With 17 years of HappyBerry experience behind my crochet hook, I’m often asked which yarns are best for this project or that one. Over time, this made me realise that I’ve developed some clear favourites. Yarns I return to again and again, partly shaped by what’s available to me, but mostly because they’ve earned a permanent place in my crochet toolkit and my heart.
So let’s dive in. This isn’t sponsored by any company. Every yarn mentioned here is included simply because I genuinely love using it, and all opinions are entirely my own.
La Mia Cottony
I have to start with a yarn I love so much that I’m always tempted to save it for a truly special project, and that is La Mia Yarns, in particular La Mia Cottony. When they describe it as “
premium”, they really mean it. What I adore most about this yarn is the colour palette. The shades are simply divine. The cotton works up beautifully and is especially well suited to amigurumi and baby projects.
La Mia Cottony is a DK, or light worsted weight yarn (weight 3), made from 100% cotton. It has a lovely structure that gives stitches excellent definition without feeling stiff.
I first came across this yarn many years ago when Hobium reached out to me to showcase some of their yarns. La Mia Cottony arrived in both the standard skeins and the mini versions. The mini Cottony balls are utterly adorable and, once again, available in a stunning range of colours. They quickly became a firm favourite as Christmas gift ideas for me.
If I had to mention one downside, it’s that I wouldn’t recommend it as a beginner yarn. It can become a little stringy, especially after repeated frogging and unraveling. Even so, it remains a true HappyBerry staple and a yarn I reach for time and time again.
Find out more here. (
This is NOT an affiliate link).
Cuddly Craft DK by Crochet Society
When we think of fluffy yarns, chenille is usually the first fibre that comes to mind. However, I’ve never been a huge fan of it. Aside from the obvious issue of stitches being harder to see, I almost always end up surrounded by little bits of fluff. Not just when cutting the yarn, but even while crocheting, and heaven help me if I need to undo my work.
That all changed when I worked on several design projects for Crochet Society recently and was sent some of their own chenille yarn, Cuddly Craft DK. Like the La Mia Cottony, this is a DK or light worsted weight yarn (weight 3), and I can honestly say it’s the most beautiful chenille yarn I’ve ever crocheted with.
It barely sheds at all, doesn’t disintegrate into a fluffy mess, and is surprisingly easy to frog. Best of all, the stitches are just that little bit easier to see. Nothing is lost in the final result either. Finished projects are gorgeously soft, plush, and wonderfully cuddly.
Even though I now buy this yarn myself, I wouldn’t use any other chenille yarn. Ever. I sincerely hope it never gets discontinued.
Click here to find out more about this yarn. (
This IS an affiliate link)
Use code HAPPYBERRY at the checkout for a 20% discount.
Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine 120
The saddest thing I need to mention right away is that this yarn appears to be discontinued. I’ve struggled to find it available online, but it absolutely deserves a place in my favourites because it is truly stunning.
This dreamy yarn is a multi-thread fibre that feels wonderfully soft and squishy in the hand. I used it for all of my
Vintage Contemporary Granny Squares in a cream shade, and after blocking it had the most beautiful drape. That final finish is almost certainly thanks to its 100% merino content. Do block with care though.
It’s another DK or light worsted weight yarn (weight 3), which I’m now realising seems to be my natural go-to. Some habits are worth keeping, especially when the results look this good.
Schachenmayr Catania
If you’re wondering about a good alternative for Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine, the short answer is that there isn’t a perfect match that I’ve found yet… but there are lovely options worth exploring.
The Schachenmayr brand as a whole makes some beautiful yarns, and it really came onto my radar after moving to Hungary, where it’s extremely popular. I haven’t yet tried all of their merino offerings, so there may well be gems waiting to be discovered. If you want to explore their range, you can take a look at what’s available via
their website here.
The only other Schachenmayr yarn I use regularly is their Catania, a 100% mercerised cotton. It’s truly a joy to work with and definitely earns a spot on my favourites list, but the only caveat is that it’s a sport / baby weight (weight 2), which makes it a little too fine to be my go-to for most projects. That said, its colour range is absolutely gorgeous and makes it perfect for detailed work, lighter garments, or colour-heavy designs where fine threads shine.
KingCole Big Value Chunky
This yarn is an old favourite of mine, though I haven’t had the chance to use it much recently since it’s not always easy to find locally, but it truly is divine. Squishy, luxuriously soft, and quick to work with, it makes every project a joy.
It comes in a gorgeous array of colours, and the best part? It’s a budget-friendly yarn that doesn’t compromise on quality. I used it to create my huge
Cosy Snug blanket, and it was a dream to crochet. Made from 100% premium acrylic, it’s soft, durable, and a pleasure to work with again and again.
Click here to find out more about this yarn! (
This IS an affiliate link).
Kartopu Melange Wool
Finishing up strong, I have to give a shout-out to Kartopu, particularly their Melange Wool yarn, which is an absolute joy to crochet with. Made from 80% acrylic and 20% wool, it’s also quite budget-friendly, and being an aran/worsted weight yarn (weight 4), it works up quickly.
The colour palette is beautiful, leaning toward natural shades like greys and browns, which makes it perfect for cosy, timeless projects. Soft, squishy, and wonderfully tactile, this yarn earns a well-deserved spot on my favourites list!
Click here to find out more about this yarn. (
This is NOT an affiliate link).
So, is there a HappyBerry yarn as seen in the thumbnail? Once upon a time, yes, but it’s long been discontinued due to logistics. Even so, it perfectly embodied what I look for in a yarn, high squish factor, gorgeous colours, and sheer joy to crochet with.
The yarns I’ve shared here are just a small selection of the many beautiful options available today, and they happen to be my habitual go-to choices. If you have a favourite yarn you’d love for me to try, please let me know in the comments as I’m always excited to discover something new!
