Best Yarn for Swimwear

Crochet swimsuits and bikinis are considered a little controversial, but by crocheting them with the best yarn for swimwear, you can stitch up a crochet bikini with confidence, look stylish AND go for a dip too!

Can you swim in a crochet bikini?

The simple answer is yes, you can swim in a crochet bikini. However, there are somethings to consider before taking your crochet swimsuit into the water.

We are all well aware just how popular handmade crochet and “fake” crochet has been recently, and the shops and retail summer swimwear departments are full of examples of just how great it can look, but selecting the right yarn to crochet your swimwear with is essential to prevent mishaps when it gets wet.

Pin this for later

Please note that this article contains links to products that are affiliate links – if you purchase via these links, I may earn a small commission but the price you pay is unchanged.

Sunbathing or Swimming?

If you are not planning on heading into the water, the yarn you choose to make your swimsuit in isn’t quite as important.

Of course, you want to ensure that any yarn, and the stitches you are creating that are going next to your skin will be soft and comfortable, but being water resistant isn’t the top priority in the same way.

If you will be wearing your crochet to a pool party, a festival or day-time club, you can stick to your classic 100% cotton, or make it softer by opting for a cotton/bamboo blend.

I have 2 absolute go-to yarns for a bamboo/cotton blends:

Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo Cotton

DK/size 3 weight

60% Bamboo, 40% cotton
Cool and soft on the skin
Affordable for the amount of yarn on the ball and the quality

Available in 46 shades!
Recommended Hook Size: 4mm
Click here to see the colour range – Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo Cotton

Lion Brand Cooboo

DK/size 3 weight
51% cotton, 49% Rayon from Bamboo
Light weight, breathable yarn

Can seem loosely plied – take your time when stitching to avoid splitting
Creates amazing drape in crochet fabrics
Available in 24 shades!

Recommended Hook Size: 4mm
Click here to see the colour range – Lion Brand Cooboo

If you have plans of more than lounging around in the sun, or there is chance you will be tempted to cool down in the pool, all yarn will absorb water – even water resistant yarns! This can cause the project to stretch out of shape while it is wet leading to the risk of overexposure!

Which yarn is best for swimwear?

The best yarn for swimwear is a yarn that is blended with an elastic, synthetic fibre which is also referred to as Lycra/spandex. The strong, stretchy nature of this manmade fibre retains those characteristics even when wet, making it the ideal choice when you want to stitch up swimwear that will retain shape and while also being stretchy.

The elastic fibre is likely to be one of the lowest quantities of the fibre make up of the yarn, as not much is needed in the blend to change the overall nature of the yarn.

Surprisingly, there are more stretchy yarns available on the market than you’d imagine – mainly due the popularity of crocheting practical swimsuits.

You’ll also find a variety of yarn weight options available too – traditionally, a 4-ply yarn is used alongside a smaller hook to create tight stitches to avoid anything showing that you wouldn’t want. But, you can also find dk/size 3 options yarns to help make your projects a little quicker to stitch up.