If you have spent any time on crochet TikTok or scrolling amigurumi patterns, you have seen the names: Alize, YarnArt, Himalaya, Papatya. All crocheters, knitters, pattern designers love these yarns, and for good reason. They are soft, the colours are gorgeous, and one ball goes a long way.
The good news for Nairobi makers is that you do not need a premium budget to work with them. They are on our shelves right now, most of them for under KES 1,000 a ball.
Why Turkish yarn is such good value
Turkey has a huge hand-knitting yarn industry, and its big mills have become very good at three things that matter to your wallet:
- Generous metreage. Many balls are 100 g or more, so you buy fewer of them and weave in fewer ends. Compare this to the rest of your locally available yarn - Turkish yarns win every time.
- Clever blends. A little cotton, wool, mohair or bamboo mixed with easy-care acrylic gives you the feel of a pricier fibre and a fabric that survives the wash.
- Loads of Colours. This is our favourite part. Dozens of shades per range, plus self-striping and gradient yarns that do the colour work for you. We drool every day.
Four brands, and what each does best
Alize: the everyday favourite
Alize Cotton Gold is just over half cotton, so it breathes, and you get 330 m in a 100 g ball for KES 750. It is a lovely choice for tops, baby things and anything worn in Nairobi weather. For the little ones, Alize Happy Kids blends acrylic with wool and bamboo at KES 600. And if you have never held a hook or needle in your life, Alize Puffy is a loop yarn you knit with your fingers. No tools at all, KES 700 a ball.
YarnArt: the amigurumi hero
YarnArt Jeans Plus is a matte cotton blend that holds its shape, which is exactly what you want for toys and bags (KES 800). Adore Dream is an anti-pilling acrylic, so sweaters stay smooth after washing (KES 700). And Angora Active gives you a real mohair halo and 500 m in one ball for KES 750.
Himalaya: the squishy one
This is the yarn people cannot stop touching in the shop. Himalaya Dolphin Baby is the velvet chenille behind all those plush toys and baby blankets, at KES 700. Himalaya Super Soft comes in big 200 g balls of 328 m for KES 950, which makes blankets very kind to the budget.
Papatya: so much colour
Papatya Sundae stripes itself as you go (KES 800), and Papatya Cottonish builds patterns of colour without you ever changing yarn (KES 850). Perfect when you want a project that looks clever but lets you relax.
What can you actually make on a budget?
- A plush amigurumi toy: one or two balls of Dolphin Baby, from KES 700.
- A baby blanket: a few balls of Super Soft at KES 950 each.
- A light summer top: Cotton Gold at KES 750 a ball.
- A statement shawl: a single YarnArt Rosegarden cake, 1,000 m of pure cotton, for KES 2,250.
Come and squish before you buy
Photos never quite capture softness. Pop into the shop, pick up a ball, and see the colours in real light. Not sure which yarn suits your pattern? Bring it along or send us a message, and we will help you match weight, metreage and shade.
Prefer to shop from the sofa? Browse the full range online and we will get it to you.
Prices are per ball and correct at the time of writing. Shades sell out quickly, so check the product page for what is in stock today.
