I want to buy yarn to crochet a blanket but...

[GenerationPolaroid]

I'm a bit shocked at yarn prices at the moment. I usually stick to 100% acrylic like Stylecraft or Paintbox, but I want something a bit more special for a gift. I'm just not sure if it will be worth the money, we're talking more than double what I'd normally pay!
Can anyone recommend a yarn that comes in lovely vibrant colours, looks good, feels good, and washes well? Ideally Aran weight.
I’m a bit wary of using 100% cotton, I worry it’ll be too heavy, or that it’ll fade and look tired quite quickly.
Any suggestions appreciated!

I was going to recommend the Stylecraft! Sorry, not much help.

I love West Yorkshire Spinners, they have some really nice colours. But it is an investment.

If it's for a gift, does the recipient know how to look after it?

If there is any risk of them putting your handiwork in the washing machine, I'd stick to the Style craft acrylic.

Both of you will feel dreadful if your posh yarn blanket ends up a felted mess.

Another one saying stick to stylecraft.

I crochet a lot of king size blankets and buy yarnsmiths own brand from wool warehouse, you can often pick it up for around £2 a ball. They have some lovely colours. It may not be as luxurious as silk or other expensive fabrics but it knits up well and washes well which is good for a blanket. They do tons of different thicknesses/ weights etc.

Wool factory are doing some really good deals on packs. If you live near Skegness you need to go and look. It's brilliant.

Excellent value

I'd stick to acrylic, I'm a crocheter but was gifted a beautiful knitted wool blanket and it's a pain, I can't use it as it sheds everywhere, I can't wash it properly so I don't like having it out incase it gets dirty, the moths love it so much so I have to keep it stored realllly well. Honestly I would have much preferred if it was made from acrylic, maybe a wool blend at a push.

Honestly Stylecraft DK is the best, just stick to them. I have blankets that are used daily after 15 years and still look excellent, constantly washed etc too.

Drops yarn is very reasonably-priced for real wool and is nice to knit with. I think they have a few ranges of aran weight yarn.

Seconding Drops. I get mine from Wool Warehouse.

I'm making a blanket at the moment using Yarnsmiths Elvis, this colour https://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/yarn/yarnsmiths-elvis-dk-molly-1a012-150g
It's very nice to work with, soft and a bit fluffy. I've also used Yarnsmiths Lagoon and it comes in gorgeous colours. I haven't finished that blanket yet but these are the first two blocks.

I recommend scheepjes.
I learned to crochet with style craft and then discovered scheepjes. Their acrylic comes in the same range of colours as style craft. Colour crafter is their DK range, chunky monkey is a chunky equivalent.

The blankets I made with style craft feel scratchy and "flat" to touch in comparison. Scheepjes is much nicer to use and results in a much softer end product. It is more expensive but given the time you will put into it and the fact it is a gift, why undermine how lovely it is with a cheaper scratchier yarn? It washes and dries easily, no need for special instructions for the recipient.

It is my go to brand now.

I second Scheepjes- same colours as stylecraft but I must be one of the only ones that doesn't like stylecraft at all, it seems really thin compared to other dks. I also like Patons, also sturdier than stylecraft.

The price of wool is shocking. My favourite is merino but that was always so expensive. I spent hundreds on my blanket.

I've heard good things about drops. Style craft though is fantastic. I made a couple of friends blankets with it and it washes and wears brilliantly.

I'd suggest sticking to Stylecraft, it washes beautifully and keeps colour

Wool warehouse is good if you're buying in larger amounts, they often have discount codes, just Google them

That's interesting, I used Schjeepes and then discovered Stylecraft and found it softer and nicer!

It was years ago though, so maybe they've changed!

Scheepjes scrumptious is good value acrylic dk. Their cotton 8 is very reasonable too.

The quality of style craft did change a few (maybe 2-3?)years ago if I recall correctly. I had one pack with the old range and it was better yarn than some I bought in the newer range.

Thanks. I don't think I've bought any for 2-3 years! Handy to know when i need more though that Schjeeps might be the better option.

Stylecraft are in the process of shifting all production back to the UK. Some the colours are already being made at thrie Yorkshire mill and the rest will follow.

Yarnsmiths pebble haze is the best feeling yarn I've ever worked with l. It's beautiful and very reasonably priced. It's by wool warehouse

Drops is really good value for money.

I have knitted a lot with Nepal, can recommend! https://www.garnstudio.com/yarn.php?show=drops-nepal&cid=19

i have also knitted a blanket for myself with two strands of this,
https://www.garnstudio.com/yarn.php?show=drops-alpaca&cid=19
That turned out very nice.

Good choice of colours.

You can machine wash these, but on the wool cycle with wool detergent.

I bought some cotton (sorry I know you didn't want that) yarn from Sostrene Grene to crochet a baby blanket and it worked up beautifully. It comes in a range of shades so I was able to select a number of greens for an ombre effect.

Stylecraft used to be very good quality but I think it's dropped off a lot in recent years. There is so much variation in thickness between different colours of supposedly the same weight.