🧶 The Chenille Yarn Roundup: My Favourite Four for Plushies & Crochet Fun

If you’ve ever tried making plushies or crochet goodies, you’ll know that the yarn you choose can make or break your project. For me, chenille yarn is the ultimate winner — it’s soft, fluffy, and makes every plushie look amazing. Plus, it’s thick enough to be easy on my hands (arthritis-friendly is a big bonus!) and gives my creations that dreamy, cuddly feel.

I’ve tried loads of chenille yarns over the years — some are thin and tricky, some shed too much, and some are just… well, not great. But these four have earned a spot on my favourites list. They’re affordable, easy to work with, and create the most satisfying plushies and food/animal crochet projects.

1️⃣ Yarnsmiths Chenille: My Go-To Yarn

Yarnsmiths is my top choice. It’s the perfect thickness — not too thin, not too thick — and it doesn’t shed a ton while you’re working with it. Sure, there’s a little fluff when you cut, but honestly, that just adds to the cuddly vibe.

Pros:

• Thick and easy on your hands
• Minimal shedding
• Easy to sew with
• Huge colour range

Cons:

• Some colours can split when sewing ends in.

Overall, Yarnsmiths is a reliable, round chenille that makes crochet easy and fun.

2️⃣ King Cole Yummy: My Second Choice

King Cole Yummy is a little thinner than Yarnsmiths, but it still feels thick and full when worked up. The plushies come out lovely, though I sometimes struggle to get the magic ring started on the first try i find the yarn can be sticky/grippy.

Pros:

• Beautiful colour range
• Good ball size (lots of yarn!)
• Still plush and thick

Cons:

• Slightly trickier for magic rings
• A tiny bit thinner than Yarnsmiths

If you like a slightly lighter yarn that still looks full and soft, King Cole Yummy is a solid second choice.

3️⃣ That Crafty Stitch, The Squishy One: Premium Choice

The Squishy One is thick, magic-ring-friendly, and gives slightly bigger results than the others — perfect for those special projects. It is a little more expensive, but for me, it’s worth it for nice, impressive pieces.

Pros:

• Thickest of the four
• Perfect for magic rings
• Works up slightly bigger, great for statement plushies

Cons:

• Costlier than the other three

This one is my “treat yourself” yarn — ideal for when you want your project to look a little extra special.

4️⃣ HMBB Yarns Caterpillar Yarn: Best for Small Projects

The thinnest of my favourites, HMBB Caterpillar yarn is fantastic for small plushies, mystery bags, or detailed projects. It’s easy to work with, doesn’t split, and has tons of colours.

Pros:

• Huge colour choice
• Easy magic rings
• Minimal splitting

Cons:

• Requires a smaller hook size
• Best for smaller projects

If you want a yarn that’s versatile and colourful for small, intricate projects, this is a winner.

📝 Tips for Trying Chenille Yarn

For first-timers, my advice is:

• Try different brands to see what works for your crochet style.
• Check the EN71 / UKCA compliance if you plan to sell plushies.
• Follow the recommended hook size on the ball — it makes a huge difference.
• Don’t be discouraged by shedding — most chenille sheds a little, some more than others.
• Chenille doesn’t frog as easily as regular yarn, so plan accordingly!

Once you get the hang of it, you’ll probably never want to go back to DK yarn for plushies. I alternate between chenille and cotton, but DK is rare in my creations now.

🐦 My Favourite Projects

I don’t have one single favourite project, but I love making food plushies and animal plushies the most. Chenille’s amazing colour choices let me experiment and create so many different things — just pick a yarn that suits your style and enjoy!

🌟 Final Thoughts

These four chenille yarns — Yarnsmiths, King Cole Yummy, That Crafty Stitch, and HMBB Caterpillar — are my go-to favourites. There are other yarns that are more expensive and lovely too, and some similarly priced ones that are trickier to work with. But for affordable, soft, easy-to-use chenille yarns that make your plushies look gorgeous, these four are winners in my book.

Whether you’re starting your first plushie or a seasoned crochet pro, these yarns will make your projects soft, fun, and beautiful — and keep you coming back for more.