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A Review of Walmart’s NEW Mainstays Yarn Brand

ByAshlea

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Wait… Walmart has their own brand of yarn?! Yep! A new line of yarn has been released by Walmart – Mainstays yarn. I got my hands on some and I’ve had the chance to work with it. Read my independent Mainstays yarn review to see if this yarn is a good fit for you!

 

Before we get started I want you to know that Walmart has no idea I’m writing this review. They did not provide me the yarn nor did they compensate me for writing about it. As always, I will share my true and honest opinion. Alright, let’s get started!

Review of Walmart’s Mainstays Yarn

Sure, we’ve all seen the Mainstays brand at Walmart. They have sheets, rugs, towels, home decor and now they have a Mainstays YARN too! Say whaaaa?? I’ve had the chance to purchase this yarn (although not at my nearest Walmart, it seems it is only available at the Walmarts with a decent sized yarn department at the moment). I’ve had the chance to FEEL this yarn and I’ve had the chance to CROCHET with this yarn.

Mainstays Yarn Specifications

Do I love it? No. Do I hate it? No. Grab a cup of coffee and let’s dish. 😉

Mainstays Yarn Cost

Mainstays Yarn Review Walmart

Walmart’s new Mainstays yarn is ridiculously inexpensive at just $1.97 per skein. Not only is it cheaper than any other comparable yarn (my favorite part!) but you get a bit more of it. Available in a variety of solid colors with a whopping 397 yards per skein, this is slightly more yardage than the other major brands you may be familiar with. Brands such as Red Heart Super Saver (364 yards), Big Twist (371 yards), and I Love This Yarn (355 yards).

This means that while you do get more yardage, the Mainstays yarn is slightly thinner (and I do mean slightly thinner) than the other brands.

Worsted Weight Yarn Comparison

Let’s take a look, shall we?

Walmart's New Mainstays Yarn

As you can see with the Red Heart Super Saver on the left, Big Twist second from left, I Love This Yarn second from right and the Mainstays yarn on the right – the thickness of the four brands is allllmost identical. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the feel of it is identical.

Worsted Weight Yarn Thickness

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The Feel

As a crochet addict lover I can feel the difference between the brands as I work with them. Maybe you can also? The Mainstays yarn feels a bit cheaper to me, but then again… it is. At half the price of the other major brands, the feel of it is about what I expected. Just being honest. Don’t get me wrong, it is SOFT but as you work with it you can tell that the fibers are just… different.

Walmart's Mainstays Yarn

When crocheting with this yarn it feels softer than Red Heart Super Saver but not as soft as the I Love This Yarn (which, if you’ve worked with ILTY you’ll know what I mean). As I mentioned above there are places where the yarn feels a bit… different. Like short sections of the yarn are more dense or less fuzzy? I haven’t found the right word to describe the change in texture. This texture change, however, is NOT noticeable enough for me to stop using it.

Mainstays Yarn Review

Quality

I used about 900 yards of Walmart’s new Mainstays yarn to make my newest crochet pattern: a child size unicorn hoodie. In all of those 900 yards I found one knot. So I cut it out, rejoined and kept on keepin’ on. Meh, it happens with all brands. Again, not enough to make me stop using it.

Mainstays Yarn Review

Fiber content

This yarn is 100% acrylic. While this doesn’t matter to many of us, some people have an allergy to wool. Something to think about when gifting crocheted items for sure. Especially if you don’t know the person (or their list of allergies) well.

Washing

So… I made two identical swatches (15 dcs x 8 rows using the recommended size I hook) and I washed one of them. I wanted to see how much it would change after coming out – washed per the instructions on the label. Check out the difference! The washed swatch is MUCH softer than the unwashed swatch, and it did shrink a bit as well. Hmmm…

Mainstays yarn washed swatch

Overall

Overall I am pleased with Walmart’s new Mainstays yarn. I wish they had variegated yarn options, but maybe that will come soon? Would I go out of my way to purchase this yarn? Probably not. I will, however, pick up a skein or two when I hit up Walmart for the Mandala or Bernat Pop!

