Frequently Asked Questions

Estako Yarns is a global online yarn brand operated by KUME INC., a company registered in the United States. Our head office is in Wyoming, and we ship worldwide from our operation in Turkey.

Our yarns are designed by us and made in Turkey, a country known worldwide for its textile quality. All of our worldwide orders ship directly from Turkey.

Every Estako yarn carries OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification — one of the most recognised textile-safety labels in the world. It means each component of the yarn, including the dyes, has been tested against a strict global criteria catalogue for harmful substances.

Yes. Our whole range is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, so the materials and dyes are independently tested for harmful substances. We source through suppliers that share our standards for responsible, low-impact production.

We run a direct-to-maker model on purpose. By skipping middlemen, wholesale commissions and the cost of physical stores, we can offer premium-quality yarn at far more accessible prices than you'd usually pay for this level of fibre.

Your feedback genuinely shapes what we do. For any question, suggestion or support request, email our team any day of the week at info@estakoyarns.com or call us at +1 (307) 207-8395.

Yes. Every review on our product pages comes from a real customer who bought and used the yarn. Our terms prohibit misleading, fake or spam reviews, and any that slip through are removed.

All text, graphics, logos, high-resolution yarn images and software on estakoyarns.com are the property of KUME INC. and protected by copyright. Please don't copy, modify or redistribute them commercially without our prior written permission.

All of our legal terms — covering use of the site, sales and how we protect your data — are linked in the footer of every page under "Terms of Service" and "Privacy Policy."

Customer privacy is a core principle for us. The name, address and contact details you share at checkout are used only to deliver your order, handle billing and serve you better. We do not sell or hand your data to outside advertising companies.

Dream is a super-fine yarn made from 100% microfibre acrylic, with around 383 yds per 100g skein. The microfibre construction gives it an exceptionally soft, almost silky hand — ideal for lightweight summer shawls, delicate crochet motifs and fine baby garments.

For cold-weather projects that work up fast, reach for Estako Cozy, our super-bulky line. Its 80% acrylic / 20% wool blend gives warmth and a full, plush body that's perfect for textured sweaters, oversized cardigans and chunky winter blankets.

Both are wool-blend winter yarns. MegaStar is 75% acrylic / 25% wool and sits in the bulky (#5) class; Cozy is 80% acrylic / 20% wool and is one step heavier, in the super-bulky (#6) class. Cozy works up faster, while MegaStar gives slightly finer stitch definition.

Velvet is a plush chenille (velvet-textured) yarn in 100% polyester, with bright, saturated colours. Its soft, skin-friendly texture makes it a favourite for baby blankets, cosy home décor and large amigurumi toys.

Estako DailyKnit DK is a great choice for everyday wear. Its anti-pilling acrylic formula resists rubbing, so sweaters and amigurumi keep their smooth surface wash after wash. It's a #3 (Light/DK) yarn with about 273 yds per 100g.

Star-Worsted is a refined, medium-weight wool-blend yarn (75% acrylic / 25% wool, #4 Worsted). Its balanced texture gives crisp, clean stitches, so it shines in cable work, modern cardigans and detailed autumn–winter patterns.

Happy Cotton is a softer, stretchier cotton-acrylic blend (60% cotton / 40% acrylic). Royal Cotton is a purer, more classic yarn in 100% mercerised Giza cotton. Choose Royal Cotton for pure cotton, or Happy Cotton if you want a little more give.

Giza is one of the longest, strongest cotton fibres in the world. Royal Cotton holds its shape over time, wears well and breathes beautifully, which makes it perfect for summer garments and accessories that touch the skin.

For makers who'd rather skip wool, our 100% microfibre acrylic Dream, anti-pilling DailyKnit DK, and cotton-rich Happy Cotton are all wonderful wool-free alternatives that feel soft against the skin.

Babies' skin is sensitive to coarse or shedding fibres, so we'd point you to our OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, anti-pilling DailyKnit DK, the cotton-based Happy Cotton, or the ultra-soft plush Velvet for blankets and toys.

We photograph every yarn in a professional studio and colour-correct it to be as true as possible. That said, every screen is calibrated differently, so there can be a slight tonal shift between the physical yarn and the colour on your device.

We don't offer physical shade cards at the moment. Instead, every colour in the range is shown in high resolution on the product pages, where you can compare shades side by side.

A dye lot is an identifier showing that a batch of yarn was dyed together, in the same vat, at the same time. Skeins from one dye lot were exposed to identical dye chemistry and heat, so their colour is fully consistent with each other.

Even with an identical dye recipe, factors like humidity, temperature and water pH subtly change how the dye takes to the fibre. Those natural variables can make the same shade come out a touch lighter, darker or different in undertone from one lot to the next.

