I still remember standing in the craft store aisle as a beginner knitter, squinting at a price tag and mentally calculating how many skeins a sweater would actually need.
The math… was not encouraging.
I spent quite a bit on yarn for my first sweater (which I don’t regret!) but I also quickly realized that I wanted to keep knitting without bankrupting myself.
It’s not fun feeling stressed as you knit because you want to justify how much you spent on the yarn.
Or, holding yourself back from a new project because it calls for holding 3 strands of yarn together and you’re wincing at the upfront project cost.
Thankfully, as I’ve gotten more and more into knitting, I’ve discovered some great quality yarns that don’t break the bank and still produce beautiful, soft, durable sweaters.
I’m always on the hunt for ‘good value’ and I love a good deal.
One of my go-to favorite yarn brands has been Knit Picks. I’ve tried a bunch of their yarns and have a bunch more in stash earmarked for future projects.
Today’s post is a deep dive into Knit Picks, the specific yarn lines from them that I’ve tried, which yarns I’d recommend for which types of projects, etc!
Plus, I have some tips on how to save money and get Knit Picks yarns on sale for really good prices at the end :)
My Favorite Knit Picks Yarns
- for mohair: Aloft
- for colorwork: Palette
- for cables: Woodland
- for gift knits + accessories: Wool of the Andes
- for gift knits + machine washable clothes: Modish Merino
About Knit Picks
Knit Picks is an online yarn retailer that sells its own house-brand yarns.
On the spectrum of yarn stores, I would rate Knit Picks as nicer than Michaels, Hobby Lobby and JOANN but not as expensive or high end as a local yarn store.
What sets Knit Picks apart is they pretty much exclusively sell their own house-brand yarns and their entire identify is built around the idea that good yarn shouldn’t cost a fortune.
You won’t find Malabrigo or Cascade here, but you will find dozens of Knit Picks original yarn lines spanning every weight, fiber type, and color palette you could want.
As a knitter who prefers all natural fibers, they have a huge range of all natural wool, cotton and linen yarns.
They also run a sister site called WeCrochet, which sells the same yarn lineup but aimed at crocheters.
I’ve noticed an equally large selection of medium weight, durable cotton and acrylic yarns which I believe is for the crocheters.
I don’t know how to crochet, so all the yarns and my opinions below are all from the perspective of knitting!
Knit Picks Yarns
Knit Picks is probably most known for their Peruvian wool line called Wool of the Andes, but I’ve been impressed at the expansive selection of yarns that they’re producing.
They have merino wool, luxury alpaca blends, eco-conscious options.. and even yarn for spinning and dying.
They offer tons of super-wash and more durable cotton lines for crocheting but I’m mostly familiar with the non-super wash, 100% wool lines.
One thing I think Knit Picks does really well is introduce higher end ‘luxury’ fibers at a more accessible price point.
I mainly bought their ‘workhorse’ yarns when I was a beginner knitter, like Wool of the Andes and Palette.
But as I’ve gotten more into knitting and learned about fiber types, I’ve been trying new-to-me fibers like alpaca, silk, linen and bamboo.
I’ve also started to compare sheep breeds.
Different sheep produce different types of fleece, which in turn translates to different levels of softness, durability and hand-feel.
Most recently, I got some of their Modish Merino to try.
It’s a super soft merino hank that’s made with an innovative easy wash treatment, so it combines the warmth and luxury of merino without the traditional harsh chlorine super-wash processing.
Knit Picks also has specialty yarns that aren’t well known, but really exciting if you’re looking to learn more about fiber and still want to stay on budget.
If you’re curious about trying yarn from different sheep breeds, try High Desert, their line exclusively sourced from 100% American wool (made from merino and Rambouillet sheep).
Or, check out their bare hanks of Blue Faced Leicester (made from British long wool sheep).
In the current crazy world of tariffs and geopolitical upheaval, it’s gotten more difficult to source European yarns so I was pleasantly surprised to see that Knit Picks has some offerings of their own.
All of Knit Picks yarns are at prices that are pretty good value, especially if you shop strategically (more on that later).
Knit Picks Pros and Cons
Knit Picks is online only, so perhaps the only con is you con’t see the fibers in person and squeeze the skeins before you buy.
But they make the shopping experience pretty detailed to make up for it.
Each product page has customer reviews right at the bottom, so you can see what people really think of the yarn. That’s helped me narrow down options when comparing different yarn lines.
I also find the website color swatches and color descriptions pretty accurate.
