Let's discuss & RANK AFFORDABLE YARNS

This one has a reputation for being stiff and a little itchy, but I honestly think it gets too much hate! Red Heart Super Saver is perfect for structured projects, and blocking can help soften it up. It’s 100% acrylic, easy to care for, and super durable. With 120 colorways and an Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification (free of harmful substances), it’s a versatile choice and great for people with sensitive skin.

I used this yarn for my Wild Woman Cardigan, and it’s always easy to find and affordably priced. It’s a staple in my stash, so it earns a solid Old Faithful rating.

 

Next up is the Caron One Pound. This yarn is another super easy one to find — I often see it at Joann and various online stores. Each skein is a whopping 812 yards (742 meters), making it perfect for larger projects. In fact, one skein can make four scarves, which is incredibly convenient!

That said, I don’t find myself reaching for it as often. Personally, I gravitate more toward Red Heart. While the Caron One Pound is just as easy to care for — it’s machine washable and dryable — I usually opt for Lion Brand Heartland when a project calls for this type of yarn. I prefer Heartland's colors, texture, and matching fiber content.

For me, the Caron One Pound lands in the Not Too Bad category.

 

Next up is Lily Sugar’n Cream, a yarn that often gets a bad rap among yarn enthusiasts. Critics say it’s stiff, itchy, coarse, and prone to splitting during use. However, when I first started crocheting, I absolutely loved this yarn. It was affordable, easy to find, and got the job done.

As I gained more experience with cotton yarns, I began to understand the criticisms. After prolonged use, this yarn tends to give me callouses on my fingertips. Personally, I don’t mind—but I can see how it might bother others.

A common workaround for the splitting issue is yarning under instead of over, though I haven’t tried it myself because I’m so used to yarning over. That said, this yarn does have its strengths. I love using it for towels because they turn out super durable, and the fact that you can machine wash and dry them is a huge plus—especially since cotton takes forever to air dry.

Overall, I’d put Lily Sugar’n Cream in the meh category. While it’s not my go-to, it’s great for certain projects where durability is key.

 

Next up is Yarn Bee Soft Secret, a yarn that’s popular for its softness and affordability. Many crafters love using it for accessories, and it’s a go-to option for a lot of patterns. You can usually find it at Hobby Lobby or online without much trouble.

Personally, I’ve only worked with this yarn a couple of times, and it’s not something I reach for regularly. It leans more toward an aran weight, so in those cases, I’d typically opt for Bernat Premium or Caron Simply Soft instead.

For me, this yarn lands in the meh category. While it’s not bad, it’s just not my first choice.

Let’s talk about Rainbow 8/8 by Hobbii. This yarn is incredibly soft and has a lovely feel to it, making it a favorite for those creating amigurumi, decor, dishcloths, and garments. Personally, I’ve made a sun hat and a top with this yarn, and I absolutely loved it—it’s perfect for summer projects!

As a DK weight yarn, it’s light and ideal for delicate lacework. It’s machine washable, but it’s best to air dry it flat to prevent stretching. However, since cotton tends to take a long time to air dry—especially in humid climates like mine—it’s slightly less convenient.

Despite that, this yarn is reliable and versatile, so I’m ranking it in the Old Faithful category.

 

Next up is Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand, a yarn designed by Vanna White. It’s widely available in a beautiful range of muted, earthy colors. The stitch definition and drape are lovely, making it a favorite among both crocheters and knitters.

This yarn is 100% acrylic, which means it’s machine washable and dryable—super convenient! While I don’t grab it often because the color palette doesn’t always align with my projects, I do appreciate the warmer tones like Rust, Scarlet, and Cranberry. Those are definitely my favorites!

Another great thing is that it’s affordable and frequently on sale. Overall, while it’s not my first choice, I’ve loved the way my projects turned out when I’ve used it. I’m going to rate this one Not Too Bad.

 

Now let’s talk about Paintbox Cotton DK. This 100% cotton yarn is a game-changer, especially if you’re into amigurumi. I wasn’t the biggest fan of working with cotton yarns initially, but this one completely won me over.