Because our stock turns over constantly, we're not able to search for or match a specific past dye lot. Orders are filled from whichever current lots are in the warehouse, which is the standard across the industry.

A fresh skein will likely come from a different dye lot than your original. The safest, industry-standard habit is to order one or two extra skeins beyond your estimate before you start, so you're covered.

Sometimes the difference is invisible, sometimes noticeable. If you must use two lots in one project, alternate them — work one or two rows from each skein in turn (alternating skeins) — and the transition will blend away beautifully.

The colour number names the shade itself (for example, "Rosewood") and stays the same every time we produce it. The lot number tells you which dye batch that shade came from. Same colour number, different lot number, means small variations are possible.

Absolutely. Keep the labels — with the colour number, dye lot code and yardage — until the project is completely done. If you need to reorder, they're your only reliable guide.

No. When different dye lots are used in one piece, the tone can change at the point where you switched skeins — this is called colour blocking. It isn't a defect; it's the natural result of continuing with a new dye lot.

DK is category #3 (Light) on the international scale — a touch heavier than Sport, a touch finer than Worsted, and one of the world's most versatile weights. Our DailyKnit DK is a perfect example.

Worsted is the US "Medium" (category #4) weight — yarns like our Star-Worsted. In the UK, New Zealand and Australia it's usually called "10 ply" or "Aran." It's ideal for fast, shape-holding projects.

Surprisingly, no. "Ply" refers to the number of strands twisted together to form the yarn. A 4-ply could be a fine lace yarn or a thick winter yarn. Thickness is set by the yarn's total diameter and weight category, not the ply number.

WPI is a way to gauge a yarn's thickness without a label. Wrap the yarn around a ruler across one inch (2.54 cm), side by side without overlapping or squashing, and count the wraps. That number tells you the weight category.

Dream is #1 (Super Fine) in our catalog and works at a fine gauge. We'd suggest a 2.5–3.5 mm hook (US B-1 to E-4) or 2.25–3.25 mm needles (US 1–3) for best results.

MegaStar is #5 (Bulky) in our catalog and works at a bulky gauge. For a soft, un-cramped fabric, reach for a large 7–10 mm hook or needle (US K-10½ to N/15).

The metric system states the tool's thickness in millimetres (mm) and is used worldwide. The US system uses letters and numbers (for example, 4.0 mm = G-6, 5.5 mm = I-9, 6.5 mm = K-10½). To avoid confusion, our labels usually show both.

Our 100% Giza-cotton Royal Cotton is sold in 50g skeins, with roughly 125 metres (about 137 yards) of continuous yarn per skein — handy for makers who plan projects by yardage.

Yes. Every Estako label follows the US Craft Yarn Council standard, with the weight number (the 1–7 skein symbol), recommended tool sizes in millimetres, plus grams and yardage clearly printed as icons.

Note the weight category your pattern calls for (say, category #4 Medium) and the gauge it lists over 10×10 cm. Then choose the Estako yarn whose weight and gauge match on the product page for a clean substitution.

Wool is a natural protein fibre and sensitive to heat and friction. To stop wool-blend pieces from shrinking or felting, we strongly recommend gently hand-washing them in cool or lukewarm water with a wool-safe detergent. Machine agitation can distort the shape.

Acrylic yarns are some of the easiest to care for. Machine-wash on a low-heat (cool/warm), gentle or synthetics cycle. Pop the piece in a wash bag to reduce friction and spin on the lowest setting to keep its shape.

Chenille and velvet yarns soak up water and get heavy. After washing, never wring or twist — roll the piece in a clean towel and press gently to remove water. Then lay it flat to dry, out of direct sunlight, so it won't sag under its own weight.

Natural fibres like cotton can shrink when exposed to high heat. Hand-wash cotton pieces in cool or lukewarm water and avoid high-heat tumble drying to keep them at their original size.

Our labels use the international care symbols: a tub of water means washing (a hand inside means hand-wash), a triangle means bleaching, a square with a circle means tumble drying, and an iron shape means ironing. A cross (X) over any symbol means "never do this."

We strongly advise against chlorine bleach on any of our yarns. Bleach weakens and embrittles fibres — wool or acrylic alike — and causes irreversible fading or staining.

Pure cotton can take a careful low-heat iron, but never press a hot iron directly onto acrylic, microfibre or wool blends — the heat can melt synthetic fibres or flatten the texture permanently. Instead, use steam to relax and reshape.

Blocking gives your finished piece its final, lasting shape. Soak it in clean lukewarm water, press out the excess with a towel, then pin it to your measurements on a blocking mat with rust-proof pins and let it dry fully in place.

