Are you looking for the best yarn for a crochet blanket? Need help finding the softest yarn for a blanket? There are so many yarn options available, from jumbo chenille yarn to Bernat extra thick blanket yarn. Knowing which yarn is right for your project can be hard. I’ll go over the key things to consider when choosing yarn for your blanket project to help you figure out what yarn will work best for your needs. I’ve also highlighted some of the best yarns on the market along with links to make it easy for you to find the best yarn for your crochet blanket.
Choosing the Best Yarn for Your Crochet Blanket: Fiber Content
The first thing you’ll want to think about when choosing yarn for your crochet blanket is the fiber content. Different fibers offer different qualities, so it’s important to select one that aligns with your preferences and the intended use of your blanket. Your choice of fiber also impacts if it will be the softest yarn for a blanket.
Acrylic:
Acrylic yarn is a popular choice for crochet blankets because it’s affordable, durable, comes in vibrant colors, and it’s easy to care for. It’s a good choice for blankets you’ll use frequently or wash regularly. Acrylic yarn is resistant to moths and mildew and is hypoallergenic, a big perk if you have wool allergies.
Here are some examples of acrylic yarns:
- Red Heart Super Saver: One of the most recognizable acrylic yarn brands, Red Heart Super Saver is widely available in a variety of colors and weights.
- Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice: This yarn is a collaboration with television personality Vanna White and comes in a wide range of colors. It’s soft and easy to work with.
- Caron Simply Soft: Known for its luxurious feel and sheen, Caron Simply Soft is a favorite among crocheters and knitters alike.
- Deborah Norville Everyday Soft Worsted: Television host Deborah Norville created this soft and easy to care for yarn.
Wool:
Wool is known for its warmth and softness. That makes it an excellent choice for your cozy blankets. It has natural moisture-wicking properties, making it suitable for both warm and cool climates. However, wool can be more expensive than acrylic and may require special care when washing.
The wool yarn has insulating properties, making it the perfect choice for a warm blanket. Its unique structure traps air within its fibers, creating warmth around the wearer’s body, while still allowing moisture to escape. Its natural elasticity and rich colors bring a touch of luxury to every project.
Wool is a renewable resource making it a truly eco-friendly choice for conscientious crafters. It’s biodegradable so when its life as a cherished blanket comes to an end, it can return to the earth, leaving behind nothing but memories of warmth and beauty.
Here are some examples of the best wool for blankets:
- Patons Classic Wool: This yarn is 100% wool and comes in a wide range of colors. It’s versatile and suitable for a variety of projects, from garments to accessories to home decor.
- Cascade 220: Cascade 220 is a popular yarn among knitters and crocheters. It’s 100% wool and comes in an extensive color palette, making it great for colorwork projects like Fair Isle or Intarsia.
- Malabrigo Merino Worsted: Malabrigo yarns have incredible softness and beautiful hand-dyed colors. The Merino Worsted line is 100% merino wool and is perfect for creating luxurious garments and accessories.
- Rowan Pure Wool Worsted: Rowan is a well-respected name in the yarn industry, and their Pure Wool Worsted yarn is a top choice for many crafters. It’s 100% wool, machine washable, and comes in a lovely range of colors.
- Knit Picks Wool of the Andes: This affordable wool yarn comes in a wide range of colors and is great for a variety of projects, from sweaters to blankets to felted items.
The best wool for blankets has many other options available, but this list should give you a great starting point.
Cotton:
Cotton yarn is lightweight, breathable, and hypoallergenic. You can use it for breathable blankets needed for warmer weather or sensitive skin. It is durable and easy to care for, making it a popular choice for baby blankets and afghans.
If you want to dye the yarn yourself, cotton takes dye beautifully. It’s also another eco-friendly option since the cotton yarn is biodegradable.
Here are some examples of cotton yarn brands:
- Lily Sugar ‘n Cream: This classic cotton yarn is widely available and comes in a variety of solid and variegated colors.
- Bernat Handicrafter Cotton: Another widely available cotton yarn, Bernat Handicrafter is versatile and comes in a range of colors. It’s great for both knitting and crocheting.
- Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton is a worsted-weight cotton yarn that comes in a wide array of modern, trendy colors.
- Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK: Paintbox Yarns offers a range of affordable cotton yarns in various weights and colors. Their Cotton DK yarn is soft and easy to work with.
- Tahki Cotton Classic: Tahki Cotton Classic is a mercerized cotton yarn with a lustrous sheen and vibrant colors.
