Henry Carlson
As parents, we only want the best for our baby. This can understandably put a tremendous strain on one’;s pockets as you continuously strive to give only the best for your child. Fortunately, there are several ways you can offset this financial conundrum. One of the ways to do so is by making the baby essential items yourself.
For parents who enjoy knitting or those who would like to try DIY knitting projects, making a baby blanket rather than buying it can help guarantee quality as well as giving it a high sentimental value. But before you rush to the yarn store, it is best to know which is the best yarn for baby blankets.
In this article, we will be discussing how to choose the best yarns for tot blankets in the market as well as some highly recommended brands to help further narrow down your search. Let’;s start, shall we?
6 Best Yarn for Baby Blanket With Comparison
| Image | Name | Ball Size | Content | Knitting Gauge | Where To Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bernat Blanket Yarn | 300g / 10.5 oz, 201 meters / 220 yards | 100% Polyester | 8 sts and 13 rows with a 8 mm (U.S. 11) knitting needle | Check Price |
 | Lion Brand Yarn 550-133 | 16 oz (454 g), 1,020 yd | 100% Premium Acrylic | ___ | Check Price |
 | RED HEART Soft Baby Steps Yarn | 256-yards | 100% Acrylic | 5-mm knitting needle | Check Price |
 | Bernat Baby Blanket Big Ball Pitter Patter | 300 g / 10.5 oz, 201 meters / 220 yards | 100% Polyester | 8 sts and 13 rows with a 8 mm (U.S. 11) knitting needle | Check Price |
 | RED HEART Gumdrop Yarn | 4oz/113g 204yd/187m | 100% Acrylic | 17st x 23r = 4in/10cm on US-8/5mm needles | Check Price |
 | Bernat Blanket Bright Yarn | 300 G/10.5 oz, 220 yds./201 M | 100% Polyester | 8 sets and 13 rows with a 8 mm (U.S. 11) knitting needle | Check Price |
Top 6 Best Rated Yarn for Baby Blanket Reviews
1. Bernat Blanket Yarn, 10.5 oz, Silver Steel
If you are looking for the safest choice around when it comes to baby yarns that are perfect for making blankets then the Bernat Baby Blanket knitting yarn should be on your shortlist. This is a chenille-style yarn that gives it a baby soft and cuddly texture without sacrificing its overall durability. The softer baby yarn also helps make it a highly comfortable choice when making a blanket or any knitting project for your little ones. You are assured that this yarn will be gentle on your baby’s skin, also making it an ideal choice for those looking to purchase the best yarn for baby garments and clothes.
The Bernat Baby Blanket knitting yarn is made from polyester fiber which also improves its longevity. It is not uncommon to find blankets for babies made from Bernat yarn to survive for years. Another benefit of using this baby yarn is that it makes cleaning easier to do. According to its easy care and washing instructions, this chenille-style yarn is machine washable. You can machine wash and tumble dry it without the risk of damaging the fabric.
Another aspect of the Bernat yarn that earned it a slot in the best yarn for baby blankets list is its high versatility. This baby blanket yarn can be used for making afghans as well. Bernat Baby Blanket yarns are available in a wide variety of yarn color options and are also available in super-bulky knitting gauge. As stated earlier, if you are looking for safe yarn for making baby blankets then you might want to check out what Bernat has to offer.
- Easy-care fabric can be machine washed and dried
- Made from polyester fiber
- It is super soft and cuddly and surprisingly durable baby yarn
- Available in a wide variety of colors and crochet gauge options
- Yarn is perfect for different knitting patterns and quite easy to work with
- The dye quality is not consistent with every color option
- More expensive than the competition
- Not for those looking for a budget option
Verdict
This polyester yarn is a good choice for those looking for a yarn for baby blanket that’s super soft and snuggly, and easy to work with and use in any stitch pattern. This baby blanket yarn is machine washable, making it an excellent choice if you prefer blankets that can be machine washed regularly.