All things considered I give this yarn 3.5 out of 5 stars. Have you tried it? How many stars would you give it? It gets a gold star for value, that’s for sure!

Walmart's Mainstays Chunky Yarn

Oh! And they have a chunky! I have not tried this yet but it is chunkier than Bernat Blanket and the value seems decent! If you’ve worked with the chunky I’m interested to hear what you think.

More yarn reviews:

Hobby Lobby’s NEW Sugarwheel Yarn Cakes: Comprehensive (Independent) Review
Caron Cakes vs Sweet Rolls: An Independent (and 100% Honest) Review
The Difference in Bernat Pop! Yarn Cakes, Caron Cakes, Mandala and Sweet Rolls
How (and WHY) to Make Your Own Yarn Cakes

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128 Comments

  1. I liked the yarn but as I kept going I smelled something in the yarn...thought it was the bag from the store but it was not....had to bring skeins back to refund...then went back to the counter and there was an odor on a lot of them...can't use this especially on baby blanket...won't buy again !
    Reply
    1. I love the Mainstays value yarn too. I have had very good luck with it crocheting hats and scarves to donate to charities.
      Reply
  3. I just finished my first blanket by hand knitting with the Wal-Mart Chenille chunky yarn. It was my first time hand knitting as well as using this yard. LOVE IT! I didn’t count as I should’ve so it got slimmer as I came to the end. Oh well first time...no problem! It is so quick that I’ll undo and redo. I’ll definitely buy this yarn again from Wal-Mart.
    Reply
  5. I definitely love the price, but I'm not crazy about the yarn. As you mentioned in your review, there are variations in the texture. I prefer the Red Heart Super Saver. It's still inexpensive, and there are more color choices. I only purchase the Mainstays brand if our Wal-Mart doesn't have a color I'm looking for in the Red Heart brand.
    Reply
  6. All of my Red Heart is Made in the USA. All the Mainstays I found and tried out is Made in China. Red Heart gives me nice crisp pretty stitches. The Mainstays I tried looked cheap and "loose" with poor definition. The Red Heart is dense. The Mainstays is... well, "poofy". Soft, yes-- but Red Heart softens fine after a wash or two. Russian Joins are a piece of cake with my Red Heart, but a pain in the butt or next to impossible with the Mainstays I got. Both are supposed to be 4 weight "worsted" but the Mainstays looks more like sport or sock yarn, not nearly the same thickness as Red Heart even though both call for the same hook size (I/9). Gauge was off with the Mainstays. Mainstays work pilled and shrank when washed. Red Heart stayed true to size with no pilling. Been crocheting for over 40 years so I know what I'm doing (in other words, I'm not a new beginner). I won't be using Mainstays anymore.
    Reply
  7. I got 3 skeins of MainStays Basic Yarn for Christmas and I love working with it, it's very soft but, ever skein had several knots in them. Is that normal? Out of the 3 skeins the least amount of knots in one skein was 3 knots. That's the only thing that bother me while working with it.
    Reply
  8. I have made 12 blankets with the mainstay brand chenille chunky yarn and everyone loves them!! They are sooo soft and warm and they keep their fluffy even after being wash and don't fall apart. It's the ONLY kind of yarn I'll use if making a blanket but the problem is to make a good size blanket it takes about 6-8 balls of the yarn. (But really about 10-12 to fit a bed) And unfortunately Wal-Mart only keeps a stock of 8 at a time and, it's a in store purchase only which is a huge pain AND ...its only found through walmart. I wish they had a bigger stock and more variety of colors but overall it's the best yarn I've used to make blankets.
    Reply
  9. Mainstays Chenille Chunky Yarn is one I fell in love with. I have made at least 10 hand crochet blankets this year for christmas and have many more orders to fill but can not find the yarn anywhere. I purchased it from Wal Mart nd have searched high and low at all the wal marts near me and none of them have it anymore. Probably because I purchased it all. I would get 8-9 of the 8 oz balls which i only found in 4 colors at every wal mart I went to now I can not get it anymore because its discontinued. Whats up with that???
    Reply
