Hunker down for winter with a new fox amigurumi!
Our pick of the patterns
Debbie Bliss Eco Baby
100% cotton yarns can sometimes be a little heavy, and the softness can vary dramatically. But Eco Baby yarn by Debbie Bliss has been specifically designed with babies in mind!
Soft on skin and creating a lightweight fabric, this organic cotton also comes with a host of environmentally-friendly qualities and certifications too – not only are the colours obtained using non-toxic dyes, but it also has GOTS certification, so you know that the cotton has been produced ethically throughout every step of its production!
Buy now on LoveCrafts
Sirdar Baby Bamboo DK
If you’re looking for a special yarn that not only looks fabulous but will also feel nice and cool against baby’s skin, then we’d definitely recommend trying Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo.
Made from a blend of 80% bamboo-sourced viscose and 20% wool, this DK yarn is smooth and soft, with a gorgeous sheen to it too.
Buy now from Sirdar
King Cole Cottonsoft DK
Cottonsoft DK yarn from King Cole is exactly what the name suggests – a 100% cotton yarn that is surprisingly soft! It’s a brilliant all-rounder thanks to its consistent and even DK weight, so whether you’re making baby garments or blankets, you know baby is going to be both comfy and cool.
There are also 38 fab colours to choose from, ranging from pretty pastels to nice neutrals and brilliant brights!
Buy now on The Knitting Network
Choosing the best yarn for baby blankets
There might be enough yarn in those leftover half-balls in your stash to make a cute baby blanket, but that doesn’t mean you should! Before you start, make sure your chosen yarn is perfect for your project.
1. Yarn fibre
Fluffy fibres such as mohair, angora and alpaca may look snuggly, but when it comes to finding the best yarn for baby clothes, they’re not a good option. Any shedded fibres could easily be swallowed, and they might also irritate the baby’s sensitive skin.
It’s also worth avoiding single-ply or ‘singles’ yarns in any fibre, as these will be less durable and more likely to shed.
Top fibre choices for baby knits and crochet projects include acrylic, cotton, bamboo and superwash wool (particularly merino), but whatever you choose, make sure it’s soft, soft, soft. Take a trip to your local yarn store so you can smoosh the yarn and check its softness in person.
If you’re unsure what to buy, look for baby yarn brands that have been designed specifically with little ones in mind.
2. Washing instructions
Spare time is one thing new parents really don’t have, so for everyday wear, easy-care knits are an absolute must.
Make sure you check the ball band before buying a yarn, and look for the symbol that shows it’s machine washable. Many yarns, especially acrylic ones, can also be put in the tumble dryer for extra convenience.
Remember, though, that machine washable doesn’t have to mean acrylic – nowadays there are lots of great superwash wools and other easy-care natural fibre blends available too.
3. Yarn weight
Whatever you make needs to stand up to the demands of a wriggly baby, so the choice of yarn weight is important.
The heavier weight yarns on our yarn weight conversion chart, such as aran and chunky, can be too restrictive for a tiny newborn, so stick to lighter 4ply and DK yarns for baby clothing. You’ll find that many baby yarns come exclusively in these weights, which makes choosing much easier!
However, when baby’s a bit bigger, these heavier yarns will be good for hats, winter jackets and short-sleeved items to layer up on cold days, so if you see any bargains, think about snapping them up for future projects. They’re also great for making blankets, which would take a lot longer with a lighter yarn.
4. Colour
Gone are the days when the only baby yarns available were pale (some would say boring!) pastels. Now there’s a huge range, from dainty neutrals to eye-catching brights.
Don’t be afraid to choose a fun colour palette, but bear in mind that bold colours can be less flattering on tiny babies. Make pale knits more practical by knitting the cuffs and collar in a darker contrast colour so that stains and spills don’t show up as easily.
For those who want to avoid the traditional blue for a boy, pink for a girl, there are plenty of unisex options to choose from, including orange, green and purple. Or how about modern monochrome, classic primary colours, or rainbow tones? Try playing around with different shades on a colour wheel for inspiration.
Keep the parents’ style in mind too when choosing a colour for baby knits. If they rock an edgy, punk-inspired look, they may not want cutesy pastel motifs or fussy ruffles on their little one’s clothes.
5. Tension
The best way to check that your chosen yarn is perfect is to make a swatch. It’s easy to skip this step when you’re eager to start a new project, but taking the time to check your knitting or crochet tension is worth the effort.
By making sure that your fabric matches the tension given in the pattern, you can ensure that the finished result will be the right size. When you’re knitting or crocheting for babies, you’re working on a small scale, so even a few centimetres can make a big difference!
To make your swatch, simply knit or crochet a square at least 10x10cm in size, following the instructions given in your pattern (the tension may be given over stocking stitch, garter stitch or another specific stitch pattern). When it’s done, give it a wash following the instructions on the ball band, and let it dry.
Now you can measure your swatch! If it comes out too small, you need to try a bigger needle or hook size and repeat the process. If it comes out too big, you need to make another swatch using a smaller needle size. Keep going until you get one that’s just right.
If you need any help with this, check out our knitting tension and crochet tension guides.
Find the best yarn for baby blankets
Now you know the five main things you need to think about when you’re choosing a yarn for baby knits (fibre, weight, colour, washing instructions and tension), you’re ready to go shopping!
Whether you’re knitting blankets, clothes, toys or accessories, we hope this list has helped you to find the ideal yarn for your next project.
Treat yourself to a new blanket
Once you’ve made a blanket for baby, why not make one for yourself, too? We can help you find the perfect yarn with our guide to blanket yarns.