Keep yarn out of direct sunlight (to prevent fading) and away from damp. Store it in sealed clear bins, vacuum bags or lidded boxes to keep out dust and pests.

Because wool is a natural protein, it's a target for moths in dark spaces. Store wool-blend yarns in fully sealed boxes, and instead of chemical repellents use natural lavender sachets or cedar blocks.

For beginners, we recommend cotton-rich yarns that don't stretch and won't split or shed when you frog them. Estako Happy Cotton, with its firm surface tension, or the smooth DailyKnit DK are both excellent starting points for staying in control of your stitches.

The usual cause is a hook that's too large for the yarn, or loose tension. For amigurumi, use the smallest hook the label recommends (or half a millimetre smaller) and pack your stitches tightly together.

No. The yarns we recommend for amigurumi — DailyKnit DK and Happy Cotton — have a tight twist. No matter how firmly you pull to close a magic ring, the fibres won't separate, break or fuzz.

The trick is a small hook plus the "invisible decrease" technique. Using a firm cotton yarn like Happy Cotton also helps, because tightly stuffed stitches stay dense and don't open into gaps.

For big, huggable, super-soft toys, our Velvet line is hard to beat. This plush chenille yarn gives a wonderfully soft pile, and its dense fabric keeps stuffing tucked neatly out of sight.

Chenille yarns are built from tiny fibres held onto a core thread, so cut ends can shed. Lightly melting the cut end with a flame, or tying it off securely, stops the unravelling and shedding instantly.

Both work with Estako yarns, but amigurumi makers often prefer "yarn under" (the X-shaped single crochet). It locks stitches tighter and, with a yarn like DailyKnit DK, creates a smooth, hole-free, professional surface.

If you're making a toy for a child under three, embroider the eyes and features with yarn (such as Happy Cotton) or fine embroidery thread instead of plastic safety eyes — it's the safer choice and aligns with international toy-safety guidance.

Size differences come down to tension — yours versus the designer's. Even with the same yarn, looser hands make a bigger toy and tighter hands a smaller one. It's completely normal.

Right now we focus purely on premium yarn, so we don't sell PDF or printed patterns. But through our #MadeWithEstako community and our blog, you'll find plenty of free project ideas, tutorials and inspiration.

Yes. We ship worldwide from our operation in Turkey with tracked, insured express courier delivery, so makers anywhere can order with confidence.

It's simple and transparent: wherever you are in the world, orders under $75 (USD) ship for a flat $9.99 — no per-skein or weight-based fees, no hidden charges.

Yes — orders of $75 (USD) or more ship free, worldwide. The net total after any discount just needs to reach $75.

No. Every order ships DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), which means all customs duties and import taxes are already included in the price you pay. The courier won't ask you for a single extra cent on delivery.

Orders are dispatched from our warehouse within 1–2 business days of confirmation and quality check.

Once dispatched, delivery to the United States and Canada typically takes 3–8 business days.

Parcels to the United Kingdom usually arrive in 3–5 business days, and to European Union countries in an estimated 3–7 business days.

For the GCC and Middle East we estimate 3–7 business days, and for Australia and New Zealand 3–10 business days from dispatch.

As soon as your order ships, we email you the carrier and your tracking number. You can also track your order any time on our site using your order number.

We are. Every shipment is fully insured against loss or damage in transit. If anything goes wrong on the courier's side, our team resolves it right away with a free replacement.

Yes. You may return items within 14 days of delivery, provided they're brand new, unused, with labels intact and in their original packaging, following our return process.

For hygiene and quality reasons, we can't accept yarn that's been wound into a ball, had its label band torn, been worked and frogged, or exposed to dirt or foreign substances (pet hair, cigarette smoke, perfume, etc.). "Final Sale" or "Clearance" items are also non-returnable.

For standard returns (change of mind, didn't love the colour, and so on), return shipping and transit responsibility are the customer's. We don't currently offer prepaid international return labels. If the fault is ours, we cover everything.

Once your return is pre-approved by our support team, send it to our US returns address: KUME INC., 34 N Franklin Ave, Ste 687 2357, Pinedale, WY 82941, United States.

You can cancel any time before your order enters the packing and shipping stage — email info@estakoyarns.com as soon as possible. If it hasn't started processing, we'll issue a full refund including shipping. Once an order has been packed or marked "Dispatched," it can't be cancelled.

Because of the complexity of worldwide shipping, we don't run a direct exchange process. Instead, place a new order for the colour you want, and return the unwanted item separately under our return policy.

If we sent the wrong item or it arrived damaged, that's on us. Email info@estakoyarns.com within 48 hours of delivery with your order number and a photo, and we'll sort out a free return or replacement straight away.

