Lion Brand Yarn Review

Kristie Hudson

5 years ago

I’ve been doing review videos of different types of Lion Brand Yarn over on my YouTube channel. I do a knit swatch & a crochet swatch with information provided on the label. This helps me see how my gauge is compared to the given gauge. Then I’m taking it a step further & making a project with each of the yarns. I feel this is the only way to give a proper yarn review. Today I’m going to share the information I’ve gathered so far.

All the gauge information on the labels is for a 4″ x 4″ swatch. I’ll list the gauge I got using the stitches given in { } after the crochet & knit section. For each yarn I will give the yarn stats & tell you what I think about them. Some of the yarns are already worked into projects, some are WIPS, some in partial swatches still, & some just waiting to become something fun. These are all my opinions & I wasn’t compensated by Lion Brand for this yarn or review.

Yarn Review Projects

I have completed 5 projects out of the 16 yarns I have in this review. Two of the projects are with the same yarn, so that leaves me about 12 projects to work up. I’m looking forward to the challenge!

Tweedle Dee in Earl Grey ~>

#3 light weight
310 yds/285 m, 5.3 oz/150 g
75% acrylic, 25% cotton
crochet – H-8/5mm hook = 17 sc x 24 rows {4.25″ x 3.5″ w/ 20 rows}
knit – #6/4mm needles = 22 sts x 28 rows {4″ x 3.75″ w/ 24 rows}

This yarn has a stiffer, textured feel in the hands. It’s almost like a nylon cording to work with. I chose to make the French Market Bag crochet pattern by Two of Wands with this yarn. The top is trimmed in a cotton/linen yarn I had from a yarn club as one skein of the Tweedle Dee was not enough to make the whole bag. I think this yarn is perfect for a project like this or other hand bag patterns. It’s not really a yarn I could imagine making a garment from personally.

Chainette in Mustard ~>

#4 medium weight
131 yds/120 m, 1.75 oz, 50 g
70% baby alpaca, 18% virgin wool, 12% polyamide
crochet – I-9/5.5 mm hook = 14 sc x 16 rows {4.5″ x 5″}
knit – #8/5 mm needles = 18 sts x 26 rows {4″ x 4″ w/ 24 rows}

This yarn is very light weight, but squishy. I had two skeins of the yarn & managed to make two projects with it. One was the crocheted Gilded Cowl by Hooked on Homemade Happiness. The second was a free-form knitted twisted head band. I think this yarn would be great for sweaters or cardigans as well. It is a yarn that gives great stitch definition.

Mako Cotton in Orange ~>

#4 medium weight
125 yds/115 m, 1.75 oz/50 g
94% mako cotton, 6% nylon
crochet – I-9/5.5 mm hook = 14 sc x 16 rows {3.75″ x 4.25″ w/ 13 rows}
knit – #7/4.5 mm needles = 20 sts x 24 rows {4″ x 4″}

For some reason I only bought one skein of this yarn. It’s tough to find a pattern for 125 yards of #4 weight yarn, so I made one up! This is the Broken Rows Cowl by Teadoddles & it’s perfect for those one random skeins of yarn. I gave information for doing it in various weights as well. This yarn is so soft & I really want to make a sweater out of it. It has great stitch definition & it’s very light weight. Perfect for those of us that don’t get as cold as some areas. ; D

Merino Camel in Tan ~>

#2 fine weight
136 yds/125 m, 1.75 oz/50 g
80% merino wool, 20% camel
crochet – G-6/4 mm hook = 18 sc x 20 rows {4″ x 4″}
knit – #5/3.75 mm needles = 24 sts x 32 rows{2.5″ x 4″ w/ 19 rows}

I’ve never used a yarn with camel in it, so this was a fun one to try! This yarn gives great stitch definition & it’s very smooth. It’s a little less soft than 100% merino wool, but still a nice yarn. My finished project is the crocheted Berry Blitz Headband by Beatrice Ryan Designs. Since I had two skeins of this, I started a no-pattern cowl holding two strands together so I could learn circular knitting. I’ve got to add more yarn because I ran out, but I like the fabric it’s making.

