Table of Contents
Only Best for a Newborn
When you think about babies and newborns especially, the first thought that comes to mind is how soft and delicate they and their skin are. As a future mom, my mind was set into finding clothes that will hug and warm the fragile baby’s body. One thing that was very important for me is making a baby blanket and finding an appropriate yarn to knit lovely, snuggly baby garments.
Choosing the Best Yarn for Baby Blanket
When it comes to choosing the best yarn for a baby blanket, you must take many things into consideration. The yarn has to be easy to knit and crochet, it should have a beautiful color palette to suit your needs and last, but not least, it needs to be easy to care for.
- Babysoft Yarn – Lion Brand Yarns – THE MOST DURABLE
The medium weight sport yarn is available in many beautiful pastel colors suitable for making durable and soft items. Machine washable and dryable yarn. - Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn – BEST FOR KNITTING
100% polyester chenille-style yarn especially recommended for knitting and crocheting baby blankets. - Lion Thick&Quick Yarn – FOR EXTRA WARMTH
A super bulky weight yarn with 20% of wool is an ideal beginner yarn option for knitting extra warm items. There are a variety of colors and prints that need to be cold washed and dried carefully. - Bernat Blanket Yarn – THE MOST UNIVERSAL
100% polyester blanket yarn comes in an economical big ball size and variety of colors and prints offered. Machine washable and dryable yarn. - Bernat Softee Baby Yarn – BEST OVERALL
100% acrylic yarn comes in an abundant choice of colors making it a perfect choice for knitting and crocheting baby garments and home décor. Machine washable and dryable yarn. - Feels Like Butta Yarn
100% polyester yarn comes in various pastel and solid colors suitable for baby and adult garments. Machine washable and dryable yarn. - Red Heart Soft Baby Steps Yarn
100% acrylic yarn suitable especially for delicate baby projects offered in a beautiful color palette. Machine washable and dryable. - CARON Simply Soft Yarn
100% acrylic, medium worsted yarn is perfect for knitting and crocheting baby or home décor items. Use delicate washing and drying machine cycle. - 100% Baby Alpaca Yarn – THE BEST NATURAL FIBER
Natural 100% Baby Alpaca yarn is an excellent material for creating luxury and hypoallergenic items. Nothing but the best for those you care most. - Charmkey Baby Cotton Yarn
Super soft Yarn with 45% of Cotton and 55% of Acrylic Fiber is a great choice for making baby garments, blankets and clothing, and other accessories. Hand washing and low tumble dry. - Celine lin Baby Blanket Yarn – THE BEGINNERS CHOICE
Super soft fleece yarn makes an excellent choice for beginners in knitting. Vibrant colors and easy knitting promise a great outcome. Hand washing and dry flat to avoid shrinking or bulging. - Patons Beehive Baby Sport Yarn
This easy-care, light-weighted yarn brings out durable and beautiful yarn items for your precious little ones. Machine washing and drying. - Deborah Norville Yarn
Chunky, 100% Acrylic yarn is an ideal pick for cozy and comfortable blankets and throws. Machine washing and drying. - Malabrigo Baby Silkpaca – THE MOST LUXURY YARN
This lace yarn made from 70% Baby Alpaca and 30% Silk brings luxury and softness to cool summer evenings. Hand washed in cold water. - Cascade 220 Superwash Sport
100%Superwash Merino wool specially designed for active children and adults. Superwash wool yarn is machine washable and dryable.
Best Yarns For Baby Blanket 2021 Comparison Chart
Best Yarns for Baby Blanket Reviews 2021
It is sometimes difficult to decide which is the best yarn for a baby blanket. There are so many things to consider and each of them is crucial because you want nothing but the best for your baby. The first thing that comes to prominence is that the best yarn for a baby blanket has to be incredibly soft. Another thing that occurred in my mind was that babies could be messy sometimes so it is essential that the baby blanket should be washable. And last, but not the least, the yarn should not be too expensive.
