Wool or acrylic for "heirloom" blankets?

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Hi,

I wondered if anyone could advise on the best type of wool to use for blankets that will be kept for a long time. (And also any tips on how best to prepare them/store them would be appreciated.)

Sorry, it sounds a bit gloomy, but basically I have incurable cancer. I want to make some blankets for my sister and cousins, in case they have children after my death. The youngest is ten so they'll potentially be stored for quite a long time before use.

Thank you in advance for any advice :)

Actually Kittens there's a giant log cabin one here

I wasn't sure if you'd know there was acid free and it would be sad if your hard work got spoilt by, um, whatever it is that normal tissue does...

it probably is cheaper to make bog standard stuff.

Thank you SoupDragon sorry if that sounded a bit snotty, I didn't mean to :) it's really helpful and I definitely don't want it all to be spoilt by being, um, acidified

Lol - not at all snotty :)

Thank you OP was so worried I may have upset you xx

Wonderful new things to look at :)

That's ok Polter, please don't feel sorry I just hate the idea of upsetting anybody, I am also super hormonal and super sensitive at the moment

OP I loves these blankets, look way beyond me but I am going to have to try! I do have some lovely wool in the cupboard which I just remembered about bamboo baby wool, so soft and silky :) I love sewing but it's noisy, where as knitting is just lovely to do whilst watching the telly in bed.

Here is a link to the wool :) I'd forgotten how soft it is, might help you on your wool journey :) I hope you will keep the thread updated with progress on the blankets love to see your handy work :)

m.johnlewis.com/b/sport-leisure/haberdashery/wool/bamboo-mix/_/N-enmZ1z0r9ua

That seems a lot of :)

I love Sirdar Baby Bamboo. Quite expensive but it makes a fabulous baby blanket!

the ten stitch blanket is worth a google....you can do a round version too i think, which might be simpler than having to mitre the corners.

...I always forget how to do that and as it's a WIP over several years it vexes me to have to relearn it at each corner!

Ravelry link here

www.feralknitter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ParcheesiAfghan.pdf
this is a log cabin pattern I'm still doing- but you could easily adjust the size

OP, firstly heartfelt good wishes to you at this time. Secondly, how about a cotton or cotton mix for your project? The point being that such a fibre that is less likely to be damaged by unwise washing and will prolong its life as a keepsake.

Have you thought of choosing a format that is modular, in the sense of pieces that can be assembled depending on size so that it doesn't matter at which point you stop, the work that you have done can still be assembled into a useful and valued item, say a cushion or throw depending on how many you made?

WhatWould - have you considered other fibres? Stylecraft do a range called Malabar, in either double knit or Aran - it is a cotton and silk mix and feels gorgeous - and it will be easier to wash than wool, and hard wearing like the acrylic yarns - but has a bit more of a touch of luxury, for an heirloom blanket.

It comes in some beautiful colours too.

Leslie

As acrylic is basically plastic I doubt it would degrade or get spoilt anywhere near as fast as wool or cotton would.
I think it is far less sensitive to light, mould or repeated washing as the other too (or the pests others mentioned before).
Plus it's cheaper and not as heavy to use & wash.
I'd go with acrylic.
I love SS DK, but just have ordered some Sheepjes Colour Crafter stuff (and the shade card!) for the first time because it has some beautiful colours SS DK doesn't.
I'm hoping I can use both brands together (like we do with the different brands of WH wools).

And about colours, I love bright rainbow colours and I think they are so cheerful for babies of either sex, with a real "wow" factor.
What do you think?

Sorry to hear about bastard cancer btw [hugs] I think you are awesome. X

Virtual yarns do a Hebridean 2 ply that's hot the look of the Shetland stuff but soft enough for babies: www.virtualyarns.com

Wool lasts better than acrylic - over many years wool (if kept properly) will outlast acrylic looking good.

The jamiesons stuff is great. Lasts forever! And gets softer the more you wash it, There are also plenty of machine washable wools these days which are good for babies. Wollmeise (incredible colours!) Debbie bliss, milla mia, sandness Garn..

Ooh gosh, new posts, thank you all so much for the suggestions

I have sort of parked this for now. I am still undecided, though I think I will go for wool of some sort or another natural fibre.

I am tempted by acrylic for all those reasons Zing, but I think wool is perhaps a bit more special.

