All About Yarn

The Magic Yarn Project uses more than a thousand skeins of yarn each month! In order to produce wigs that are ultra-soft, hypoallergenic, machine washable, easy for volunteers to style, and true to each character’s familiar colors, we ONLY accept yarns in certain brands and shades. See each section below for our accepted colorways.

 Due to hospital regulations, we can only accept NEW donated yarn! If you have old yarn that you would like to donate to a good cause, we love sharing donations with Project Linus.

***Please only donate yarn from SMOKE-FREE homes and pet-hair-free environments.***

Approved Yarns For Wig "Hair"

For all wigs except Jack Sparrow, Rainbow, and “beanie-style” Elsa and Rapunzel, the color and brand of the hair MUST match the color and brand of the beanie.

Anna

  • Lion Brand Heartland “Yosemite”
  • Caron Simply Soft Party “Snow Sparkle” Yarn (or other approved white yarn) for Anna’s white streak

Ariel

  • Caron Simply Soft “Harvest Red”
  • Caron Simply Soft Party Sparkle “Red” (for sparkle strands at a 1:3 ratio)

Aurora

  • Caron Simply Soft “Sunshine”

Belle

  • Caron Simply Soft “Chocolate”

Captain Marvel

  • Caron Simply Soft “Sunshine”

Elsa

  • Caron Simply Soft “White” 
  • Caron Simply Soft Party Sparkle “Snow” (for sparkle strands at a 1:3 ratio)

Jack Sparrow

Jack uses multiple hair colors, including black and additional “highlight” colors. As you purchase and cut your yarn, plan for at least half of all strands to be black. All colors on the same wig should come from the same brand/texture.

  • Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick “Black,” “Obsidian,” “Constellation,” “Graphite,” “Metropolis,”
  • Lion Brand Hometown “South Dakota Black,” “Little Rock Granite,” “El Paso Autumn,” “Billings Chocolate,” “Chicago Charcoal”
  • I Love This Chunky “Cool Black,” “Heathered Brown,” “Heathered Charcoal”

Jasmine

  • Caron Simply Soft “Black” 
  • Caron Simply Soft Party Sparkle “Black” (for sparkle strands at a 1:3 ratio)

Merida

  • Lion Brand Homespun “Wild Fire”
  • Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick “Pumpkin,” “Spice”

Moana

  • Lion Brand Homespun “Black”
  • Lion Brand Hometown USA “South Dakota Black”
  • I Love This Chunky “Cool Black”

Rainbow

  • Caron Simply Soft  “Oceana,” “Rainbow Bright,” “Times Square”
  • Red Heart Super Saver “Retro Stripes”

Rapunzel

  • Caron Simply Soft “Sunshine”

Wonder Woman

  • Caron Simply Soft “Black”
  • Caron Simply Soft Party Sparkle “Black” (for sparkle strands at a 1:3 ratio)

 

Average Yarn Needed per Wig

Wig Style      Average Ounces     Length Cut To

Anna                  7                              60”
Ariel                   6-7                           60”
Aurora                8                              40”
Belle                   8                              40”
Elsa                    8-9                           80”
Jack Sparrow     7-8                           30”
Jasmine              7                              80”
Merida                10                             40”
Moana                 7                              40”
Captain Marvel    8                              40”
Rapunzel            10                             100”
Rainbow              6-7                           60”
Wonder Woman  8                              40″

**Refer to our winding board diagram here for instructions on how to wind and cut yarn**

Approved Yarns for Wig Beanies

Approved Magic Makers – please reference your virtual Guide to Magic for current approved colors. Interested in becoming an Approved Magic Maker, click here.

Approved Yarns for Character Beanies

Approved Magic Makers – please reference your virtual Guide to Magic for current approved colors. Interested in becoming an Approved Magic Maker, click here.

 

Yarn FAQs

 Why Be So Choosy About Yarn Fibers?

  • Many hospitals do not accept donations of products with animal fibers. The Magic Yarn Project only uses hypoallergenic, machine-washable, 100% acrylic yarn. Wool, alpaca, or homemade yarn blends are not approved.
  • Cotton yarn is not stretchy enough to suit head sizes of children of various ages, and it is too scratchy for tender post-chemo children’s scalps. It also does not retain its shape or sizing well after machine washing. Cotton yarns are not approved, including for accessories.
  • In order to produce the most beautiful, durable, and consistent wigs, we ask that all crocheted accessories are made with soft yarn. This includes all crocheted tiaras, snowflakes, starfish, flowers, ringlets, character beanie parts, etc.

Not All Soft Yarn Is Created Equal

  • Caron Simply Soft is our preferred yarn for all wigs.

What About Yarns Outside of North America?

  • Generally speaking, all yarn used for The Magic Yarn Project must be 100% acrylic (no animal fibers), ultra soft, and ideally sleek/shiny with very little stretch.
  • For all beanies and accessories and most wig “hair,” we recommend a worsted weight (#4) yarn thickness. For Jack and Moana hair, we recommend a bulky (#5) yarn thickness.
  • Yarn color matching does not have to be exact, but it should be as close as possible to our North American approved yarns. Search for images of brand names online to compare colors carefully, or contact your Region Leader for advice. 
  • All crafters wishing to use non-approved yarn types, including international crafters, should work with their Region Leader to determine appropriate matches.