Find the best yarn for your next baby blanket project here with our guide to the best yarn for baby blankets!
Easy Ombre Blanket – Free Crochet Pattern
A baby afghan can be such a perfect gift – and you want to be sure you are choosing the right yarn for the job. There are many factors that go into picking out the perfect yarn for a small blanket, and today we are going to look at these in depth.
What to Consider when Choosing the Best Yarn for Blankets
Let’s take a look at all the factors that should come into play when choosing the right yarn for your next blanket project.
1. Ease of Care
This is a big one in my book. I want a blanket that is easy to care for. Let’s face it – babies are messy!! If the blanket gets used at all, it will eventually need to be washed, and probably more than once.
We have four kids and I know from experience that some yarns just don’t stand up to the washing machine. We were gifted a beautiful blanket from the children’s ministry at church, and the first time we washed it the yarn looked terrible. As a maker myself it really hurt my heart to see all that hard work gone to waste because of the wrong yarn.
Some yarns may appear to be beautiful, but they must be hand washed or treated with extra care. When your project gets dirty, will you be prepared to wash it yourself?
Machine washing is possible with many yarns. Premium acrylics, cotton yarns, and superwash wool are all washable with ease. All of the yarn recommendations in this section are machine washable (I wouldn’t recommend anything else for babies!).
2. Fiber Content
The fiber content of the yarn has a big impact on how simple it is to care for. When making a tiny blanket, you should choose a yarn that is pleasant to work with, feels smooth, and matches the intended purpose of the blanket.
You wouldn’t use a lightweight cotton yarn, for example, to make a thick, comfortable blanket for the winter. A thick wool, blend, or premium acrylic yarn would be your first choice. In contrast, you wouldn’t create a summer blanket out of super bulky wool.
Also think about how the yarn will feel against baby skin. Wool may not be the best choice, even if it is a superwash. However, if it is a super warm blanket that will be on top of layers of clothing it might be appropriate. It all depends upon the intended use of the finished item.
3. Cost
Even a small blanket pattern can eat up a lot of yarn depending upon the size you are making, so cost does need to be considered.
We don’t want to break the bank with our project, and some of the yarns out there are pricey. Over $20 a skein! To make any size blanket with a yarn like that would take at least 2-3 skeins and that’s a decent chunk of money.
Luckily, there are plenty of yarns out there that not only look nice and are easy to care for, but tthey are also affordable. We are going to look at some today that won’t break the bank, even if you are planning a larger sized blanket.
4. Availability
I know the internet has opened up lots of options, but sometimes I just want to feel the yarn before I decide which yarn I want to use, especially when it’s for babies.
So as much as I love online shopping, there is just something about being able to handle the yarn that appeals to me. I like to squish it! I tend to use yarn that is available nearby, although there are times that I really love ordering online, from places such as We Crochet.
5. Yarn Texture and Thickness
I like to consider the yarn texture and thickness when choosing my yarn for a bably blanket. The yarn weight will play an important role in the comfort, warmth and overall feel of your blanket. Here are some things to consider when choosing a yarn weight:
- Comfort – baby’s skin is delicate and sensitive, making it important to choose a yarn with a soft and gentle texture (no scratchy acrylics here!). A rough yarn could cause discomfort. Choose smooth, plus, or velvety textures that feel great when you squish them and can provide a soothing experience for a baby. I find chenille-style yarn or organic cotton work well, whether in lighter weight or chunky yarn.
- Warmth and insulation – the thickness of the yarn has an impact on the blanket’s ability to provide warmth and insulation. Thicker yarns usually result in a warmer, cozier blanket, which is great for colder months. On the other hand, thinner yarns create a lighter, more breathable blanket you can use in warmer weather or at room temperature. Keep in mind the climate and intended use of the blanket when selecting weight and texture.
- Drape and flexibility – the texture and weight of the yarn you choose also affects the drape and flexibility of the finished blanket. A yarn with a soft texture and light or medium weight will create a blanket with lovely drape that softly covers baby’s body. A stiffer or bulkier yarn may result in a blanket that is stiffer and less adaptable to the baby’s movements, which could be less comortable.
- Stitch definition and appearance – different textures and thicknesses of yarn can produce different levels of stitch definition. A smoother yarn with a uniform thickness will usually have better stitch definition than a textured or uneven yarn.
- Ease of use – finally, yarn texture and thickness can impact the ease of working with the yarn. Some textures may be challenging to knit or crochet with, while others are wonderful to work up. Thicker yarns work up more quickly but may be harder to implement intricate stitch patterns, while thinner yarns may take forever to complete your blanket. Consider your skill level, project timeline, and patience when selecting yarn.
6. Allergy Considerations
Another thing to consider when choosing a yarn for a baby blanket is that some yarns contain allergens that could potentially be a problem for sensitive baby skin. Wool, for example, causes some people discomfort and irritation, and you might not know if the baby has a wool allergy.