  10. I used the Mainstay to make a baby blanket and had no problems to speak of. When it was washed it did just fine. Didn't notice any shrinkage. The lack of different colors is frustrating and hopefully there will be more,added. I live in a very small town and it is hard to get yarn so it would be really nice if they carried it online.
    Reply
  11. Anyone have a copy of the chevron afghan that's on the "wrapper" of some of the skins? I bought the yarn to make it but the pattern wasn't on the colors I chose :(. If you do please email it to me at lilspazzy21@gmail.com.
    Reply
    2. Per the wrapper on the blanket slate variegated yarn: SIMPLE LACY KNIT AFGHAN (KNIT) MEASUREMENTS: Approx 50" by 58" (127 X 147.5 cm) MATERIALS: Mainstays (5oz/142 g; 285 yds/260 m) Purple Passion (11010) 7 balls Size US 8 (5 mm) circular knitting needle 36" (91.5 cm) long or size needed to obtain gauge GAUGE: 20 sts and 23 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Lace Pat INSTRUCTIONS: Cast on 249 stitches. DO NOT join. Working back and forth across needle in rows, proceed as follows: Knit 10 rows (garter st), noting first row is WS Proceed in Lace Pat as follows: 1st row: (WS) K 10. Purl to last 10 sts. K 10. 2nd row: K11. *yo. K15. ssk. yo. Slt. K2tog. psso. yo. K2tog. K15. yo. K1. Rep from * to last 10 sts. K10. 3rd to 12th rows: Rep last 2 rows 5 times more. 13th row: Knit. 14th row: K10. Purl to last 10 sts. K10. 15th and 16th rows: Repeat last 2 rows once more. These 16 rows form Lace Pat. Cont. in Lace Pat until work from beg measures approx 56" (142.5 cm), ending on a 16th row. Knit 10 rows (garter stitch). Cast off knitwise. I'm skipping the basic abbreviations except for Psso (Pass slipped stitch over) and Ssk (Slip next 2 stitches knitwise one at a time. Pass them back onto left-hand needle, then knit through back loops together). I hope that helps :)
      Reply
  12. I was very happy when I found this yarn. I love the price and the softness.......unfortunately I had so many little knots in one skein. I stopped counting after 10. It has only been the one skein the others I have used are fine but it's very disappointing making a blanket and keep getting a knot
    Reply
  13. I tried it and like it may change better than Red Heart because it's waaay softer. Only problem is it's not guaranteed to be all Walmarts AND oddly enough, it NOT on their website!!! Yeah,. Walmart brand as of 11/29/17, is not on their website. I have to travel 80 mls within my state or to another state to get it. There aren't as many colors as red heart but the softness and price is a definite appeal. A bit hard to find in my area though and no being features on Walmarts website is a rather curious BUMMER
    Reply
  14. I purchsed 24 skeins of chunky mainstay teal..And I love it.But am having a hard time finding 6 more skeins to finish my king size blanket...I am hoping they will have it Dec 1st as assiciate said they won't get next shippment till then ..
    Reply
  15. I loved it too, until I wore it awhile. I made a couple of sweaters and they pilled badly, especially where my arm rubs against my body. I also developed a weird rash around my neck that at first I attributed to a new retinol cream. But I stopped using the cream and the rash stayed. Stopped using the sweaters and the rash went. Started using the sweaters and the rash came back. That could just be me though. At first, yes I loved the yarn, I thought it was thicker and softer. But it pills badly, big long shreds hanging from my arm. It was a full time job to keep up with the pills. I went back to Red Heart Love yarn, which has always been my favorite. You can buy it at Walmart.com
    Reply
  16. Since I've discovered Mainstays yarn at Walmart, I've made scarves, mittens, and slippersocks with it. The rare knot is not a bother. The only thing I find bothersome is that there is no "lead" at the end when I "ball" it. I "ball" every skein before each project. Everything I make, I make on a knitting loom.
    Reply
  17. So far I have made 2 blankets using the chenille chunky yarn and the blanket is soooo soft. I made it doing thumb knitting. But the yarn is very hard to find and I've only found two colors
    Reply
    1. Carla, I bet it’s off white. I just happen to stumble into the chunky yarn 11/13. Bernat’s is a little heavier and easy to work with in comparison to Mainstay, but the price is worth getting the mainstay and it is softer.