Babysoft Yarn – Lion Brand Yarns
(The Most Durable)
Product specification:
- A generously-sized ball
- 60 % Acrylic, 40 % Polyamide
- 3 Light-weighted, Light Worsted Yarn;
Solids: 5-Ounce (141g), 459 yds (420m);
Prints: 4-Ounce (113g), 367 yd (336m) - Machine wash and dry on a low-temperature setting
This light worsted yarn is a medium sport weight yarn available in many beautiful pastel colors and prints. The yarn color on the picture perfectly matched the image of yarn color I had ordered.
When I first felt this incredibly soft acrylic yarn, I immediately knew that it would be a great yarn for making a baby blanket. The blanket I knitted came out perfectly. Here is a video on other interesting things to make from this yarn.
I tried to machine wash and dry the baby booties first. They have not changed a bit, so I was encouraged to try with the baby blanket as well. There were no problems with pilling or fraying. However, I avoided ironing because of the danger of scorching the blanket.
This yarn proved to be an excellent quality yarn, it does not tangle and it is perfect for knitting all soft and light baby accessories.
Pros
- Incredibly soft
- Good for knitting
- Excellent quality
Cons
- A bit sensitive yarn
- Only pastel colors
- Cannot be ironed
Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn
(Best for Knitting)
Product specification:
- 100% Polyester
- Ball Size: 300 g / 10.5 oz, 201 meters / 220 yards
- Knitting Gauge: 8 sts and 13 rows with an 8 mm (U.S. 11) knitting needle
- Crochet Gauge: 8 sc and 8 rows with a 6.5 mm (U.S. K) crochet hook
- Use for knitting and crocheting baby blankets or any other accessories
The Bernat 100% polyester yarn promises the best yarn for a baby blanket. Two years ago I knitted a beautiful snuggle sack for my niece and she adored it. When you feel the yarn, you can sense its luxurious and soft fiber. You can see HERE how it is easy to create a masterpiece.
There are beautiful pastel-colored yarns as well as somber prints you can choose. It came in a big gauge that guaranteed fast knitting.
I was astonished when I realized that Bernat is Oeko-tex certified. They had the yarn tested for over 300 harmful substances, preventing allergic reaction of a sensitive baby’s skin.
Additionally, the garment is fully machine washable and dryable which was very important for me. Be aware that it needs to be washed in cold water. There are many applications with this versatile yarn for knitting and crocheting ideas, especially for baby blankets.
Pros
- Easy to care for
- Variety of pastel colors and prints
- Oeko-tex certified
Cons
- Only pastel palette colors
- Needs to be washed in cold water
- Sometimes yarn tangles
Lion Thick&Quick Yarn
(For Extra Warmth)
Product specification:
- 80% Acrylic; 20% Wool
- Needle Size: US 13 (9 mm)Gauge: 9 sts X 12 rows= 4 (10 cm)Crochet Hook: N- 13 (9mm)Crochet Gauge: 6.6 sc X 8 rows= 4 (10cm)
- 98 m/ 108 yds Ball Weight: 6 oz /170 grams
- Machine Wash Cold/Tumble Dry Low
One of my choices and one of the favorite yarns among beginner knitters is another yarn from Lion brand – Thick&Quick Yarn. This is one of the best yarns for a baby blanket with 20% of 2-ply lamb wool combined with 80% of Acrylic.
It surprised me how soft it felt under fingers, making it an ideal choice for sweaters, vests, and hats. This yarn also makes an excellent pick for knitting a baby blanket. I was completely impressed by its softness and the fact that it is so easy to make wonders with it quite easily. This video inspired me to try something new.
However, any garment knitted from this type of yarn must be washed in cold water and dried flat or on a sensitive dryer mode.
