Agree JL aren't cheap cheap, but they are def not scratchy and last forever if you get plain colours they won't grow out of (we still use the ones I had when I was little - stolen from mum's airing cupboard ).
Or try 100% cotton jersey stuff - even the cheap ones are generally soft but they take a while to dry if you don't have a dryer - Argos have good colours and they're well priced.