      Reply
    2. I’ve made a blanket using the chunky. It is softer and less expensive than the chunky found at hobby lobby. However it is noticeably thinner and takes more balls due to that. So overall the total cost comes out a little higher using the Mainstay brand. I’ve also noticed some of the variations in the yarn quality when using a ball. Our store only carries three colors - pink, white and gray. With all that said I would still recommend the chunky yarn for blanket projects.
      Reply
  18. I love this yarn. The price caught my eye. Then I felt it. It's soft and slightly thicker than Red Heart. I've started using it quite a bit, but I am limited in color at my local Walmart. I hope that changes.
    Reply
  19. I have been working witht he Main Stay brand now for a few months I crochet afghans to give to nursing homes and the VA hospital for the vets, I love the price and the yarn does not split like some others. It is soft and looks amazing and since I am giving these afghans away I sure do apperciate the cost savings! I just wish the Wall Mart in my area me would stock more colors and more yarn I tend to find 2 skeins of one color at a time, and the only problem is the dye lots, you have to buy enough for your project to assure the dye lot is the same, not a real problem however! Kudos to WallMart for a great product!
    Reply
  20. I just purchased this for the first time last week and completely agree. Overall, it gets the job done and if I use fancier stitches it makes it look better. I use it for personal projects or quick crafts I don't plan on showcasing. Or even as a "muslin" to try out new patterns. I'm more in love with the chunky yarn. I bought 6 balls and used size 25mm needles to knit a super plush throw blanket. It's so fluffy!!(yes, say it in Agnes's voice) Plus, it worked up quickly, under 2 hours, so I may be able to start selling them.
    Reply
  21. Pingback: Walmart Introduct New Own Brand Mainstays Yarn
  22. Can't wait to stock up on more! This yarn is just as soft as Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Yarn" and a lot cheaper to buy! I crochet hats for chemo patients of all ages and aware of the bare scalp's sensitivity so this is the perfect solution! I love THIS yarn!!!!!
    Reply
    1. I totally agree with you kudos to you I use to do the hats for the cancer patients too! have gone into afghans or LAP GAHNS for the VA hospital and the local nursing homes! when they are over stocked i might get back into the hats they work up fast and are easy to carry around and this yarn is great for that too! high five to you, good work!
      Reply
  24. I am not overly fond of this yarn. Within 36-inches, there were two (2) tie-offs (broken yarn stands that had been knotted together). After working another few yards, there was another tie-off, then within the next 24- inches, yet another. Fortunately, the project I am working on is for myself., so I don't have to worry about the knots showing up here and there. If all of their yarn is wrapped in bits and pieces, I would be hesitant to buy a large quantity. And I certainly would not want to buy it if I was making a gift for someone.
    Reply
  25. If anyone finds it in a store near Chattanooga, TN, I'd be glad to hear about it. I just got off the phone with Walmart online customer service, and they don't carry it online at this point. Thanks.
    Reply
  26. I just finished knitting a double sized blanket with the Mainstays Chenille yarn. I love it! All the skeins were consistent in texture, softness and size. I didn't like the fact that there was "yarn barf" in several of my skeins and I used 22 skeins altogether! Blanket is pink, white and gray, and super cozy. Would definitely use again.
    Reply
    2. I am working on one with the pink (Blush). They only had 6 skeins. I love this yarn. It is so big, and it will take no time at all to make a huge blanket. I have figured that I'll need 12 more skeins for my blanket. I have friends looking at all the Walmarts in the area, so I can finish this project.
      Reply
  27. i live close to Indianapolis, Ind. and none of my walmarts near me carry an Mainstay yarn is there some reason why. Thanks Sue
    Reply
