Image: MomJunction Design Team
If you plan to knit a blanket, you will need a soft, skin-friendly, and washable yarn. Yarn is usually made from cotton, acrylic, wool, polyester, and other materials. The best yarns for blankets offer good stretch and are lightweight. The right yarn is essential for knitting and crocheting blankets to spend quality time with loved ones. You may choose the yarn based on the type of blanket you want to knit. Read on as we review some tried-and-tested, quality popular yarn options for blankets and give you a few valuable tips to pick a suitable one.
Top Picks
11 Best Yarns For Blankets
1. Best Soft And Luxurious: Bernat Blanket Yarn
You can make a soft and luxurious blanket with this weighted yarn made of 100% polyester. It could be a great choice to knit afghan blankets that require bulky stitches. It is available in different colors, including aquatic, scarlet, sand, pumpkin spice, dark gray, pink lagoon, and blue velvet. Offered as a 10.5oz size yarn ball, which is equivalent to 220 yards of yarn, this is the perfect yarn to make small and big blankets. The recommended knitting needle and crochet hook for the yarn is 8mm (U.S. 11). Learn more about this quality product in this review video showcasing a knitter’s experience.
Pros
- Ideal for blankets, pillows, baskets, and home decor projects
- Durable
- Blends with different shades
- Machine-washable
Cons
- Shades may slightly differ
- May have uneven thickness
Remember2. Best Machine-Washable: Bernat Blanket Yarn
The 100% polyester yarn comes in an economical big-ball size and is machine-washable and dryable for easy maintenance. It is suitable for knitting regular wear or use items. An eight-millimeter knitting needle is recommended for this 220-yard yarn. This tried-and-trusted chenille-style yarn is suitable for home decor and DIY projects and for creating blankets, afghans, and Baskets.
Pros
- Available in various colors
- Bulky feel
- Warm and cozy
- Beautiful colorway
- Easy to stitch quickly
Cons
- May have a lot of knots
- Thickness may be inconsistent
3. Best Colors: Yarnspirations Bernat Blanket Yarn
Bring home a pack of three skeins of Bernat yarn for blankets, available in light and bright colors, such as pansy purple, vintage white, Waterslide, country blue, red white boom, and pow purple. Each tried-and-tested skein holds 108 yds or 5.3oz of 100% polyester yarn. You would require an 8mm (U.S. 11) knitting needle or 19mm crochet hook to complete your crochet blanket project using this nice yarn.
Pros
- Super bulky and stitches up quickly
- Suitable for baby sweaters
- Provides warm
- Easy to maintain
Cons
- Yarn may twist at times while knitting
- Might seem flat in some places
4. Best To Create Any Pattern: HomeModa Studio Super Chunky Vegan Yarn
You can use the super fluffy and light yarn material to make warm blankets. It is available in two sizes, 20m and 60m, and comes in six colors, including gray, blue, tan, mint, pink, and dark gray. You don’t need a needle for this thick yarn, as it is easy to create any blanket pattern just with your hands to make a beautiful yarn blanket. You can even wash the blanket made from this time-tested and chunky yarn in a machine.
Pros
- Durable
- Pet-friendly
- Shed-resistant
- Ideal for beginners
- Machine-wash safe
- Can be used as an alternative to merino wool
Cons
- Size of the yarn ball may be small
- May not be sufficient for a standard-sized blanket
5. Best Non-Irritating: Dirunen Merino Wool Yarn
The premium-quality and super soft yarn can be used to make a chunky blanket. The yarn material is available in different sizes, including 4.4lb, 6.6lb, 8lb, and 9lb. It is available in 13 colors, including green, yellow, white, rose, beige, red, purple, and gray. The fine and soft wool does not irritate the skin, and a blanket made with this wool can regulate body temperature and keep you comfy and warm on cold days and cool on sunny days.
Pros
- Easy to incorporate into different crafts
- Comes in a resealable pouch
- Nice quality wool
- Ideal for scarves, pet beds, blankets, and more
- Feather-like touch and feel
Cons
- Needs to be dry-cleaned
- May attract debris quickly
Point to consider6. Best Fluffy And Comfortable: Eastsure Chunky Braid Cotton Yarn
You can knit a super fluffy, comfortable, and chic blanket with this good-quality cotton yarn. The chunky yarn is easy and fun to use with your bare hands to make a blanket of your choice, making it a trusted choice of many. The attractive cotton yarn is thick and durable, pet-friendly, and can be washed in the machine. It is available in three sizes, 0.55lb, 1.1lb, and 2.2lb, and ten colors, including gray, light green, denim blue, pink, navy, red, white, milk-white, and beige.
Pros
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Shed-resistant
- Subtle colors
Cons
- Ball size may not be sufficient for your project
7. Best Lightweight: Staringirl Cotton Yarn
The lightweight and fluffy yarn is a suitable alternative to Merino wool and works for all-year use. It is super chunky and warm, making it a good choice for making blankets. You can use this time-tested yarn for blanket crocheting, children’s craft projects, knitting, tapestry, weaving, and more.