Once your return reaches our US center and passes inspection (items and labels undamaged), approved refunds are processed to your original payment method, typically within 2–7 business days. Your bank may take another 1–2 statement cycles to post it.

No. On change-of-mind returns or cancellations, the original outbound shipping and handling cost (the $9.99 fee, where it applied) is non-refundable and is deducted from your refund total.

Please pack items in a sturdy box and include a printed copy of your order confirmation email, or your clearly written Order ID, so our warehouse can match the parcel to your order quickly.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards, plus Apple Pay for fast, secure one-tap checkout on mobile.

Completely. Our checkout is protected with industry-standard 256-bit SSL encryption and is fully PCI-DSS compliant. No one — including us — sees or stores your raw card details.

Our store detects your country and shows prices in your local currency. Note that, depending on cross-border banking rules, the final charge may settle in US Dollars (USD).

A decline almost always comes from your bank, not our store. Your card may be blocked for international or online purchases, over its daily limit, or your billing address may not match your bank's records (AVS check). Your bank's support line can help.

No. You can check out as a guest and complete your order without creating an account, though an account does speed up future orders.

Use the "Forgot Password" link on the login screen to get a reset link by email. If you've forgotten which email you used, email info@estakoyarns.com and we'll help verify your account.

At checkout, find the "Add a discount code" box (usually on the right or near the bottom), type your code carefully, and press "Apply." Your total updates instantly.

No. Our system allows one promo, discount or gift code per order. If more than one is entered, it automatically keeps the code that gives you the bigger saving.

Of course. If you're buying for your business and need a commercial invoice or VAT receipt, email us your order number and company/tax details right after ordering and we'll send the document digitally.

Because our warehouse generates a barcode and starts packing the moment an order is confirmed, we're unfortunately not able to merge separately confirmed orders into a single parcel.

It's our loyalty and community program. Share the projects you make with Estako yarn on Instagram or TikTok, inspire fellow makers, and earn a discount code toward your next order.

Good news — first-time members don't need any Estako purchase history. Just share a project made with Estako yarn following the rules, fill in the form, and earn your first discount code.

Yes. Returning participants can apply as often as they like. The one rule: you must have placed a valid order of at least $50 (subtotal), not cancelled or returned, within the last 6 months before re-applying.

For approval, tag @estakoyarn on Instagram or @estakoyarns on TikTok, and include our community hashtag #MadeWithEstako clearly in your caption.

After posting, go to the official form at estakoyarns.com/apps/rewards and submit your name, email and the direct link (URL) to your post for our team to review.

Unfortunately not. So our team can review your post and other makers can see it, your profile must be public.

To keep things fair, first-time participants' posts must stay public for at least 2 days after approval, and returning participants' posts for at least 5 days after posting.

No. Our fraud-prevention policy is strict. Fake, stolen or AI-generated content, duplicates, or images of another brand's yarn are grounds for immediate, permanent disqualification.

By submitting, you confirm you're the original creator and grant Estako a worldwide licence to use the image across our site, social channels, ads and email campaigns.

Our team reviews every submission manually, including AI-detection and hashtag checks. Once a fully compliant entry is approved, your discount code is emailed to you shortly after.

Yes, absolutely. We love partnering with independent yarn shops (LYS), craft studios and retailers worldwide, and we open special wholesale accounts with attractive margins for qualified businesses.

The core requirement is a legally registered business tax ID and an actively trading retail store (brick-and-mortar) or official e-commerce site.

It's simple: email info@estakoyarns.com with the subject "Wholesale Inquiry," including a short intro to your business, full contact details and your store/website links. A regional rep will send you the detailed application form.

Yes. Because wholesale partners receive special pricing, starter-pack requirements and per-order minimums (MOQ) apply and vary by region. The figures are shared after your application.

No. The $9.99 flat / free-worldwide shipping we offer retail customers doesn't apply to large wholesale pallet or carton orders. Wholesale freight is billed separately based on weight, volume and logistics zone.

Supporting the design community is part of our vision. Independent designers and creators who'd like to feature Estako yarn in new patterns or collections can email us with their portfolio to discuss yarn support.

Yes, with no restrictions. Cardigans, hats, amigurumi — anything you make by hand with Estako yarn is yours to sell, at any price, on Etsy, Instagram, local markets or anywhere else.

Yes — our vision is fully global. We run active export partnerships with local shops across the UK, EU, Canada, Australia and Asia-Pacific, beyond our US head office and Turkish operation.

In line with our digital, low-waste approach, we don't mail printed catalogues to retail customers. Our full range and specs are always up to date on the site.

For brand reviews, magazine features, sponsorships, interviews and all PR, reach our team directly at info@estakoyarns.com.