    2. They only had 6 Blush and 4 white at the Auburn, IN Walmart. I'll be scouring Ft Wayne for the rest to finish my blanket. May have to drive to Michigan too. Can't believe they don't have more in stock.
      Reply
  28. Does anyone know if Mainstays will branch out more? I love Homespun and would be interested in seeing "generic" type.
    Reply
  29. I've purchased the mainstay yarn in almost every color they had. I love it. I had stopped buying yarn at Walmart because the RHSS felt kind of scratchy when Hobby Lobby had the same brand but only .10 more and it was a lot softer. Anyways this yarn is just as soft. I've been using it to make my girls all the hats they could want lol. I just hope they might come out with a weight 2 in the mainstay. I give it a gold star also and as far as knots go I think I might have gotten maybe one out of 5 or 6 bundles.
    Reply
  30. I bought two rolls of Mainstay red and one ball had for nuts in it I do not recommend them to others the yarn feels good but if I have to make knots for a project not good I sell mine I wash mine it would fall apart if you have nots
    Reply
  32. From the photos, Mainstay yarn looks like seconds quality. I live near a yarn and fabric mill and the outlet store sells what I consider seconds as the yarn is a bit thinner than the very same sold in Walmart under brand names. When I picked up a variegated yarn to match a solid colour purchased at Walmart, the guage was off due to the thinner yarn. good prices, but you get what you pay for, as the saying goes. Your review is much appreciated.
    Reply
  33. I read this review with interest. Mainstay brand yarn isn't at my WalMart yet, but I look forward to trying it. I noted the reviewer's mention of a knot in the yarn. She cut ut out and joined the ends in---a knot. I have to assume that it wasn't just "a knot" she encountered, but what we sometimes delicately call "yarn barf".
    Reply
    1. No, it was just a knot in the yarn, thus why she cut it out so that she can properly reconnect it. Ive never heard of someone cutting "yarn barf"
      Reply
    2. I always cut out knots found in a skein of yarn. I never tie a knot to attach a new strand of yarn! It is so simple to do and finishes up soft and smooth with no "knot bumps". I'm sure this is what she meant when she said she cuts out the knot and reattached the yarn.
      Reply
  34. I bought 2 skeins of Main Stay to crochet a blanket I love the way it feels and works up. My only gripe is it's not a pull skein,but that's ok I just leave it in storage drawer and roll it off.
    Reply
  35. Just bough the chunky mainstay in grey! Last one! Which makes me angry! They better get more in so I can finish this! In the process of making a blanket, but it is amazingly soft and plush! I absolutely adore this yarn! I just wish it came in more colors! ):
    Reply
      1. I have bought all the chunky they had at my local store in all the colors they carry. I am on my 4th knit blanket, I using 1 1/4" PVC pipe as needles. The end product is so soft and beautiful. I have also crochet one and it is alooking lovely. The jumbo chenille is really fun.
        Reply
      2. I'm currently crocheting a massive blanket with the chunky yarn! I love it! It's so soft and fluffy!!! Just have yo wait for my Walmart to get more as I bought them out lol
        Reply
  36. Didn't know that they were carrying Mainstay yarn. Was there tonight. But was only looking for cotton yarn. I will have to look for it the next time I go in. It would be a good price for all of the crochet animals that I make.
    Reply
  37. Nice review, though I disagree with your statement that it is thinner - at least with the two skeins I have worked with (one white, one bright blue) it is actually thicker and plumper than RHSS I worked with (in Spring Green and Turqua). I haven't completely used up either skein yet and found a single knot in the white skein, close to the beginning too, as you said 'cut it out - rejoin - keep on going... it happens with all brands' I just hope it is the only one, I get irritated when there is more than one knot in a skein. When I had FIVE knots in a single skein of RHSS I called the company and they informed me that 'one knot is the industry standard'
    Reply
