If you're thinking of knitting or crocheting a blanket, you need some blanket yarn! But what to buy? There are lots of different options in a wide range of styles and weights, so whatever your need there's a perfect yarn out there for your project.
In this guide we'll help you choose a blanket yarn, and also offer advice on how much yarn you might need, what pattern to choose, and how to look after your finished make. Read on for all you need to know about blanket yarn…
Here's what you'll find in our guide to blanket yarn:
How to choose the right blanket yarn
One of the first things to think about when choosing a blanket yarn is weight. Do you want a lighter-weight blanket for summer evenings, or something super-cosy for winter? Take a look at our yarn weight conversion chart for a guide to the different yarn weights available.
The next thing to consider is the fibre. While you might want to splash out on a natural blend, remember that baby knits and blankets for the whole family (including pets!) need to be easy to care for and machine washable. Roving yarns may be beautifully soft, but they can pill easily, so keep them for luxury blankets and use man-made fibres for the everyday ones.
There are some fabulous yarns out there created especially for blankets, so don't limit your search to your go-to yarns for other projects. Look out for self-striping blanket yarns, super-sized ones, cosy chenilles or flannels, and fun and funky textures.
Free Bernat Blanket Patchwork yarn pattern
Blanket yarns can be used for so many projects! To celebrate the release of Bernat Blanket Patchwork yarn, we've teamed up with Readicut to bring you an exclusive free pattern download!
This fun free cosy knit pullover pattern really shows off the variety of solid stripes that can be made with this exciting new yarn, and the pattern includes sizes from XS to 5XL! You can't get cosier than a super-bulky jumper!
This gorgeous jumper is made using Bernat Blanket Patchwork yarn – order it now from Readicut!
The best blanket yarns
Take your pick from our round-up of the best blanket yarns. We've chosen a broad mix of fibres, weights and styles, so there's something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a baby blanket yarn, something for pet beds, or a special blanket for you, there's something in this list to suit.
1. Bernat Blanket Patchwork yarn
Available from Readicut (£12.99)
Bernat are famous for their Blanket range, which features yarns for every kind of blanket, throw, comforter and afghan you can think of.
The Bernat Blanket Patchwork is a fabulous new yarn that features their best-selling super-bulky chenille yarn, but with a brand new dye effect that adds stripes of varying lengths throughout your project, making it look perfectly imperfect.
It's a super-soft 100% Polyester yarn that is incredibly lightweight and comes in 300g balls/201m balls – perfect for big blankets.
- Buy Bernat Blanket Patchwork yarn from Readicut (£12.99)
2. James C Brett Flutterby
SQUIRREL_TEXT_13326482
You can't beat chenille yarns for cosy baby blankets. James C Brett's Flutterby Chunky comes in a variety of solid and variegated shades, is ideal for quick gifts, and is one of the more affordable chunky yarn options.
SQUIRREL_13326482
3. Bernat Blanket
Available from Wool Warehouse (£11.99)
Bernat Blanket is a true classic. It has everything you need in a blanket yarn: super-bulky weight for quick makes; big 300g balls for good value; easy care qualities; gorgeous chenille-style texture; and loads of shades to choose from.
- Buy Bernat Blanket yarn from Wool Warehouse (£11.99)
4. Lion Brand Yarn AR Workshop Chunky Knit Yarn
SQUIRREL_TEXT_13326505
Blanket making made easy! This super-soft chenille jumbo yarn is great for making huge stitches, so while 26m/28yds on a 226g ball doesn't seem like a lot it'll definitely go a long way. It can be machine washed and dried for easy cleaning.
SQUIRREL_13326505
5. Bernat Baby Blanket
Available from Wool Warehouse (£4.29)
Snuggle them up in an amazingly soft chenille-style blanket with this super-bulky yarn. It knits up in a flash and is easy to care for too – just pop it in the washing machine and tumble dryer!
- Buy Bernat Baby Blanket yarn from Wool Warehouse (£4.29)
6. Wool Couture Epic Extreme
SQUIRREL_TEXT_13080552
Make a statement with this super-sized yarn from Wool Couture. It's great for arm knitting, or you can buy some giant needles to go with it. Whatever you choose, your blanket is sure to be a head-turner!
SQUIRREL_13080552
7. Bernat Blanket Extra
Available from Wool Warehouse (£11.99)
This jumbo weight version of Bernat Blanket is a hit for super-squishy lap blankets and more. Like the original it has an irresistible chenille-style texture and is machine washable and dryable.
