Working with chenille and plush yarn: tips that save your project

By Kimberly from Skeinstead ·

Chenille and "velvet" yarns are short fibers (the pile) held in a core. That's why they feel so soft. It's also why they behave differently from smooth acrylic or cotton. Here's how to get along with them.

1. Crochet a little tighter than you think

Loose stitches give the yarn room to twist and push out loops, often called worming. A firmer fabric helps hold everything in place. Hobbii's description of Bohème Velvet Double makes the same point: it "works at its best when knitted or crocheted tightly." Many amigurumi makers go down a hook size or more from the label.

2. Use stitch markers generously

The pile hides your stitches, so counting by eye is hard. Put a marker in the first stitch of every round, and feel for the "V" of each stitch with your fingertip instead of looking for it.

3. Secure your ends

Cut ends of chenille can shed pile. Hobbii suggests tying a knot at the start and end of a skein, and weaving tails in well before trimming. Leave a longer tail than usual so it has more to grip.

4. Frog carefully, or not at all

Pulling out chenille stitches can drag the pile along the core and leave bald patches. One Knit Picks reviewer of King Cole Yummy mentioned this. Swatch first so you can avoid ripping back.

5. Read the care label

Chenilles differ. Some labels say machine wash and dry, and others say wash cold and lay flat. Several labels we checked say do not iron. See caring for crochet projects.

6. Mind the weight category

"Chenille" comes in everything from #4 medium to #7 jumbo. A pattern written for a thin chenille won't come out the same in a blanket yarn. Compare options in our Petite Purl alternatives guide.

Sources