Published on August 9, 2023
4 min read
Knitted or crochet blankets are the type of project that lasts a lifetime - a cozy essential that’s sturdy enough for all the snuggles! When it comes to blankets, there’s no wrong answer when it comes to choosing the right yarn. But, with so many options, this guide will talk you through some of the best! Whether you’re a beginner looking for a simple stitch project or a seasoned crafter looking for a longtime project, read on to read our tips and tricks to finding the perfect yarn for your next blanket.
Choosing your yarn weight: finding the perfect thickness
Yarn weight refers to the thickness of the yarn strand, which plays a significant role in determining the final feel and appearance of your crocheted or knitted blanket. Each yarn weight has distinct thickness and characteristics. When selecting the best yarn for your blanket, consider the following weights:
Lace
Lace yarn is perfect for creating stunning and intricate crochet and knit blanket projects. It's the thinnest and lightest category of yarn, making it ideal for delicate designs. While it may not be the go-to choice for a warm and cozy blanket, it's a great option for creating a lightweight and breathable blanket that's perfect for snuggling up during warmer months.
Sale Debbie Bliss Angel $11.25 $15.00 Sale Lana Grossa Silkhair $9.74 $14.99 Sale Malabrigo Lace $8.87 $11.09 Fingering, sock, sport & DK
When it comes to crocheting or knitting a cozy blanket, these four yarn weights are perfect. Each weight offers its own unique characteristics, from thin (fingering) weights for delicate detail to medium thickness (DK) for warmth.
Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK $3.75 Sale Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK $8.24 $10.99 Lion Brand Bundle of Love $13.99
Bulky & super bulky
Bulky and super bulky yarns are excellent choices for crocheting and knitting blankets as they create a cozy and warm texture, but are much quicker to work up! These yarns are thicker and heavier than other yarns, making them ideal for projects that require a lot of coverage. They provide a unique texture and are great for when you want a bold statement piece!
Sale Debbie Bliss Super Chunky Merino $14.63 $19.50 Loopy Mango Merino No. 5 $33.00 Paintbox Yarns 100% Wool Chunky Superwash $12.00
Yarn fiber: choose the right material for your blanket
Now it’s time to pick your fiber! With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed so we’ve collated our top picks for you to explore.
Acrylic
Acrylic yarn is versatile, affordable, and available in a wide range of colors. It is an excellent choice for crochet blankets as it is soft, lightweight, and easy to care for.
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK $4.25 Paintbox Yarns Simply Super Chunky $5.00 Sale Debbie Bliss Merion $8.63 $11.50
Cotton
Cotton yarn is soft, breathable, and perfect for lightweight knitted blankets suitable for spring and summer months. It also works well for baby blankets, as it is gentle on sensitive skin.
Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran $3.75 Sale Deramores Studio Organic Cotton DK $2.81 $3.75 Sale Debbie Bliss Eco Baby $6.75 $9.00
Wool
Wool yarn is known for its warmth and softness. The natural crimp in the wool fibers allows them to trap air, which creates pockets of warmth. This makes wool yarn an excellent choice for knitting or crocheting winter blankets, as it provides exceptional warmth and insulation.
Sale Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed Aran $10.13 $13.50 Paintbox Yarns 100% Wool Worsted Superwash $11.00
Chenille
Chenille yarn gives you that fuzzy soft texture, perfect for cozy blankets. Check out Paintbox Yarn Chenille for a fantastic range of colors to suit every project.
Paintbox Yarns Chenille $6.75 Sale Bernat Blanket Stripes $15.60 $22.29 King Cole Yummy Crush $6.99
Find the perfect pattern!
Now you’ve chosen your yarn, it’s time to pick a pattern! We have a great range of knitting and crochet blanket patterns on LoveCrafts for you to explore. From cute baby blankets to super cozy winter afghans, you’re sure to find the perfect pattern for any occasion.
Blanket knitting patterns
Take a look through 100s of free knitted blanket patterns to find the perfect project for you. We have chunky blanket patterns for colder days, or sweet baby blanket patterns to celebrate the birth of a loved one.
Free Criss Cross Baby Blanket in Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ - Downloadable PDF Free Free Big Softie Blanket - Free Afghan Knitting Pattern For Kids in Paintbox Yarns Chenille by Paintbox Yarns Free "Nu-Nu Blanket" - Afghan Knitting Pattern For Babies in MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran by MillaMia $5.75
Blanket crochet patterns
Why not have a go at one of our free crochet blanket patterns? Or try something patterned with our chevron crochet pattern collection. And who doesn’t love a granny square blanket?
Free Ridge Baby Blanket - Free Afghan Crochet Pattern For Babies in Paintbox Yarns Baby DK Prints by Paintbox Yarns Free Free Sleep Under the Stars Blanket - Free Crochet Pattern For Home in Paintbox Yarns Free "Striped Crochet Blanket" - Blanket Crochet Pattern For Babies in Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 ply $5.00
Armed with this comprehensive guide, you're now prepared to select the best yarn for your crochet blanket project. With a bit of research and experimentation, you'll discover the perfect yarn to create a beautiful, cozy, and durable crochet blanket that you and your loved ones will cherish for years to come. Embrace your creativity, gather your supplies, and get started on your next masterpiece!