Blend
Blended yarns combine the best qualities of different fibers. For example, a wool-acrylic blend may offer the softness of wool with the washability of acrylic, making it a versatile option for blankets.
Take, for example, a blend of cotton and acrylic. Cotton lends its softness and breathability, while acrylic adds durability and colorfastness, resulting in a yarn that’s gentle on the skin yet able to withstand the rigors of everyday use.
Or consider a blend of wool and silk. Wool brings its natural warmth and elasticity, while silk imparts a luxurious sheen, creating a yarn that’s both cozy and elegant. This blend is perfect for creating heirloom-quality pieces that will last for generations.
Yarn blends can incorporate a wide range of fibers, from alpaca and mohair to bamboo and linen, each adding its unique characteristics to the final product. Whether you’re looking for softness, strength, texture, or sheen, there’s a blend out there to suit every project and preference.
Here are some examples of yarn blend brands known for their quality and variety:
- Malabrigo Yarn: Malabrigo offers luxurious yarns, including blends like Malabrigo Rios, which combines merino wool with a touch of polyamide for durability.
- Debbie Bliss: Debbie Bliss yarns include blends like Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, a blend of merino wool, microfiber, and cashmere, and Debbie Bliss Cotton DK, a cotton and acrylic blend.
- Plymouth Yarn: Plymouth Yarn offers a variety of blends, including Encore, a wool/acrylic blend suitable for a wide range of projects.
- Lion Brand: Lion Brand offers blends such as Lion Brand Wool-Ease, a wool/acrylic blend.
- Lion Brand Coboo Yarn: Coboo Yarn by Lion brand is a blend of cotton and bamboo viscose.
- Knit Picks Pima: Knit Picks offers numerous yarn blends, including Stroll, a wool/nylon blend, and Comfy, a cotton/acrylic blend.
- Rowan Felted Tweed: Rowan sells high-quality yarns, including blends like Rowan Felted Tweed, which combine merino wool, alpaca, and viscose.
- Noro Silk Garden: Noro yarns often feature unique blends, such as Noro Silk Garden, a blend of silk, mohair, and wool known for its vibrant colorways.
- Sirdar Snuggly Yarns: Sirdar offers blends like Sirdar Snuggly, a range of yarns suitable for baby garments made from blends of acrylic, nylon, and bamboo.
Choosing the Best Yarn for Your Crochet Blanket: Weight
Yarn weight refers to the thickness of the yarn which ranges from lace to super bulky. The weight of the yarn you choose will impact the drape, texture, and warmth of your blanket.
Lace:
Lace weight yarn is very fine and works well for delicate, lacy blankets with intricate stitch patterns. The fine texture of lace-weight yarn results in a beautifully drapey fabric, giving your blanket an elegant look. Its lightweight quality also makes the blanket more manageable to work with, especially during longer crochet sessions, reducing strain on the hands and wrists.
Fingering:
Fingering weight yarn is lightweight and used for airy blanket textures. Despite its delicate appearance, fingering weight yarn provides exceptional warmth, making it perfect for creating cozy blankets without adding bulk or weight. With an abundance of color options available in fingering weight yarn, you can create stunning colorwork designs and gradients in your blankets.
Sport/DK:
Sport and DK (double knitting) weight yarns are slightly heavier than fingering weight and are suitable for a wide range of blanket styles, from lightweight throws to cozy afghans. Additionally, sport and DK weight yarns offer excellent stitch definition, allowing intricate crochet patterns to show. They are easier to handle than bulkier yarns, making them suitable for crocheters of all skill levels. Their medium thickness glides smoothly over the crochet hook, allowing for swift and precise stitching without causing hand fatigue. This means you can enjoy the process of creating your blanket from start to finish, without feeling overwhelmed by bulky or finicky yarns.
Worsted/Aran:
Worsted and Aran weight yarns strike a perfect balance between warmth and weight. They provide ample insulation to keep you snug and comfy during chilly evenings without feeling overly bulky or cumbersome. This makes them a good pick for year-round use. These also showcase intricate crochet stitches well which makes them a nice choice for intricate patterns. Blankets crocheted with Worsted and Aran weight yarns have a substantial feel and luxurious texture that enhances their comfort and appeal.
Bulky/Super Bulky:
Bulky and super bulky weight yarns are thicker and heavier, making them ideal for chunky, cozy blankets. Examples would be jumbo chenille yarn and Bernat Extra Thick Blanket yarn. Their thick, plush texture ensures that you stay cozy and snug even in the coldest of temperatures. One of the best things about this weight is how quickly it works up. This weight also makes them particularly well-suited for those with arthritis or hand fatigue, as the larger yarn size requires less precision and dexterity to handle.
