Talk

I love that blanket it's been on my Wish list for a good while now.

What sort of budget do you have?

Not crazy money, about £3 a ball or so, I was a bit unsure whether I could do it, I'm only a novice but the instructions are fab so easy to follow

Are acrylics any good? The ones o bought from hobby craft are a bit fluffy once I've worked with them. I've mainly done things with cotton as I like the feel, but I don't think its appropriate for a baby blanket

Debbie bliss' baby cashmerino is lovely but about 5 a ball, sometimes good deals on eBay though

No help at all as I was searching threads for an answer to a similar question but how beautiful is that?! I've completely fallen in love with it (not that I could make it yet I'm still tying my own hands together) I would love to see your finished article before it's lovingly tucked into a new Moses basket.

<happy ravelry sigh>

Stylecraft. Lovely colours and it doesn't squeak or go bobbly.

I've looked through all my favourite yarns and can't see anything obvious in an Aran weight. Stylecraft does come in an Aran version but the colours are limited - it would depend on what colours you had in mind. There doesn't seem to be anything as zingy as the original.

If you go for a DK weight yarn then Sirdar Baby Bamboo is lovely to work with and comes in a fabulous range of colours. It's around £3.50 a ball.

I can second Trumpton, stylecraft washes well, feels soft and has a good range of colours. Cotton would be too stiff and bamboo too floppy. Lovely blanket though.

Thanks ladies, I'll get researching tomorrow.
my friend is about 14 weeks so I have plenty of time, I think the majority of it will get done at the knit and natter group I go to. It's only 2 hours once a week, but you'd be surprised how much you can get done without an 11 month old climbing up your leg! But I will post a picture when it's done

When you say £3 a ball, you need to consider how big a ball you get for that.

For 100g

A lot of the nicer yarns are out then as they tend to come in 50g balls.

I'd have a look at the Stylecraft. The DK has a better range of colours than the Aran and you'd need to use a 4mm hook which would make your blanket smaller - you'd have to make more of the pieces.

The yarn used in the original is self stripping, so you get maximum effect with minimum effort. I'm sure a plainer one would look lovely too.

Stylecraft Special is a very good acrylic yarn which looks more expensive than it is and is nice to work with. It's very practical for new parents because they need something in a forgiving yarn which they can just throw in the washing machine.

Lovely blanket. I've used sirdar snuggly for a ripple blanket which was lovely, but the colour range is quite muted, so I would use the stylecraft for the owl one as you need brighter colours I think.

Thanks again, I'll go for the supercraft special, just for the choice of colours. Wish me luck!