Alternatives for Rowan Softknit cotton?

[sleepcrisis]

I have just discovered this amazing yarn, it is so soft and perfect (I think) for a blanket I've been planning. But the colours just aren't right...

Does anyone know of a similar yarn? The pattern actually calls for a worsted/aran weight cotton yarn and the Rowan one is slightly more lightweight (although still classed as worsted I think) so I can go a little heavier. The problem is I just don't find cotton that soft usually. This one is so squishy.

Here is the pattern:

www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chevron-baby-blanket

It doubles up the yarn for a super soft blanket. I have seen the Blue Skys online available in the UK but wondered if there was anything a bit cheaper as I want to double the size of the blanket?

Thanks in advance!

Organic cottons are often very soft - but can tend to split when you use them.

Style craft or King Cole yarns can be good - try a bamboo/cotton mix for something soft. They are more like £5 per 100gms rather than twice that.

I'm using kingcole bamboo cotton at the moment and its lovely and soft and seems like there's a good range of colours.

I am using that wool right now as well Awaywego. Love it - it does split easily though. But at about £4 for a 100gm ball it is very good value and I love the bright colours.

Thanks for the suggestions. The King Cole bamboo mix does look good (and reasonable!) I do love bamboo and have made a gorgeous blanket in the past with sirdar baby bamboo. The only problem is that all the yarns suggested are only DK and I need a worsted weight.

I went back to look at the Rowan today and its so gorgeous but the colours are just not right. I am beginning to think I might have to fork out for the blue sky - its a big blanket for DS and I kind of want it to be an heirloom, not something that doesn't stand the test of time.

Unfortuately I am not UK and only have one yarn reatailer here, with a handful of rowan, a few debbie bliss and then just hundreds of balls cheapo acrylic in awful baby colours. So I really have to do my research and go by recommendations then order online. Its a big investment, making a bed spread!

If the pattern calls for 2 strands of worsted cotton, could I replace that with 2 strands of worsted anything? I'm pretty new to knitting and not ever bothered with swatches or anything but I guess that would be essential if I was to substitute.

I just want to get started on this project as I really want to give it to DS when DC2 arrives, as I've already made a little blanket for the baby and he loves it!

The thing with blankets is that the size is adjustable - therefore the wool can be too. if you did two strands of DK, the blanket may be slightly smaller than your pattern, but the overall structure and look will be broadly the same.

If you choose to do this, do choose the right crochet hook and maybe do a test piece to see your sizings. The pattern probably has tension swatch information so you can gauge your hook size accurately.

You can adjust the size by just adding a few extra rows.

Don't be afraid to substitute wools, unless you are making clothes. Blankets are not dependent on sizes or weights to the same extent.

Could you buy some of the DK and do a few rows to see how it looks? Then buy what you need when you are happy.

THanks for the advice whatdoesittake. Can I ask just one more Question! If I wanted to make a striped blanket in eg cotton DK, would you recommend against mixing up the yarns? I quite like the idea of having different textures (its for a baby) and I just can't for the life of me find one range that has all the colours I want in it. As long as they're ally cotton DK and the same blend would it be ok?

PS I knit, not crochet, if that makes a difference.

I have been using Rico Creative Cotton recently, very soft and Aran weight. Available in a large range of colours, would that be any good? Very cheap too.