2. Lion Brand Yarn 550-133 Pound of Love Yarn
If you’re looking for the best yarn for baby swaddles and blankets, this brand is worth considering. Lion Brand Yarn is currently available in 25 different colors from solid to a mishmash of vibrant palettes. Please note that there are slight differences between the solid colors, variant, and printed yarns. For example, the Lion Brandsolid variant yarn comes at 459 yards while the other two are available in 367-yard yarn balls.
Lion Brand utilizes acrylic fabric which is manufactured using a special method to give their baby knitting yarns a baby soft feel. This is actually an acrylic blend in that it uses 60% acrylic and 40% nylon. As for the yarn weight, this can be considered a medium weight yarn that can provide the baby blanket with a super soft and durable quality that you can rely on for a long time.
If you are wondering about cleaning then don’;t fret as this brand also incorporates machine washable fibers. The wide selection of colors and color combinations in conjunction with its soft and durable fabric makes this a good yarn for making long-lasting blankets for your little ones. Hence, you can machine wash and tumble dry it without worry.
- Made from soft and durable acrylic blend material
- Machine washable and dryer safe
- Medium yarn weight
- Comes in a wide variety of vibrant and pastel colors
- Finished products will result in a super soft baby blanket
- While this is a suitable yarn for baby blanket projects, it is relatively thinner and might not be an ideal choice for beginner knitters
- The color of the yarn is vulnerable to fading over time
Verdict
The Lion Brand is another solid choice for those looking to make an exceptionally soft and long-lasting baby blanket for their baby. If you plan on making a baby blanket that will be used regularly then Lion Brand is a good option since it is durable, machine washable, soft, easy to care for, and machine washable. In addition, the medium yarn weight is just right for a baby blanket and baby clothes.
3. RED HEART Soft Baby Steps Yarn, White
Produced by a well-known brand, this is an affordable option that many consumers consider the best yarn for baby blankets. While the baby yarns from this particular brand are considerably cheaper, that does not mean it reflects the quality of the material. Far from it, my friend. There is a reason why this yarn for baby blankets manages to appear in this best yarn for baby blanket list. Reasons that we will be taking a look at right now.
One aspect of this yarn brand that you will quickly notice is its choice to avoid using a dye lot. Yes, the Baby Steps Yarn only comes in white. That may not sound too enticing for parents looking to fully personalize their baby’;s blanket but this also means there is no risk of running out of a specific color.
This yarn is made from 100% acrylic fiber that delivers an incredibly soft to the touch blanket. Its use of simple acrylic and non-dye fiber also helps lower the risk of skin irritations especially for babies who have extra sensitive skin.
Another plus point for this yarn is that it is also a machine washable and dryer-safe fabric. If you will be using the baby blanket daily then you won’;t need to divert too much time to clean the fabric.
- Made from 100% acrylic fiber that provides optimum softness and durability
- Does not use dye lots which means you can easily get a new ball of yarn without the risk of the color not matching
- Machine washable and easy to care for
- The yarn fiber is thin enough to make designing baby clothes and blankets, baby shower gift ideas, and crochet projects
- Extremely affordable price tag
- Only available in small yarn balls
- The twist of the yarn is too open and might cause it to separate from the crochet hook when used often in crocheting
Verdict
One of the best aspects of yarn is its avoidance of using dye lots. This makes buying another yarn that matches your previous yarn perfectly extremely easy and simple. This yarn for baby blankets is a good solid choice for parents who will be knitting blankets in bulk and want to fully personalize their blankets with unique designs. This yarn is also easy to care for, thanks to its machine washability.
4. Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn – (6) Super Bulky Gauge – 10.5 oz
Bernat makes another appearance in our best yarn for baby blanket list with their exceptional Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn. It uses an uber soft plush chenille yarn that delivers warm and gentle-on-the-skin qualities for your baby’;s blanket. This yarn utilizes polyester material and is extra bulky which should help you finish your baby projects faster.
The chunky yarn material is also designed to be highly stain-resistant. If it does get some stains cleaning will be quite easy as this fabric is machine washable. For added convenience, you can also safely tumble dry it in your machine. The yarn weight of one ball of Bernat Blanket Yarn is a comfortable 300 grams (category 6).