Pros
- Incredibly soft
- Good for knitting
- Versatile yarn
Cons
- It has wool, it can be an allergy issue
- Sensitive care
- A bit heavy
Bernat Blanket Yarn
(The Most Universal)
Product specification:
- Economical big ball size
- 100% polyester
- Ball Size: 300g / 10.5 oz, 201 meters / 220 yards
- Knitting Gauge: 8 sts and 13 rows with an 8 mm (U.S. 11) knitting needle
- Crochet Gauge: 7 sc and 8 rows with an 8 mm (U.S. L/11) crochet hook
This soft and fancy yarn was my fourth-best yarn for a baby blanket. Bernat Blanket yarn is a chenille-style yarn ideal for home decor projects. I could have chosen between many solid and variegated colors and shades but mostly neutral colors.
These coloring options are ideal for designs that could bring luxurious details to any home and it also inspired my future cozy blanket. It is easy to stitch this super bulky weight yarn and it is a great yarn alternative for beginners in knitting blankets or afghans. It also comes in a big economy yarn ball suitable for more significant projects. Check this video to see how wonderful this yarn is.
Another thing that delighted me is that it is washable and dryable which is always an advantage. Unlike some other bulky acrylic yarns, this one does not shed or pill and it is very durable. It is very warm and this is the best yarn for making an extra warm baby blanket.
Pros
- Affordable
- Durable
- Easy care
Cons
- Offered only in neutral colors
- Not for warm weather
- A bit heavy
Bernat Softee Baby Yarn
(Best Overall)
Product specification:
- 100% acrylic yarn
- Ball Size Solids: 140g / 5 oz, 331 meters / 362 yards, Ombres: 120g / 4.25 oz, 283 meters / 310 yards
- Knitting Gauge: 22 sts and 30 rows with a 4 mm (U.S. 6) knitting needle
- Crochet Gauge: 16 sc and 19 rows with a 4 mm (U.S. G/6) crochet hook
- Use for: for knitting and crocheting baby projects
- Care: Machine wash and dry
Bernat offers another great yarn suitable for making baby blankets and accessories of all kinds. This is a lightweight yarn offered in many baby pastel colors, shades and ombre styles.
This versatile yarn is 100% acrylic which I found perfect for crocheting and knitting the light blankets and baby vests. It was my ideal choice to have a garment or a light blanket knitted from this BernatSoftee yarn to take to a long summer evening walk with your bundle of joy. Here is a video that helps avoid common mistakes when working with this yarn.
Like every other Bernat yarn, this yarn is also the one that is Oeko-tex certified as it is tested on over 300 harmful substances aiming to protect the little ones.
Furthermore, I found the garments to be easy-care since it is machine washable and dryable.
Pros
- Oeko-tex certified
- Easy to care for
- Perfect for light garments
Cons
- Not for cold weather
- Too many pastel colors
- Yarn sometimes tangles
Feels Like Butta Yarn
Product specification:
- 100% Polyester; CYC #4 Medium
- Weight: 3.5oz/100g;
- Length: 218yds/199m
- Use for soft baby and adult garments
- Care: Machine Wash and Dry
Over the years of knitting projects, I stumbled upon another great yarn from Lions brand. Its name Feels LikeButta Yarn justify itself because this 100% polyester yarn is incredibly soft, middleweight yarn is an excellent choice for garments and accessories worn close to the skin.
Thanks to its softness and easy care, it was also one of my picks for knitting a baby blanket. It comes in a pastel palette color intended for baby blankets and garments, but there is another color palette that will suit knitting projects for adult clothes.
This beautiful yarn can also be used with other yarns to introduce patches of softness or different textures. Have a look at this video to see how adorable a baby blanket can be.
It is also easy to care for as it is machine washable and dryable.
