Tribe.net. Local Connections Karen http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#41873fc5-8bd9-4622-86f1-e0ab1e326c40 2008-12-03T14:46:43Z 2008-12-03T14:46:43Z

There acrylic yarns that are better made today. Some mimic the look and feel of wool just fine. I prefer acrylic for babies because it's washable and a new mom has enough to worry about than hand washing and blocking a garment. Some people prefer natural fibers and if you know them well enough that that is their preference, then use wool or cotton. Superwash wools are great, but if you're on a tight budget it can be pricey. All in all it's up to you. If you're making tons of blankets and can't afford all the expense, then go acrylic. In the end the recipient will be happy to receive a handmade gift from you. It's more personal.

Karen 2008-12-03T14:46:43Z OHM http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#5e57ce55-84cb-4180-9dfc-a5ed74ee04a9 2008-12-03T11:48:57Z 2008-12-03T11:48:57Z

Not only do I love lion brand yarn but there are free download patterns at their site. I always include the wrapper from a skein of yarn w/ my gift, shows content & washing instructions

OHM 2008-12-03T11:48:57Z Audrey ♥ http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#43e99d36-7d52-4aa3-bbfc-64ec2074f6db 2008-12-03T04:22:09Z 2008-12-03T04:22:09Z

those yarns are beautiful

Audrey ♥ 2008-12-03T04:22:09Z stephanie : philly jawn/abby's momma http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#bc31fd1c-eea0-465e-b8e6-3b4a7b129197 2006-04-27T19:49:52Z 2006-04-27T19:49:52Z

http://www.theyarnco.com/brand_display/12

stephanie : philly jawn/abby's momma 2006-04-27T19:49:52Z francesca http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#d901b283-bef4-4302-ba50-9494c728f444 2006-04-26T13:54:47Z 2006-04-26T13:54:47Z

I think there are a couple of yarns like that available at big craft stores. Unfortunately, they usually only have baby-ish colors. I have my heart set on blue, cream/white, and chocolate brown for this stylish baby.

francesca 2006-04-26T13:54:47Z Heather http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#b59929b3-1b13-4d19-bbaa-e0c840ee13a9 2006-04-26T05:02:21Z 2006-04-26T05:02:21Z

When you go into the store, there is yarn with a big babys face on it, i dont remember what it is called, but ive used that to knit a baby blanket before and it was really good.

Heather 2006-04-26T05:02:21Z evelyn http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#12cf861b-ef36-41e7-87f1-26e586c46591 2006-04-25T12:14:17Z 2006-04-25T12:14:17Z

some yarn companies make yarn especially for babies... its usually softer and a bit finer... i have found "baby heart" made by red heart in the walmart yarn section... it is a much nicer yarn than regular red heart... i'm sure other yarn companies do the same... have a softer variety especially for baby items... you can always call the customer service department of your favorite brand and ask

evelyn 2006-04-25T12:14:17Z francesca http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#c721a61f-8d3d-4452-ae20-e2bd47a892e4 2006-04-25T05:05:51Z 2006-04-25T05:05:51Z

Great ideas, everyone. I'm glad to know that acrylic isn't out of the question. I had made one of my first blankets with a hideous giant skein of Red Heart and now it's a disgusting, pilly mess.

francesca 2006-04-25T05:05:51Z Miss Julie http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#e6f98bd7-88be-4de8-b3a5-dc8b1ab64561 2006-04-25T05:05:05Z 2006-04-25T05:05:05Z

Some I've used for baby blankets: Dale of Norway Baby Ull is wonderful yarn, and available widely. It's fingering weight, machine wash, in lots of colors, 100% superwash wool. In worsted weight there is Cascade Superwash 220, also very nice. I've also made baby blankets out of cotton/wool blends: Cascade Sierra is good, and Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece. Both are worsted (if memory serves) and 80/20 cotton/wool. Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (sport weight) and Cashmerino Aran (heavy worsted) are super soft, washable, and pricey. They're a wool/acrylic/cashmere blend -- can't remember the percentages -- maybe 50/40/10? I'm about to start a baby blanket with Crayon from Knitpicks -- a plush, machine washable 100% cotton yarn. I haven't used it before though, so I can't say how it washes. Good luck with the baby explosion!

