Decorative, or novelty, yarn has a built-in effect such as fur, sequins, metallic thread, slubs or tweed flecks. It is mostly used where texture or shine should stand out: collars, cuffs, toys, cushions and festive decorations rather than whole plain garments. YarnArt Mink gives a fur effect, YarnArt Rumba blends 80% polyester with 20% metallic, and Rico Creative Make It Tweed brings tweed texture with 445 m per 50 g.

Feel for them instead of looking: run a fingertip along the row and you will find the small dips where the hook goes. Put a stitch marker at the start of every round, count often, and hold a thin smooth yarn in a matching colour alongside the fur if you want visible stitches. Wolans Fox (100% polyester, 100 m per 100 g, 4–6 mm hook) and YarnArt Fable Fur (6.5 mm hook) work well this way.

Either work the trim separately and sew it on, or pick up stitches along the finished edge and work a few rows of fur straight onto the garment. In knitting, garter stitch lets the fur sit more naturally than stockinette. Choose a fur yarn whose care matches the main garment, and keep the trim narrow so it doesn't pull the edge. YarnArt Mink (100% polyamide, 75 m per 50 g) is knitted on 6–7 mm needles, which suits chunky trims.

Pick a yarn with shine or texture that keeps its shape in small pieces. YarnArt Christmas (100% polyamide, 142 m per 50 g, 3.5 mm needles or hook) lists festive projects among its uses, YarnArt Galassia is a fine 25 g ball of 112 m for delicate accents, and Wolans Bunny Shine adds 8% metallic fibre to a plush strand for soft stars and stockings. At VILRITA they sit in one collection, so mixing textures is straightforward.

Some are. Fur, eyelash and loopy textures hide stitches, so it is hard to see mistakes or where the hook should go, and ripping back can tangle the pile. Learn the basic stitches on a smooth yarn first, then try a novelty yarn on a simple shape such as a scarf, cushion cover or round toy. Stitch markers and counting by touch help a lot, and a busy texture forgives uneven tension once you are under way.

Teddy bears and furry animals, fluffy cushion covers, collars, hood trims, slipper cuffs and small rugs all suit faux fur, because the pile covers the stitches and gives a continuous furry surface. Bulky furs grow quickly: YarnArt Fable Fur and Wolans Fox are both 100% polyester with 100 m per 100 g. After finishing, brush the surface gently to free fibres caught in the stitches and to even out the pile.