- Buy Bernat Blanket Extra yarn from Wool Warehouse (£11.99)
8. We Are Knitters The Wool
The Wool is We Are Knitters' most popular yarn, and for good reason! This social media favourite works up quickly on 15mm needles and hooks to make super-soft and luxurious 100% wool blankets.
- Buy The Wool from We Are Knitters.
Pick a pattern
Our round-up of the best modern crochet blanket patterns will inspire you with ways to use your blanket yarn!
9. Stylecraft Special DK
This bestselling acrylic yarn is a must-have for blankets, as it's soft to work with, easy to care for and comes in a huge range of co-ordinating shades – so you can pick your perfect colour palette.
- Buy Stylecraft Special DK from The Knitting Network.
10. Bernat Blanket Brights
Available from Wool Warehouse (£11.99)
Go bright with the vibrant colours in this super-bulky yarn range. There are eye-catching solids and variegated shades to complement even the boldest of homes!
- Buy Bernat Blanket Brights yarn from Wool Warehouse (£11.99)
11. Novita Hygge Wool
Create Scandi-style cosiness at home with this super-chunky single-ply yarn from Novita. Choose a simple textured pattern for your blanket, such as moss stitch, and let the yarn shine!
- Buy Novita Hygge Wool from WoolBox
12. Scheepjes Stone Washed
If it's a lightweight summer cotton blanket you're after, look no further than Scheepjes Stone Washed 4ply. Make the most of the beautiful colour palette with intricate crochet squares, mandalas and more.
- Buy Scheepjes Stone Washed from The Knitting Network
13. Bernat Blanket Ombre
Available from Readicut (£11.99)
Colour fades are huge right now, so get in on the trend with this eye-catching Ombre blanket yarn. The yarn gently transitions from one colour to the next, producing a beautiful gradient effect.
- Buy Bernat Blanket Yarn from Readicut (£11.99)
14. Caron Cakes
Available from Wool Warehouse (£9.99)
With this popular wool/acrylic blend yarn, you'll be able to make a stunning blanket. Each ball of Caron Cakes features five bright, self-striping colours for maximum impact and minimum effort.
- Buy Caron Cakes from Wool Warehouse (£9.99)
15. Sirdar Cotton DK
SQUIRREL_TEXT_13326579
Cotton is a great choice for all-seasons blankets, and we're big fans of Sirdar Cotton DK. Its weight makes it ideal for a wide range of patterns, and it comes in a gorgeous collection of solid colours.
SQUIRREL_13326579
Say hello to hexagons
If you want to mix up your shapes, try our free colourful crochet hexagon blanket pattern.
How much yarn do I need for a blanket?
If you're following a pattern, the materials and tools section will tell you how much of each yarn you need.
What if you don't have a pattern? You can still figure out how much yarn you need for a blanket. First check your yarn's tension, which is printed on the ball band. This tells you how many stitches and rows will create a piece of fabric 10 x 10cm square, using the needle or hook size and stitch given.
If you'll be using the stitch on the ball band, check your tension to make sure it matches, going up or down a needle/hook size if necessary (see our guides on knitting tension squares and how to perfect your crochet tension to find out how). When you have a perfect match, make a swatch that measures 10 x 10cm square. Now measure the weight of the yarn you used.
You can then estimate how much yarn you'll need for a whole blanket. Say you want your blanket to be 100cm x 100cm square, you'll need 10 times the amount of yarn you used for your swatch. If your swatch used 30g of yarn, you'll need 300g in total.
If you'll be using a different stitch to the one on the ball band, you can use the same technique but the stitch pattern will affect the final tension. You may need to use trial and error, making swatches using different size needles, to get the result you want. You can then measure the amount of yarn in a 10 x 10cm square and calculate the full amount as before.
If you plan to make blanket squares rather than working your blanket in one piece, you could create a single square, wash and block it, and use its measurements to calculate how many squares you'll need overall. Make sure you allow extra for the edging and any joining stitches too.
However much yarn you need, we'd recommend buying an extra ball just in case. Even if your calculations are spot-on and it isn't required, it's always useful to have some spare for sewing up and repairs.
Little layers
If you want to try out some blanket yarn before taking on an epic project, keep things small scale with the best crochet baby blanket patterns.
10 free blanket patterns to knit and crochet
Have a look at our top knit and crochet patterns for how to make a yarn blanket below.
1. Free checked stocking stitch blanket pattern
This chequerboard blanket and matching cushion are super-simple to work in stocking stitch. Just make your squares then sew them together! It's the perfect project for a beginner knitter.
- Find out how to knit a blanket with Gathered
2. Free cosy colourburst crochet corner to corner blanket
Put your stripes on a slant with this super-snuggly C2C blanket from Bernat. The corner 2 corner crochet technique is fun to learn and only requires UK treble crochet (US double crochet) stitches.
