There’s nothing quite like holding your little one in your arms and watching them drift off to sleep. To make their sleep even sweeter, you can knit or sew a warm, loving blanket. But which yarn is best for a safe and soft blanket for your baby?
Newborn skin is about five times thinner and sensitive compared to adult skin. Therefore, choosing an appropriate fabric is of essence for a baby product. Helping expectant moms with the best yarn for a baby’s blanket, Babies Parent presents the top 20 best yarn for baby blanket. These yarns have very high ratings in terms of softness, safety, and warmth, thereby ideal for crafting cozy blankets for your little one.
How to Choose the Best Yarn for Baby Blankets?
Many expecting mothers have probably started thinking about knitting a special blanket for their baby. The blanket will be a unique gift like a loving “hug” to keep the baby warm when they can start using a blanket. But what kind of yarn should you use to ensure that it is safe for your baby, comfortable, and soft? Well, do not overtreat yourself with worries, for Babies Parent is here to get your back. Here is how you can choose the best yarn for baby blanket:
Thickness
The first thing you really need to care about when choosing yarn is the thickness. To make a baby blanket lighter, it’s highly advisable to knit using thin yarn. The typical yarn used for babies is usually fingering or DK. However, you may use worsted yarn if you wish to speed up your knitting.
Safety Certifications
Safety is among a million other ways of picking the best yarn for a baby’s blanket. One should opt for wool yarn with either Oeko-Tex or GOTS standard 100 certifications.
The highest level of safety among wool yarns is the OEKO-TEX® certification and can be used against even the most sensitive skins, including those of babies. All wools bearing the certification of OEKO-TEX® have been tested against more than 350 harmful substances and have been certified not to be irritating, allergenic, or carcinogenic.
GOTS is a certification assigned to environmentally friendly wool yarn and ensures a production process strictly controlled right from raw materials through finished products.
Best types of yarn for babies
We will be going to recommend a few safe, durable, breathable, and suitable yarns for your baby’s skin.
Merino wool is the most prevalent form of wool used in baby products. For this type of wool, hypoallergenic, breathable, and durable features are predominantly well-known. However, for softness, it is not highly valued.
Cotton yarn: One more ideal suggestion that speaks about the best yarn for baby blankets is cotton yarn. This type of yarn has advantages in its durability and breathability. Since the yarn is made from a natural material, then it is also hypoallergenic for the tender skin of a young child. Other great advantages are that it does not pill and it is moderately cheap. However, blankets knitted from cotton yarn may not be as warm as other types of wool.
Alpaca wool: For those after warmer, softer, and softer types of wool, Alpaca is your go. The advantage in using this type of wool is that it’s three times warmer than regular wool. On the downside, alpaca wool is somewhat more expensive and is more prone to pilling when compared to other types of wool.
Cashmere yarn: This is viewed as one of those superior yarns utilized in the making of baby blankets. In its preparation, cashmere goat hair is employed. This yarn turns out to be quality grade regarding the provision of both warmness and softness. The flip side, which comes along with this variety of yarn, includes being rather expensive and also pilling fast. Thus, you shall have to exercise extra caution while handling this specific type of wool.
Top 10 Best Yarn for Baby Blanket
Just like the type of clothes your baby wears to bed, the type of yarn used to knit a blanket can affect the quality of sleep your baby gets. The best yarns to use to knit your infant a secure, cozy, and soft blanket are listed below. This list has been carefully selected and tested by the experts at Babies Parent.
1. Schachenmayr (SMC) Catania Originals
Schachenmayr (SMC) Catania Originals is 100% cotton wool, distinguished by its softness and durability. Thanks to its delicate millefiori – multi-filament – structure, this wool feels extremely soft and smooth to the touch. Schachenmayr (SMC) Catania Originals wool is durable, has low pilling, and retains its original shape after many washes.
| Pros ✅Durable and Soft ✅Various colors ✅Easy to care for, machine washable at 40°C ✅Convenient for busy moms | Cons ❌More expensive ❌Can shrink |
2. Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 Ply
Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 Ply is one of the bright “candidates” when it comes to the best yarn for baby blanket. This type of yarn is loved by many people because of its softness. Made from 100% Merino, Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 Ply has a good twist that helps create clarity for each knitting stitch.
| Pros ✅Soft ✅Various colors ✅Good twist helps to create clarity in each stitch ✅Machine washable | Cons ❌More expensive ❌Can be difficult to find in some stores |
3. Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash
If you are looking for a durable and easy-care yarn, Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash is for you. As the name suggests, this yarn is made from 100% superfine merino fibers, treated with superwash technology to prevent shrinkage and retain color well. It is also made with DK yarn to make it easier for moms to knit and the blanket is softer.
| Pros ✅Durable and Soft ✅Various colors ✅Affordable ✅Resists shrinkage and holds color well | Cons ❌Can be a little thin for some large knitting projects |
4. Tahki Classic Superwash
Tahki Classic Superwash is also an ideal suggestion for baby blankets because of its softness and safety. The Merino wool used to make this kind of wool is gentle on a baby’s delicate skin. Tahki Classic Superwash also uses superwash technology and has a tight twist to limit pilling after many washes.