Pros
- Ideal for the close to skin garments
- Incredibly soft
- Variety of colors
Cons
- A little thinner than it is labeled
- Cannot be used for many projects
- Small skein
Red Heart Soft Baby Steps Yarn
Product specification:
- 100% Acrylic medium worsted fiber
- It is available for 5-mm knitting needle and 5.5-mm crochet hook
- It is available in 256-yards length
- Use for delicate baby garments
- Machine washable and dryable
This 100% Acrylic yarn is incredibly soft to touch, and although it says that it is weighted 4 it feels much lighter. I considered this yarn for many baby projects especially because of its NO DYE lot which is an excellent option for making garments and accessories for little ones.
As soon as I got this yarn, I started a little project on a comforting blanket, just to feel it. And it felt incredibly soft and easy to work with.
For me, there were no issues with threading or splitting on the hook.
Therefore, this is also one of the best yarns for a baby blanket or any other knitting ideas you have in mind. Here are some tips on a baby blanket made from this yarn.
It can be safely machine washed and dried but you should avoid ironing and bleaching.
Pros
- No dye
- Easy to work with
- Affordable
Cons
- It is a bit lighter than it is labeled
- Somewhat sensitive care
- Lacks luxury feeling
CARON Simply Soft Yarn
Product specification:
- Gauge: 4 – medium Worsted, 100% acrylic
- Crochet Gauge: 13 sc and 14 rows with a 5 mm (U.S. H/8) crochet hook
- Knitting Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows with a 5 mm (U.S. 8) knitting needle
- 6 oz/170 g, 315 yds/288 m
- Care: Wash and dry on a delicate machine cycle.
This versatile 100% acrylic yarn first attracted me with its extensive color palette. This delicate yarn is available in various pastel and neutral colors suitable for any baby or home décor project. The brightness of colors is what appealed to me the most – I instantly imagined making a baby blanket crocheted with lively and colorful ornaments and a matching shawl for me.
It is pretty much delicate yarn, so you should be careful with its care. Wash it in cool water on a delicate machine cycle and dry it at a low temperature setting!
Pros
- An extensive and bright palette
- Versatile yarn
- Durable
Cons
- A bit delicate yarn
- Offers only neutral and pastel colors
- Not for a cold weather
Andeansun 100% Baby Alpaca Yarn
(The Best Natural Fiber)
Product specification:
- 100% Baby Alpaca Yarn / DK-Light Worsted Weight
- Needles needed: US 5-7 (3.75-4.5 mm) Crochet Hook needed: US 7 to I-9 (4.5-5.5 mm)
- 366 yards/336 meters total, 122 yards/112 meters per skein. 150 grams total, 50 grams per skein or 5.28 ounces total, 1.76 ounces per skein.
- Use for baby garments, shawls, scarves, hats, sweaters, and many other projects
- Care: Hand washed, dry flat.
If you are looking for some natural fiber, then 100% Baby Alpaca Yarn is the fiber you should definitely give a try. The Andeansun yarn will give your creations a luxury warmth.
This fiber is made from the outstanding alpaca wool. Alpacas are carefully shorn once a year to help them quickly renew their fleece. This natural fiber is of the highest quality and it is mostly used in making baby garments, shawls, scarves, hats, sweaters, and many other quality items.
The advantages of using this extra quality yarn are its natural antibacterial and hypoallergenic features. Something that surprised me is the fact that Alpaca fiber is flame resistant. All these magnificent characteristics persuaded me to invest in this yarn and create something special for my loved ones. Take a look at this video to see how incredible this yarn can be.
For such an extraordinary fiber, you must take extra care with cleaning. It has to be hand washed and flat dried.
Pros
- Natural fiber
- High-quality yarn
- Flame resistant
Cons
- It needs an extra care
- A small skein
- Not for light garments
Charmkey Baby Cotton Yarn
Product specification:
- 45% Cotton, 55% Acrylic Yarn / 4 Medium Weight
- Approx 1.58 oz (45 g), Approx 71 yd (65 m); Diameter (Thickness): 0.29 cm/ 0.11 in;
- 16 stitches 26 rows= 4” (10 cm) on Size 8 US (6 UK, 5 mm)
- Use for baby garments, baby blanket, clothing, socks, scarfs, slippers, gloves, headdress, vests, toys, accessories.
