What is the safest yarn to use for babies?

Now that you have the perfect baby yarn, it’s time to select the perfect pattern, Bernat Baby will work up beautifully for any project that you have in mind. Your little one will love snuggling and being wrapped up cozily in a beautiful baby blanket or cozy sweater. 

Knitting can be an amazing experience, and when you are knitting something for your little munchkin, you can put in some delicate efforts for the best results. A baby blanket is a great way to start your knitting as it’s less intricate than clothing pieces. To achieve good quality, you need to use the best yarn for baby blanket knitting. The yarns are of wool or other fabric balls you will use for knitting.

We have listed some of the best quality yarns you can choose from in this post.

Our Top Picks

Best Versatile: Bernat Baby Blanket Big Ball

Best Economical: Caron Jumbo Ombre Yarn

Best Easy To Maintain: Bernat Pipsqueak Yarn

Best Delicate: Lion Brand Yarn Feels Like Butta Yarn

Best Soft Texture: Red Heart Soft Baby Steps Yarn

Best Lightweight: Lion Brand Yarn Babysoft Yarn

Best With Velvety Touch: Mary Maxim Twinkle Yarn

Best Durable: Baby Alpaca Yarn

Best Super Soft: Himalaya Dolphin Baby Yarn

Best Itch-Free: Drops Baby Merino

14 Best Yarns For Baby Blankets

1. Best Versatile: Bernat Baby Blanket Big Ball

Price at the time of publication: $9.98

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The soft 100% polyester fiber yarn by Bernat in pitter-patter color is ideal for baby blankets and garments. It is a soft chenille-style yarn with a big gauge. The yarn is perfect for knitting and crochet and is long-lasting. It is soft on the baby’s sensitive skin and has been tested for over 300 harmful substances. Therefore, it keeps your baby safe, warm and snuggled. The ball size is 300g and 201m. It has over 10,000 user reviews on Amazon, and a majority of the buyers have highlighted its softness. Learn more about this product in this video.

Pros

• Versatile
• Machine-washable
• Available in various colors
• Safety-certified

Cons

• Some skeins may have too many knots

2. Best Economical: Caron Jumbo Ombre Yarn

Price at the time of publication: $16.28

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Caron Jumbo Yarn is a worsted weight four yarn. It has a large range of shades and is available in an economical big ball skein. The yarn is machine-washable, easy to dry, and care. The ball size is 340g and 544m. You can use it for crochet and knitting garments and accessories. It is ideal for home decor projects. It has more than 1,000 reviews on Amazon, and buyers seem to love the color combos. This video will provide you with added insights about the product.

Pros

• Rich variety of colors
• 100% acrylic
• Versatile
• Soft

Cons

• Some steins may fray

Related: Best Blanket Yarns For Knitting

3. Best Easy To Maintain: Bernat Pipsqueak Yarn

Price at the time of publication: $15.75

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The Bernat Pipsqueak Yarn is a set of three skeins with 277m knitting yarn. It is made from 100% polyester and has a super bulky weight yarn no.5. This four-inch gauge is suitable for knitting and crochet. The yarn can be hand washed and dried and is easy to maintain. The yarn boasts over 1,000 reviews on Amazon. Take a look at this video to know more about the product.

Pros

• Dry cleanable
• Machine washable
• Soft on child’s skin

Cons

• Might form knots easily

4. Best Delicate: Lion Brand Yarn Feels Like Butta Yarn

Price at the time of publication: $16.45

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Feels Like Butta yarn from The Lion Brand has a velvety touch of chenille. The yarn feels soft and delicate on the skin and suitable for children and adults. Pastel palettes make these yarns comforting and look cozy.

Pros

• Machine wash and dry
• 100% polyester
• Available in many colors
• Suitable for babies and adults

Cons

• Color may differ from product image

5. Best Soft Texture: Red Heart Soft Baby Steps Yarn

Price at the time of publication: $6.72

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If you are looking for a yarn for a 5mm knitting needle or a 5.5mm crochet hook, the Soft Baby Steps yarn from Red Heart could be a perfect choice. It measures 234m and is made of 100% medium worsted acrylic material. It is ultra-soft to touch and comes in fresh, no-dye colors for babies.

