My Blanket Yarn Guide – Best Yarns For Knitting An Amazing Blanket

Knit blankets take hours to create. It’s a considerable investment in time and money. You need good quality yarn. Otherwise, it won’t last. Here’s a review of the best yarn for knitting a blanket.

My Quick Recommendations

• My Top Pick – Bernat Blanket
• Best Luxury Option – Touch of Alpaca
• Best Budget Pick – Red Heart Love

Need more yarn recommendations? Forget doing a search and read the list for all the details. The aim of my reviews save you time.

I reviewed, fact checked and updated this post on March 30, 2023.

Table Of Contents

• Bernat Blanket
• Lily Sugar’ N Cream Original Ombre
• Red Heart Love
• Caron One Pound
• Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
• Bernat Blanket Big Ball
• Touch of Alpaca
• Comfy Cotton Blend
• What To Look For In The Best Yarn For Blankets
• FAQS

1 Bernat Blanket Yarn

Soft and luxurious, this is excellent for afghans. It comes in 52 different colors. The fuzziness of Bernat baby blanket yarn creates a beautiful texture.

How Does It Compare?

• Care Instructions – Machine wash cycle on gentle and tumble dry
• Made Of – 100% Polyester
• Yardage – 220yd (201m)
• Weight – Super Bulky
• Skein Weight – 10.5 oz (300g)
• Gauge – 4” x 4” (10 cm x 10 cm) 8 stitches x 13 rows
• Suggested needle – 8mm

Product Design: The softness and cuddliness of these blanket yarns are perfect. It creates a thick fabric and knits up fast.

Product Evolution: It was first available in a range of solid colors. It now boasts 52 different colors, including variegated shades.

What Is Bernat Blanket Yarn? A super bulky 100% polyester yarn.

Can You Wash Bernat Blanket Yarn and How To Wash Bernat Blanket Yarn?

Yes, machine wash it on a gentle cycle.

What Ply Is Bernat Blanket Yarn? 14 Ply.

Who Sells Bernat Blanket Yarn and Where To Buy Bernat Blanket Yarn?

Many online retailers sell and stock these products. LoveCrafts, Yarnspirations, Amazon, and craft supply stores on Etsy take orders.

How To Join Bernat Blanket Yarn?

It’s not plied, so it doesn’t split. Tie a knot close to the stitch and leave ends to weave in. Joining in a new color by introducing it at the beginning of a row. Weave in the ends of the previous and new color.

Pros

• This chenille yarn knits up fast
• Produces a thick fabric
• These are soft and cozy
• Consistent strand thickness
• Easy maintenance

Cons

• Expensive
• Some customers found it had static electricity
• The chenille texture makes it challenging to knit or crochet with because it has more grab. Use a tool with a smooth surface.
• Some customers found a few knots

Look here for the best self-striping sock yarn.

2 Lily Sugar’ N Cream Original Ombre

A plant-based fiber, 100% USA-grown cotton. A versatile worsted weight in various colors, perfect for kitchen and home décor! 

How Does It Compare?

• Care Instructions – Put in the machine washer and dry
• Yardage – 95 yds (86 m)
• Weight – #4 – Med Worsted 
• Skein Weight – 2.5 oz (56.7 g)
• Gauge – 4×4″ – 20 sts and 26 rows with a 4.5 mm (US 7) knitting needle
• Suggested Needle – US 7

Pros

• This choice comes in cones and skeins
• Inside the 2.5oz ball label, there’s a crochet pattern in two different languages and the care instructions.
• Doesn’t get fuzzy
• Soft and squishy
• Soft

Cons

• Colors may run, so if you experience this, one way to fix it is to set in vinegar diluted in cold water
• If you prefer wooden needles, you might find these catch the yarn.
• Splitting can occur
• Not a lot of stretch
• Occasionally it has ends tied together. It breaks if you pull too hard.

3 Red Heart Love

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Red Heart’s premium version. Softer than their Red Heart Super Saver.

How Does It Compare?

• Care Instructions – In the washing machine
• Made Of – 100% Acrylic
• Yardage – 366 meters
• Weight – #4 Worsted weight
• Skein Weight – 7oz solids (198g) 5oz multi
• Gauge – 16s x 22r = 4″ (10cm)
• Suggested Needle/Hook – US 9 (5.5mm) K/10.5 (6.5mm)

Product Evolution: Red Heart created a premium version because of the popularity of their Red Heart Super Saver.

