Is it a bad idea to use a wool blend yarn for a baby blanket?

Question

Yes, another baby blanket question! :-p

I was considering using Wool-Ease Chunky, which is I think a 50/50 blend of wool and acrylic. A friend of mine told me no wool anything because it would be too scratchy, but I was wanting more opinions.

Answer 1

You sound like a very thoughtful person to ask this question. The problem with wool and even some acrylics is they have fine hairs that become airborne and then the baby breathes them in and can choke or have difficulty breathing. Look for yarns that have been designed especially for babies.
Here is a link below for marymaxim just to give you an idea of what is available. They have been in business since 1959,so they are up on the latest trends. also, you can check the sizes of the baby afghans while you are at it as I happened to notice you had another question re: this. Make sure you get something that can be washed and dried a lot. good luck!

Answer 2

I personally would appreciate a wool blanket more than an acrylic one. I think what you choose to use is of personal taste, so it's not really a good or a bad idea.

There has been many mentions of wool being scratchy. There are some wools that are scratchy, but there are also many many wool yarns out there that are very soft. For a baby blanket though, I would chose a soft superwash wool -- so that it can be thrown into the washer and make life a lot easier on the parents. To get superwash wool, you'll probably have to go to your local yarn shop or go online for the best colors, selections and options-- you won't find a good selection in your local hobby shop (Michael's for example), if any. A superwash merino wool should be fairly soft. With many yarns, a nice soak and wash will soften it too -- think of all the grime from transport, shelving and people touching it. I sometimes soak a garment in hair conditioner for about 20 minutes and it gets super soft.

For long-term wear, I think things made from wool or cotton have better wear (and feel better to me) than acrylic.
Whatever you choose, just make sure that the fibers aren't so loosely spun that it the individual fibers will just come off.

Good luck!! happy knitting!

Answer 3

Wool Blend Yarn

Answer 4

Wool Blend Blanket

Answer 5

Yes.

#1, it may not be scratchy, however, the child MAY be allergic to wool. You simply don't know at this point.

#2, the baby WILL make a mess in it. Spit up in it, poop and pee in it, etc, etc. 100% acrylics are much easier to pop in the washer.


I understand that if you want to make something nice for a child of a friend, that making it out of wool would make something very nice. However, while it is unfortunate, you do have to take into account use and how the parents are going to have to wash it, maybe 2 or 3 times a week.

100% acrylic can make something very nice. Maybe go with Caron's Simply Soft, a very soft 100% acrylic yarn that is available in many color. It comes in a wide variety of colors, and if really, really soft stuff, but can be thrown in the washing machine with no worries.

Answer 6

Itchiness of wool depends on the variety of animal and the method of processing. Caustic chemicals have given *all* wool an unearned bad rep.

Wool is warmer than acrylic. Wool is more flame resistant than acrylic. Wool requires some special care, as opposed to synthetics that'll survive everything short of fire.

If you're in charge of cleaning the item when completed, and you'll willing to follow the darned directions from the yarn label, I believe Wool-Ease Chunky will make a fine cozy blanket/afghan for a baby, cozier than plain acrylic.

Answer 7

for a baby blanket hell yes that is a horrible idea for yarn when it comes to baby items.

the wool blend will irritate the baby's skin way too much. you may want to try some soft baby yarn, cotton, acrylic, but nothing that will be too itchy.

Ive been knitting for 3 years and now this by first hand experience.

Answer 8

I wouldn't use acrylic because the blanket will last longer the niceness of the acrylic. My daughter has quite a few woolen handknitted or crochetted blankets and cardigans. I think it depends on the brand of wool as to how rough they'll be. My grandmother's favourite for baby things is Patons.

Answer 9

You have to specify what kind of wool blend you are asking about and how it was processed. There are blends specifically for babys. Process for babys so they go into the washing machine...We are talking about blends not 100% wool.

Answer 10

My mother-in-law is a knitter extraordinare; she made my son a lambswool sweater. It is as soft as anything I've ever touched, so you CAN get supersoft wool (she got hers from a specialty shop). BUT, as much as I loved the sweater, he didn't wear it much because it was such a pain to wash, and it would be on him for very little time before he'd mess it up. A blanket would be just as bad if not worse. Now my older daughters have wool sweaters from Grandma (equally as soft) and I can be fairly sure they can wear them a couple of times at least before I have to hand wash them. Those are loved by the girls and appreciated. (yeah, unfortunately baby doesn't appreciate handmade anything).