I always cross-check the manufacturer photo with people’s stash photos on Ravelry, and in my opinion, Knit Picks does a pretty good job with color accuracy.
Here’s their Modish Merino yarn in the color Black Pearl, described as a “dark gray with blue undertones” and their swatch vs IRL.
Knit Picks Modish Merino in the color Black Pearl: website photo vs Ravelry stash vs receiving my order!
Knit Picks also does a good job with the color swatches and descriptions.
They describe each color in vivid detail, to help clue you in as to whether the yarn color is cool or warm toned, as well as the underlying color tone and hue.
For example, Knit Picks offers their popular Palette yarn in 20+ shades of blue.
If you looked at just the small circular swatch, abyss heather, midnight heather and navy all look like dark blues.
But reading the color description helps clarify which are solid, which are heathered and which have blue-black tones versus blue-silver tones vs blue-green tones.
I recommend clicking the ‘compare and add multiple colors’ button so you can see a magnified swatch and position each square next to the others for an up-close comparison.
Palette is offered in 172+ colors. I like using their ‘color comparison’ tool and reading the color descriptions to understand the subtle undertones, color flecks and shades.
I also like that Knit Picks offers their popular yarns in different weights and variations.
They seem to understand that when people like something, they want to use it all the time but maybe tweaked slightly here or there.
For example, Knit Picks Wool of the Andes is a 100% Peruvian highland wool yarn.
It’s one of their core yarns and offered in 4 weights:
It comes both superwash and regular (non superwash) as well as in roving (unspun) form.
You can buy it as a regular 50g ball, or try a mini skein (perfect for a small project, color work or testing purposes).
But to save money, it’s also available in big cones (500g) and value-packs (20-balls).
You can even get Wool of the Andes in the bare, undyed form if you like to hand-dye your own yarn.
Overall, Knit Picks is great at offering affordable yarns in a huge variety of fiber compositions and yarn weights.
Knit Picks also sells color cards and sample packs, which are espeically helpful for fair isle colorwork knitting.
And the knitting community has done an enormous amount of show-and-tell on Ravelry and Instagram. Overall it’s very easy to see how a yarn looks and behaves before you place an order!
Throughout this post, I’ll include lots of photos of the Knit Picks yarns I’ve tried too!
My Favorite Knit Picks Yarns
Wool of the Andes
What is it: Wool of the Andes is Knit Picks’ #1 best seller and iconic yarn line, originally launched as a worsted weight and later expanded into multiple weights due to its popularity.
Fiber: 100% Peruvian Highland Wool
Price: Each 50g ball has 137 yards (sport weight) and costs just $4.99
Best for: Cables, colorwork, everyday accessories, sweaters
Wool of the Andes Yarn Review
If Knit Picks has a signature yarn, this is it. Wool of the Andes (WoTA) is Knit Picks’ #1 bestseller!
Originally launched as a worsted weight, it’s since expanded into multiple weights due to its across-the-board popularity.
I’ve knit with it, I keep going back to it, and I now understand exactly why it has the cult following it does.
The fiber is 100% Peruvian wool. Specifically, a cross between Corriedale sheep (for durability) and Merino (for softness).
What that gives you in practice is a yarn with great structure and incredible stitch definition.
It’s also a “sticky” wool, meaning the fibers grip lightly together, which makes it excellent for both stranded colorwork and intarsia; your floats stay put.
It also felts beautifully. If I ever get around to kniting the Sailor slippers, I’d use Wool of the Andes.
Some people find it itchy, but I was pleasantly surprised – I find WoTA to be quite soft.
Try it first for an accessory before committing to a sweater. I used it to knit a double knit blanket and loved the heathered colors in particular.
The price is where WoTA becomes unbeatable.
Each 50g ball clocks in at around $5, and it’s often even cheaper during sales. For 100% wool at that price point, it’s genuinely hard to find a competitor.
I knit a throw blanket using 22 balls of WoTA and it cost just $45!
Palette
What is it: Palette is Knit Picks’ beloved 100% wool fingering-weight range: expansive, ever-growing, and designed especially for Fair Isle and other stranded colorwork.
It features hues spanning the entire color wheel, including heathers and neutrals.
Fiber: 100% Peruvian Highland Wool
Price: Each 50g ball has 231 yards (fingering weight) and costs just $5.49
Best for: Colorwork. With over 170+ colors (and new colorways being released all the time), Palette is like a big box of yarn crayons.