The color options are absolutely stunning, offering a wide range to suit any project. It’s machine washable, but you’ll need to let it air dry—something to keep in mind, especially for cotton pieces. I almost always find it on the LoveCrafts website, and it’s not only affordable but also fantastic quality.

Because of the color variety, quality, and price, this one earns my top rating: Chef’s Kiss.

 

Next up is Pound of Love by Lion Brand. This yarn is a common find at local craft stores and online. It’s a premium acrylic worsted weight, which makes it softer than some other acrylic options. Many people love it for baby projects, and it’s easy to see why—it comes in a lot of softer, traditional baby colors and offers fantastic yardage at 1,020 yards (932 meters) per ball.

It’s also machine washable and dryable, which is super convenient for items like blankets or baby clothes. However, personally, I’m not a fan of the color selection. I find the shades a bit dull for the types of projects I usually make. Because of this, I rarely reach for it and will place it in the Avoid It tier.

 

Next up is the Soft Classic Solid Yarn by Loops and Threads. I typically find this one at my local Michaels store, and it’s a great option for a soft, affordable, medium-weight yarn. There’s a wide variety of colors to choose from, which I really appreciate—especially the bold neon shades! I love using those vibrant colors for making festival wear.

It’s also super easy to find, making it a convenient go-to option. For all these reasons, I’m placing it in the Old Faithful category.

 

 

Next up is the Happy Value Yarn, which I’ve spotted at Joann’s. It’s super budget-friendly at just $1 for 87.5 yards (80 meters). This yarn is 100% acrylic, medium-weight (4), and impressively durable for the price. The label recommends machine washing cold and drying flat, which is worth noting.

I think this yarn is great for community activities or school projects because of its affordability and practicality. However, the limited color options mean I don’t find myself reaching for it often. For that reason, I’m giving it a meh rating.

 

Now let’s talk about Bernat Super Value. This yarn comes in a wide range of colors, including solids, ombrés, and heathers, which is always a plus. It’s a worsted-weight, premium acrylic yarn that’s easy to care for—machine washable and dryable, which is a big win.

While I don’t usually go out of my way to grab it, it’s a solid, reliable option for many projects. It’s dependable and gets the job done, so I’m rating it Old Faithful.

 

 

Another great yarn is Lion Brand Heartland. It’s premium acrylic, easy to care for with machine wash and dry instructions. What I love most about it is the variety of heathery and tweedy shades—it’s perfect for certain garments and very durable. The tweeds also include 6% rayon, which adds a nice touch.

Each color is named after a national park or landmark, which I think is really cool. While I generally gravitate toward bolder colors for my projects, I do love some of the shades in this collection. So, I’m going to rate it Not Too Bad, since I do reach for it from time to time.

 

Next is 24/7 Cotton by Lion Brand. This yarn is worsted weight, although I’d say it’s a bit thinner than typical worsted weight. It calls for a 4mm hook and is cable plied. It’s also mercerized, which is a process that strengthens the fibers, makes the yarn more resistant to shrinking, and gives it a brighter, lustrous finish. This gives your items a more polished, store-bought look, which I feel makes them look less handmade.

I love the color options, and I always jump at the chance to use it when it’s on sale. I really enjoy working with this yarn, but just keep in mind that it’s thinner than a typical medium-weight yarn. So, I’ll give it the Chef’s Kiss ranking.

 

Next is Big Twist Value Pound. This yarn is premium acrylic, soft, durable, and easy to work with. It offers great value for the price, with each skein containing 1,093 yards (or 1,000 meters). It's usually on sale, which makes it a fantastic deal for the amount of yarn you get. When I’m reaching for a value pound yarn, this is often my go-to.

The downside is that I wish it had more color options, and the center pull can be a bit annoying. I usually end up caking it from the outside in to avoid the knots and turn it into a center-pull ball. Despite that, it’s reliable, so I’m going to rank it Old Faithful.

 

Well, what do you think of how I ranked each yarn? And what are your favorite affordable yarns to work with? Let me know in the comments below!

Remember to stay kind and keep creating the world you wish to live in. Thank you so much for watching, and I hope to see you in the next video!