Novelty Yarns Explained: What They Are, How to Use Them and What to Make
- Caterina Sullivan
- Oct 29, 2025
- 6 min read
One of the most common questions we hear at Fancy Yarns Australia, especially at in-person events, is “What do you actually make with this?”
This is usually said while someone is holding a wonderfully textured, sparkly or delightfully strange ball of novelty yarn.
If you’ve ever felt unsure about novelty yarns, you’re not alone. Many makers love how they look but hesitate when it comes to using them.
The good news? Novelty yarns are far more versatile than they’re given credit for, and once you understand how they behave, they can become one of the most joyful tools in your creative toolkit.
In this article, we’ll explore:
what novelty yarn actually is
the different types of novelty yarns
what you can make with novelty yarn
how to use novelty yarn in knitting, crochet and weaving
simple ways to start using novelty yarn with confidence
Whether you’re brand new to novelty yarns or looking for fresh inspiration, this is your go-to resource.
What Is Novelty Yarn?
Let’s start with the basics.
Novelty yarn is a broad term used to describe yarns that are unusual in structure, texture, appearance or composition. Unlike standard smooth plied yarns, novelty yarns are designed to stand out.
They may feature:
texture (loops, bumps, fluff, fringe)
sparkle or metallic elements
irregular thickness
decorative elements (like pom poms or flags)
unconventional construction
Because novelty yarn is such a wide category, there’s no single definition that fits every type, and that’s part of the fun.
Types of Novelty Yarn
Understanding the different types of novelty yarn helps demystify how to use them. Here are some of the most common (and loved) styles you’ll encounter.
Confetti yarns include flecks, dots or bursts of texture along a base thread. They add playful visual interest and are great for accent rows or accessories.
Soft, thin strands of fibres radiate from a core thread, looking like eyelashes on a base yarn, creating a furry texture. Ideal for trims, scarves, cuffs and statement details. We especially love eyelash yarns for toys including hair for a lion's mane, furry ears for a teddy bear or a fluffy rabbit tail (just to name a few).
Small pieces of fibre (flags) are attached to the core yarn at intervals, creating movement and texture. These work beautifully as feature rows.
Open, ladder-like construction that creates dramatic visual impact. Features two main threads held together by 'rungs' of fibre at either even or irregular intervals throughout. Often used to create lightweight scarves, wraps or woven accents.
Velvety, soft yarns with a thick pile. Perfect for cosy accessories and homewares.
Flat, ribbon-like yarns that create bold stitches and interesting fabric structure.
Contain metallic threads or glittery elements to add shine. Often used sparingly for feature details. Can also include Sequin Yarns which include a main base yarn with sequins throughout.
Textured yarns with pom poms, loops, thick-thin variation or spirals that add depth to fabric.
These are just some examples. Novelty yarns are wonderfully diverse, and new constructions appear all the time.
What Can You Make With Novelty Yarn?
Short answer: almost anything.
Longer answer: novelty yarns shine brightest when you let their texture and personality lead the design.
You can use novelty yarn to make:
jumpers and cardigans
tops and tanks
scarves, cowls and shawls
beanies and hats
bags and accessories
cushions, throws and wall hangings
The key is how you use them.
How to Use Novelty Yarn (Without Feeling Overwhelmed)
If you’re new to novelty yarns, the most approachable way to start is to use them intentionally and sparingly.
Think of novelty yarns the way a designer might think about trim or embellishment. They don’t need to dominate the piece; they just need the right moment.
Beautiful places to introduce novelty yarn include cuffs, hems, necklines, yokes, sleeves or accent stripes worked every few rows. Even a single row of sparkle or texture can transform an otherwise simple garment.
This approach allows you to enjoy the visual impact without the frustration of trying to read stitches through dense texture or manage complex construction.
A Simple Design Process
If you’re wondering how to use novelty yarn, try this approach:
Choose your base pattern and yarn. A smooth yarn works beautifully as a foundation.
Select a novelty yarn. Complement or contrast. Both are valid design choices.
Plan where the novelty yarn appears. Great placement areas include:
chest or yoke
sleeves
neckline
hems
Avoid heavy novelty yarns around the waist, as they can distort shape.
Mark your rows. Keep track so you don’t miss the feature sections.
Finish confidently. Weave in ends, block if appropriate and enjoy your one-of-a-kind creation.
Novelty Yarn Knitting
When knitting with novelty yarn, simplicity is your friend.
Basic stitches such as stocking stitch, garter stitch or simple ribbing allow the yarn itself to take centre stage. Complex stitch patterns often get lost beneath texture, so it’s best to let novelty yarns do what they do best.
Another popular technique is holding novelty yarn together with a smooth yarn. This can add sparkle, texture or softness without overwhelming the fabric, and it works especially well with metallic or eyelash yarns.
Novelty Yarn Crochet
There is often discussion in crochet communities that novelty yarn is better for knitting than for crochet. Luckily, this isn't necessarily the case!
Novelty yarns work beautifully for crochet borders, trims, granny square accents, textured panels and accessories. Plush and chenille yarns, in particular, tend to behave very well in crochet.
At Fancy Yarns Australia, we find holding a novelty yarn with another smooth yarn makes even more difference in crochet than it does in knitting. The smooth yarn provides the necessary structure while the novelty yarn adds texture, colour and intrigue.
As with knitting, simpler stitch patterns often produce the best results.
Novelty Yarn Weaving
Weaving with novelty yarns is where these fibres truly shine.
Use novelty yarns as:
weft for texture
fringe and tassels
accent stripes
supplementary yarns
Because weaving doesn’t require you to “read” individual stitches, it’s an excellent entry point for experimenting with more complex novelty fibres.
Tips for Working With Novelty Yarn
Novelty yarns sometimes get a bad reputation for being “difficult,” but like any technique, they just require practice and a slightly different approach.
Some helpful tips for working with novelty yarns include:
use larger needles or hooks
rely on touch rather than sight
work slowly and deliberately
use stitch markers
choose simple patterns
It’s also important to give yourself permission to learn. Just as you once had to practise new stitches or techniques, working with novelty yarn is a skill that develops over time.
And most importantly: be kind to yourself.
The reward? Projects that feel deeply personal and wonderfully expressive.
Novelty Yarn Inspiration: Let Yourself Play
If you’re searching for novelty yarn inspiration, the best advice is this: start small and playful.
Try a scarf with a single novelty stripe. Add sparkle to a beanie brim. Use eyelash yarn in a woven wall hanging. Introduce ladder yarn to a cardigan yoke.
Novelty yarns are an invitation to experiment, not a test of technical mastery.
Where to Buy Novelty Yarn
If you’re wondering where to buy novelty yarn, look for stores that embrace difference and creativity, including places that curate yarns thoughtfully and encourage exploration rather than perfection.
At Fancy Yarns Australia, novelty yarns are part of our story. They were the yarns that inspired our love of texture and sparkle, and they continue to be the fibres that make people smile when they walk into our stall and say, “It’s fancy, alright!”
Why Novelty Yarns Matter
Novelty yarns remind us that crafting doesn’t always have to be serious or predictable.
They:
encourage creativity
spark joy
challenge us gently
help us make truly unique pieces
If you’ve ever picked up a novelty yarn and thought “I love this… but what do I do with it?” now you know.
There’s no single right answer. That’s the magic.
So cast on, hook up or warp your loom, and let the yarn lead the way!
Comments