Which wool for baby blanket?

[bluecarrot]

I want to start knitting/crocheting blankets and maybe cardigans for a local neonatal unit ( donations will go via an organisation my family has links with)

I'm trying to find a good wool to use-obv not scratchy stuff, and needs to be machine washable. Also because my budget is reasonably tight at the minute, it needs to be cheapish. It HAS to be new wool too.

I love the ones used in the mumsnet blankets but it just works out do expensive per 70cm sq blanket.

I go into the wool shop and am Bamboozled by variety.

Any advice would be v much appreciated.

Lots of people love Stylecraft Special DK. I had problems with it as I used it in a very humid climate but others swear it is lovely and soft considering it is 100% acrylic and very cheap.

The baby blankets I've made have been gifts and thus use more expensive yarn. The cheapest one I used was something called Patons Smoothie which was lovely and soft once tumble dried for 10 minutes. Before the tumbling it was a little stiff for my liking.

My yarn-of-choice for baby gift blankets is Sirdar Snuggle Baby Bamboo. I love it, but I think it's a little expensive for what you want.

Thanks so much! Didn't occur to me you could even tumble dry wool!

Going to see if the local wool shop has any patons or stylecraft now. The sirdir one has so many beautiful colours I must keep it in mind for special blankets in the future. :)

I only went for 10 minutes on a warm setting so it was more tumbling than heat - if it's too hot proper wool (ad some other yarns) will shrink.

Someone else who used the Patons used a bigger hook than me (I used a 4) and said theirs was fine.

I use Sirdar Snuggly which is nice and soft, but I also use Hayfield Bonus a lot for blankets as its much cheaper and comes in fantastic bright colours which my local NICU love. It also washes well which is important with sicky baby blankets! I think it's only about £2 for 200g, and it's made by Sirdar under a different name.

I agree, Sirdar snuggly is a lovely soft yarn for a synthetic, and very washable.

Sadly my local wool shop did have any of the ones mentioned, but I did get a bundle from ebay for about £30 inc postage for 17 balls of the Stylecraft Special DK wool. Should keep me occupied and out of trouble for a while :)

Thanks again.