Pros

• Machine washable
• Soft texture
• Acrylic
• Available in many colors

Cons

• Might split easily

6. Best Lightweight: Lion Brand Yarn Babysoft Yarn

Price at the time of publication: $8

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The pack of three balls from Lion Brand BabySoft yarn is available in a lovely palette of pastel colors. It has a comfortable texture and is soft to touch. It contains 420m of yarn and is made of 60% acrylic and 40% nylon polyamide materials.

Pros

• Soft on baby’s skin
• Available in various colors
• Machine-washable
• Lightweight

Cons

• Could get messier

7. Best With Velvety Touch: Mary Maxim Twinkle Yarn

Price at the time of publication: $6.11

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Knitting and crochet projects with baby yarn become easier with Mary Maxim Twinkle yarn. The acrylic sock yarn is four-ply and 210m. It is a super lux yarn blend that is ultra-soft and extremely warm. This yarn is suitable for handmade sweaters, clothes, baby afghan blankets, hats, socks, and winter gear.

Pros

• Durable
• Cozy and cuddly
• 100% washable
• Non-fade colors

Cons

• Yarn twist is lose

8. Best Durable: Baby Alpaca Yarn

Price at the time of publication: $59.99

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The baby Alpaca yarn is available in sets of over 35 colors. Each ball is 50m long and bulky. The 100% Alpaca wool is soft and snugly. The natural fiber is insulating and temperature-compensating, worn in any weather. It is a long-lasting and versatile yarn and does not cause any itching or scratching. The lightweight yarn features low moisture absorption and does not collect sweat bacteria.

Pros

• Durable
• Odorless
• Hand wash
• Natural fibers are soft on the skin

Cons

• Might shed easily

9. Best Super Soft: Himalaya Dolphin Baby Yarn

Price at the time of publication: $16.29

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The Himalaya Dolphin Baby Yarn comes in two steins of 100gms each. Each ball measures 120m and is formulated with 100% micro-polyester. It is suitable for knitting, crochet, and crafting.

Pros

• Super soft
• Suitable for 6.5mm needle size
• Machine washable on delicate cycles
• Velvety

Cons

• Might break easily

10. Best Itch-Free: Drops Baby Merino

Price at the time of publication: $4.75

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The Drops baby merino yarn
is temperature regulated and works well for summers and winters. This yarn is spun from extra-fine merino wool and is super soft on delicate baby skin. It is machine-washable and suitable for daily use.

Pros

• Superwash
• Solid shades
• Itch-free
• Durable

Cons

• Color may vary

11. Best For Crafting: Himalaya Dolphin Baby Blanket Amigurumi Yarn

Price at the time of publication: $31.99

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The Amigurumi yarn from Himalaya Dolphin is suitable for baby blankets. The chenille velvet yarn measures 120m per ball and weighs six super bulky. You can use the yarn for knitting or crochet and it is made of 100% micro-polyester. It helps make men and women cardigans, hats, shawls, lush blankets or crochet pillow covers, and other home decor items.

Pros

• Includes four skeins
• Color choices available
• Great for doll making projects
• Extremely soft

Cons

• Falls apart at the ends

12. Best For Crochet: Alize Puffy Fine Yarn

Price at the time of publication: $26.99

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Puffy fine yarn from Alize is perfect for making baby blankets. The yarn is constructed from 100% micro-polyester that is super chunky and woven worsted. It has a thickness of six super bulky, and each ball is 14.5m long. This pack contains three steins and can be used for loop weaving and crochet.

Pros

• Soft
• Quick
• No needles or crochet hooks required
• Available in multiple colors

Cons

• Loops are relatively small

13. Best For Baby Blankets: Truevalue Finger Knitting Yarn

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The Truevalue knitting yarn is suitable for finger knitting and does not require any needle or hook. 100gm and 7m of yarn in each of these five steins are ideal for making baby blankets. It can be used for making garments and accessories and is also perfect for improving a child’s creative skills.