Pros

• Made in the USA
• These options are commonly found in craft stores
• These wools are affordable
• Consistent quality
• These things are soft and cuddly
• They don’t have a dye lot, so the color is consistent
• Glides over the needle/hook
• Great stitch definition with any pattern
• Good for beginners

Cons

• Some customers found knots
• Users found it split

4 Caron One Pound

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An economical worsted weight with a soft feel and a large skein.

How Does It Compare?

• Care Instructions – Machine washable and dryable
• Made Of – 100% Acrylic
• Yardage – contains 826 yds (Solids); 618 yds (Ombre)
• Weight – #4 Worsted, although a tad thicker than most
• Skein Weight – 16oz (1 pound hence the name) (453.6g)
• Gauge – Knitting Gauge: 4×4″ – 16 sts and 20 rows with a 5 mm (US 8) knitting needle
• Suggested needle – 5 mm (US 8)

Pros

• No dye lot
• Sturdy fabric
• Make anything from mittens for the family to scarves
• Softens after each wash
• Comes in 43 different colors

Cons

• Many knitters comment it’s thicker than most, so do a swatch to check your gauge. You may have to go down a needle size.

5 Wool-Ease Thick & Quick

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This Lion Brand Yarn has been around for years. Knitters love it as it’s soft, chunky, and a blend of wool and acrylic. Wool blend yarns make an excellent crochet blanket too.

How Does It Compare?

• Care Instructions – Machine wash and dry
• Made Of – 80% Wool 20% Acrylic
• Yardage – 106 Solids (87 in prints/stripes, 92 in metallic)
• Weight – #6 Super Bulky Yarn
• Skein Weight – 6oz Solids(5oz in prints, stripes, and metallic) In Grams – 170g Solids (140g in prints, stripes, and metallic)
• Gauge (4in x 4in) 9 sts x 12 rows
• Suggested Needle – US 13 (9mm)

Product Evolution: In 2020, Lion Brand gave it a new look by creating a new label.

Pros

• Warmth and soft
• Easy-care
• A lovely alternative to pure wool blankets
• Long-lasting
• Creates a dense fabric
• Excellent price point
• This wool blend yarn isn’t too slippery
• A workhorse

Cons

• Splits

6 Bernat Blanket Extra Big Ball

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The thick chenille texture of this bulky polyester yarn creates warmth and coziness. The colorways are in dye lots, so you purchase the amount you need right away.

How Does It Compare?

• Care Instructions – Machine washable and dryable
• Made Of – 100% Jumbo polyester
• Yardage – 97yds (87m)
• Weight – #7 Jumbo
• Skein Weight – 10.5oz (300g)
• Gauge – 4×4″ – 4 stiches crochet
• Suggested Needle – US 17 (12.75mm)

Product Evolution: The thickness suits crafters wanting to complete blanket pattern projects quickly. A soft yarn that makes excellent baby blanket yarn.

Pros

• Consistent thickness throughout the skein
• 10 colorways
• Soft and cuddly
• Glides over the needle
• No splitting

Cons

• The texture means there is a loss of stitch definition
• Harder to pull out
• Doesn’t have much stretch

7 Touch of Alpaca

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As the yarn name suggests, this is a blend with a touch of alpaca. Excellent for people with sensitivities to wool. The alpaca provides softness.

How Does It Compare?

• Care Instructions – Machine washable and dry flat
• Made Of – 90% acrylic 10% alpaca wool
• Yardage – 207yds (107m)
• Weight – #4 medium
• Skein Weight – 3.5 oz (100g)
• Gauge – (4in x 4in) 19 sts x 26 r on
• Suggested Needle/Hook – US7 (4.5 mm)

Product Design: A hypoallergenic medium weight yarn designed for people wanting the feel of wool but not the irritation they experience on their skin. Good for knit and crochet patterns.

Pros

• Neutral and jeweled tones colorways
• Soft texture and woolen
• Lovely drape
• Excellent stitch definition

Cons

• Some users found it splits easily
• Tends to ‘molt’

8 Comfy Cotton Blend

Lightweight and perfect for Spring and Summer knits. Think t-shirts, tank tops, shawls, and cardigans. It’s easy to care for and great for baby blankets.

How Does It Compare?

