Best baby blanket yarn?

[monkaha]

I'd like to make a blanket as a baby shower gift for a friend. What would you reccomend for the yarn? My thought was to just wander Joanne's yarn section feeling everything and pick the softest one there, but I know there are a lot of yarns that aren't sold there.

And while I would love to use something luxurious like angora or mohair, I'm on more of a red heart budget.

[Glittergal]

i prefer acrylic for baby stuff - it washes nicely and is bound to be used alot. i personally would be one of those people afraid to use a baby blanket made with nice wool.


i like any of the lion brand yarn. i usually double up and get two different yarns. they knit up so fast and easy! i like the TLC amore multi-colored yarn combined with a solid lion brand wool-ease.

[natrowmum]

i like acrylic as well

i buy the lion brand pound of love thingies--less joining and i usually have enough for other things too

made one for somebody who actually used it and liked it. i caught her with it at the grocery store. if nothing else it's a great throw on the ground blanket at parks and stuff for baby that isn't too big.

[dace101]

Just wanted to quickly post that a lot of times when I am working with Red Heart yarn, my hands get itchy and sometimes I get a rash. It might not be the best yarn to use for babies with sensitive skin.

At the moment I am knitting up a blanket with Caron Simply Soft (same-ish price range as Red Heart, first time I have ever used Caron yarn). So far no itchiness, no rash, and it's soooo snuggley. Other knitters who've had more experience with Caron Simply Soft might be able to tell you more about it.

Happy knitting!

ETA: Caron Simply Soft that I am using is machine washable and dryable too

[myjulybabes]

Caron Simply Soft is really nice for the price, but beware of the variegated ones, for some reason, those aren't nearly as soft as the solid colors. For a slight step up, Plymouth Encore is nice 75% acrylic, 25% wool, and it comes in a ton of colors, including "baby" colors (pastels). I'm too lazy to go dig for the label right now, but I'm fairly certain it's machine washable.

[dace101]

Originally Posted by myjulybabes

Caron Simply Soft is really nice for the price, but beware of the variegated ones, for some reason, those aren't nearly as soft as the solid colors.

I noticed that when I picked it out, which is why I ended up getting solids only (a nice blue "brights", a pastel pink, and a white). I wonder why the variagated aren't as soft? Sorry, OT!

[Sarah]

Sometimes knitting with cotton is so...er... creaky... but I like the peaches n cream cotton yarns- they had them on sale last week at Hobby Lobby for $2.22 a ball I think. I mean- the balls are small- but it's a nice price... for a summer baby that might be nicer than acrylic.

I like Hobby Lobby way better than JoAnnes or Walmart for yarn if you have one near you. they have their own line of "yarn bee" yarns that are really cute. They also have a nice baby chenille.

[puddingpop]

I've had success using Bernat Cottontots in baby blankets; it washes nicely and stays reasonably soft.

[cuddlebug]

I like the pound of love by Lion brand. One skein makes a nice blanket and it is pretty soft and lasts well. I do also like the carons simply soft. It really is soft.

[BlissP]

Originally Posted by puddingpop

I've had success using Bernat Cottontots in baby blankets; it washes nicely and stays reasonably soft.

I second this recommendation - I have made several of these, including one for myself when I was pregnant, and it was the blanket I reached for every time.

[anonymousk]

I've had good results with both the Red Heart baby stuff (cheap, but soft and has held up well) and with the Lion Brand Cotton. All three blankets were used and loved - although if I were knitting for myself I would go with the Lion Brand Cotton. I had to adjust my pattern size for the stretch, but we tend to be allergy people around here and it's great to throw it in the washer/dryer on hot/high heat.

[Rowenta]

Cuddle Soft if you want acrylic. It is dreamy.
I personally like Alpaca and Knitpics.com has some great prices , but they won't compare to Red Heart.

Ideas...look for SALES!!! You can often get yarn at 50% off at Hobby Lobby or Michaels.

I did make baby a sweater out of some Cuddlesoft that my gma had given me , and I absolutly HATE acrylic, but I must say it is wonderfully SOFT!!! And will probably end up being one of my faverite ones!
I also made him sweaters out of linen and Mohair and the cuddlesoft is STILL the softest.

[monkaha]

Thanks for all the replies!! Do any of y'all have links to good patterns? The one I have is kinda complicated, and I'm just not in the right frame of mind for a tough knit, KWIM?

[natrowmum]

baby have any skin issues that you know of?

i know eczema means avoid wool (i have eczema and knitting with wool makes my fingers crack and bleed unless i wear cotton glove)

can't think of any other right now

[lilyka]

my kids blankets are made from peaches and cream. itis nice and cheap. I got some for $1.25 a ball theother day and they usually have the cones of plenty for about $5 or $6 dollars. It washes up a lot softer than it feels at the store. It also has the advantage of being natrual.

[monkaha]

Originally Posted by lilyka

my kids blankets are made from peaches and cream. itis nice and cheap. I got some for $1.25 a ball theother day and they usually have the cones of plenty for about $5 or $6 dollars. It washes up a lot softer than it feels at the store. It also has the advantage of being natrual.

I'm glad to hear that it ends up softer. I'm making some dishtowels out of it now, and I really don't like the way it feels.

[lilyka]

it gets pretty puffy and soft. quilts up like a prefold.