yes (5mm/0.2″ smaller after washing) |
| Dit it change color after washing: | no |
| Opinion on after washing result: | definitely hand wash only due to shrinkage |
| Would I buy it again: | yes, IF machine washing won’t be necessary |
| First impression: | soft |
| Shiny or dull: | dull |
| Opinion on flat sample piece: | soft and crochets smoothly |
| Does flat sample piece curl up: | yes |
| Available colors (in July 2022): | 101 |
| Did it shrink after washing: | teeny tiny bit |
| Dit it change color after washing: | No |
| Opinion on after washing result: | still looks good |
| Would I buy it again: | definitely yes |
| Note: | very nice colors *if for example you need to reposition a doll arm you have sewn on already, it might show a bit = make sure you get the position right the first time |
| First impression: | soft |
| Shiny or dull: | shiny |
| Opinion on flat sample piece: | like the shine, it’s soft, crochets smoothly |
| Does flat sample piece curl up: | very little |
| Available colors (in July 2022): | 109 |
| Did it shrink after washing: | teeny tiny bit |
| Dit it change color after washing: | No |
| Opinion on after washing result: | still looks good |
| Would I buy it again: | definitely yes |
| Note: | love the colors available, easily available |
5. Lana Grossa
| First impression: | subtle shine |
| Shiny or dull: | shiny |
| Opinion on flat sample piece: | soft, subtle shine, does not split, great yarn, feels a bit fuller and thicker |
| Does flat sample piece curl up: | yes |
| Available colors (in July 2022): | 81 |
| Did it shrink after washing: | tiny bit |
| Dit it change color after washing: | No |
| Opinion on after washing result: | still looks good |
| Would I buy it again: | definitely yes |
| Note: | would definitely buy this brand again, easy to work with, good amount of colors, not expensive, has a nice shine |
6. Phildar
| First impression: | subtle shine |
| Shiny or dull: | shiny |
| Opinion on flat sample piece: | soft, subtle mother-of-pearl shine, absolutely does not split, crochets very smoothly |
| Does flat sample piece curl up: | a little |
| Available colors (in July 2022): | 67 |
| Did it shrink after washing: | tiny bit |
| Dit it change color after washing: | No |
| Opinion on after washing result: | still looks good |
| Would I buy it again: | definitely yes |
| Note: | would definitely buy this brand again, easy to work with, good amount of colors, not expensive, has a nice shine, big fan of this brand |
7. ByClaire
| First impression: | nice for that price |
| Shiny or dull: | shiny |
| Opinion on flat sample piece: | nice shine, not super soft but certainly not hard. Splits a little, some parts are harder and you feel it when the thread slides over your finger. But for this price that can be overlooked |
| Does flat sample piece curl up: | yes |
| Available colors (in July 2022): | 56 |
| Did it shrink after washing: | no |
| Dit it change color after washing: | yes |
| Opinion on after washing result: | definitely hand wash only because it loses some of its color |
| Would I buy it again: | If I won’t have to wash the finished item |
8. Smc Catania
| First impression: | looks nice |
| Shiny or dull: | shiny |
| Opinion on flat sample piece: | crochets smoothly, quite soft, does not split at all |
| Does flat sample piece curl up: | yes |
| Available colors (in July 2022): | 102 |
| Did it shrink after washing: | no |
| Dit it change color after washing: | no |
| Opinion on after washing result: | still looks nice |
| Would I buy it again: | Yes definitely |
| Note: | not the cheapest yarn but worth its price |
9. Drops Safran
| First impression: | has a bit of a stringy look |
| Shiny or dull: | dull |
| Opinion on flat sample piece: | does not crochet as smoothly as I would like |
| Does flat sample piece curl up: | a little |
| Available colors (in July 2022): | 41 |
| Did it shrink after washing: | a little |
| Dit it change color after washing: | no |
| Opinion on after washing result: | still looks pretty much the same |
| Would I buy it again: | not sure to be honest |
10. Grundl Cotton Quick
| First impression: | looks strong |
| Shiny or dull: | shiny |
| Opinion on flat sample piece: | firm, does not split, not hard not soft, hook does not get stuck in it |
| Does flat sample piece curl up: | a little |
| Available colors (in July 2022): | 45 |
| Did it shrink after washing: | no |
| Dit it change color after washing: | no |
| Opinion on after washing result: | still looks nice |
| Would I buy it again: | yes |
| Note: | looks nice, crochets smoothly, can’t find a nice skin color though |
11. Durable Coral
| First impression: | nice color |
| Shiny or dull: | shiny |
| Opinion on flat sample piece: | firm, does not split, not hard not soft, hook does not get stuck in it |
| Does flat sample piece curl up: | a little |
| Available colors (in July 2022): | 85 |
| Did it shrink after washing: | tiny bit |
| Dit it change color after washing: | no |
| Opinion on after washing result: | still looks nice |
| Would I buy it again: | yes |
12. Yarn and Colors
| First impression: | feels stiff (not smooth) |
| Shiny or dull: | shiny |
| Opinion on flat sample piece: | does not crochet smoothly – nice result but hard, thread does not slide well over the needle |
| Does flat sample piece curl up: | yes |
| Available colors (in July 2022): | 125 |
| Did it shrink after washing: | no |
| Dit it change color after washing: | no |
| Opinion on after washing result: | still looks nice |
| Would I buy it again: | yes because there’s so many colors available |
That’s quite a review isn’t it! I hope this review has helped you decide which yarn you are going to choose. If you have any questions about this review, feel free to message me here.
Have lots and lots of fun crocheting with the yarn you chose!
Was born in Belgium but moved to Indonesia as a child. Have been living here ever since. I absolutely LOVE crochet and knitting. I made this blog to help others get to the same level as me. And to make sure people have a place to come to with questions. Even the very beginner questions. Go ahead and ask me!
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