Pros
- Machine-washable material
- Pet- and child-friendly
- Does not shed
- Available in various sizes and colors
- Durable and soft
Cons
- Some may not like the texture
- May be smaller than expected
8. Best Skin-Friendly: Lion Brand Yarn
You can make a 42x42in hand-knitted blanket with this weighted yarn made of 100% polyester fiber, wrapped as a 28oz ball. It is skin-friendly and can be washed and dried in the washing machine. The tried-and-tested and super-bulky yarn is available in single and multiple colors for making beautiful and comfortable blankets of your choice.
Pros
- Can be used for finger crocheting
- Helps keep warm
- Ideal for baby blankets and sweaters
- Bulky
- Suitable for machine wash
Cons
- Colors may not be compatible with other brands
- Thickness may vary throughout the length
Quick tip9. Best Quality: Alize Puffy Micropolyester Soft Yarn
You may not need a needle or a hook to make a blanket out of this super-fluffy and quality yarn. The 100% micro-polyester yarn can be used for hand-crafting a fine piece of colorful and beautiful blanket. One skein contains 15.3yds of yarn with a super bulky weight of 6. Each skein of this super bulky yarn has a mix of three colors, which makes it a unique choice for a handmade blanket or a scarf knitting project.
Pros
- Ideal for hand knitting and crocheting
- Quickly fills your project
- Beautiful colorway
- Available in different color combinations
- Small loops and easy to use
Cons
- Not suitable for machine-washing
- Thickness may be uneven
10. Best Dirt-Resistant: BambooMN Chenille Yarn
Get a pack of two or four skeins of this quality yarn, based on the size of the blanket you want to knit. The 100% polyester fabric yarn comes in different colors, including yellow, pink, navy, red, and green, to name a few. The recommended needle to make a blanket of this yarn is 4.5mm (U.S. 7), and the recommended crochet hook is 5mm (H-8). The fabric is dirt-resistant, lustrous, and can be washed in the machine.
Pros
- Fibers are resistant to water
- Lasts long even after many washes
- Shrink-resistant
- Fade-resistant
- Hypoallergenic
- Vibrant colorway
- Available in sizes of two cakes and four cakes
Cons
- Not suitable for bleaching and ironing
- May not be bulky for some
11. Best Texture: Feza Yarns Baby Blanket Kit
The pack brings you four skeins of quality yarns in four different shades of blue. The high-quality yarn is made of 50% cotton and 50% viscose, suitable for knitting a baby blanket. Each skein of this set contains 241 yds of yarn that could be enough to make a small-sized blanket. You can use a circular needle of size U.S. 2 or 3 and a gauge of 32R and 23STS. It is a machine-washable yarn that is known for its premium quality and soft texture.
Pros
- Comes in storage bag with zipper closure
- Hand-dyed colorway
- Machine-wash safe
- Some are patterned
- Soft tecture
Cons
- May have yarn splits
- No carrying handle for the storage bag
How To Choose The Right Yarn For Knitting and crocheting?
Here are a few points that can help you select the best yarn for knitting and crocheting.
- Types: Wool, cotton, fleece, and polyester are the common types of yarn that can be used to knit a blanket. You can choose any yarn type that suits the pattern requirements of the blanket or use your knitter’s wisdom.
- Texture: Based on the kind of blanket you want to make, you can choose from a lightweight yarn, chunky yarn, worsted weight yarn, or weighted yarn. You can even go for super fluffy and very soft yarn.
- Weight: The yarn weight can be chosen as per the thickness of the blanket. The thicker the yarn, the warmer you can be when wrapped in it.
- Other features: Other features that you can look for when choosing the yarn to knit a blanket are the color and thickness. You may also choose eco-friendly and sustainable yarn and ensure it is machine-washable, dust-resistant, and skin-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kind of yarn is best for a blanket?
There are different kinds of yarns in the market. Woolen yarn may be a good option for blankets meant for colder regions. If you are knitting for someone prone to allergies, you may use hypoallergenic yarns such as cotton or acrylic yarn.
2. How many balls of yarn will I need for a throw blanket?
The number of yarn balls required for a throw blanket depends on the blanket pattern. On average, about six balls of yarn are needed to make a throw blanket.
3. What type of yarn is the softest?
The yarn obtained from the angora rabbit’s fur is exceptionally light and fluffy and gives a shine to the final product. Furthermore, the wool obtained from pashmina goats (cashmere) is so soft that you may have to add other yarn before knitting.
The Bottom Line
Blanket yarns come in a wide range of colors, materials, and textures. Therefore, choosing the right yarn is essential to weave the right blanket. A fluffy yarn would ensure that your blanket turns out to be soft and comfortable. When making a purchase, ensure the material is skin-friendly, dust-resistant, and easily washable. You may choose wool, cotton, fleece, or polyester, and consider the thickness of the yarn depending on your needs. Our top picks include the chenille-based Lion Brand Yarn and the Alize Puffy Micropolyester Soft Yarn, which is a mix of three colors. Alternatively, the Bernat Blanket Yarn is ideal for thick stitches. You can also pick one depending on the size of the knitting needle or crochet hook you own.
Infographic: Points To Consider When Knitting And Crocheting Blankets
Besides procuring the appropriate yarn corresponding to your needs and pattern, it’s also essential to follow several tips and tricks to ensure ideal results that meet your expectations. Check out the following infographic to pick up a few nuances when making your blanket. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Recommended Articles
