There is a set of Mallets/sticks made by Vic Firth I believe.
One end is a stick, the butt end has mallet heads.
Yarn Mallets work best on cymbals, those mallets I speak of are more for like tri toms or suited better for set.
They wont bring out the cymbal like pure yarn mallets will.
For good brush instruction look up Tommy Igoe Groove essentials, he really breaks it down.