Creating a crochet or knit blanket is a mighty undertaking. You’re investing not only your precious time, but your share of your resources into crafting a durable and cherished piece to enjoy for months and years to come. The key to ensuring your masterpiece stands the test of time lies in choosing the right quality yarn.
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Frustrated Teacher Quits In Disgust, Sells The Farm, Moves The Family Halfway Across The World And… Starts Knitting
How To Choose Blanket Yarns: What To Look For
Here’s a complete and comprehensive guide on what you should consider when choosing the perfect and ideal yarn for your blanket knitting project.
Care Instructions For Your Yarn For Knitting & Crochet
For large projects, items like blankets, easy care is the name of the game. Opt for yarns that are machine washable and can be quickly tossed in the dryer for effortless cleaning and maintenance. If your blanket is going to see a lot of use (like a baby blanket or a pet blanket), high-maintenance yarns aren’t the best choice.
Yarn Composition: What’s It Made Of?
Yarns come in an array of fibers, each with its own set of pros and cons. For instance, acrylic yarn is a wonderful option for those with wool sensitivities. It’s not only more affordable but also soft enough for a baby’s delicate skin.
Certain animal fiber yarns or blended fibers can pill over time, resulting in little fuzzy balls on the surface, which aren’t particularly attractive. Animal fibers can also shrink under high temperatures and get felted because of agitation, not to mention their higher cost.
Cotton blankets are ideal for warmer, dry climates, despite being slightly heavier to knit and potentially taxing on your hands. Alternatively, arm knitting with wool or synthetic fibers can provide a fun challenge.
Wool is an allergen for some. If you’re gifting the blanket, check to see if the recipient has fiber allergies. If so, cotton, bamboo, polyester yarn, or hypoallergenic synthetic yarns are safe choices for blanket yarns.
Blankets are made for comfort, right? So, before you buy, ask yourself, would you like to snuggle up with it? It’s not just about how cozy and soft it is, but also about the texture. Some yarns can feel rough, while others might be too slippery for your liking.
If you’re using yarn and buying it at your local yarn store, ask if you can feel it! If you’re purchasing the fiber online, look at the reviews. Fellow knitters and crocheters can give you a range of invaluable tips and insights about a yarn’s performance, feel, and value.
What Colors Will You Choose?
This is where your creativity shines! Most yarns for blankets are available in many solids, from pink to blue. Pick colors to complement your collection, home or the recipient’s personality. If you’re buying multiple skeins of yarn of the same color, ensure they come from the same dye lot to avoid slight color variations.
Yarn Yardage: How Much Will You Need?
Blankets, especially oversized ones, require a substantial amount of yarn. Prepare for multiple balls of yarn and consider winding it first for easy use! The exact amount of yarn you’ll need will vary based on the gauge and the size of your blanket.
Yarn Weight: What’s Best for Your Project?
Chunky, bulky yarns are a delight to work with as they knit up faster. Remember to get larger needles for these weights! Suitable yarn weights for blankets include #5 Bulky, #6 Super Bulky, #7 Jumbo, or even #4 doubled up for a thicker texture.
However, lighter yarns are a great choice for intricate, delicate patterns but can be time-consuming for larger blankets. Heavier yarns work up quickly, but the end result may be too heavy or warm for some uses. For most other blankets, worsted or bulky yarns are generally your safest bet!
Budget Considerations
The cost of your project will largely depend on your chosen yarn. If affordability, softness, durability and ease of care are high on your priority list, Bernat Blanket Yarn is a solid choice. Or, try a shop with Red Heart. For a bigger, luxurious (albeit expensive) blanket, you could consider using arm knitting yarn.
A blanket is a long to medium-term project to crochet or knit, so it’s okay to invest in quality yarn, but there are plenty of budget-friendly options that won’t compromise the result.
Before you commit to a yarn, do a test swatch to see how it feels and behaves when worked up. This way, you’ll avoid unpleasant surprises midway through making your project.
Blanket yarn options galore! Take your pick from the fibers and you’ll be whipping up a super snuggly blanket in no time. The world is your oyster…or should I say, the yarn shop is!