Being an artist and a big fan of making your own crafts comes in handy on a lot of occasions. Working on something creative is calming, fun, and free. Not only does it allow you to create anything you want down to the last detail, but instead of settling for store-bought alternatives, the result when creating something yourself will always be original. And originality is something to aim for when crafting a baby blanket, whether it’s a gift to someone or something you wish to make for your own youngster.
Given the fact that there are numerous yarn types, weights, and blends appropriate for different kinds of baby blankets, we have provided you today with the best baby blanket yarn to choose from. As the skin of babies is more vulnerable to fabrics, we have selected easy-going, easy to work with, and extra soft options. Read on and discover!
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Our Top Picks on The Best Baby Blanket Yarn
Best Lightweight Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby Yarn
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As you can tell from the name, this yarn is extremely soft on the skin of little ones. We have selected this yarn for baby blankets based on the easy-care, easy-maintenance fabric, as well as the lightweight specifications of the yarn. This Canada made yarn has perfect quality and feel to it to knit or crochet baby garments, as well as other decorative items for the home.
Since the yarn is slightly thinner, it is a perfect option for when you are desiring a lightweight blanket. Next to the true basic grey marl color we have selected, Bernat offers 19 other soft and pastel-shaded yarns to choose from, a big plus when you would like to mix and match and create an extra unique project!
Specs:
Blend: 100% Acrylic
Care: Machine washable and machine dryable
Length: 331 meters / 362 yards (solids) and 283 meters / 310 yards (ombres)
Weight: 140 g / 5 oz ball (solids) 120g / 4.25 oz ball (ombres)
Knitting Gauge: 22 sts, 30 rows with a 4 mm (U.S. 6) knitting needle
Crochet Gauge: 16 sc, 19 rows with a 4 mm (U.S. G/6) crochet hook
Pros:
- Easy-care garment: machine washable and dryable
- Comfortable and easy to work with
- The yarn has a soft feel to it, ideal for babies
- Oeko-tex certified
- The Bernat promise: tested for 300+ harmful substances and proven to be safe for sensitive skin from babies.
Cons:
- Less suitable for beginners: the yarn may be sensitive to tangling
- Less appropriate when you are knitting a blanket that is meant to be used in colder temperatures
Best Easy-Care Yarn: Patons Beehive Baby Sport Yarn
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The fact that this is our go-to choice on easy-care and durability, is owed to the fine quality. As acrylic yarn may come with a sweaty feel, that is not the case at all with the skeins of Patons. The soft yarn is perfect for knitting or crocheting baby blankets and the blend is a good match for any age, especially newborns.
Not only offer the skeins easy to work with material for baby blankets, but it’s also great to use for accessories, like hats, socks, and toys. Next to this soft pink color, the brand offers a range of six other pastel colors. According to Patons, little ones enjoy a soft, lightweight finish that feels cozy all-day-long.
Specs:
Blend: 70% acrylic, 30% nylon
Care: Machine washable and dryable
Length: 328 meters / 359 yards
Weight: 100 g / 3.5 oz ball
Knitting Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows with a 3.75 mm (U.S. 5) knitting needle
Crochet Gauge: 16 sc and 19 rows with a 3.75 mm (U.S. F/5) crochet hook
Pros:
- Extremely durable because of the acryl/nylon combination
- Soft fabric feel
- Offers the exact amount of warmth, without a sweaty feel
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Patons only offers 7 colors in total
- Splits easily, which may make it harder to crochet with
Best Organic Cotton Yarn: Gazzal Organic Baby Cotton Yarn (5 skeins)
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Of course, there is one principle that comes first when crafting a project that is meant for our little ones: soft, non-harmful fabric, that matches their delicate, maybe even sensitive skin. Gazzal in this case exactly matches our needs. This 100% organic cotton yarn is soft on the baby’s skin and comes in a wide range of 22 beautiful colors – varying from the softest pastels until the most vivid tones.
The Turkey manufactured yarn is GOTS certified and this completely makes up for the fact that taking care of this garment takes a little more effort. With its 35 years of experience, Gazzal is known for being an ethically conscious brand, with an emphasis on creating luxury, and premium quality yarns, sourced from natural fibers.
Specs:
Blend: 100% organic cotton (GOTS Certified)
Care: Hand washable at 30°C or 86°F, dry flat, low iron
Length: Per ball: 115 meters, 125 yards
Weight: 50 g / 1.76 oz per ball
Knitting Gauge: unknown
Recommended Knitting Needle: 4-4.5 mm (US 6-7)
Crochet Gauge: unknown
Recommended Crochet Hook: 3-3.5 mm
Pros:
- Available in a wide range of 22 colors, both pastel and lively tones
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified
- Soft fabric, perfect for summer clothes
- Easy to work with
Cons:
- The yarn fiber may be a little bit thin
- Not as fluffy as acrylic or wool yarn
Best Bulky Yarn: Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn
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Bernat seems to be a brand that has it all – that being said, if you are on the hunt for the softest, bulky, chenille-like big ball of yarn, look no further. This soft thread is the perfect material for a heavy baby blanket, and the colors Bernat offers, suit all tastes and styles. Next to that, the chenille-style yarn is made out of an easy-care material, which allows you to machine wash and to tumble dry. The material stays soft and doesn’t stretch over time.