- Hand washed with low tumble dry
This cotton blended yarn is a great choice for all year round items. This versatile yarn is used for making various baby garments, cozy and warm blankets, clothing, socks and gloves, and many other accessories.
The first time I used this yarn is to make matching vests for baby and her mom as a baby shower gift. It knitted wonderfully, the yarn was so soft and cuddly that it makes a great yarn choice for a baby blanket. There is a vast offer of yarn colors to make a variety of knitting and crocheting projects.
For a cotton blended yarn, there should be extra cared for. Items made from this type of yarn should be hand washed and dried on a low tumble setting.
Pros
- Versatile Cotton yarn
- Easy for knitting
- Very soft
Cons
- A bit sensitive yarn
- A small skein
- Not for beginners
Celine lin Baby Blanket Yarn
(The Beginners Choice)
Product specification:
- Super soft fleece
- 100g Ball of yarn
- Use for clothing, soft blankets, socks, toys and a variety of other craft projects
- Hand wash and dry flat
This soft fleece comes in a variety of vibrant colors and prints making it an excellent choice for a comfortable and cozy blanket or a throw. It is mostly used for knitting soft blankets, socks, toys, and many other comfy items.
Celine lin Baby Blanket yarn delighted me with its fluffiness and softness. Even though it is fluffy, it makes an excellent beginner yarn for getting the perfect outcome. I remember recommending this yarn to a friend who was starting knitting. She was encouraged to take up more serious projects after successfully making her first shawl from this yarn.
This type of fleece yarn should be hand washed and laid flat to dry. It would not shrink or get a bulge after washing them. Colors would not fade and they would stay as vibrant.
Pros
- Beginners’ yarn
- Very soft
- Vibrant colors
Cons
- A special care
- Not for year-round garments
- Not a luxury yarn
Patons Beehive Baby Sport Yarn
Product specification:
- 70% acrylic, 30% nylon, 3 Light weighted
- 100 g/3.5 oz, 328 m/359 yds
- 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
- Machine wash and dry
This Patons Baby Sport Yarn is light weighted yarn ideal for knitting delicate baby blankets, sweaters, hats and booties, and even toys. The beautiful pastel colors bring to prominence the softness of the yarn. Clothing and accessories knitted with this super-soft yarn look stylish and feel cozy and comfortable all day.
This yarn knits wonderfully and I used it for making a yarn toy and booties for my baby. It would make a great pick for making a summer blanket to bring outside and have your baby play on it because the material is very durable and easy to care.
Because of the durability of the yarn, garments, blankets, and toys are easily machine washed and machine dried. It saves you time to spend with your baby.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to care for
- Stylish pastel colors
Cons
- Not for cold weather
- A small skein
- Not a luxury yarn
Deborah Norville Yarn
Product specification:
- 100% Acrylic Yarn
- Chunky 5 weighted yarn; 3.5oz/100g; 109 yds per skein, 327 yds
- Use for sweaters, scarves, hats, blankets and throws, yarn knitting, crochet yarn, yarn crafts
- Machine wash and dry
Deborah Norville is a television journalist and a yarn enthusiast who promotes the easy-knit collection. This yarn is a 100% Acrylic Yarn ideal for creating wonderfully warm and soft sweaters, blankets and throws, scarves, hats and many other baby or adult accessories. This is a chunky yarn, but still very easy to work with.
It comes in solid and variegated colors and it is ideal for any creative projects. It is very easy to work with so it is a great choice for beginners. You will love the softness of the yarn, but be prepared to order more because its vivid colors and softness will inspire you to start on new projects.
Blankets and accessories made with this type of yarn are easy to care for. You can machine wash it on a low-temperature setting and machine dry it safely.
