What is the best yarn for a baby blanket? Babies can be an excellent excuse to try your hand at crocheting a blanket. Seeing them all warm and cozy in their handmade blanket will bring so much joy!
After much research, I can confirm that many crocheters and knitters agree cotton or acrylic blends are the best yarn for a baby blanket. This is because these are the softest yarns and have excellent machine washability.
Even better, they are available in many different colors and are perfect affordable/cheaper yarns. Acrylic can be softened by using a fabric softener when you wash it.
These are perfect for baby blankets, but other blends and yarn types, such as cotton/acrylic blends, organic cotton and silk/bamboo blends, are excellent. The last option is more expensive but luxuriously soft. The best baby blanket yarn buying checklist.
There are quite a few qualities that the best baby blanket yarn should contain, and it has to meet a high standard for good reason.
A baby blanket should be lightweight (but still warm if it's cold), cuddly, soft and functional. The best yarn will be machine washable, soft and durable.
Here's a list of questions to ask when considering a particular product.
Yarn store good yarn
Is the yarn machine washable?
As lovely as many hand wash only yarns are, they need to be washed often! When it comes to babies, things like vomiting, drooling and diaper disasters are all too common.
Save parents and yourself time and energy, avoid hand washing and use a yarn that can be machine washable.
Using a washing machine is much easier!
The best yarn for a baby blanket should be machine washable.
To determine whether or not you can do this, check the label to see if it is hand washable or machine washable.
Ideally, you want something that can survive a normal machine wash, with a temperature of about 40° Celsius, or 104° Fahrenheit.
Sometimes a yarn is machine washable and dryable! A perfect combination of convenience.
What do parents prefer (colors/material)?
While you may have ideas about what the baby or yourself would like regarding materials and color, you are not making knitting blankets for yourself or the newborn.
The baby has no choice in the matter, as they can't express their opinion yet!
Keep their preferences in mind when discussing the colors you are choosing for the nursery. If you are unsure, asking them directly is a good idea.
That way, there is no confusion or disappointment for either party!
What is your budget?
As with any project you tackle, you can choose lovely, upscale products or a still nice but cheaper option.
Be sure to set a budget and don't go for it! Since babies grow quite fast, it could only be used for a year at most. Make sure you are not paying for anything you think is too expensive.
Yarn materials also play a role in the cost. Acrylic, polyester, other synthetic fibers and cotton are cheaper. Alpaca yarn, silk and bamboo are luxury and more expensive yarns.
Are parents or baby allergic to wool?
If one or both parents are allergic or sensitive to wool, there is a very good chance that the child is as well. You do not want the baby's skin to develop a rash or become irritated.
If this is the case, it is best to avoid wool and choose something hypoallergenic or a synthetic fiber such as acrylic to ensure that the baby's skin is not irritated.
If you are unsure, you can always ask.
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Remember, inevitably, the blanket is going to end up in baby's mouth!
An important thing to remember is how durable and how long the yarn will last. The blanket will be exposed to all sorts of nasty things, but just like the nature of babies!
Very young children explore things through their mouths, so your blanket will end up in their mouths eventually.
Check the reviews of a particular yarn to see if they have anything to say about how well the yarn held up.
When will the baby be born?
When is the child due and what season? Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter?
If it will be in the winter or colder months, choose a softer, warmer material.
If it's going to be during the summer or warmer months, choose a lightweight fiber designed for a summer blanket, such as acrylic and cotton.
Growing, Baby, Blanket
Need multiple balls of yarn?
It helps to know the ball size or yardage. If you need more than one ball of yarn (which you probably will), be sure to buy them all from the same dye lot if you are planning a single color.
(Dye lots are one batch of yarn dyed at a time).
This is important when making any knitting project, not just baby blankets. Even if the colors are supposed to be the same and come from a different dye lot, they will look different. you don't want that!
What kind of feel should the yarn have?
Check the parent's preferences when making your decision on softness. Fortunately there are plenty of options for soft yarn for the baby blanket.
Winter, you want a soft, bulky, thick chenille yarn. Summer, you want a thin, lightweight but still soft yarn.
Is the blanket going to pose a danger to the newborn?
Babies are not very self-conscious and don't have a very good sense of danger. You need to make sure that the details of the blanket will not pose a danger or difficulty for the newborn.
Here is a quick checklist of things to remember to keep your child safe.
Make sure your tension is tight and your stitches are close together. Loose stitches could cause a choking hazard.
Do not choose knitting patterns with holes. You don't want the child to be able to put their fingers through the yarn.
Weave in all ends before presenting the gift, and double check that the woven ends cannot be picked out.
Avoid a bulky blanket in summer and a lightweight blanket in winter. The baby could overheat or become too cold.
What gauge does your pattern or project require?
Gauge: These are stitches per inch, also known as yarn tension. To find the gauge of a yarn, you can count the number of stitches over 6 inches and divide by 6.
Having the correct gauge ensures that your knitting will look exactly like the finished product you are trying to achieve.
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Your Baby Blanket Yarn Questions Answered
Is acrylic yarn safe for babies?
Yes! Just be sure to choose acrylic or an acrylic blend that is soft and has a nice texture.
Is wool a good material for a baby blanket?
Yes, as long as the parents or baby are not allergic or sensitive to wool. Merino wool is hypoallergenic, super soft and warm. Or choose wool blends with merino wool.
How long does it take to crochet a baby blanket?
It depends on the size of the blanket, what kind of yarn weight it is, and how fast you crochet!
How many balls of Bernat yarn do you need for a baby blanket?
Smaller baby blankets only need 1-2 skeins. Larger ones may need 3-4.
How do you wash a Bernat baby blanket?
You can hand wash Bernat yarn blanket or machine wash on the delicate program, with the cold temperature.
Does Walmart carry Bernat yarn?
Yes, Walmart sells Bernat Yarn, although it is best to check to see if it is in stock at your local store.
How do I decide between warm and cold weather yarns?
In general, thicker bulky yarns are best for winter and lighter weight yarns like cotton for warm weather.
How to wash crochet blankets?
If they can be machine washed, place them on delicate or wool settings, cold wash only. If they have to be hand-washed, be sure to wash them with mild soap in cold water.
How much yarn do I need for a baby blanket? If you are knitting with chunky yarn such as a chenille style yarn, two balls are a good idea. If you are knitting baby blankets with something smaller, like a medium sized yarn, 9 balls is a good place to start.
How big should a baby blanket be?
If you are following a pattern, most will show how much yarn (yardage) is needed to finish the project. Find the yarn you have chosen and see how many yards are contained within one ball. Next, on the pattern, find how many yards you need and divide by the total amount inside a skein.
There they are, lots of wonderful, soft and comfortably perfect yarns to knit into a baby blanket.
I hope you enjoy making baby blankets, and the parents and newborn will surely appreciate the beautiful creation you've put so much effort into.
Sometimes sock yarns would fit a baby blanket.
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