Miss Julie 2006-04-25T05:05:05Z stephanie : philly jawn/abby's momma http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#3af10bed-87eb-4d59-a6fa-ef6c22cb6c58 2006-04-24T23:45:44Z 2006-04-24T23:45:44Z

i like multi rayon / poly chenille! http://www.theyarnco.com/brand_display/12 http://www.theyarnco.com/brand_display/327

stephanie : philly jawn/abby's momma 2006-04-24T23:45:44Z Sabrina http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#9afb16bf-93dd-412b-b8a5-031d22b19a86 2006-04-24T21:44:57Z 2006-04-24T21:44:57Z

You can also sometimes find baby alpaca for a really good price with lots of yardage. I really like using soft acrylics for baby stuff. But unfortunately people really are afraid to use hand made stuff for their kids, they tend to just save them for "someday".

Sabrina 2006-04-24T21:44:57Z Carrie http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#5481f7c3-b2dd-488e-9a75-6cad80c66b42 2006-04-24T21:19:24Z 2006-04-24T21:19:24Z

Cascacde also makes a superwash wool. Most yarn companies do these days. Don't forget to post a picture when you've finished!

Carrie 2006-04-24T21:19:24Z Kyla http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#16502070-6d5e-4554-aec1-381f86a37359 2006-04-24T19:15:18Z 2006-04-24T19:15:18Z

I'm not sure if you can get it where you are, but I know that in my store I carry a 100% superwash wool that is so soft and lovely. All the pattern suport I have for it is baby clothing and blankets. Its machine washable and totally itchy free. The brand is Lanett. Its norwegian yarn. I highly recommend it.

Kyla 2006-04-24T19:15:18Z Anne http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#b3276627-5207-445d-9b13-08e4288f5790 2006-04-24T18:36:42Z 2006-04-24T18:36:42Z

Thank goodness I'm not the only one! Everyone (and I mean everyone!) I know is pregnant. People I haven't been in touch with for months are calling me up to say they've got a bun in the oven. Anyway, though I'm not a mom, I've been a nanny and babysitter for a few newborns. Here's my take on baby blankets. Baby quilts and handmade blankets often don't get used, everyone is too worried about ruining them. You might want to include a little note on it with washing instructions and that you expect it to get pooped and urped on. Lion Brand baby weight acrylic comes in non-baby colors http://www.lionbrand.com/yarns/babysoft.htm Personally, I think microfleece is god's gift to parents. If I have kids, I'm going to make them little fleece pods to wear until they can do their own laundry. Fleece is stain-resistant, you can wash it in any temperature, it doesn't fade or shrink, almost everything washes out of it, and it dries in no time. Come to think of it, I bet a crocheted trim would look really nice around the edge of a fleece blanket.

Anne 2006-04-24T18:36:42Z Wind http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#41ac9384-b073-4dec-b0b9-f022c65ea674 2006-04-24T17:58:49Z 2006-04-24T17:58:17Z

Well, I figure standard acryllic yarn is ok to use for a baby blanket, as the blankets seldom touch bare skin. So I have made a few out of regular, ordinary yarn - the last was of variegated (sp?) green, tan, and purple - with sections of light green and tan solid colors. I figured that my friend would get enough pale pastel stuff that this would stand out - and also not show stains so much. It was not so girly it would be wrong for a boy, nor yet so masculine it would be wrong for the daughter she had - and the colors look pretty good with mom's complexion, so I figured it would work out. I have also made baby blankets out of cotton, and they were nice and soft and sturdy - needed to be washed in cold water, but I do not think that's a huge problem. They sell thinner cotton yarn specifically for baby projects but I just used the regular stuff for the baby blanket. (I got some cotton pink, blue and white "baby" yarn on clearance once, that I used for an blanket for a woman who is in the Navy - she loved getting our Flag colors in pastel, thought it was so feminine.)

Wind 2006-04-24T17:58:17Z francesca http://CraftyVixens.tribe.net/thread/92d61678-0ef0-4449-a040-b152ee22e093#026ccbb6-abb8-4b54-a804-0d7908322068 2006-04-24T16:56:21Z 2006-04-24T16:56:21Z

It's a baby explosion! Seems like a lot of my friends and relatives are suddenly having babies and I'm currently trying to keep up production on handmade baby items for them. For a very good friend of mine (or her baby boy, actually), I'd like to crochet a blanket, but I don't know what yarn to use. I usually think of easy-care yarn for new parents who need to just toss baby things in the washer/dryer. But acrylic yarn seems so icky. Wool is too scratchy. And cotton seems too heavy...or something. Does anyone have any good suggestions for nice yarns that feel good on baby's skin, but are easy for mom & dad to take care of...and aren't insanely expensive? As if that isn't a tall enough order, I need some reasonably cool colors, too. Not just baby blue (ick.) Thanks for any tips!

francesca 2006-04-24T16:56:21Z