Pros
- Easy to work with
- Very soft and warm
- Easy to care for
Cons
- Small skein
- Chunky yarn
- Lacks luxury feel
Malabrigo Baby Silkpaca
(The Most Luxury Yarn)
Product specification:
- 70% Baby Alpaca, 30% Silk
- Light, lace weight yarn
- 420 yards (384 meters), 50 grams (1.76 oz)
- US needles 3 – 8, or 3.25 – 5mm Needles, US B-1 to E4 or 2.0 – 3.5 mm hooks
- Hand wash, cold water
This yarn is a superb combination of baby alpaca fleece and high-quality silk fiber. It is light weighted, plied yarn ideal for any baby and mom garment needed in cool summer nights.
This type of yarn makes extraordinary soft baby blankets which will cuddle your bundle of joy without making the baby too hot. Alpaca baby yarn adds to the quality of yarn which has antibacterial and anti-allergic qualities.
The colors of the yarn are vivid but you have to be careful with choosing larger projects with this yarn because it is dyed only in dye lots of five skeins.
When it comes to taking care of these delicate yarn items, you should give it extra care. It should be hand washed in cold water and dried flat.
Pros
- Natural anti-allergic fiber
- Luxury yarn
- Ideal for summer garments
Cons
- A bit sensitive yarn
- Colors in skeins may differ
- Very delicate care
Cascade 220 Superwash Sport
Product specification:
- 100 % Superwash merino wool
- Weight: 50 g / 1.75 oz. Approx: 136.5 yds / 125 m
- Knitting Needle Size: US 5 – 6 / 3.75 – 4.0 mm. Knitting Gauge: 22 – 24 = 4″ (10 cm).
Crochet Hook Size: G / 4.25 mm (7 / 4.50 mm, H / 5.00 mm). Crochet Gauge: 15 sc = 4″ (10 cm) (15 sc = 4″ (10 cm), 14 sc = 4″ (10 cm) - Machine Washing on Cool setting and low tumble dry
This extra soft superwash merino wool is an ideal choice for knitting a baby blanket and all accessories such as sweaters, mittens, and hats. It is also great for colorful patterns for children and baby projects.
It comes in over 100 different colors, complimenting each other in shades. It allows you to create masterpieces that may become the precious heirloom one day.
This type of wool is specially designed to be machine washable. Nevertheless, pay extra care while washing, because it needs to be washed in cold water and dried on a wool tumble dry setting.
Pros
- Merino Wool that can be machine washed
- Natural fiber
- Colorful palette
Cons
- Needs extra care
- Not for allergic
- Only for cold weather
Buying Guide
When choosing the best yarn for a baby blanket you need to have some things in mind. You would want to consider the type of fiber, texture, and weight.
When knitting a baby blanket, you should avoid any harsh fibers like wool. The best fiber picks are acrylic, bamboo or cotton which are the best material for delicate baby skin.
If you wish to have patterns or shapes on your knitting project, use solid yarn color and if you have a variegated yarn, avoid too many patterns or shapes. Use smooth plied yarns for your stitching projects.
Weight is another thing to consider. Yarn weight range from 0 to 7.
Lighter weights can be used for delicate baby accessories or garments – even a summer baby blanket. Medium and heavy weighted can be ideal for blankets, depending on the needs for it.
Yarn for a Baby Blanket – FAQ
Our Top Pick
Bernat Softee Baby Yarn is my favorite yarn for making the most beautiful blanket for a baby. It is 100% acrylic which is the best choice for baby blankets or any other baby projects. It is a lightweight yarn with ample choices of colors and shades.
Bernat seemed to think about everything. The yarn is Oeko-tex certified as it is tested on over 300 harmful substances aiming to protect the little ones.
And last, but certainly not the least, it is easy care yarn and saves a lot of time for washing and drying.
Cynthia East
Your information is Great. Its the First Time i ever saw this so very informative. Really appreciate the precise to-the-point and important information on choices .