A handmade baby blanket is one of the most beautiful gifts you can give: personal, warm, and made to last for years. But what yarn should you choose for a baby's skin? How many balls do you need? And which stitch is suitable if you haven't been crocheting for long? In this article, we answer all your questions.
What yarn is suitable for a baby blanket?
Yarn for babies must meet a few requirements: soft for sensitive skin, machine washable (because spit-up incidents are inevitable), and free of fibers that shed. YarnArt Baby Cotton meets all these requirements. It consists of 50% cotton and 50% acrylic: the cotton makes the blanket breathable and skin-friendly, while the acrylic keeps it light, soft, and in shape.
Each ball of Baby Cotton weighs 50 grams and contains 165 meters. The yarn is available in soft pastel shades that perfectly match a baby's room, as well as in fresher colors for those who prefer something more vibrant.
How much yarn do you need?
That depends on the size. As a guideline for a blanket made with single crochet or half double crochet:
• Crib blanket (75 × 100 cm): approximately 8 to 10 balls
• Cot blanket (100 × 135 cm): approximately 14 to 16 balls
•Playpen mat (80 × 100 cm): approximately 9 to 11 balls
If you crochet more loosely or with an openwork stitch, you will need less. It's better to buy one extra ball from the same dye lot: nothing is more annoying than running out of yarn three-quarters of the way through your blanket.
Which stitch should you choose?
For a first baby blanket, there are three stitches that always turn out well. The half double crochet stitch creates an even, sturdy texture and works up quickly. The grit stitch (alternating single crochet and double crochet) creates a playful relief without gaps where little fingers can get caught. The granny stripe is slightly more open and classic, ideal if you like color stripes.
Avoid stitches with large holes or long loops: these are not safe for small fingers.
Practical tips for crocheting
First, crochet a 10 × 10 cm swatch to determine your gauge. This way, you can be sure your blanket will be the desired size. Use a 3.5 or 4 mm crochet hook for a beautiful, supple texture that is still dense enough.
Weave in ends as you go instead of all at the end, and to finish, crochet a simple border of single crochet or crab stitch around the entire blanket. This gives a professional look and prevents curling.
Washing and use
A YarnArt Baby Cotton blanket can simply be machine washed at 30 degrees. Dry it flat to maintain its shape. Thanks to the cotton blend, the blanket remains soft and colorfast even after many washes — exactly what you want for a blanket that is used daily.
Get started
Order YarnArt Baby Cotton from Woolina from Dutch stock and receive your yarn quickly. Also, check out our baby & children's collection for more yarns suitable for the little ones. Free shipping from €50.
Unsure about colors or quantities? Email us at info@woolina.nl — we're happy to help.
