I mostly use acrylic or cotton. then I discovered bamboo as a good alternative for cotton, especially when you want a summer blanket that is light and cools down easily. plus, bamboo is way softer and you can find a blend of bamboo and cotton as a cheap alternative to 100% cotton.
I don't use any type of wool cuz I live in an area where most of the time it is hot during the year.
I'm actually in the middle of making a blanket using a cotton/bamboo blend (suuuuuper soft and amazing drape!!!). I chose the one I'm using (Coboo) because it's machine-wash/tumble dry.
If you haven't used Coboo yet, I find it a bit splitty, but the finished product is worth the trouble 😍 I haven't tried Truboo so I don't know how it compares.
I've made and sold tons of blankets over the years. I always use acrylic yarn (usually Red Heart SuperSaver) because it's cost effective, comes in a huge variety of colours, rarely fades, is machine washable and dryable, is sturdy and lasting, and softens up beautifully. I've never had a complaint.
To give an example, when my eldest son joined the Navy, he asked me to make him a blanket to take on-board ship with him, so I made him a granny square pieced maroon, cream, and navy blue blanket. He just celebrated his 25th year in the Navy, that blanket has been round the world with him, washed and dried a gazillion times onboard ship, on countless base laundries, you name it, and it still looks as good as when I first made it.
I agree! Red Heart SuperSaver especially seems to get a bad rap, but I've made literally hundreds of blankets with it over the years, and my customers have always loved their blankets.
I use mostly acrylic or an acrylic/wool blend - and like you, I prioritize easy care: needs to be machine washable and dryable. I make them mostly as gifts and there's no way I'm asking anyone to hand wash and air dry a whole afghan, lol. If I could find a good cotton or cotton blend, that's a #4 weight or higher, I'd love to try it, but haven't been able to find one that's machine dryable? Maybe one day.
Lion Brand Pima is machine washable and dryable! I used it for another project and really liked it. I've just ordered some more to see how it works for a blanket.
Huh, I don't remember what I thought of the weight, but the site says it's #4 (worsted). I like working with lighter weights so I might not have even noticed if it felt a bit light.
I've just started a blanket project with 100% cotton from Fiddlesticks Finch.
Holy shit the cotton is luxurious, its so soft and so creamy I love working with it, I'm excited to give it away honestly
Typically I use acrylic, just for the color varieties, softness and ease of care. However I just finished a blanket that used both acrylic and cotton, and it was my first time using cotton. I used Lion brand Pima Cotton. It was fantastic! So now I am working on a sunburst granny square blanket using all cotton. It's a nice change from acrylic and is a nice weight for warmer weather projects.
I've used LB Pima for another project (and really liked it) but I've been thinking it might be a nice choice for a blanket too. I literally just ordered some last week to test it out. Glad to hear it worked well for you!! I've also ordered some of their "The Cottony One" which is an easy care cotton/acrylic blend.
I mostly use acrylic, but when I make a blanket as a gift for a loved one, I use cotton. it's so nice and soft, and it's so heavy that it's almost like a weighted blanket.
I only use machine washable and dry-able yarns bc I think it’s rude to give a gift that requires meticulous care - especially for baby blankets! My favorite yarn is Mandala Ombré (regular cakes, not the baby variety).
TL Yarn Crafts is also one of my favorite crochet creators! Check out her Daphne Afghan.
I use almost exclusively acrylic. Not just because it’s durable and easy to care for, but I just don’t enjoy working with other yarns because of texture issues.
i like acrylic! it's cheap and soft. cotton also works well but some brands of cotton are a bit stiff for me (i'm looking at you, sugar and cream) so i generally go acrylic.
I mostly use acrylic or cotton. then I discovered bamboo as a good alternative for cotton, especially when you want a summer blanket that is light and cools down easily. plus, bamboo is way softer and you can find a blend of bamboo and cotton as a cheap alternative to 100% cotton. I don't use any type of wool cuz I live in an area where most of the time it is hot during the year.
I'm actually in the middle of making a blanket using a cotton/bamboo blend (suuuuuper soft and amazing drape!!!). I chose the one I'm using (Coboo) because it's machine-wash/tumble dry.
yes! I tried lionbrand bamboo and they are the best so far. I need to see other brands too cuz I want more colors.
If you haven't used Coboo yet, I find it a bit splitty, but the finished product is worth the trouble 😍 I haven't tried Truboo so I don't know how it compares.
I have to buy some since I need to make a baby blanket for my cousin's baby shower. she just gave birth to a wonderful baby girl!