| Pros ✅Durable and Soft ✅Various colors ✅Easy to care ✅Tumble Dry and Machine Wash | Cons ❌May be thin for some large knitting projects |
5. Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino
When it comes to the best yarn for baby blankets, Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino cannot be ignored. This product is a combination of high-quality merino wool and cashmere, which helps to take advantage of many advantages of these two popular types of wool. Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino is favored for its softness, does not irritate even the most sensitive skin like that of newborns, and keeps warm well.
| Pros ✅Durable and Soft ✅Various colors ✅Less prone to pilling and fading ✅Machine washed gently, saving time for mothers | Cons ❌More expensive |
6. Juniper Moon Farm
Juniper Moon Farm is a famous handmade wool brand from the US, loved by knitters around the world. The products of this brand are known for their safe natural ingredients, high quality, and diverse colors. In particular, Juniper Moon Farm Zooey is a combination of cotton and linen, bringing softness and breathability to baby blankets. This product also has a delicate and gentle color scheme.
| Pros ✅ Soft, comfortable ✅Various colors ✅Environmentally friendly ✅Do not cause skin irritation | Cons ❌More expensive |
7. Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima
Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima will meet all the requirements of softness and friendliness to the skin of the baby. Such yarn is made from 100% Pima cotton, which is called the “king of cotton fabrics” because of a lot of outstanding advantages. Pima cotton will bring a wonderful feeling of softness and good absorption for keeping the skin dry. This yarn is really strong, doesn’t pill, doesn’t discolor, and won’t lose its form after many washes.
| Pros ✅Extra durable and soft ✅Effective anti-wrinkle ✅Good moisture absorption ✅Environmentally friendly | Cons ❌More expensive |
8. Plymouth Yarn Pima Rino
If you are looking for the best yarn for baby blankets, you definitely cannot ignore Plymouth Yarn Pima Rino. This type of yarn is composed of 70% cotton and 30% wool to bring softness and good warmth. Plymouth Yarn Pima Rino is also chosen by many people because of its diverse colors.
| Pros ✅Soft ✅Various colors ✅Easy to care for, machine washable ✅Outstanding color fastness | Cons ❌More expensive ❌May experience slight shrinkage |
9. AOBRICON Cotton Knitting Yarn
You can also check out AOBRICON if you are looking for a safe and soft natural wool. This yarn is made entirely of natural ingredients, with 100% cotton. With its natural and premium ingredients, AOBRICON Cotton Knitting Yarn is the perfect “piece” for your baby’s warm blanket.
| Pros ✅Durable and Soft ✅Various colors ✅Suitable for sensitive skin | Cons ❌More expensive ❌Can be a little shrink |
10. Valley Yarns
Of course, Valley Yarns is also not absent from the best yarn for baby blanket game. This yarn brand is chosen by many knitting enthusiasts around the world for its high quality and beautiful colors. For added benefits, Valley Yarns Colrain Lace is made of 50% tencel and 50% merino wool. While merino brings warmth and softness, tencel increases wrinkle resistance and brings surface shine to the knitted product.
| Pros ✅Soft and cool ✅Environmentally friendly ✅Effective anti-wrinkle ✅Natural shine | Cons ❌More expensive |
11. Bernat Softee Baby Cotton Yarn
Bernat Softee Baby Cotton Yarn will not disappoint you when knitting blankets for your baby. This type of yarn is made of 60% cotton and 40% acrylic for better softness and durability. You can completely machine wash and dry without worrying about the blanket fading or shrinking. Bernat Softee Baby Cotton Yarn is manufactured specifically for children’s products, so you can rest assured about its safety and benignity.
| Pros ✅Durable and Soft ✅Safety certified ✅Easy to care for, machine washable ✅Convenient for busy moms | Cons ❌Easily stretched ❌Less warm |
12. RED HEART Soft Baby Steps Yarn
RED HEART Soft Baby Steps Yarn is also one of the favorite types of yarn for many parents. This type of yarn is highly appreciated for its softness, affordable price, and rich color palette. With 15 different colors, you can unleash your creativity to make a unique blanket for your baby.
| Pros ✅Durable and Soft ✅Various colors ✅Easy to care for ✅Affordable | Cons ❌More prone to pilling and fading ❌Easily stretched |
13. King Cole Merino Blend DK
A long-standing and famous wool brand that you cannot ignore is King Cole. Among the top product lines of this brand, King Cole Merino Blend is a wool line made from pure super-soft merino wool. Indeed, this product line is highly valued for its softness and not irritating the tender skin of babies. The palette of colors that King Cole Merino Blend offers is great, so finding the color you need in this respect will not be a problem.