Palette Yarn Review
I initially bought a cone of Palette on a whim – it was on sale and I figured, why not?
Funny enough I bought it a neutral cream, only to realize later that Palette is best for colorwork projects – oops.
But I find that Palette’s fingering weight and soft, rustic feel make it versatile enough for all projects, even basic stockinette sweaters.
I highly recommend giving Palette a go, especially if you’re a beginner knitter curious about colorwork.
Once you see the color range, you’ll understand why.
It features hues spanning the entire gradated color wheel, including supporting neutrals and a full complement of heathers.
I once heard someone describe Palette as ‘a big box of yarn crayons’ and that’s exactly what it feels like when you’re scrolling through the colorways trying to decide which twelve you absolutely need.
The “sticky” quality of the Peruvian Highland wool makes it exceptional for colorwork. Your floats don’t slip and your stitches stay crisp, even if you need to steek and cut the wool.
I used it for a simple sweater and the stitch definition was everything I’d hoped for.
Palette works great for wraps, sweaters, socks, etc – the fingering weight makes it quite versatile!
You can always double it up or hold it with a strand of mohair if you need.
And, the price point makes it really great value.
Pick up a cone of palette and you can make a sweater (with yarn leftover for an accessory) for just $40!
Woodland
What is it: A cozy, luxurious merino-alpaca blend in an aran weight. The loose twist gives it excellent drape and insulation while maintaining stitch definition.
Fiber: 80% Merino Wool, 20% alpaca
Price: Each 100g hank has 180 yards (aran weight) and costs $14.49
Best for: Cabled sweaters, pullovers, winter accessories, cottagecore and classic aesthetics
excellent texture and stitch definition with Knit Picks Woodland
Woodland Yarn Review
I was looking for a yarn similar to Rauma Mitu when I stumbled upon Knit Picks’ Woodland yarn.
Specifically, I wanted a merino alpaca blend that would give me the softness of merino with the drape of alpaca. Rauma was too difficult (and expensive) for me to get my hands on, so I was really excited when I found Woodland.
And in the end I couldn’t be happier – I actually prefer that this is an 80/20 merino alpaca blend vs the 50/50 Rauma Mitu.
Woodland is perhaps my all-time favorite Knit Picks yarn.
There’s no knots, very little pilling (despite how incredibly soft this is) and it’s beautifully warm.
It’s also quite unique looking thanks to its 2 strand, loosely plied structure.
The loose twist gives Woodland a pretty, almost crimped look in the hank. Once wound into a cake, you don’t see the twist quite as much (and you definitely can’t tell once it’s all knit up).
But I believe it’s the loose twist that gives it great insulation while still maintaining stitch definition and structure.
Plus, the alpaca content adds a ton of warmth and an oh-so-subtle halo. The effect is a a really cozy, soft sweater without the fuzzy cloud – which I personally love.
You get sharp, readable stitches, which makes it wonderful for cabled sweaters and pullovers.
I used the Bare (undyed) color for my Haraboji cardigan.
The plain Woodland color has a natural off-white / cream color, which looks very classic in cables. You could also choose to dye the hanks to your preferred color!
Woodland is a chunky aran weight that knits up quickly on larger needles, but I’ve also knit it at a smaller gauge (on 3.5mm needles) and it knit up beautifully.
I would especially recommend Woodland for cable projects.
The high merino content and light ply gives it a spring texture that makes cables and textured stitches really stand out.
Woodland comes in a limited color palette of neutrals and earthy shades.
The color names (Hot Spring teal, Hollyberry red, Japanese Maple orange) suit the yarn’s cottagecore and classic aesthetic beautifully and remind me of earthy, nature-inspired knits.
It comes in a regular as well as a Tweed variant. I plan to try the bare Woodland Tweed in a future sweater project.
I’m thinking an oversized all-over stockinette cardigan… The tweed neps should add a fun bit of color and texture to an otherwise simple sweater!
Modish Merino
What is it: Modish Merino is spun from extra fine merino wool with a springy 3-ply twist and an innovative “easywash” treatment.
It’s machine washable on cool, delicate cycles without the harsh chlorine-based superwash process. The enzyme-based treatment preserves the natural feel of the fiber while reducing chemical waste.
Fiber: 100% Extra Fine Merino Wool
Price: Each 100g hank has 256 yards (DK weight) and costs $18.99
Best for: Sweaters, accessories, knitters who want merino softness with easier care and a greener conscience.