Since this yarn is relatively thicker, you will have to use knitting needles in specific sizes. It is recommended that you use a US11 or 8mm knitting needle with a crochet hook of L11 or 8mm needle size. It is also important to note that this yarn, the color may vary from lot to lot so it is advisable that you purchase a decent amount to prevent buying a new batch whose colors don’;t match.
- Knitting gauge is easy to work with and ideal for beginners using
- Best suits an 8mm needle size
- Simply soft and warm
- Comes in a wide variety of colors
- Yarn weight is 300 grams
- Made from 100% high-quality polyester material and certified safe
- Due to the warmth it provides, the yarn is perfect for chilly environments
- Uses dye lot that is known to be inconsistent when it comes to the color
- While it is deemed machine washable, the easy-care instructions recommend only have it dry cleaned
Verdict
The Bernat Blanket Yarn provides a soft and warmer blanket due to the extra thick chenille fiber. This makes this yarn a good choice for those who live in colder climates. In fact, blankets made from this yarn can still provide a good level of insulation even if it’;s wet.
5. RED HEART Gumdrop Yarn, Cherry
Red Heart also makes two appearances in this list with their Gum Drop Yarn. As with their other baby yarns, the Gum Drop is also made from 100% acrylic material. While it is completely synthetic it still manages to deliver a highly soft texture. Something that not all acrylic yarns can boast. This soft texture also means it is quite easy to knit making it another good choice for beginners who are still learning the ropes.
One thing a knitter will find great about this baby blanket yarn is its high stitch definition. To those who are still new to crocheting and knitting, this means that it will extremely easy to figure out which stitch goes where in the baby blanket pattern you’re using. As this also uses a relatively thick needle, you can expect to finish your project faster even if you are still a beginner.
One of the immediate advantages of using acrylic yarn is that it is machine wash friendly. You can just throw these types of blankets into your washer without worrying about it getting ruined in the process.
- It comes in a variety of bright and vibrant colors
- Soft and easy to work with, makes it an excellent choice for making baby blankets
- The thin yarn makes experimenting with baby blanket patterns easier
- A great choice for both experienced and beginners knitters
- It is completely synthetic and not the most environment-friendly material around.
- A skein of yarn is disappointingly small. It is advised to buy a handful to make sure you won’;t run out.
Verdict
The Gum Drop Yarn is a good choice for babies who have extra sensitive skin or if they are allergic to natural yarn like merino wool yarn and other animal fibers. The soft texture of this acrylic yarn combined with its vibrant colors makes for a great and attractive baby blanket that provides comfort and warmth.
6. Bernat Blanket Brights 2 Pack Fabric, Pixie Pink
Now then, let us end this list with the brand that kicked it off. At a glance, the Bernat Blanket Bright Yarn already exudes an exceptionally soft appearance, and touching it verifies that assumption. As the name suggests, this one comes in a good selection of bright and vibrant colors. A perfect choice for making a great looking baby blanket.
Now, let us move from its appearance and look at the quality it offers. Good to say that Bernat did not skimp on quality with this one as well. The yarn once again is chenille-style which makes it the go-to option for crafting baby blankets thanks to its comfortable and soft qualities.
The yarn is made from the sort and durable polyester material and is completely machine wash and dryer safe. The crochet gauge of this yarn is around 8 stitches for 13 and it is recommended that you use a US11 or a needle with a knitting gauge of 8mm for optimum results. It is important to note that one skein of yarn is not that large so it is best to buy a couple of extra skeins to make sure you don’;t run out halfway through your project.
- It is available in 16 attractive and vibrant colors.
- Soft texture delivers the comfort you’;d want in a baby blanket.
- It is made from high-quality polyester material and is machine wash and dryer safe.
- You can really make some eye-catching blankets characterized by quality stitch definition with this
- Some skeins have a noticeable unevenness in its dye coloring.
- Some yarns, specifically the ’Royal Blue’; variant, look different in comparison to the advertised image
Verdict
Bernat once again hits the ball out of the park with this one. The Bernat Blanket Bright offers a good level of warmth and softness which should make it a good choice in cold climate areas. The selection of bright colors, when mixed and matched, can result in some truly amazing looking newborn blankets as well.