Make this comfy blanket pattern using Bernat Blanket Patchwork yarn from Readicut.
3. Free modern baby blanket pattern
This cute pram blanket uses the intarsia knitting technique to create its bold text. One for intermediate knitters (or adventurous beginners!), it would make a fab gift for new parents.
- Find the free baby blanket knitting pattern on Gathered
4. Free Shifting Stripes Garter Knit Blanket
Why stick to plain stripes when you can make them so much more interesting with the help of Bernat's Blanket Patchwork yarn! This fabulous shifting stripes blanket is an idea pattern for knitting beginners and features seamed panels travelling in two different directions.
- Check out the Free Shifting Stripes Garter Knit Blanket Pattern from Readicut
5. Free colourblock baby blanket knitting pattern
Colourwork fans will have a ball making this knitted blanket, with its intarsia blocks and subtle stripes. What shades will you choose? Match it to baby's nursery – or make it as a lap blanket for you!
Get the free Free colourblock baby blanket knitting pattern on Gathered
6. Free crochet chevron panels blanket pattern
If you want your blanket to have a cool graphic effect but without getting too complicated, then this chevron panels blanket pattern by Bernat is just the ticket! Chevrons are easy once you get the hang of them, and when used with the Bernat Blanket Patchwork yarn create a unique and geometrical design that is choc full of colour!
- Get the free crochet chevron panels blanket pattern from Readicut
7. Free granny square baby blanket crochet pattern
You can't go wrong with granny squares, and we love, love, love this colourful crochet design! If you're new to the craft it's a brilliant starting point – grab your hook and some yarn, and let's go…
- Head to the free granny square baby blanket crochet pattern on Gathered
8. Patchwork perfection chevron crochet blanket pattern
If you liked the earlier crochet chevron blanket but fancy using even more colours in a super eye-catching design, then this patchwork perfection blanket might just be what you've been looking for.
It uses two different shades of the Bernat Blanket Patchwork yarns and stitches worked into the back loop only, producing a vibrant blanket with an oh-so-touchable texture.
- Download your patchwork perfection chevron crochet blanket pattern from Readicut
9. Free striped baby blanket crochet pattern
Snuggly shell stitch makes this sweet crochet blanket so cosy for baby, and the stripes add a touch of colour. A simple stitch pattern makes it a great choice for beginners.
- Start your free striped baby blanket crochet pattern today
10. Free scrappy colours crochet basket pattern
Ok, so our final pattern isn't a blanket, but we wanted to show you some more of the fun effects that can be achieved with the Bernat Blanket Patchwork yarn. This handy scrappy basket uses two strands worked together to create a sturdy and rigid fabric, but it's those wonderful colour combo's that really caught our attention.
- Get the free scrappy colours crochet basket pattern from Readicut
How do you wash a yarn blanket?
If you've ever put something in the wash only to have it come out three sizes smaller or a different colour, you'll know how important it is to look after your creations correctly.
So how to wash a yarn blanket? It depends on the yarn you've used. An alpaca and cashmere blanket will need different care to a 100% acrylic one. To clean your blanket properly, follow the washing instructions given on the yarn's ball band. If you've thrown it out, have a look on the company's website to see if they're listed there.
On the ball band you should see washing symbols, which tell you whether the yarn can be machine washed, tumble dried, dry cleaned and hand washed. If you're in any doubt about the fibres your yarn contains, or whether it's suitable for machine washing, use gentle hand washing only – just in case!
When your blanket comes out of the wash, dry it flat so that it doesn't stretch or distort. Big blankets in particular can be heavy when they're wet! If you have a laundry airer that lies flat over a bath, this is a great option. Or place the blanket on some towels on the floor.
To keep your blanket looking its best you may also want to block it. This smooths out the finished fabric to reduce curling and make the stitches look more even. Find out how it's done in our guides on how to block knitting projects and how to block your crochet using a blocking board.
Brilliant blankets
Take a look at our pick of the best blanket knitting patterns for even more choices!
Find your perfect blanket yarn
There are lots of different types of blanket yarn out there, and we hope our list has inspired you to try a few! Whether you're crafting for yourself, the kids or your pets, there's a yarn that's perfect for every project. Think about the yarn weight, fibre content, colour and washability to find the right one for you.
Blanket yarn for babies
When you're making a blanket for a new arrival, you need a yarn that's dribble-proof, machine washable, and (of course) super snuggly! We can help you discover your new favourite baby yarn with Gathered's guide to the best yarn for baby blankets.
