What type of yarn is best for blankets?

The type of yarn you should choose for your blanket depends on what specific properties you would like your blanket to contain, as well as what specific pattern you plan to use for the blanket. All the different types of yarn that exist vary a great deal in regards to what properties they contain. So before you choose a yarn for your blanket, it is important to give some thought to how you want the finished blanket to be.

Below, you can read about all the different types of blankets you can make, as well as which yarn types are the most suitable for the different blankets. It is also important to note that your pattern also plays a role, so even though the yarn types presented below are divided into three categories, you can easily make a thick blanket with e.g. cotton yarn, if your pattern allows it.

Soft Sleeping Blankets

If you want to knit/crochet a nice and soft blanket that is perfect for snuggling up on the sofa, you will find a number of different yarn types that are ideal for these types of blankets. Some of these yarn types include:

Cotton yarn

Cotton yarn is a super versatile type of yarn that you can use for many different crochet and knitting projects. Cotton yarn is extremely soft, which makes it feel great against the skin and makes cotton yarn perfect for a soft sleeping blanket.

Cotton yarn also has the advantage of being relatively cheap, and you can also get it in a sea of different colours, so you have the opportunity to create some nice, colourful designs for your blankets.

Cotton Yarn

Up to 89%

Bamboo yarn

If you want to make a blanket with sustainable yarn, then you should definitely consider bamboo yarn. Bamboo yarn is made with the fibres from the bamboo plant, which makes the yarn much more sustainable than so many other types of yarn.

However, there may be some disadvantages to knitting or crocheting exclusively with bamboo yarn. You can therefore also consider using a bamboo yarn that is mixed with e.g. acrylic or cotton yarn.

Bamboo Yarn

Up to 46%

Acrylic yarn

The acrylic yarn has a range of good yarn qualities, which makes it a very popular choice among knitters and crocheters. It is artificially made, which is something not all people are into. However, this makes the yarn able to maintain its colour well, while also being strong and durable.

Acrylic Yarn

Up to 59%

Warm and thick blankets

If you want to knit or crochet a blanket that is really thick and warm, then you should probably steer clear of the yarn types mentioned above and aim to use the following lovely yarn types instead:

Wool yarn

The wool yarn has the great advantage of being temperature-regulating. This means that your wool blanket will ensure that you do not get too cold or too hot, as the yarn lets your skin breathe. In addition, wool is extremely moisture-absorbing without becoming wet. So should you start to sweat underneath the blanket, you will never feel damp.

You can get wool yarn in many different qualities, so whether you want a thick, strong blanket or a softer wool blanket, you will definitely be able to find the right wool yarn for you.

Wool yarn

Up to 60%

Alpaca yarn

Alpaca yarn is a bit like wool yarn, but it is generally more durable and also lighter than wool. Alpaca wool feels extremely soft on the skin, which also makes it perfect for making a nice, warm blanket.

However, alpaca yarn does tend to lose its shape over time. This may not be too important for when you are making a blanket, but if you want to avoid this, then you can go for alpaca yarn that has been mixed with wool, as this will help the yarn keep its shape.

Alpaca Yarn - Lama - Wool Yarn

Up to 28%

Rugs

If you would like to make a new rug, you should go for yarn that is very strong and durable, as it needs to withstand a lot of wear and tear. You should therefore go for a yarn type such as:

Fabric yarn

Fabric yarn can be really fun to work with. It is often relatively thick compared to many other types of yarn, so whatever you are knitting/crocheting will end up quite thick. Fabric yarn is therefore perfect to use for making rugs.

You can also choose to purchase a rubber mat for your yarn rugs. This way you avoid the rug slipping on the floor.

T-Shirt Yarn