I like bright colours normally. But I am thinking of using cream/white, against all advice. Partly because most of my family are at least nominally Catholic, so then they could use them as christening shawls if they wanted to.

Also it's hard to know what will be in fashion in future or what my cousins' tastes will be. I imagine some of my cousins would have perfectly coordinated themed nurseries, but hopefully cream or white would go with almost any colour scheme.

To be honest, I am a bit sad about starting the project as it feels like an acknowledgement that I am dying (though my chemo seems to be working well, so I should stress I am not in any imminent danger!). Also I am worried that I will not finish them all. Obviously the sooner I start the more likely I am to finish them, but I'm not in the most rational frame of mind.

I also live with my parents and I am a bit worried this is going to upset them. I think I will have to knit/crochet in secret

I think I am going to have to take a trip to the lovely wool shop a few towns away and feel lots of different wools. Hopefully something will jump out at me when I see them in real life!

Kittens have you knitted anything yet?

Oh Leslie I don't even know what to say that would make you feel better. I just want to hug you.

Do you think you would feel less stressed about it all if you decided to make less time consuming items? Little hats or "carseat" blankets?
I found that I never had the right size blanket for my babies in the car seat, folded up ones were too thick and warm.
So I ended up making a 50cm square piece fleece blankie for my 6th (why did it take me so long to think of that?), which was perfect. Now DD uses it to wrap up her doggy and bunny.

The other thing all kids love is little bags. Any bags. Bags with or without zips. Mine have so many bags and rucksacks it's ridiculous. I know it's not the same as a beautiful blanket but perhaps an easier alternative for you.

How many blankets are you thinking you'd like to make?

You're very kind Zing :) I'm not upset or anything, don't worry. Just pondering why I've been reluctant to get started.

I will make quite small blankets. I made a blanket for a baby decently and it's now his official "pram blanket" so I will probably aim for a similar size.

I need to make a rather intimidating number. One for my sister and then thirteen for cousins. I'll start with cousins I'm closer to and work my way through the list!

I'll wait until after the summer holidays. I'm working on a couple of projects for Woolly Hugs so I want to get those finished first :) then I'll go and feel all the wools in the wool shop and see what inspires me!

It's rather overwhelming, but I feel quite positive about the idea of leaving something behind for them :)

I am really sorry to hear of your situation.

If it is any help, my much-loved grandmother knitted me a blanket when I was under 10. From acrylic, with no particular preparations around storage etc. It has been in bedrooms, halls of residence, moved countless times, stored in an attic for more than five years...

I am now in my early 40s and that blanket is on my sofa every day, absolutely fine!

That's reassuring to hear, thank you MaybeDoctor

I think it'll definitely just come down to what feels and looks nicest in the shop. I was thinking it'd be nice to make them all from the same, as some of my relatives can be a bit competitive and quick to take offence! But actually maybe I can try out some different wools and colours.

My Scheepjes Colour Crafter wools have arrived (acrylic) and they are lovely and even softer than SS DK.
Definitely worth a consideration

Do you knit or crochet?

And they are on sale at Wool Warehouse

Both, Zing. More crochet now as it's easier for hospital appointments!

I've used the Colour Crafter once, but I actually prefer the texture of the Stylecraft. I don't know why, it seems a little smoother perhaps.

There was a thread on here a while back about the Scheepjes crochet along. Apparently many of the Stylecraft Special and Colour Crafter colours are identical - you have to match the numbers, as they are different names. Though there are some that are only in one range or the other, I think.

I made a baby blanket in pale green Colour Crafter, I can't remember the name. It's the same as the Stylecraft pale green that might be called spring green.

What are you making?

Stylecraft has Spring Green. It's paler than Grass Green which is very close to Terneuzen from Sheepjes, but not the same.
Some colours are very similar but I haven't seen them in daylight yet! Got the colour card of both so that's gotta be one morning of woolly fun, comparing the 2 lots

I'm making lots of different things, a king size ripple bkanket (chunky wool & 10 mm hook), lots of WH stuff, 2 cot blankets etc.
And that's just crochet. Got a few sewing projects on the go as well

My battery is running out but I wanted to reply.
I'm gonna PM you tomorrow.

I've had a look and it's the Almelo I used. It's the same as Stylecraft special spring green. Both are code 1316. I was a bit peed off as I deliberately chose the Almelo as I preferred the colour of the photo online. But it came out really nicely :)