Modish Merino Yarn Review
Modish Merino is one of Knit Picks’ newer yarn lines.
It ticks all the boxes: soft, eco-conscious, machine washable and with great stitch definition.
This is a springy, 3-ply yarn spun from 100% extra fine merino so it’s super soft. It’s quite a unique yarn and very different from everything else on the market.
Unlike traditional superwash processes that rely on harsh chlorine treatments, this uses enzymes to subtly smooth the wool’s surface.
Knit Picks calls it an ‘easywash’ – in between all antural and superwash. Modish Merino preserves the natural feel of the fiber while reducing chemical waste.
Note: the easywash treatment is gentler than full superwash, which means the yarn has gentler limits. It’s machine washable, but avoid super hot, high agitation wash cycles.
At the moment, Modish Merino is available in 28 shades designed in 10 trio-tonal combinations, making colorways very easy to coordinate.
This would be a great project for stripes or simple colorwork, as well as for single-shade basic stockinette sweaters.
I picked this up in the Black Pearl color and love how it’s not a harsh black, but still dark enough that it looks more blackish than greyish.
The yarn is incredibly soft and the stitch definition is great!
Because it’s machine washable, this would be a good yarn for gift knits, if the recipient is unsure of how to take care of traditional wool.
Just note – the easywash treatment isn’t the same as full superwash. It should be washed on cold, delicate machine cycles to avoid agitation and felting.
Aloft
What is it: a luxuriously soft, light and airy silk mohair
Fiber: 72% super kid mohair, 28% silk
Price: Each 25g ball has 260 yards (lace weight) and costs $13.99
Best for: warm wraps, cardigans & scarves or held as a second strand to add density, drape, warmth and shine
Aloft Yarn Review
Aloft is a lace-weight blend of 72% mohair and 28% silk.
The silk provides a radiant core that shimmers and shines through the soft halo of the mohair, while adding beautiful drape and texture to shawls, stoles, and wraps.
On its own it creates delicate, ethereal lace.
But personally I tend to hold it together with another yarn.
Holding Aloft together with a DK weight gives the finished piece a gorgeously fuzzy, warm look – the kind of sweater-with-a-halo trend that’s all over #knittok right now.
Once blocked, it softens and blooms into a beautiful finished fabric, with tons of drape. Washing seems to also bring out the dramatic shine of the silk.
And then there’s the price, which is honestly where Aloft becomes a no-brainer.
At $13.99 for a 25g ball with 260 yards, it’s already competitively priced.
Most mohair-silk blends from other brands give you somewhere between 210 – 230 yards for anywhere from $10 – $16 a ball, so with Knit Picks Aloft, you’re getting more yardage for comparable or less money.
And when Aloft goes on sale, the value gets almost unreasonable!
Knit Picks Sales
Shopping Knit Picks strategically can turn an already affordable yarn brand into something that feels almost absurdly good value.
They pretty much always have some kind of 10-15% off coupon code.
If you stack this with their frequent sales, you can shop Knit Picks anytime and get really great bargains.
And, you get free shipping when you spend over $75 (they used to have a lower free shipping minimum on WeCrochet but have since equalized the two websites).
Here’s my cheat sheet guide to Knit Picks sales:
Yarn of the Month: Knit Picks runs a different sale each month. Usually it’s coordinated to a season, holiday or theme. Or some months, a particular line will be 15-20% off.
Think: all pink and red yarns for February, Felici sock yarns 25% off, summer fibers in July, etc.
Summer Yarn Sale: Knit Picks also runs an annual Summer Yarn Sale, typically in June, which is a great time to stock up on lighter-weight yarns.
The Big Sale (November): The unmissable event of the year! Every November leading up to Thanksgiving, Knit Picks runs a huge multi-week sale with yarns up to 60% off, rotating daily promotions, freebies, and coupon codes.
I always go a little crazy during their Fall sale!
Select yarns will be $1, $3, or $5. Quantities are limited and it’s typically to clear our old inventory or get rid of colors that will be discontinued, but the prices will be some of the lowest all year.
If you know there’s a particular color you want to knit with (and it’s a neutral or popular shade) then I recommend shopping during their monthly sales.
Right now, Knit Picks is doing a site wide 20% off sale so I’ve picked up some new-to-me yarns to try for summer knitting! I linked what I got and my favorite yarns and notions on my ShopMy.
I’d love to hear which yarn you’re planning to try or which Knit Picks yarns are your favorite!
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