Best Yarn for Blankets

Soft, durable, and washable yarns for cozy afghans, baby blankets, and chunky throws.

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What Makes Great Blanket Yarn?

Blankets need yarn that's soft against skin, durable enough for regular use, and ideally machine washable. Since blankets use a lot of yarn, budget matters too. The best blanket yarns balance softness, durability, and value.

Key Considerations

  • Washability: Most blankets need machine washing. Choose superwash wool or acrylic.
  • Softness: Blankets touch bare skin. Avoid scratchy yarns.
  • Weight: Worsted to super bulky works well. Heavier weights finish faster.
  • Budget: Large projects need lots of yarn. Calculate total cost before starting.

Our Top Blanket Yarn Picks

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Budget-Friendly Blanket Yarns

Caron

Simply Soft

Worsted Acrylic

One of the softest acrylics. Beautiful drape and tons of colors. Machine wash and dry.

~$5 View on Amazon
Lion Brand

Pound of Love

Worsted 1020 yards

Huge yardage per skein means fewer ends to weave in. Soft baby-grade acrylic.

~$12 View on Amazon
Red Heart

Super Saver

Worsted Large Skeins

Classic budget yarn that softens with washing. Giant skeins available.

~$5 View on Amazon

Chunky Blanket Yarns

Bernat

Blanket

Super Bulky Chenille

Incredibly soft chenille-style yarn. Fast projects with luxurious feel. Many colors.

~$11 View on Amazon
Lion Brand

Wool-Ease Thick & Quick

Super Bulky Wool Blend

Wool-acrylic blend for warmth with easy care. Works up quickly on big needles.

~$8 View on Amazon
Bernat

Blanket Big

Jumbo Arm Knitting

Giant yarn for arm knitting. Creates statement blankets in hours.

~$15 View on Amazon

How Much Yarn for a Blanket?

Blanket Size Worsted Weight Bulky Weight Super Bulky
Baby (30"x36") ~800 yards ~600 yards ~400 yards
Throw (50"x60") ~2000 yards ~1500 yards ~1000 yards
Full (75"x90") ~4500 yards ~3500 yards ~2500 yards