Are you expecting a grandchild, or is someone else close to you expecting a child?
Creating a hand-made present is much more thoughtful and meaningful than buying a ready-made one, especially for such a special occasion as the birth of a child.
Best Yarn for Baby Blanket
So, if you have the time and the skills, you can knit or crochet a baby blanket yourself and can be sure that it will be the snuggest, softest and sweetest present for the newborn and its parents.
The question is, how do you find the perfect yarn for baby blanket knitting and crocheting?
What to look for when buying yarn for a knitted blanket for baby
The answer is to look for the finest quality, soft, light, functional, and cuddly yarn there is.
Can it be machine washed?
Keep in mind that there will be a lot of peeing, diaper leaks, drooling, and other baby-related messes on the blanket, so the yarn for babies needs to be easy to wash and maintain sanitary too.
Since new parents are likely to be quite busy, it’s important to select a machine-washable yarn that can withstand several items of washing without becoming damaged. Looking for a soft yarn that can tolerate being washed at higher temperatures like the other baby garments and one that can be tumble dried if possible is a good option when selecting yarn for a baby blanket.
It is a good idea to test wash the yarn and the home knitted blanket before gifting it so that the parents can rest assured that it will be easy to keep clean and sanitary for their baby.
The quality yarn for baby blankets that can survive through a lot of washing cycles includes some cotton blends, acrylics, linens, superwash wool blends, and some sock yarns.
Some yarns will be felt, and others can become scratchy when exposed to high temperatures, which is something you want to avoid, especially when the blanket is for a baby.
Some acrylic yarns may be scratchy during the knitting, but they can be softened with a softener when washed.
Will the parents like it?
If you are about to start work on a crochet or knitting project, it is best to check out the preferences of the parents for the colors, style, and patterns in order to choose the most suitable yarn.
You can ask them about the color choices for their nursery, stroller, and clothing, as well as their personal preferences before starting knitting.
If the gender of the baby has not been revealed yet, you should be careful about choosing all pink or all blue colors to prevent awkward situations.
Also, keep in mind that chances are that the parents will want to keep it as a sweet memory even when the infant outgrows it, so you need to make sure that you pick a good quality yarn for hand-knitted baby blankets too.
There is nothing wrong with asking the parents what type of colors, styles, and materials they prefer in order to make sure that the blanket will be appreciated and used by them for their little one.
What is your budget?
Some ultra-soft yarns like alpaca, silk, or bamboo can be pretty expensive, so make sure that you decide on a set budget and the quantity of yarn you will need for the baby throw before buying it. You can find some pretty good deals when there are sales.
Are the parents and baby sensitive to wool?
Wool is a lovely material for a throw for a newborn, but some people have a sensitivity to wool, so make sure you ask the parents if they have such problems with wool before starting on your project with wool for a baby blanket too.
Some of the greatest hypoallergenic yarns you can use are bamboo and cotton blends or cotton and acrylic ones. They are easy to knit with, washable, hypoallergenic, and soft.
Also, avoid using fluffy novelty yarns, which can shed fur balls because the child will surely put the blanket in its mouth, and furballs can be a choking hazard for newborns.
In which season will the blanket be used?
Since newborn babies cannot regulate their body temperatures like adults do, it is essential to choose a yarn that will allow you to knit a blanket suitable for the season when the bundle of joy arrives.
Choose a lighter yarn for a baby blanket for babies born in the summer, and merino or other superwash wool for the colder seasons.
How much yarn should you buy for a baby blanket?
The number of yarn balls depends on the type of yarn you will be using. For chunkier yarns, 2 balls may be sufficient for a baby blanket, but for medium ones, you should opt for about 9 skeins instead.
To make sure you have enough yarn to finish the blanket, divide the yardage listed on the pattern’s materials list by the yardage listed on the label of the yarn you plan to use.
When knitting a baby blanket, remember that it is better to purchase a little extra soft yarn than to run the risk of not having enough and having to abandon the project halfway through. The extra yarn may be used to make hats, gloves, or other knitted accessories.
So, what are the best yarns to choose for the blanket?
As you can see, there are many factors to keep in mind when picking the most suitable yarn for knitting and the greatest yarn to crochet a baby blanket.
In general, knitters recommend that you use cotton or acrylic blends for baby blankets as they are soft and machine washable.
Plus, they come in all kinds of colors and are relatively inexpensive and easy to knit with.
To make your choice easier, we have picked the top yarns for knitting a baby blanket for 2023 by material type, including acrylic, cotton, bamboo, silk, and different blends.