• Care Instructions – Machine washable and dryable
• Made Of – 50% cotton 50% Polyester
• Yardage – 392yds (358m)
• Weight – #3 Lightweight
• Skein Weight – 7 oz (200g)
• Gauge – 4×4″ 20 stitches x 20 rows on US7 (4.5mm)
• Suggested Needle/Hook – US7 (4.5mm)

Pros

• A pleasing variety of colors
• Knitting any project made easy
• This yarn for blankets is soft
• This company makes yarn with lovely drape
• This thing has excellent value
• Breathable and lightweight

Cons

• The cake may pill
• Limited solid colors
• Prone to splitting
• If making tassels, the plied strands may unravel after washing
• Knots may be in the skein
• You need an account to purchase it

Recommended Blanket Yarns Comparison Chart

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What To Look For In The Best Yarn For Blanket Knitting

Here are key decision-making factors and tips to consider for the best yarns for blankets.

What Care Does It Need?

Handwashing big projects isn’t fun. Machine washed and in the dryer is great as it makes life easier!

What’s It Made Of?

There is a range of fibers. For example, acrylic is terrific for people who are sensitive to wool. Acrylic is also more affordable. If you are knitting a baby blanket, it needs to be super soft.

Many animal fiber yarns and even blended fibers pill over time, meaning they have little fuzzy balls on the surface. This isn’t a good look. Hot temperatures shrink animal fibers, and the agitation felts your blanket. They’re also more expensive.

Cotton blankets are great for the warmer weather. However, they’re heavy to knit and taxing on your hands. However, it’s still an option. Yarn for arm knitting is great. They usually comprise wool or synthetic fibers.

How Much Yardage?

Oversized blankets require more yardage. Be ready for many balls of yarn. If you buy a lot, I’d recommend winding it first for ease of use!

What Weight Is Best?

Chunkier weights knit up quickly. For bulky yarn, you need big needles! The yarn weights to suit blankets are: #5 Bulky, #6 Super Bulky, #7 Jumbo, or use #4 held double for a thicker texture.

What’s Your Budget?

How much are you willing to spend? Is it for yourself or a gift? Bernat Blanket Yarn is the best for its affordability, softness, and easy care. For making a blanket that’s huge (but expensive), use arm knitting yarn.

FAQS About Blanket Yarn

What Is The Best Yarn To Use When Making A Blanket?

For warmer blankets, use woolen spun or lofty yarns. The fibers trap air better, so the blanket holds more heat.

What Are The Best Yarns For Knitted Blankets?

Blankets made with wool or a wool blend are ideal for people in cool climates. Acrylic yarn is a great alternative.

How Much Chunky Yarn Do You Need For A Blanket?

This varies on the type you choose to knit your blanket.

How To Wash A Yarn Blanket?

Machine wash on low temperatures and gentle cycle.

What Is The Best Natural Fiber & Color For A Blanket?

Cotton or Cotton blends like a Cotton/Bamboo. Silk is too expensive and slippery, and hemp is too scratchy on it’s own. A hemp/cotton blend is a good option.

Color that doesn’t show stains and wear and tear is a good for blankets. Something darker like green or blue. This of course is dependent on preference.

What Is The Best Yarn For A Summer Blanket?

A lightweight cotton yarn or acrylic.

What To Knit With Blanket Yarns?

Knit hats, shawls, cowls, garments, and home décor items. If you have leftover yarn from crocheting a blanket, make the above too!

What Weight Of Yarn Is Best For Blankets?

Want to knit something quickly? Choose super bulky weight yarn or chunky blanket yarn.

What Type Of Yarn Is Best For Blankets?

The best type of yarn keeps you warm and is machine washable. I recommend Bernat Blanket yarn for chunky blankets and Caron One Pound to show stitch definition.

Is Cotton Or Acrylic Better For A Baby Blanket?

Both are machine washable and easy to maintain. Still, cotton is natural and softer, and acrylic is human made.

What Products Are Softest For Blankets?

A chenille product made from polyester is the softest.

How Thick Should Yarn Be For Blankets?

Choose from #4 Worsted and above.

What Is The Best Lightweight Yarn For Blankets?

Lightweight yarns like DK are suitable if you don’t mind taking longer to knit them. My recommendation is Lion Brand Mandala. You’d want to avoid mohair, angora and cashmere, as they are costly.

Are Loop Yarns Any Good?

These types are popular for a collection of chunky no knit or crochet blanket patterns. Many brands offer these fiber supplies. They are continuous loops on a strand and you use your fingers to thread the loops. It’s fun and quick.

Conclusion

Perfect for making and comes in a range of different fibers. Knit hats, shawls, cowls, garments, and home decor items. The best type is something keeping you warm and is machine washable.

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