It’s relatively rare for babies to have a fiber allergy, but wool and animal fibers are often the fibers that people have natural allergies to, so keep that in mind when choosing your yarn.
Hypoallergenic yarn options are acrylic (yes, there are some really nice acrylics out there now that are gentle enough for babies!), cotton and even bamboo.
If you are concerned about chemicals in your yarn we have several on our list that are OEKO-TEK certified. This is a global standard that ensures the yarn is free from over 300 harmful substances. This can provide additional peace of mind when choosing a yarn for your next project.
Duchess Baby Blanket – Free Crochet Pattern
Best Yarns for Baby Items
There are many different yarns on the market that make amazing baby blankets, and it would be impossible for me to list them all here, but these are some of my favorite ones that I have personally used and loved. (And I’ve made a LOT of blankets!)
ALL of these yarns are machine washable, so I haven’t added in a “care” section for each.
1. Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn
This yarn is well known for its ability to create a warm, cozy blanket in record time. This Bernat yarn is a very soft yarn that works up so fast because it is a heavy weight. While it’s not quite jumbo yarn, I’ve seen people use it for arm knitting by holding two or three strands together since it is such a thick yarn.
You can also find Bernat Blanket yarn, too!
Fiber Content: 100% polyester
Weight: Super Bulky (#6)
Yardage/Weight: 220 yards/10.5 oz
Check out Bernat Baby Blanket here!
2. Bernat Softee Baby Yarn
This soft, easy-care premium 100% acrylic yarn in light dk weight is a favorite for blankets.
Bernat Baby yarns are OEKO-TEX® certified, and are tested for over 300 harmful substances, making this another perfect choice for babies.
Fiber Content: 100% acrylic
Weight: DK (#3)
Yardage/Weight: 362 yards/5 oz
Check out Bernat Softee Baby here!
3. Lion Brand Baby Soft
Lion Brand Yarn Baby Soft yarn is a great yarn for blankets because it is so soft and easy to care for. This yarn is available in classic pastel colors and prints and can be found in craft stores and online. I have found this yarn at my local JoAnn’s.
Fiber Content: 60% acrylic, 40% nylon
Weight: DK (#3)
Yardage/Weight: 459 yards/5 oz
Click here to check out Baby Soft yarn!
4. Plymouth Yarn Dreambaby
The Plymouth Dream Baby DK is a popular DK-weight yarn for babies! This yarn’s microfiber acrylic and nylon blend gives it great softness and makes it machine washable. These features make Dreambaby DK ideal for children and newborns. The colors of this yarn are fantastic.
Fiber Content: 50% Microfiber Acrylic, 50% Nylon
Weight: DK (#3)
Yardage/Weight: 183 yards/50g
Click here to check out Dreambaby!
5. Lion Brand Feels Like Butta
The Feels Like Butta yarn is a chenille yarn that can be used in so many different types of projects. From a baby garment to blanket to baby hats and mittens, this is really the softest yarn that holds up well in the wash time and again.
Fiber Content: 100% polyester
Weight: Worsted weight yarn (#4)
Yardage/Weight: 218 yards/3.5oz
Click here to check out Feels Like Butta yarn!
6. Red Heart Soft
I made my first ever crochet blanket, the Duchess Baby Blanket, with this yarn. It’s super affordable and comes in a huge variety of colors. This is similar to the colors found in Red Heart Super Saver, but this yarn is a much better acrylic and is not much more expensive.
Fiber Content: 100% acrylic
Weight: Worsted weight (#4)
Yardage/Weight: 256 yards/5 oz
Click here to check out Red Heart Soft yarn!
But what about novelty yarn?
There aren’t many novelty yarns out there that I think make good yarn for a blanket project. The best I can think of is a yarn like Bernat Pipsqueak yarn, which is more of a furry type yarn. I have some true hand spun novelty yarn in my stash, and I can’t imagine making a blanket out of it.
I do believe a blanket made with Bernat Pipsqueak could be soft and cuddly, but I have never tried washing this one so I’m not 100% sure I can recommend it until I try machine washing and drying it.
Classic Crochet Baby Blanket – Free Crochet Pattern
Amethyst Sky Baby Blanket – Free Crochet Pattern
Today we’ve learned about the best yarn for great baby blankets, whether you choose to knit or crochet them. I hope you’ve enjoyed this post!
Interested in crochet stitches and borders for your blankets?
See the crochet stitches for blankets and afghans here
See the crochet borders here
Happy Knitting and Crocheting!
Amanda
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I made a baby blanket with Pipsqueak. It came out very snuggly as crocheted and the new mom said it washed fine.
Thanks Betty! It’s great to know how a yarn will wash because you just never know 😀
Thank you for all this information! I just wanted to add that I have made many a baby blanket and my favorite is the Paintbox Simply Chunky that you have pictured above! I’ve used it for my adult kids too.
Yes! That is a wonderful yarn and I’ve really enjoyed it, too. 😀