    1. Holy moly on the knots! Anything over one and I get frustrated myself. Maybe I got some funky skeins, but mine definitely weren't as thick as RHSS. Makes me want to try some more colors. lol Thanks!
      Reply
  38. Walmart had there on yarn along time ago. When I first started knitting 12 years ago, I picked up a skein of the main stay, it noticed they discontinued it over a year later. I'm sure with knitting and crocheting becoming mor of a trend. Walmart decided to jump back in the loop again to make money off there on yarn brand. The next blanket I will be making I might be using this yarn to see how it turns out
    Reply
  39. My store just recently started stocking the chunky chenille (whether new or just dug out of some warehouse). I bought the last two gray they had and now I can't find any more and my project is far from finished... I like working with it though, very plush and keeps its shape well (I'm using a 22mm hook to make a rug).
    Reply
  40. I shop Walmart every week and I was so happy to see this new brand of yarn and the price of it it's such a great help to be able to buy this yarn at it's price especially when the project you're working on calls for 8-10 skeins and I do like the way it works up thanks for giving us crafter a chance to continue to enjoy our crocheting or knitting with out having to take a bank loan to buy the yarn or give up our crafts completely at my age my crocheting is what keep me going I enjoy it so much I've been doing it about 60yrs and can't imagine what I would do if I couldn't afford my yarn any more thanks a million x's for the yarn
    Reply
  41. Picked up a couple.a skeins n found it works real well..didn't know that it was a come back but will use it for those fair sales coming up n shower gifts since I'm always asked to make something. .happy crocheting...
    Reply
  42. I bought 2 skeins of the yarn...love the way it works, as it worked well on the hook...the colors were good n I noticed the shine to it too..will buy more in the future. .
    Reply
  43. My Wal-Mart stores haven't gotten it yet. They didn't have it listed on their either. I wonder if they are bringing it back because crochet is getting really popular again. I hope it will become available here soon. I'm in Clarksville, TN.
    Reply
  44. The Mainstays yarn is NOT new. I used it before, but it was discontinued and has not been available for several years. If it is the same quality as before, I really think it is a cheep cheep yarn. it will not hold up. Just my thoughts on it! I am all for cheep but why put all your time in something for it to be uggly later. Great review if thats how you see it crochet on.
    Reply
    1. Hey Angela, I saw that after some researching. I think they discontinued it around 2006? I am wondering, however, why they brought it back and if their supplier is different.
      Reply
      1. Supply and demand. Walmart is seeing a trend with yarn, and must be looking at its sales with red heart yarn, and then trying to get back in the loop of selling yarn
        Reply
        1. Yep, which makes me happy to know that other/younger people are getting excited about crochet and knitting too!
          Reply
  45. The review is great; however Mainstays yarn is NOT new. I used it for years, but it was discontinued and has not been available for several years. It is just now making a come back. If it is the same quality as before, I really enjoyed using it and had no problems with it.
    Reply
    1. Yes, it has made a comeback. The yarn is okay, I'll use it for some things but definitely not my favorite.
      Reply
  47. Thank you so much. I work at Wal-Mart and I had no clue they were getting there own yarn in wait til. I talk with the dept mgr. Lol. But thank you so much for this review it was great and now I'm curious and will have to give it a try. I use caron simply soft so I know it won't be that soft but if it's softer than red heart super saver then I'll give it a shot b
    Reply
  48. I get the Bernat super saver @Meijer but I believe this is an Ohio/Michigan store they do have website you may be able to buy it on
    Reply
  49. I picked some of this yarn up and can't wait to try it. Another yarn to try is Bernat Super Value yarn that's between 3 and 4 dollars a skein. The skein is 7oz and 426yards. Its feel is between the feel of red heart and I love this yarn form hobby lobby.
    Reply