Choosing the Best Yarn for Your Crochet Blanket: Texture
The texture of the yarn you choose will also impact the look and feel of your crochet blanket. Smooth, uniform yarns will produce a more polished, even fabric, while textured or novelty yarns can add visual interest and dimension to your project.
Smooth:
A smooth yarn, such as basic acrylic or wool, are ideal for showcasing intricate stitch patterns and creating a uniform, polished fabric.
Textured:
Textured yarns, such as boucle or chenille, add depth and dimension to your blanket.
Novelty:
Novelty yarns come in a wide range of styles, from fluffy eyelash yarn to sparkly metallic thread. While they can be fun to work with, novelty yarns may be more challenging to crochet with and may obscure intricate stitch patterns. Use caution when considering these for your blanket. TIP: If you are new to crochet or if this is your first blanket, I would avoid the novelty yarns.
Softness:
Softness can be a key factor in your yarn selection. Who wants to cuddle up with a scratchy blanket? NO ONE. What is the softest yarn for a blanket?
Here are some suggestions in various weights and fibers for the softest yarn for a blankeet:
- Lion Brand Yarn Feels Like Butta: This worsted weight yarn feels like chenille minus all the shedding and breakage. It’s extremely soft, making it perfect for a blanket.
- Bernat Velvet: Made of 100% polyester, Bernat Velvet yarn is unbelievably soft and smooth with a luscious feel to it. It’s very easy to work with as it glides effortlessly over the hook. The manufacturer recommends you handwash this yarn. TIP: I do recommend caking this yarn before using it as its smooth nature causes it to unravel easily. You do not want a velvet yarn tangle, TRUST ME.
- MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino: Try this pure wool MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino yarn for a beautiful and ultra-soft project.
- Premier Yarns Parfait Chunky: The Premier Yarns Parfait Chunky is a plush chenille yarn that is extremely popular. It’s incredibly soft and machine washable.
- Loops & Threads Sweet Snuggles: There is no doubt that Loops & Threads Sweet Snuggles is at the top of the list for the softest yarn for a blanket. This jumbo yarn has a luxurious feel to it. You won’t want to stop touching it! It does shed a bit while you’re working with it, but the finished product is well worth the yarn bunnies.
- Bernat Extra Thick Blanket Yarn: Bernat Blanket Extra Thick Yarn is a jumbo-weight polyester. Its large size means your project will work up quickly while still providing soft, squishable comfort.
- Premier Yarns Parfait XL: This jumbo chenille yarn is the mega-sized version of the Parfait Chunky. The Premier Yarns Parfait XL is machine washable, 100% polyester, and super soft. It’s safe for sensitive skin and kids. Its size ensures your crochet blanket will be quick to complete.
It’s up to you to decide which is the softest yarn for a blanket, be it a jumbo chenille yarn, Bernat extra thick blanket yarn, or one of the other options, you’ll find one that’s the best yarn for a crochet blanket.
Choosing the Best Yarn for Your Crochet Blanket: Color
It’s time to consider the color of your yarn and how it will complement your crochet blanket project. The best yarn for a crochet blanket will be one that is not only the right weight and texture, but the perfect color as well.
Solid:
Solid colors are classic and versatile, allowing the texture of the stitches to take center stage. They’re perfect for showcasing intricate stitch patterns or creating a clean, modern look.
Variegated:
Variegated yarns feature multiple colors in a single skein, creating subtle shifts in color throughout your blanket. They’re great for adding depth and visual interest to your project without the need for frequent or complex color changes.
Self-Striping:
Self-striping yarns feature long color repeats that create stripes as you crochet. They’re an easy way to add color and pattern to your blanket without the hassle of changing yarns.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my link, at no cost to you.
Choosing the best yarn for a crochet blanket is an important decision that can greatly impact the look, feel, and durability of your finished project. By considering the fiber content, weight, texture, and color, you can select a yarn that not only meets your aesthetic preferences but also suits the intended use of your blanket. Whether you opt for a soft and cozy wool blend or a vibrant variegated acrylic, the right yarn will help you create a beautiful and cherished blanket to snuggle up with for years to come.
What do you think is the best yarn for a crochet blanket? Is there a specific yarn or yarn type you prefer? Let me know in the comments below!
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