Whether you’re figuring out how to get started or looking for something to step up your game, here’s what you need to know about selecting the best yarn for your Addi or Sentro circular sock knitting machine.

First things first, knitting machines work with a specific gauge. When we’re talking about Sentro or Addi, we generally want to start by looking for yarn in aran or worsted weight. 

When you’re getting started, protein fibers like wool and alpaca are going to be a lot easier to work with than plant fibers like cotton or linen because protein fibers generally have more stretch. Once you’ve got a feel for how to handle tension on the machine, you can experiment with plant fibers, but I’d recommend starting with animal fiber.

Starter Yarn for Sentro and Addi

If you’re just getting started and looking for something cheap to play around with, I recommend checking your local thrift store for a worsted-weight wool yarn. Paton’s 100% Wool from Michael’s also works well.

Acrylic is the least expensive option, and it’s generally machine-washable and easy to find in dozens of different colors. It’s fine for trying things out, but personally, I’m not a fan of acrylic because acrylic’s just plastic, which is fine if you’re making toys or a raincoat or something like that, but I don’t like using plastic for next-to-skin clothing. 

Fancy Yarn for Sentro and Addi

After you’ve experimented a bit and want something nicer, there are a ton of fun things to try!

If you want a beanie that fits close to the top of your head, alpaca’s a great choice because it has less structure to it than wool. Compared with our merino wool of the same gauge, alpaca’s going to be lighter and thinner, even though it’s equally soft and warm.

Hate The Cold’s 100% Peruvian Baby Alpaca yarn in aran weight is ideal. I use one skein to make one of my beanies, and the yarn was made using a process that removes the itchy shorter hairs, making it remarkably soft and resistant to pilling.

For a sentro scarf, the lack of structure that makes alpaca great for beanies means your finished product will be stretchy and awkward without tighter stitching. Hate The Cold’s 100% Australian Merino Wool yarn, on the other hand, is wonderfully thick and feels soft and substantial around your neck.

Suri alpaca is a wonderfully warm and luxurious alternative to silk/mohair blends. Silk/mohair blends are popular but we’re not fans of regular silk because silk production involves killing the silkworms. 

Suri is a less common breed of alpaca with distinct, long, silky hairs.