FAQs
Bulky & super bulky
What type of yarn is best for crocheting blankets? ›
The most popular natural fibers for making blankets are cotton yarn and wool yarn. Wool yarn has better insulating properties than cotton yarn does, but cotton yarn is generally easier to care for.
What crochet should I use for a blanket? ›
The half treble crochet is a neat little stitch that's perfect for hooking up a quick and simple blanket. You can team this beginner-friendly stitch with a beautifully plumptious chunky yarn and make a blanket in just a few hours!
Is polyester or acrylic yarn better for blankets? ›
Both materials offer ease of care, but polyester might edge out acrylic in terms of durability and ease of maintenance over time. Environmental Impact: While both materials are synthetic, choosing recycled options can mitigate some environmental concerns.
What is the most used yarn for crochet? ›
Worsted weight yarn is one of the most popular yarn weights for crocheters, and is usually the first yarn you encounter (especially if you live in the USA). In other countries, worsted weight is sometimes called 4-ply or medium weight.
How many skeins of yarn do you need to crochet a blanket? ›
Lapghan or Throw (approximately 50″ x 60″): You might need around 8 to 12 skeins of bulky weight yarn. Twin Size Blanket (approximately 66″ x 90″): You might need around 15 to 20 skeins of bulky weight yarn. Queen Size Blanket (approximately 90″ x 90″): You might need around 20 to 25 skeins of bulky weight yarn.
Is acrylic or cotton better for crochet blankets? ›
Acrylic tends to be more stretchy than cottons. Because of this cottons will hold their shape a lot more. Some of that can be dependent on the stitch design and project too. A lacier project will hold it's shape better in cotton than in acrylic.
Which crochet stitch is best for blankets? ›
Half double crochet is a popular basic stitch in blanket patterns, because it's simple to learn and it works up fast. This variation creates clusters that feel satisfyingly bobbly to the touch and aren't difficult to master. Its texture makes it ideal for a baby blanket project.
What is the fastest crochet pattern for a blanket? ›
The 7 Fastest Crochet Stitches
- Double Crochet (dc) The double crochet stitch (treble crochet – tr – in UK terms) creates a medium density fabric and works up quickly. ...
- Half Double Crochet (hdc) ...
- Treble Crochet (tr) ...
- V-Stitch. ...
- Moss Stitch. ...
- Granny Stitch. ...
- Shell Stitch.
In the quest for the crochet stitch that uses the least amount of yarn, the single crochet emerges as the clear winner. Its simplicity, versatility, and minimal yarn consumption make it a go-to choice for projects where resourcefulness is key.
Acrylic blankets
The beauty of Acrylic is that it is moth resistant and can be stored for long periods without worry. The downside is that they are not very breathable, but on the flip side, they are great at heat retention. Mink fur is also used to make blankets, and Acrylic can mimic the feel and texture of mink.
Can you mix cotton and acrylic yarn in a blanket? ›
To improve the texture and breathability of your project, consider mixing acrylic yarn with other fibers. Blending acrylic with wool or cotton can add softness and warmth while still retaining the durability and ease of care of acrylic.
Is 100% polyester good for a blanket? ›
Unlike wool, polyester does nothing to regulate your body temperature while you sleep. This is another reason Polyester shouldn't be in your bed. Synthetic materials don't breathe, and thus, will always leave you feeling too hot, or too cold.
What yarn is best for crochet blankets? ›
16 of the best yarns for crochet blankets
| Synthetic | Cotton |
|---|
| Light weight | Scheepjes Color Crafter $ | Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton $ |
| Medium weight | Premier Everyday Anti-Pilling $ | Lily Sugar'n Cream $ |
| Bulky | Bernat Blanket $ | Bernat Maker Home Dec $ |
| Super bulky | Bernat Blanket Extra, or Blanket Big $$ | Darn Good Yarn Cotton T-Shirt $$$$ |
Jun 14, 2023
As a crochet beginner, we recommend using a medium worsted weight yarn, or #4. This type of yarn will be easier to manipulate.
What is the softest yarn for crochet? ›
Check out our list of the softest, dreamiest yarns available from Lion Brand, LoveCrafts, Red Heart and Yarnspirations!
- Debbie Bliss Paloma.
- The Yarn Collective Bloomsbury DK.
- Red Heart: Hygge.
- Dreamy Stripes.
- Soft.
- Yarnspirations: Bernat Blanket.
- Bernat Velvet.
- Caron Simply Soft.
In the quest for the crochet stitch that uses the least amount of yarn, the single crochet emerges as the clear winner. Its simplicity, versatility, and minimal yarn consumption make it a go-to choice for projects where resourcefulness is key.
What is the best crochet hook for blanket yarn? ›
The most common size is a H/8 5 mm crochet hook. It is the perfect size to make crochet projects like blankets, scarves and more with since it is not too small and not too large.
What type of yarn is best for beginner crochet? ›
Start with a Medium-Weight Yarn: Medium-weight crochet yarn (also known as "worsted weight") is a fantastic option for beginner projects. Its adaptability and widespread use for different projects provide you the chance to practice a variety of stitches.