| Pros ✅Soft and comfortable ✅Various colors ✅Machine washable ✅Easy to crochet | Cons ❌More expensive ❌More prone to pilling |
14. Berroco Vintage Baby Yarn
Berroco Vintage Baby Yarn is a widely used yarn for infant and toddler clothing. With its natural ingredients and diverse colors, this yarn brings products that are both beautiful and safe for babies. The contents of Berroco Vintage Baby Yarn are 40% wool, 8% nylon, and 52% acrylic. This combination gives the yarn good durability, elasticity, and excellent warmth retention. Wool has moderate thickness, suitable for knitting or crocheting products such as shirts, hats, scarves, toys, or blankets for babies.
| Pros ✅Safe for babies ✅Good warmth ✅Colorfast ✅Easy to care for | Cons ❌More expensive ❌Can pill |
15. Lion Brand Yarn Pound Of Love Yarn
No one can argue when mentioning Lion Brand Yarn Pound Of Love Yarn is the best yarn for baby blanket. This product is made with easy-care worsted weight acrylic yarn, suitable for making thick blankets for cold climates. The color palette of the yarn is rich with more than 30 different colors, from soft pastel tones to bright colors, giving you many choices to create beautiful products.
| Pros ✅Affordable ✅Diverse colors ✅Easy to work ✅Easy to wash and preserve | Cons ❌Easy to pill ❌Less breathable |
16. Caron Baby Cakes
Caron Baby Cakes is a great choice for those who want to create beautiful and safe handmade products for children. This type of wool is made from 82% Acrylic mixed with 18% Nylon, soft and does not irritate the skin. Caron Baby Cakes has many bright, eye-catching colors and natural color bands, helping pregnant mothers create unique and attractive blankets for their little princess or prince.
| Pros ✅Soft, safe ✅Diverse colors ✅Easy to work ✅High durability | Cons ❌May be slightly pilling ❌Color may be uneven |
17. Sirdar Yarn Snuggly Supersoft
If you love eye-catching colors, you definitely cannot miss Sirdar Yarn Snuggly Supersoft Rainbow Drops Aran. This yarn is broken with colorful spots on a white wool background like an eye-catching rainbow. This is the softest aran yarn line designed specifically for babies. With 100% acrylic, Sirdar Yarn Snuggly Supersoft combines durability with excellent softness, friendly to baby’s skin.
| Pros ✅Durable and Soft ✅Various colors in 8-tonal and multi-spot shades on a white background ✅Machine washable ✅Convenient for busy moms | Cons ❌May not have the same natural feel as wool or cotton |
18. Mille Colori Baby
Mille Colori Baby is also a formidable opponent in the battle for the best yarn for baby blanket. This type of yarn is usually made from 100% merino fiber, a soft, natural wool that keeps you warm and does not irritate the skin. The color palette’s diversity is yet another excellent feature. As its name suggests, Mille Colori means “a thousand colors”. Mille Colori Baby yarn has a rich color palette, from gentle pastel tones to bright, vibrant colors.
| Pros ✅Durable and Soft ✅Rich color palette ✅High-quality materials ✅Easy to use | Cons ❌More expensive ❌Need more effort in preservation |
19. Rico Design Essentials Baby
With its natural ingredients and softness, Rico Design Essentials Super Kid is trusted by many mothers and handmade lovers. This type of wool is produced with 70% mohair and 30% silk to bring softness and superior warmth to the baby. The feeling of touching the wool is very soft and does not cause pilling, creating a comfortable feeling when wearing. Another great advantage is that the wool is easy to wash, dries quickly, and retains color well.
| Pros ✅Extra soft and smooth ✅Natural ingredients ✅Lightweight ✅Suitable for many types of products | Cons ❌More expensive ❌May not durable as other yarn |
20. Lily Sugar ‘N Cream The Original Solid Yarn
Last but not least, Lily Sugar ‘N Cream The Original Solid Yarn is also on the list of best yarn for baby blanket. This yarn is made from 100% natural cotton grown in the US, soft, non-irritating to the skin, and highly absorbent. Lily Sugar ‘N Cream has a very rich color palette, from soft pastel tones to bright colors, making it easy for you to choose the right color. Compared to some other types of yarn, Lily Sugar ‘N Cream has a reasonable price.
| Pros ✅High quality ✅Diverse colors ✅Easy to care for ✅Reasonable price | Cons ❌May be a bit fuzzy after many washes ❌Not suitable for making products that require high durability |
If you are planning to knit a blanket full of love for your baby, don’t forget to save the above wool patterns in your essential checklist. The above wool patterns are all selected by experts at Babies Parent. We have provided detailed reviews of the composition, pros and cons to help you have a more general view.
Final Word from Babies Parent
Choosing the right yarn for a baby blanket is more than just picking a color or pattern. It’s a journey to find the safest, most comfortable, and softest material for your baby’s delicate skin. With our top 20 best yarn for baby blanket, we hope that parents have found the perfect yarn to create warm and special blankets for their little ones.