The top-rated yarn for baby blanket knitting or crocheting for 2023
Best Acrylic Yarn for newborns
Bernat Softee Baby Yarn
Material: 100% acrylic
Ball weight: 5 oz
Yardage: 362 yards
Knitting gauge: 22 sts and 30 rows = 4″
Recommended knitting needle: US 6 (4.00mm)
Crochet gauge: 16 sc and 19 rows = 4″
Recommended crochet hook: US G/6 (4.00mm)
Ease of care: easy, the yarn is machine washable, tumble dry.
The Bernat Softee Yarn 5-oz. is an inexpensive yarn that is easy to care for and can safely be machine washed and tumble dried.
The 100% acrylic Bernat blanket yarn baby Softee is offered in 362 yards (331m) balls and is available in 20 beautiful marl and pastel color options, perfect for a blanket for a newborn.
Bernat Baby Blanket Big Ball
Material: 100% polyester
Ball weight: 10.5-oz
Yardage: 220 yards
Knitting gauge: 8 sts and 13 rows = 4″
Recommended knitting needle: US 11 (8.00mm)
Crochet gauge: 8 sc and 8 rows = 4″
Recommended crochet hook: US L/11 (8.00mm)
Ease of care: machine washable in cool water, tumble dry
This super bulky weight chenille-style soft polyester yarn has been tested negative for more than 300 allergens and harmful substances. It is perfect for sensitive skin and is a long-lasting yarn suitable for crocheted and knitted baby blankets.
Thanks to its volume, two balls of yarn should be sufficient for an average throw for babies.
It can be machine washed and machine dried and is excellent for everyday use, and to keep as a fond memory when the baby grows up.
You can buy the softest yarn for baby blankets in over 32 different wonderful pastel colors and patterns.
Lion Brand Babysoft Tarn
Material:60% acrylic and 40% polyamide
Ball weight: 5 oz
Yardage: 459 yards
Knitting Gauge: 22 sts and 30 rows = 4″
Recommended knitting needle: US 6 (4mm)
Crochet gauge: 16 sc and 20 rows = 4″
Recommended crochet hook: US G/6 (4mm)
Ease of care: machine washable and dryable
This super-soft acrylic blend comes in a large-sized yarn ball. It is medium sport weight and is offered in different colors in pastel tones with pompadour fibers.
This yarn for crochet baby blanket is a soft, long-lasting, and easy to care for yarn suitable for crocheting or knitting a baby throw, which can be machine washed and tumble dried at low temperatures.
Universal Yarn Bella Chenille
Material: 100% polyester
Ball weight: 100gm
Yardage: 131 yards
Knitting gauge: 10 sts and 14 rows = 4″
Recommended knitting needle: US 10.5 (6.5mm)
Crochet gauge: 9 sc and 9 rows = 4″
Recommended crochet hook: US L-11 (8mm)
Ease of care: machine washable, no tumble dry
This velvety soft chenille yarn by Universal Yarn is one of the top choices if you want to knit a multicolored crib blanket.
It is a super bulky weight yarn, and you will need 2-3 balls for a smaller and 3-5 balls for a larger blanket. It knits up quickly and is easy to work with.
The soft baby blanket will become super snuggly and cozy for the baby, and also soft and gentle on its skin.
The softest yarn for a baby blanket comes in a wide variety of bright as well as pastel colors.
You can machine wash it with warm water, but it should not be tumble-dried.
Knit Picks Brava
Material: 100% premium acrylic
Ball weight: 100gm
Yardage: 273 yards
Knitting gauge: 6 sts = 1″
Recommended knitting needle: US 3-5 (3.25-3.75mm)
Crochet gauge: 16 – 20 sc = 4″
Recommended crochet hook: US E-7 (3.5-4.5mm)
Ease of care: machine wash and dry on a gentle cycle
This 100% premium acrylic yarn is long-lasting and durable and is offered in a wide variety of wonderful colors.
It is an excellent option to make a blanket with cute patterns and colors for the new baby.
It is also a very affordable option, easy to work with, and suitable for all types of blankets, baby hats, and other gifts.
Caron Simply Soft
Material: 100% acrylic
Ball weight: 6-oz medium (4 worsted)
Yardage: 315 yards
Knitting gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows = 4″
Recommended knitting needle: US 8 (5mm)
Crochet gauge: 13 sc and 14 rows = 4″
Recommended crochet hook: US H/8 (5mm)
Ease of care: machine wash and dry but on a delicate cycle
This extra-soft 100% acrylic yarn comes in a very wide range of color options, so it is perfect for making a colorful throw.
This yarn for the baby blanket is cuddly, super soft, and gentle for the skin, and can be machine washed and tumble dried at delicate cycles.
Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
Material: 100% acrylic
Ball weight: 3.5-oz
Yardage: 170 yards
Knitting gauge: 16 sts – 22 rows = 4″
Recommended knitting needle: US 9 (5.5mm)
Crochet gauge: 12 sc – 15 rows = 4″
Recommended crochet hook: US J/10 (6mm)
Ease of care: machine wash with cold water and tumble dry at low
Although it is not as soft as some of the other acrylic yarns for baby blankets, this is still one of the leading acrylic yarns for baby blankets you can buy.
It is an excellent choice for multicolored blankets and is gentle and soft on the baby’s skin.
Best silk and bamboo blend for a baby blanket
Patons Silk Bamboo
Material: 70% bamboo viscose and 30% silk
Ball weight: 2.2-oz
Yardage: 102 yards
Knitting gauge: 22 stitches by 26 rows = 4×4 Inches
Recommended knitting needle: US size G-6 (4mm)
Recommended crochet hook: US G-6 (4mm)
Ease of care: hand wash only, dry flat
This is an absolutely gorgeous bamboo and silk yarn that is sold in a variety of wonderful pastel colors.
This baby yarn for blankets will give the baby a luxurious feel and lightness and will impress everyone with its high-end sheen and look.
It may be harder to wash and dry, but this high-end yarn by Patons is absolutely worth it if you want to make the most beautiful and light blanket for a special baby.
Since it is a rather slippery yarn, you may want to use wood, bamboo, or plastic needles with this fine yarn for a baby blanket.
The leading cotton yarns for baby blankets
Lion Brand Yarn 24-7 Cotton Yarn
Material: 24/7 cotton 100% natural worsted weight
Ball weight: 3.5-oz
Yardage: 186 yards
Knitting gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4″
Recommended knitting needle: US-6 (4mm)
Crochet gauge: 14 sc and 19 rows = 4″
Recommended crochet hook: US G/6 (4mm)
Ease of care: machine wash and dry
This is a 100% natural cotton yarn worsted weight mercerized, and thus its sheen and color will last through a lot of washing and tumble drying.
It is easy to work with medium (4) weight yarn and is pure joy to knit or crochet with and is available in more than 30 great colors.
It is an excellent choice for baby blankets, clothes, and accessories, as well as for kitchen and bathroom accessories, garments, and other projects.
Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn
Material: 100% cotton
Ball weight: 14 oz.
Yardage: 674 yards
Knitting gauge: 20 sts and 26 rows = 4″
Recommended knitting needle: US 7 (4.5mm)
Crochet gauge: 13 sc and 14 rows = 4″
Recommended crochet hook: US H/8 (5mm)
Ease of care: Easy, machine washable, and dryable
Made of 100% natural, USA-grown cotton yarn and is one of the top options for handicraft projects including baby blankets, shoes, and hats.
It comes in a wide variety of colors, including solids, twists, Ombres, and scents so that you can create a truly unique blanket for the new baby in your life.
Greatest cotton acrylic blend yarn for baby blankets
Knit Picks Comfy Fingering Yarn
Material: 75% Pima cotton and 25% acrylic
Ball weight: 50g
Yardage: 218 yards
Knitting gauge: 7 – 8 sts = 1″
Recommended knitting needle: US 1-3 (2.25mm – 3.25mm)
Crochet gauge: 21 – 32 sc = 4″
Recommended crochet hook: B – E hooks (2.25mm-3.5mm)
Ease of care: machine wash at gentle cycle, tumble dry at low
This lightweight cotton and acrylic blend is perfect for colorwork knitting and is available in 20 different color options.
The high-quality yarn is suitable for making a winter blanket for a new baby and is easy to use for heavily textured stitches.
It can be machine washed at a delicate cycle and tumble dried at a low setting.
The greatest organic cotton yarn for baby blankets
Knit Picks Simply Cotton Organic Worsted Weight Yarn
Material: 100% organic cotton
Ball weight: 100 gms
Yardage: 164 yards
Knitting gauge: 4.5 sts = 1″
Recommended knitting needle: US 6-9 (4.0mm-5.5mm)
Crochet gauge: 11 and 14 sc = 4″
Recommended crochet hook: US I-K (5.5mm-6.5mm)
Ease of care: machine washable and tumble dry at low setting
This organic cotton is completely natural without any bleaches or dyes used for processing its fibers.
It is wonderfully soft and is perfect for delicate and sensitive baby skin. It is also eco-friendly.
You can make a super soft and cozy, breathable blanket suitable for all seasons with this wonderful organic cotton yarn.
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Last update on 2023-08-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API