The best replacement for yarn is thread.

The best alternatives to yarn are rated as following:
★★★★★  thread
★★  mesos
★★  wool
★★  mrv1
★  mapreduce
★  worsted weight
★  acrylic yarn
★  wool yarn
★  zookeeper
★  worsted weight yarn
★  mr1
★  worsted
★  lace weight yarn
★  two ply yarn
  dk yarn
  filament yarn
  bulky yarn
  sugar and cream
  oozie
  fun fur
  red heart worsted
  handspun yarn
  ring spun yarn
  needle size
  spun yarn
  sport weight yarn
  sport weight
  medium skeins of yarn
  weft yarn

Your alternative for yarn is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about yarn, one probably shouldn't forget about knot.

Other search terms related to yarn and their ratings are:
★★★★★ knot
★★ spinning wheel
★★ knitting
★ pom poms
★ knitting it
★ crocheting
You have in mind a companion for yarn and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of yarn in all years. Click on graph for more.
yarn
thread
mesos