Bernat’s yarn is incredibly delicate and doesn’t shed or pill, and will keep your little one soft and warm in colder temperatures, without feeling too hot. Last but not least, we’re a big fan of the cute names of the different skeins – they will allow you to remember and recognize your favorite color and blend!
Specs:
Blend: 100% polyester
Care: Machine washable, tumble dryable, not ironable or suitable for dry cleaning
Length: Comes in three skeins for a total of 236 meters / 258 yards
Weight 300 g / 10.5 oz in total
Knitting Gauge: 8 sts and 13 rows with an 8mm (U.S. 11) knitting needle
Crochet Gauge: 8 sc and 8 rows with a 6.5 mm (U.S. K) crochet hook
Pros:
- Extremely soft, chenille-style quality
- Easy-care material
- The yarn doesn’t shed or pill
- Very warm, suitable for colder temperatures
- Bulky and fluffy, but not too heavy
Cons:
- Not for warmer temperatures
- Some buyers received yarn that had stains on them
Best Worsted Weight Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Yarn
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This natural fiber yarn by Lion Brand is our go-to pick for lovers of organic garments. The worsted weight quality comes in a ton of colors and is excellent to create baby blankets with, as well as other projects like home decor, bath and kitchen accesories, and toys. This yarn is not warm and spongy. Instead, it is light and sturdy, contrary to other, synthetic materials like acrylic or polyester. It gives your knitting and crocheting project a nice, draping effect. Perfect for a baby blanket, if you ask us!
The yarn is woven tightly and is easy to pull directly from the skein without knotting which makes this thread easy to work with.
Specs:
Blend: 100% mercerized cotton
Care: Machine washable and dryable
Length: 170 meters, 186 yards
Weight: 100 g / 3.5 oz ball
Knitting Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows with a 4mm (U.S. 6) knitting needle
Crochet Gauge: 14 sc and 19 rows with a 4mm (U.S. G6) crochet hook
Pros:
- Lion Brand offers a palette of 24 different colors
- The mercerized material gives the yarn a nice color and sheen
- Long-lasting quality
- Natural fiber, incredibly soft for baby’s skin
Cons:
- Lion Brand doesn’t seem to have a great quality control: may vary in color or be damaged
Best Crochet Yarn: La Mia Mini Cottony Mini Yarn
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Does anyone else get extremely enthusiastic and – maybe a little bit – greedy by seeing a multi-pack? You’re not the only one! As a big fan of color and fun, we couldn’t help but add this assortment of colored mini skeins by La Mia Mini on the list. This super-soft baby yarn comes in 20 different colors of Turkish cotton and is a great choice to crochet a beautiful multi-colored baby blanket.
And just in case you’re left with some spare yarn: it lends itself perfectly to create all kinds of baby garments, accessories, and even dolls. The cotton contains long fibers, which results in a highly absorbent and lightweight fabric. And not to mention: the material easy-care and dries quickly – a big plus for babies!
Specs:
Blend: 100% premium, Turkish cotton
Care: Hand wash at a maximum of 30°C or 86°F, dry flat, low iron
Length: 60 meters / 65 yards per ball, total 1200 meters / 1300 yards
Weight: 2 g / 0.88 oz per skein, total 500 g / 17.6 oz
Recommended knitting needle: 4-5 mm
Recommended crochet hook: 3-4 mm
Pros:
- Comes as a package of 20 different colors – perfect for multi-colored baby blankets
- Great value for money
- Super soft, high quality, worsted weight Turkish cotton
- Lightweight and perfect for crocheting
Cons:
- Not suitable for beginning crochet artists
- Skeins are relatively small
Best Value for Money: Red Heart Soft Baby Steps Yarn
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If we believe Red Heart, this yarn is the top pick to use for a baby blanket and to wrap your youngster in a soft cloud of love. Available in 16 different, beautiful, muted colors, this yarn is a top pick when you’re knitting or crocheting on a budget. The material is easy to use and thus a perfect choice for a baby blanket. The acrylic fabric is soft on the skin and comfortable to work with, on any skill-level, for any project!
Specs:
Blend: 100% acrylic
Care: Machine washable, tumble dryable
Length: 234 meters, 256 yards
Weight: 142 g / 5 oz per ball
Knitting Gauge: 17 sts and 23 rows with a 5mm (U.S. 8)knitting needle
Crochet Gauge: 12 sc and 15 rows with a 5.5mm (U.S. I9) crochet hook
Pros:
- Wallet-friendly
- Comfortable to work with
- Incredibly soft acrylic material
- Easy-care: the fabric is machine washable and dryable
- Available in 16 different color shades
Cons:
- A relatively small skein to work with
- Doesn’t have a luxury feel to it
Our Personal Favorite and Best Choice: Gazzal Organic Baby Cotton Yarn
As you can maybe read from the list above, our choice was everything but easy. Picking from a list with such promising yarns with all their different qualities and numerous brands, we finally decided that there was just one big winner. Our top pick on the best baby blanket yarn is Gazzal’s Organic Baby Cotton Yarn. Given the fact that this yarn is made out of 100% organic cotton, it is extremely soft and friendly to the sensitive skin of babies.
