What Makes Mikey Decide If He Likes A Yarn... The Criteria

A lot of new yarn has dropped with Yarnspirations for fall 2025. I'm given a ball or two of the yarn to look at in person. If I want more, I have to decide for myself and place an order, just like you do.

Do you have your own criteria on what makes you like a yarn? Share with me below in the comments. I want to know just in case I am missing something.

Yarnspirations doesn't expect a positive review from me, but I have one job to do: partially remove myself from the judgment process. I'll explain more below.

Mikey is holding a yarn ball and examining it.

Removing Myself From The Judgement

There are several factors for judging yarn that I have to remove personally:

1. Environment - I have two dogs and two cats. Sometimes the yarn isn't a good fit for my environment or lifestyle. Putting a dog coat on a Great Pyrenees isn't wise, as their coat is sufficient. This is personal for me.

2. Colours - I tend to enjoy bright, bold hues. If the colours are muted or in tones, I don't want them. That's a personal thing, not an overall impression thing.

3. Yarn Type - The materials used in yarn can shape my personal preference. I tend to like acrylics as they're affordable, and I crochet at a speed of creating tens of projects each year that go to charity. Not everyone crochets as manically as I do.

4. Affordability - Can I afford to buy this yarn? My own budget and what I value in my life are unique to me.

   
   

Learning from The Yarn Industry

When I decided to try this career path, I had to learn the difference between materials and their costs. Polyester fibres are cheaper than acrylic, and both are cheaper than natural fibres like cotton and wool. Why? Cotton and wool are chosen by the time of year, since harvesting those fibres cannot be done every day, unlike poly-based yarns.

It doesn't burn my britches when people think wool or cotton should just be as cheap when there is so much labour involved in taking care of the fields or animals. They aren't considering what happens behind the scenes before they see the fibres on the yarn shelves.

Getting Rid of the Myths

There’s a misconception that independent yarn shops sell gold at the prices they charge for their yarns. Usually, independent yarn shops sell products made in small quantities or low dye lots. They don’t have the power to sell hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of yarn in a year. They specialize in yarns that larger retailers won’t touch.

Speaking for only me, I tend to be more casual in my yarn purchases at big box retailers. In an independent yarn shop, I'm more careful with my choices. I have to determine if I have a project in mind or if it’s something extra special for me to make.

Final Decisions

I make the final decisions about whether I enjoy a yarn. Sometimes, I wait for a review based on what others have said about it. I feel people’s emotions can cloud their judgment about yarn, rather than seeing it from a broader perspective.

Looking at it from a telescope point of view of what is in the best interest of the many versus the few.

I know from firsthand experience that Yarnspirations products are not overpriced. They compete with big-box retailers on price. What retailers decide to charge is up to them. They have their own bottom lines to consider, as they have a lot of expenses to cover.

Like other yarn companies, they likely conduct market research and stay ahead of trends that will emerge in the future. They’re working ahead! Sometimes a yarn can drop onto the shelves and look out of place, but within months to a year, you'll see other yarns following the same colouring or styling. So while it can feel out of place, it’s a glimpse of what’s to come.

Currently, at the end of 2025, the colours are bold for many products because they’re trending. But that won’t last forever, as colours and trends shift over time. It’s up to the customer to buy enough yarn, knowing the colours do change.

I had a customer last week looking for a yarn that was discontinued 14 years ago. She's finally getting to her stash, and the yarn is long gone from distribution. She’s upset about it, but things don’t last forever. Specific extensions of yarn stand the test of time, while others are novelty or temporary. Red Heart Sashay Yarn is an excellent example of a product that lasted about four years and was red-hot until it died as a trend.

Evaluating Yarn Choices

When I look at what people are saying about the yarn, I factor their comments into my examination of the ball. Do I agree with their assessment? Is it fair or biased based on their point of view?

Price Perspectives

What are customers saying about the price? What other products are comparable in price and can deliver similar results? Products like Red Heart Super Saver cannot be compared to Bernat Blanket yarn. Is their price perspective realistic or wishful thinking?

Objectivity in Reviews

Have the influencers judging this yarn been objective, or have they imposed their own preferences on the decisions? Is a finished project worth the cost of purchasing the yarn? I don’t find it unreasonable to pay $20 to $30 for a lovely scarf when people pay far more at a designer store.

Yarn Performance

How long does it take for the first ball of yarn to run out? Will I constantly be changing yarns if the ball yardage isn't what I am hoping for? How does the yarn feel in my hands? Do I feel a sense of satisfaction as I crochet? Does squishing the ball give me a sense of ASMR?

Inspiration and Motivation

Does the yarn spark new ideas within my head? Does it feel like a remake of something I already like or have used before? Are people doing projects with the yarn that are motivating and creating curiosity? Would I buy this yarn consistently? Or is this a type of yarn that I should use for one or two projects before I feel like I have accomplished what I want with it?

Joy in Creation

What type of crocheter would buy this product? Does the finished item, made with the yarn, give you a sense of joy and accomplishment?

Reviews at the end are opinions. The person reviewing usually has a sense of trust within their community. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide.

Conclusion: Embrace the Yarn Adventure

So, there you have it! My yarn journey is filled with twists and turns, just like a good crochet pattern. Remember, every yarn has its story, and every project is an adventure waiting to unfold. Don’t be afraid to explore, experiment, and, most importantly, enjoy the process.

Let’s keep the conversation going! What do you look for in a yarn? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear from you!