Yarn That Doesn't Itch

Cotton, bamboo, and linen are great options for yarn that likely won't itch. Why? Many people have allergic reactions to animal-based fibers no matter how soft, and you'll see below that some acrylic yarns can itch depending on the way they're spun.

Plant-based yarns however are not only eco-friendly, but they tend not to create an allergic reaction. Browse some favorite yarns recommended by fiber artists below.

Cotton Yarns

• Cascade Pima Cotton
• Paintbox Yarns Cotton by LoveCrafts

Bamboo Yarns

• Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo
• Purl Soho's Burnish Yarn

Linen Yarns

• Lindy Chain by Knit Picks
• CotLin by Knit Picks

Whether or not you have a reaction to acrylic yarns will depend more on the way it's spun than the material it's made from. Some acrylic yarns just feel rougher on the skin, and others feel softer! Since acrylic is an artificial material, it's great for people who have allergies or sensitivities to animal fibers. Below are some of the brands other knitters and crocheters recommend for soft, non-irritating acrylic yarns.

Soft Acrylic Yarns

• Bernat Satin
• Caron Simply Soft
• Vanna's Choice by Lion Brand
• Red Heart Soft
• Bernat Softee Chunky
• Bernat Softee Baby

Does such a thing exist? Some knitters and crocheters swear that any wool yarn itches no matter what. If you have a wool allergy, or specifically a lanolin allergy, this may be true for you.

However, some of the softest yarns on the market these days are wool yarns and wool blends. Superwash wool is a tried-and-true favorite of so many fiber artists because it is deliciously soft, a natural fiber, and you can wash it!

Last, consider baby alpaca yarns. These are wool-blends mixed with silk, bamboo, cotton, and other natural fibers. Note that if you have VERY sensitive skin, these blends might also bother you.

Here are other types of soft wool yarns that come highly recommended by yarn hobbyests, as well as specific recommended brands:

100% Merino Wool Yarns

• Malabrigo Rio
• Madelinetosh Vintage

Wool-Acrylic Blends

• Patons Shetland Chunky Tweed
• Bernat Roving
• Lion Brand Scarfie

Baby Alpaca Wool Yarn Blends

• Malabrigo Silkpaca
• Novena by Lang
• Wonderfluff from Knit Picks

One major disclaimer here: some people have a reaction to animal fibers no matter what. Their skin is just too sensitive, or they may have an allergy! If lanolin is the issue, these yarns may be a saving grace for you because lanolin is not present in animal fibers other than wool. Here are a few of our favorite animal fiber yarns:

• Silk
• Mohair
• Cashmere
• Angora
• Mink

One of my colleagues swears by baby lotion because it is the only moisturizer that does not irritate her sensitive skin. Similarly, baby yarn is engineered for the most sensitive skin of all: baby skin!

If you are truly looking for yarn that won't irritate, venturing into the baby yarn aisle may be your best bet. These yarns are chemical free and deliciously soft.

The drawback? Your color palette might be limited, but not in the way you think. There are so many bright, beautiful colors to choose from when making baby projects! However, you actually might have trouble finding more subdued neutrals if you're using baby yarn to work up a simple accessory to go with any outfit.

Here are our favorite recommended baby yarns:

• Red Heart Baby Hugs
• Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo
• Bernat Softee Baby
• Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn
• Lion Brand Yarn Feels Like Butta Yarn

If you have sensitive skin, the following yarns have been known to irritate:

• Red Heart Super Saver
• Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
• Plarn

Of course, the above yarns are so wonderful and popular for other reasons, such as they're inexpensive, deliciously warm, or come in really beautiful colorways. I personally have made a ton of projects using Wool-Ease Thick & Quick! But if soft yarn for sensitive skin is your goal, you may want to select a yarn mentioned earlier in this article. 

Maybe you've already finished a beautiful project or two using this yarn. Washing the project may be the simple answer to your itchy problem, so give that a try before giving up on one of these yarns.

By the way, plarn is particularly good for making projects designed to be abrasive, such as scrubbies. Check out the Knit Round Scrubbie Pattern from Plarn below.

One great way to help you decide if a yarn is soft enough and hopefully not itchy is through feeling out the yarns yourself.

What do I mean? Head to your local craft store and feel the different yarns.

See if they TRULY don't itch by conducting the "neck test": rub the yarn against your neck to see if it's itchy. You can also test by rubbing the yarn against the inside of your wrist (another sensitive area).

Once you find a yarn the doesn't irritate your skin, check out what it's made of and take note so you'll have a nice variety of new yarns to try.