Pros

• Soft
• Looped yarn
• 100% polyester
• Suitable for unique crafts

Cons

• Color may vary

14. Best For Comfort: Bernat Baby Velvet Yarn

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Made from 100% polyester, this baby yarn is the ideal choice if you want to knit clothes that have a velvety finish. The ball is 300 grams and 492 yds, and the yarn is available in a variety of colors. The yarn can be used for a variety of DIY projects to create luxuriously soft clothing and other baby essentials to keep your little bundle of joy comfy and snug. What’s more is that the uniquely built yarn also makes knitting a fun activity.

Pros

• Machine washable
• Worsted weight
• Doesnt pill or shed
• Ideal for blankets and boots

Cons

• Can be a little slippery to adjust

How To Choose The Right Yarn For A Baby Blanket?

Here are some points to consider when buying yarn for a baby blanket.

1. Yarn fiber: Acrylic, bamboo, superwash wool, and cotton fibers are ideal choices for baby blankets. The fiber should be soft and non-irritable to the baby’s sensitive skin. Fluffy fibers, such as alpaca, mohair, or angora, may feel snuggly but may shed, posing danger to the child. Single-ply fibers are less durable.

1. Washing instructions: Choose a yarn that is machine washable and tumble dry. You can also find yarns that require hand wash.

1. Temperature regulated: Choose a fiber that does not overheat or hardly heats. It should keep the baby’s body temperature regulated and comfortable. Merino yarns are a good choice for temperature regulation – keeping babies cool in summer and warm in winter.

1. Weight: If the yarn is heavy, it may be suffocating and uncomfortable to the child. Choose a lightweight and fluffy fiber, such as four-ply and DK for baby blankets and wraps.

1. Color: A darker color may hide spills and stains, but bold colors may not be cute. Shaded yarns are also available to match every outfit.

1. Yarn tension: Do a small, destructive test before you venture on a project of knitting a whole blanket. The yarn should take the tension of the pattern and design of your knit. Knit a swatch to check the durability of the yarn.

Why Trust MomJunction?

We have done thorough market research and analysis of the available products to bring you this list of the best yarns for a baby blanket. This list has been prepared by considering the yarns’ quality, breathability, and safety on the baby’s skin. Several reviews and product listings were also referred to, and only the ones that have a good review have been chosen for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is wool a good material for a baby blanket?

Wool is an excellent choice for baby blankets, especially all-natural and organic ones. These yarns contain no synthetic fibers and are safe for the baby’s sensitive skin. Wool also absorbs moisture quickly to keep the baby warm.

2. Is it safe to wash knitted garments?

It is safe to wash knitted garments to help them last longer. The type of yarn determines the type of care required. Most yarns come with instructions on whether they can be machine-washed, hand-washed, or dry-cleaned.

3. How to decide between yarns for warm and cold weather?

Yarns made of cotton or any plant fiber, including rayon, linen, hemp, and bamboo, are great for summer as they are lightweight and breathable.

Heavier yarns add warmth to the garment. A wool blend or acrylic with wool is a good option for extra warmth in cold weather.

4. How many skeins of yarn do you need for a baby blanket?

It depends on the size, pattern, and gauge you’d like for the baby’s blanket. On average, you would need 900 to 1500 yards or one to five skeins of yarn.

5. What is the ideal size for a baby blanket?

It can be tricky to come up with a standard magic number for the size because it largely depends on the size of the baby and the type of blanket you’re aiming at–stroller, swaddle, crib, etc. Two of the most common sizes are 30x36in and 34x46in.

6. Is it better to knit or crochet a baby blanket?

It depends on your needs. While crochet could be less time-consuming than knitting, a knitted blanket would have fewer holes and create a more solid blanket.

7. At what age is it safe to give my baby a blanket?

For safety and health reasons, you should not give your baby a blanket until they are at least twelve months old (1).

If you’re planning to knit a blanket for your little one, you should pick the best raw materials to knit a durable and skin-friendly blanket. Therefore, choosing the best quality yarn made from skin-friendly fibers like bamboo, cotton, superwash wool, etc., is an essential part of the process. If you want to knit a blanket that’s easy to maintain, ensure that the material you choose endures machine washing. Finally, a yarn that’s breathable and lightweight retains warmth without feeling suffocating.

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Which yarn is best for baby blankets?

Is it better to knit or crochet a baby blanket?