How to Choose the Right Yarn for a Baby Blanket
Now that you have a list of the best yarns to use for your baby blanket project it is best to have an in-depth idea on how to determine and separate a top-quality yarn from the rest. Here are the important factors you need to look out for when determining the quality of yarn for your baby blanket project.
- Material
This is the first factor you should check when choosing yarn. Remember that a baby’;s skin is considerably more sensitive than those of an adult so a fabric that is both soft and comfortable is the way to go. You should also consider if the fabric will cause any skin irritations as some babies are allergic to natural yarn like wool yarn, alpaca yarn, and other fabrics made from animal fiber.
With that in mind, good materials to choose from are bamboo, acrylic, and cotton. Acrylic yarns, cotton yarns, and yarns made from bamboo are safer for baby skin. Many manufacturers claim that alpaca yarn is hypoallergenic unlike 100% wool. It is worth noting, however, that 100% merino wool yarns and merino wool blends are odor-resistant. On the other hand, many knitters prefer acrylic yarns over cotton yarns because they are more affordable and durable.
- Weight
Yarn weight is also a factor you should consider when choosing the best yarn for baby wraps, clothes, and blankets as it can have a significant effect on the overall outcome. There are two categories to choose from in regards to yarns for baby blankets: lightweight yarn and bulky yarns.
While in actuality both categories are fine for making baby blankets, there are ways you can fully optimize the results. For example, if you and your baby live in a cold climate environment or if they were born during the winter season then a bulky yarn is a great choice. The reason for this is that unlike a medium weight yarn, yarns with a bulky weight can offer better insulation. In the summer, babies won’t need that much yarn and insulation. Thus, if you live in a warm environment then a medium-weight yarn is best for making a summer blanket for your little one.
- Color
This one is strictly a personal preference but there are important aspects you should be aware of. You can decide between vibrant hues, pastel colors, and everything in between. What you need to keep in mind though are the customer feedback/comments as some yarns do not appear the same as their advertised image. This is actually a common issue even with well-known brands so be vigilant.
- Washing Machine and Dryer Safe
As you would expect from a baby blanket, it can get really messy, really quick. This is why it is highly advisable to use yarns that are manufactured to be machine washable and also dryer safe. Machine washable yarns help reduce the time and effort to clean these blankets giving you more free time to spend with your baby. Hence, it is wiser to choose machine-washable fabrics than those that require meticulous hand washing.
It is important to note that you should always follow the easy-care instructions on how to machine wash certain fabrics as some will react differently to varying water temperatures. You should determine if it is safe to use a fabric softener when washing these baby blankets or if you need to hand wash them from time to time.
- Avoid Fabrics that Shed
When choosing the best yarn for baby garments, you should avoid fabrics that pill or shed. It is known that babies will try to put almost everything in their mouths. Keep this in mind when choosing sock yarns or yarns for knitting your baby essentials. Some materials tend to shed over time. The last thing you want is for your baby to start coughing up yarn hairballs. Again, do not use cheap novelty yarns as these are the ones that usually shed. It’;s better to spend a couple of extra dollars when it means that your baby will be safe.
Conclusion
Nobody is perfect, that applies to baby blankets as well. However, you can find the best yarn for baby items that’s just perfect for your baby’s needs and the baby blanket pattern you’re planning to use. As long as you know and understand the important factors when looking for a yarn to use in making a baby blanket, you have a high chance of finding the perfect one.
Follow the guideline above to narrow down your choices or simply use the list of recommended yarns. This should help ensure that the outcome of your baby blanket project is something your child will greatly appreciate and enjoy every night. If you are a beginner, don’;t fret, as making a baby blanket and baby clothes only require practice with different knitting patterns.
Henry’s first job was in the furniture and mattress industry as a sales associate. From there, he moved up to merchandising specialist for several years and then became an assistant manager. Working in the industry gave him access to a lot of products and also helped him gain in-depth knowledge.