Sirdar Snuggly DK
King Cole Comfort Baby DK
Stylecraft Bambino DK
Paintbox Yarns Baby DK
King Cole Yummy
Best luxury yarn for baby blankets and clothes
Sirdar Snuggly Cashmere Merino Silk DK
West Yorkshire Spinners Bo Peep Luxury Baby DK
Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino
King Cole Cherish Baby DK
Our pick of the patterns
Debbie Bliss Eco Baby
100% cotton yarns can sometimes be a little heavy, and the softness can vary dramatically. But Eco Baby yarn by Debbie Bliss has been specifically designed with babies in mind!
Soft on skin and creating a lightweight fabric, this organic cotton also comes with a host of environmentally-friendly qualities and certifications too – not only are the colours obtained using non-toxic dyes, but it also has GOTS certification, so you know that the cotton has been produced ethically throughout every step of its production!
Buy now on LoveCrafts
Sirdar Baby Bamboo DK
If you’re looking for a special yarn that not only looks fabulous but will also feel nice and cool against baby’s skin, then we’d definitely recommend trying Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo.
Made from a blend of 80% bamboo-sourced viscose and 20% wool, this DK yarn is smooth and soft, with a gorgeous sheen to it too.
Buy now from Sirdar
King Cole Cottonsoft DK
Cottonsoft DK yarn from King Cole is exactly what the name suggests – a 100% cotton yarn that is surprisingly soft! It’s a brilliant all-rounder thanks to its consistent and even DK weight, so whether you’re making baby garments or blankets, you know baby is going to be both comfy and cool.
There are also 38 fab colours to choose from, ranging from pretty pastels to nice neutrals and brilliant brights!
Buy now on The Knitting Network
Choosing the best yarn for baby blankets
There might be enough yarn in those leftover half-balls in your stash to make a cute baby blanket, but that doesn’t mean you should! Before you start, make sure your chosen yarn is perfect for your project.
1. Yarn fibre
Fluffy fibres such as mohair, angora and alpaca may look snuggly, but when it comes to finding the best yarn for baby clothes, they’re not a good option. Any shedded fibres could easily be swallowed, and they might also irritate the baby’s sensitive skin.
It’s also worth avoiding single-ply or ‘singles’ yarns in any fibre, as these will be less durable and more likely to shed.
Top fibre choices for baby knits and crochet projects include acrylic, cotton, bamboo and superwash wool (particularly merino), but whatever you choose, make sure it’s soft, soft, soft. Take a trip to your local yarn store so you can smoosh the yarn and check its softness in person.
If you’re unsure what to buy, look for baby yarn brands that have been designed specifically with little ones in mind.
2. Washing instructions
Spare time is one thing new parents really don’t have, so for everyday wear, easy-care knits are an absolute must.
Make sure you check the ball band before buying a yarn, and look for the symbol that shows it’s machine washable. Many yarns, especially acrylic ones, can also be put in the tumble dryer for extra convenience.
Remember, though, that machine washable doesn’t have to mean acrylic – nowadays there are lots of great superwash wools and other easy-care natural fibre blends available too.
3. Yarn weight
Whatever you make needs to stand up to the demands of a wriggly baby, so the choice of yarn weight is important.
The heavier weight yarns on our yarn weight conversion chart, such as aran and chunky, can be too restrictive for a tiny newborn, so stick to lighter 4ply and DK yarns for baby clothing. You’ll find that many baby yarns come exclusively in these weights, which makes choosing much easier!
However, when baby’s a bit bigger, these heavier yarns will be good for hats, winter jackets and short-sleeved items to layer up on cold days, so if you see any bargains, think about snapping them up for future projects. They’re also great for making blankets, which would take a lot longer with a lighter yarn.
4. Colour
Gone are the days when the only baby yarns available were pale (some would say boring!) pastels. Now there’s a huge range, from dainty neutrals to eye-catching brights.
Don’t be afraid to choose a fun colour palette, but bear in mind that bold colours can be less flattering on tiny babies. Make pale knits more practical by knitting the cuffs and collar in a darker contrast colour so that stains and spills don’t show up as easily.
For those who want to avoid the traditional blue for a boy, pink for a girl, there are plenty of unisex options to choose from, including orange, green and purple. Or how about modern monochrome, classic primary colours, or rainbow tones? Try playing around with different shades on a colour wheel for inspiration.
Keep the parents’ style in mind too when choosing a colour for baby knits. If they rock an edgy, punk-inspired look, they may not want cutesy pastel motifs or fussy ruffles on their little one’s clothes.
5. Tension
The best way to check that your chosen yarn is perfect is to make a swatch. It’s easy to skip this step when you’re eager to start a new project, but taking the time to check your knitting or crochet tension is worth the effort.
By making sure that your fabric matches the tension given in the pattern, you can ensure that the finished result will be the right size. When you’re knitting or crocheting for babies, you’re working on a small scale, so even a few centimetres can make a big difference!
To make your swatch, simply knit or crochet a square at least 10x10cm in size, following the instructions given in your pattern (the tension may be given over stocking stitch, garter stitch or another specific stitch pattern). When it’s done, give it a wash following the instructions on the ball band, and let it dry.
Now you can measure your swatch! If it comes out too small, you need to try a bigger needle or hook size and repeat the process. If it comes out too big, you need to make another swatch using a smaller needle size. Keep going until you get one that’s just right.
If you need any help with this, check out our knitting tension and crochet tension guides.
Find the best yarn for baby blankets
Now you know the five main things you need to think about when you’re choosing a yarn for baby knits (fibre, weight, colour, washing instructions and tension), you’re ready to go shopping!
Whether you’re knitting blankets, clothes, toys or accessories, we hope this list has helped you to find the ideal yarn for your next project.
Treat yourself to a new blanket
Once you’ve made a blanket for baby, why not make one for yourself, too? We can help you find the perfect yarn with our guide to blanket yarns.
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