Yarn Recommendations for Big Halflings
This post contains a running list of yarn recommendations for the Halflings pattern. Pattern is sold here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WestfarthingCrochet
General recommendations for custom/DnD characters:
For a good, slightly thicker worsted yarn (ideal for hair base, cloaks, etc,) you can can’t beat Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice. The colors are diverse, rare and gorgeous (but, keep in mind, tend to be noticeably lighter and less vibrant in person than they are on the listing!)
For a good, slightly less bulky worsted yarn (ideal for skin and clothing,) I like Loops & Threads Impeccable. The colors are not quite as varied as Vanna’s Choice, but they have a good selection. This is also some of the softest acrylic worsted I’ve found. The downside is that the colors looks VERY different in person than they do on the online listing. Go to Michael’s in person for this one, if possible.
For clothing, I like Lion Brand Heartland can’t be beat. It is a very smooth acrylic that works up smoother and more supple than any other acrylic I’ve found. The colors are just amazing. They are very true to the online listings. The mix of colors gives a beautiful texture to the clothing. When possible, I make all clothing items out of this yarn. Fortunately, it comes in tons of colors, so working with it exclusively is often possible :)
My choices for pictured halflings:
Skin Tones: Loops and Threads Impeccable (Frodo: Heather, Sam and Bilbo: Golden Beige. But tbh these two colors are almost identical)
Hair base on head (worsted): Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (Frodo: Chocolate Brown, Sam/Bilbo: Honey)
Hair (Fuzzy/Eyelash): JubileeYarn 100g Soft Touch Fuzzy Fur (Frodo: Brown, Sam/Bilbo: Bronze)
Trousers: Lion Brand Heartland (Frodo: Sequoia, Sam: Mammoth Cave, Bilbo: Bryce Canyon)
Shirt: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (Sam: Linen, Frodo: Asparagus Green. Note: The latter looks green on the listing but it's really a very pale cool cream tone.) Loops and Threads Impeccable (Bilbo: Aran)
Vest: Lion Brand Heartland (Frodo: Yosemite, Sam: Grand Canyon), Loops and Threads Impeccable (Bilbo: Forest)
Coat: Lion Brand Heartland (Sam: Smokey Mountain, Bilbo: Badlands), Red Heart Soft (Frodo: Chocolate)
Cloak: Red Heart Super Saver (Medium Thyme)
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Skin Tones: Premier Anti-Pilling DK Solids (Parchment)
Hair base on head (worsted): Premier Anti-Pilling DK Solids (Merry: Straw, Pippin/Sam/Bilbo: Boysenberry, Frodo: Black Walnut )
Hair (Fuzzy/Eyelash): JubileeYarn 100g Soft Touch Fuzzy Fur (Merry: Bronze Frodo: Brown, Sam/Pippin: Bronze but dyed to darken it! I used Rit Dye More to alter the color)
Trousers: Scheepjes Catona (Merry: Root Beer, Pippin: Dark Olive, Frodo: Black Coffee, Sam: Anthracite, Bilbo: Hazelnut)
Shirt: Premier Anti-Pilling DK Solids (Merry/Frodo/Bilbo: Linen, Pippin: Mist, Sam: Meadow.)
Vest: Hobbii Amigo (Merry: Curry, Frodo: Cognac, Sam: Gray Melange), Premier Anti-Pilling DK Solids (Bilbo: Fern Green)
Coat: Premier Anti-Pilling DK Solids (Merry: Fern Green, Pippin: Peacock), Hobbii Amigo (Frodo: Chocolate, Sam: Walnut)
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Yarn recs from gurumiville (IG): This Frodo was made with sport weight yarns and stands approx 10 inches/25-26cm tall. Brands used were: Alize Cotton Gold and Yarnart Jeans. Hair is Yarnart Mink.
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Bilbo by ankostoffarten (IG)
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Additional: I have not made Merry and Pippin, but they could both be made with the Hobbits Main pattern. If I did make them (I’ve certainly thought out it!) I would probably use the same skin/hair tones as I use for Sam, plus:
Trousers: Lion Brand Heartland (Merry: Joshua Tree) Red Heart Soft yarn (Pippin: Chocolate)
Shirt: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (Pippin: Linen) Loops and Threads Impeccable (Merry: Aran)
Vest: Lion Brand Heartland (Merry: Canyonland)
Coat: Lion Brand Heartland (Pippin: Glacier Bay) I’m really not sure about Merry’s coat. Maybe Caron Simply Soft in Dark Sage?
Cloak: Red Heart Super Saver (Mocha)
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Merry and Pippin by u/Rindereth (Reddit)
Merry: Vanna’s Choice in Chocolate for the trousers/suspenders. Vanna’s Choice in Linen for the shirt. Caron Simply Soft in Sage for the coat. Heartland in Canyon Lands for the vest. Super Saver in Buff for the skin. Homespun in Bourbon for the hair.
Pippin: Vanna’s Choice in Chocolate for the trousers/suspenders. Vanna’s Choice in Asparagus for the shirt. Impeccable in Sapphire for the coat. Heartland in Grand Canyon for the scarf. Super Saver in Buff for the skin. Homespun in Wild Fire for the hair.
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Yarnart Jeans for body and clothes and Yarnart Mink for hair.
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My choices for lady halflings:
Skin Tones: Loops and Threads Impeccable (Heather)
Hair base on head (worsted): Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Lobelia: Black, Rosie: Honey)
Hair: Lion Brand Homespun (Lobelia: Midnight Stripes, Rosie: Barley)
Skirt: Loops & Threads Impeccable (Lobelia: Grass, Rosie: Forest)
Petticoat: Loops & Threads Impeccable (Lobelia: Aran,) Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (Rosie: Asparagus Green)
Bodice: Red Heart Comfort (Lobelia: Melon,) Lion Brand Heartland (Rosie: Glacier Bay and Grand Canyon for the main bodice, Lake Clark for the edging)
NOTE: I’m only so-so about this color choice for Lobelia. I have only ever found this color in a MASSIVE skein, so I have been trying to use it up for a while. I expect there are better choices out there for this.
Apron: Knit Picks Mighty Stitch (Lobelia: Cream,) Lion Brand Heartland (Rosie: Yellowstone)
Lobelia’s Shawl: Big Twist Value Worsted in Pale Yellow
Lobelia’s Hat: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in Mustard for the top/ruffle. Impeccable in Grass for the brim. Mighty Stitch in Fairy Tale for the ribbon.
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If you have made these patterns and have some recommendations for yarns that did or did not work well, I would love to hear about it and update the list! Please contact me to let me know.