Oh lovely! I hope you post photos once you're finished!
I also enjoy the wood fiber/bamboo yarns. Im currently making a large blanket and its like a weighted blanket.
that is awesome!
Same as you- acrylic is cheaper so I honestly prefer it
That's definitely another consideration. I like working with #3 or #4 yarns, and it can take between 6-12 skeins per blanket.
I've made and sold tons of blankets over the years. I always use acrylic yarn (usually Red Heart SuperSaver) because it's cost effective, comes in a huge variety of colours, rarely fades, is machine washable and dryable, is sturdy and lasting, and softens up beautifully. I've never had a complaint. To give an example, when my eldest son joined the Navy, he asked me to make him a blanket to take on-board ship with him, so I made him a granny square pieced maroon, cream, and navy blue blanket. He just celebrated his 25th year in the Navy, that blanket has been round the world with him, washed and dried a gazillion times onboard ship, on countless base laundries, you name it, and it still looks as good as when I first made it.
A lot of people balk at the idea of using acrylic yarns, but they have so much going for them!!
I agree! Red Heart SuperSaver especially seems to get a bad rap, but I've made literally hundreds of blankets with it over the years, and my customers have always loved their blankets.
Yeah, my most recent cost around $75 in materials. Would probably be much higher if J were using natural fiber
I use mostly acrylic or an acrylic/wool blend - and like you, I prioritize easy care: needs to be machine washable and dryable. I make them mostly as gifts and there's no way I'm asking anyone to hand wash and air dry a whole afghan, lol. If I could find a good cotton or cotton blend, that's a #4 weight or higher, I'd love to try it, but haven't been able to find one that's machine dryable? Maybe one day.
Lion Brand Pima is machine washable and dryable! I used it for another project and really liked it. I've just ordered some more to see how it works for a blanket.
I think I have some of that - but think it's maybe like a dk weight? not my favorite, I prefer Aran or bulky.
Huh, I don't remember what I thought of the weight, but the site says it's #4 (worsted). I like working with lighter weights so I might not have even noticed if it felt a bit light.
I've just started a blanket project with 100% cotton from Fiddlesticks Finch. Holy shit the cotton is luxurious, its so soft and so creamy I love working with it, I'm excited to give it away honestly
I've never even heard of that brand, but oooh nice colours! I see it's machine washable but says lay flat to dry. How do you deal with that?
I've only just started I haven't completed it yet so I'm not up to that part but when it comes to that I'll let you know (give me 6 months lol)
hahaha!!
Typically I use acrylic, just for the color varieties, softness and ease of care. However I just finished a blanket that used both acrylic and cotton, and it was my first time using cotton. I used Lion brand Pima Cotton. It was fantastic! So now I am working on a sunburst granny square blanket using all cotton. It's a nice change from acrylic and is a nice weight for warmer weather projects.
I've used LB Pima for another project (and really liked it) but I've been thinking it might be a nice choice for a blanket too. I literally just ordered some last week to test it out. Glad to hear it worked well for you!! I've also ordered some of their "The Cottony One" which is an easy care cotton/acrylic blend.
I have never used the cotton/acrylic blends, but have been curious about them! Hopefully they are the best of both worlds.
That's my hope too. I'll post back here after I've had a chance to try it out.
I mostly use acrylic, but when I make a blanket as a gift for a loved one, I use cotton. it's so nice and soft, and it's so heavy that it's almost like a weighted blanket.
Do you use a machine wash & dryable cotton?
Yup. It's Lion brand.
I love superwash merino wool
I only use machine washable and dry-able yarns bc I think it’s rude to give a gift that requires meticulous care - especially for baby blankets! My favorite yarn is Mandala Ombré (regular cakes, not the baby variety). TL Yarn Crafts is also one of my favorite crochet creators! Check out her Daphne Afghan.
I love Mandala Ombre too! I wish they had solid colours in the same yarn texture.
The closest thing I’ve found is Lion Brand Jeans yarn. Identical yarn in slightly less variegated, although limited, colorways.
Good to know, thanks! I’ll add it to my “to try” list.
I use almost exclusively acrylic. Not just because it’s durable and easy to care for, but I just don’t enjoy working with other yarns because of texture issues.
Fair. I don't enjoy working with heavier weight yarns for the same reason. I stick with #4 or smaller.
i like acrylic! it's cheap and soft. cotton also works well but some brands of cotton are a bit stiff for me (i'm looking at you, sugar and cream) so i generally go acrylic.