Mandala Ombre in Cool ~>

#4 medium weight
344 yds/315 m, 5.3 oz/150 g
100% acrylic
crochet – I-9/5.5 mm hook = 14 sc x 20 rows {4″ x 4″}
knit – #7/4.5 mm needles = 20 sts x 27 rows {4.5″ x 4.5″}

I really like the stitch definition of this yarn & the color changes! It’s a fairly soft, dense yarn & I chose to do a knitting project with it. Since I’m learning about knitting, I just practiced a seed stitch on the bottom of what will be a scarf. I will do basic stockinette until I get to the other end & repeat the seed stitch. No pattern again, just me experimenting! : D

Amazing Lace in Lattice Blue, Mesh Sage, & Eggplant Trellis ~>

#1 superfine
1017 yds/930 m, 5.3 oz/150 g
70% acrylic, 30% nylon
crochet – B-1/2.25 mm hook = 29 sc x 33 rows {4.75″ x 2″ w/ 12 rows using 2.5mm hook}
knit – #2/2.75 mm needles = 32 sts x 48 rows {4.5″ x 1″ w/ 12 rows}

A very soft yarn in both crochet & knit with a slight halo. This is a #1 one weight yarn which means I didn’t do a full swatch because it’s so tiny! This would make a lovely shawl, scarf, or even a light weight sweater. I plan to hold the 3 strands together & use it as a light #4 weight yarn for a shawl or scarf.

Turnstyles in Delphinium ~>

#5 bulky weight
109 yrds/100 m, 1.75 oz/50 g
48% acrylic, 34% wool, 18% polyamide
crochet – N-13/9 mm hook = 8 sc x 9 rows {3.5″ x 4″ w/ 7 rows}
knit – #10.5/6.5 mm needles = 12 sts x 18 rows {4″ x 4″}

This is the only yarn I did not like at all! It’s like working with felted yarn & it really likes to stick to itself. The fabric it made felt like matted wool. I can’t imagine making something to wear out of this! I will be knitting a project with it as the crochet makes a very stiff fabric. Originally I was going to make the hat on the label, but I think it will be better as a basket.

Mandala Thick & Quick in Pocket Watch ~>

#6 super bulky weight
87 yds/79 m, 5.3 oz/150 g
100% acrylic
crochet – P-15/10 mm hook = 7 sc x 8 rows {4″ x 3.5″ w/ 7 rows}
knit – #13/9 mm needles = 8 sts x 11 rows {4″ x 3.5″ using 8mm needles}

A very squishy, but dense yarn if that makes any sense! I really love the colors of this & the big stitch definition it has when worked up. I think a crocheted project would be better in more open, larger stitches as it tends to get stiff with small stitches like single crochet. It becomes stretchier with knitting & it allows it to have more drape. Since I have two skeins, I think I’m going to try the Lakehurst Cowl crochet pattern from the Lion Brand website for my project.

Stitchbird in Purple Martin ~>

#5 bulky weight
131 yds/120 m, 3.5 oz/100 g
83% acrylic, 17% wool
crochet – K-10.5/6.5 mm hook = 11 sc x 14 rows {3.5″ x 4.25″}
knit – #11/8 mm needles = 12 sts x 16 rows {4″ x 4″}

Such a fun yarn! It’s soft & the color changes are really great in both crochet & knit. The netting around the main yarn doesn’t cause too much trouble. I did find myself hung up on it a time or two, but not enough to make me dislike it. Just something to think about when using the yarn. I’m thinking about making the knitted Woodbine Cowl from Lion Brand with this yarn.

Soft Spoken in Moonlight ~>

#5 bulky weight
394 yds/360 m, 7 oz/200 g
40% wool, 40% polyamide, 20% acrylic
crochet – N-13/9 mm hook = 11 sc x 14 rows {4″ x 4″}
knit – #10.5/6.5 mm needles = 14 sts x 20 rows {3.5″ x 3.5″}

This yarn is very soft & floofy! When the yarn is worked up, you can feel more of the wool in it. Still makes a lovely fabric in either knit or crochet. I’m thinking a nice squishy cowl will be great in this yarn!