And a great advantage to Gazzal as a brand is that they are, with 35 years of experience, a reliable manufacturer – they know yarns and fabrics best!
Buyers Guide
Haven’t tied the knot yet on the best yarn to buy for a baby blanket? We have provided you with a final list of helpful questions and answers to guide you along.
What is the best yarn to use for a baby blanket?
As the skin of babies can be very sensitive, it’s key to work with a fabric blend that is soft, and not itchy, to avoid irritation. Our advice would be to avoid materials like wool. That being said, if you are looking for a more luxurious, fancy feel to your blanket – choose Alpaca wool for example. This type of wool seems to be a great non-itchy alternative.
Nowadays there are many options available on the market that are specifically produced to create items for babies – you can often tell from the packaging and name. A quick hack on making a safe choice with the yarn!
How much yarn do I need for a baby blanket?
Depending on the size you wish to make, the yarn weight and yardage, it’s hard for us just to give you an all-round answer. Small baby blankets may only use one or two skeins of yarn whereas the bigger ones could be up to four or five. Many yarns and patterns come with their own instructions, and a little calculating will move mountains for sure!
What is the ideal size for a baby blanket?
There are many types of baby blankets with all their own size. See below, an overview of the most common blanket types and their recommended size.
| Newborn baby blanket | 30″ – 30″ |
| Receiving blanket | 18″ – 18″ to 36″ – 36″ |
| Crib blanket | 36” – 54” to 45″ – 60″ |
| Multi-purpose blanket | 30″ to 40″ |
| Afghan blanket | 30″ to 40″ |
Is acrylic yarn safe for babies?
Generally, yes. Acrylic yarn is known to be soft and delicate on the skin of little ones. If you are knitting or crocheting for a baby with sensitive skin, it’s probably best to choose an organic yarn like cotton or bamboo, to avoid irritation on the skin. Also, a fabric blend like acryl mixed with nylon or cotton works well.
What is OEKO-TEX certified?
OEKO-TEX is a worldwide certification system. The standard focuses on limiting the use of harmful substances concerning the health of the end-user. When a fabric has one of the OEKO-TEX certifications, it means that it has been tested and reviewed damaging substances.
What is GOTS certified?
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a standard for textiles made from organic fibers. It defines environmental criteria along the entire organic textiles supply chain.
What does worsted weight mean?
Worsted weight yarn is a medium weight yarn. This means that this type of yarn is perfect for knit purposes such as blankets, scarves, and sweaters. It is easy to work with, very knittable and thus, it is often stated as an all-purpose yarn.
Final tips on choosing the right yarn for a baby blanket
Seasonality
Different fabrics are appropriate for different seasons, it’s simple like that. To avoid sweating in summer or shivering in the cold, make sure to consider in what season the baby blanket is meant to be used. For example, cotton or bamboo are both great for summer. They have a light, non-sweaty feel to them. For fall and winter, a chunky, soft yarn made from fabrics such as polyester, nylon, or even alpaca wool are great picks.
Taking care of the baby blanket and its functionality
As the parents of (newborn) babies probably have their hands full on taking care of their infant, it will be highly appreciated when you take that matter into consideration as well. Babies can make big messes, so an easy-care fabric is desired. Double-check the description of the yarn to avoid giving a gift that ends up on the “hand-wash” pile. I think we all know what happens to that pile…
That being said, babies are known to put things (if not for everything) in their mouth. They use their mouth to explore – whatever is within their reach will be the victim of that. A good tip: avoid novelty yarns, which are often very fluffy. These types of yarns are likely to easily form a ball – which is dangerous: they will be formed into a furball easily.
Budget
Baby’s grow. And if there’s one thing we know about them: they grow fast! Of course, we are aiming for a durable baby blanket, that preferably lasts a lifetime… especially when it’s a gift. But as the blanket will probably be washed a lot and not fit the baby endlessly, our final tip is to try and avoid spending too much money on the fabric you use. Unfortunately, the baby phase is too short for that.
Acrylic or non-wool yarns such as cotton tend to be affordable. A great tip would also be to shop during a sale, to buy in bulk and use special deals. Our solution to use the entire ball of yarn in an extra sustainable way is to use the leftovers to create baby accessories, like hats or little socks, scarfs, or even accessories for the home.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, we have made it easier for you to find the best yarn for a baby blanket. Be sure to also check out the best yarn for crochet for beginners. Happy knitting and crocheting! Please comment below and tell us what yarn you like for the baby blankets you’ve made!