Re-up in Lime, Orange, & Sunflower ~>

#4 medium weight
114 yds/105 m, 2.5 oz/ 70 g
85% cotton, 15% polyester
crochet – I-9/5.5 mm hook = 15 sc x 16 rows {3.75″ x 3.5″}
knit – #7/4.5 mm needles = 20 sts x 21 rows {4″ x 4″}

Re-Up is definitely a standard kitchen cotton. It’s a little bit softer than say Peaches ‘n’ Cream, but still not something to make garments out of. I found it split easily while knitting even though my needles were not super pointy. I’ll be making some dish cloths out of this yarn for presents. : )

Coboo in Grass Green ~>

#3 light weight
232 yds/212 m, 3.5 oz/100 g
50% cotton, 50% rayon from bamboo
crochet – G-6/4mm hook = 18 sc x 20 rows {4″ x 3.5″}
knit – #6/4 mm needles = 23 sts x 16 rows {4″ x 2.5″ w/ 15 rows}

This yarn & the next one are almost identical in fiber content, but I came up with two different swatches for them. I also realized the crochet hook sizes & swatch stitch count given for each is different even though they’re almost the same. Weirdness! Both yarns split very badly, although a little less with the crochet. I like the fabric produced for each yarn & it has nice drape in either crochet or knit.

Cotton Bamboo in Snapdragon ~>

#3 light weight
245 yds/224 m, 3.5 oz/100 g
52% cotton, 48% rayon from bamboo
crochet – H-8/5 mm hook = 14 sc x 18 rows {3.5″ x 4″}
knit – #6/4 mm needles = 21 sts x 25 rows {4″ x 4″}

Both yarns are soft & light weight. That makes them perfect for summer garments. I may put both of these into one project since I only have one of each. Of course I may make some cactuses with them from my Crocheted Succulents book! : )

Dotted Line in Lucky Charms ~>

#2 fine weight
410 yds/375 m, 4.4 oz/125 g
100% acrylic
crochet – F-5/3.75 mm hook = 20 sc x 28 rows {2.75″ x 3.5″ w/ 11 rows}
knit – #4/3.5 mm needles = 24 sts x 32 rows {4″ x 4″}

A very slippery yarn! Knitting with this yarn was a pain with metal needles. I may try it out on bamboo needles to see how it goes, but this will most likely be a crocheted project. The yarn is very smooth & soft & I do like the dotted color changes throughout. I’m thinking about making a pillow cover or other home decor project with this yarn. It’s too slippery feeling to be a garment in my opinion.

Merino Silk Cotton in Boysenberry ~>

#1 superfine weight
191 yds/175 m, 1.75 oz/50 g
50% merino wool, 25% cotton, 25% silk
crochet – D-3/3.25 mm hook = 20 sc x 32 rows {4″ x 4″ w/ 21 rows}
knit – #2/2.75 mm needles = 28 sts x 44 rows {4.5″ x 3″ w/ 23 rows}

I thought this yarn would be really soft, but it works up to have a feel similar to basic cotton. Very little stretch, great stitch definition, & a nice sheen. I felt the hook, needle, & yarn size was a little small for this yarn. I’m not sure what I’ll make with this yet!

Mandala Tweed in Dice ~>

#4 medium weight
568 yds/520 m, 7 oz/200 g
100% acrylic
crochet – I-9/5.5 mm hook = 15 sc x 18 rows {4.25″ x 4.75″}
knit – #7/4.5 mm needles = 20 sts x 28 rows {4.5″ x 4.5″}

Another fun yarn! I really like the color changes in this yarn, which are achieved by twisting two ends of a Mandala yarn. I’ve seen people do something similar with two Mandala cakes held together. It’s neat to see a cake already twisted that way! I liked the fabric this yarn made in both crochet & knit. No splitting, not too rough or too soft, overall nice feeling yarn. I’d like to knit a big ol’ scarf out of this! : )

Okay, did you see enough yarn in this post? I don’t think I could have put any more in! Be sure to check out the review videos for the yarns for more information.

I hope y’all have a great weekend & if you have any questions about the yarn, please ask. I’ll be glad to answer if I can! : )