Really enjoyed your research👍 and was surprised by your yarn choice (in a good way). Usually on knitting blogs they use rather pricey yarn and double it up with pricey mohair😳 I recently knitted a baby blanket with 4 Seasons half n half 10ply...50% acrylic 50% wool machine washable...pleasure to knit with.
Drops has a dk weight that is perfect, it’s called merino extra fine. I actually just bought the baby merino for a project and gauge swatches and it was more of a fingering weight gauge, but the merino extra fine is spot on and it’s got the same type of higher twist spin as the baby merino. Literally identical wool but different weights. You may want to consider checking it out 😊
Up here in the Nordic countries (Finland in my case) we put babies out on balconies and in yards for their naps even when the temperature drops way below freezing. The important thing is that the garment closest to the body is made of merino or a wool/silk blend that is not itchy. On top of this layer use fleece or somthing which will "suck" the moisture ( babies don't sweat like we do). Air is the best insulation, i.e. knit a fluffy blanket in acrylic... it will trap a lot of air and work perfectly. However, I would not use cotton. Cotton gathers up the moisture from our bodies and the air around us. It will stay wet and cool us down, whereas our body temperature will dry the wool (or polypropylene) fabric.
Here in the UK many knitters are yarn snobs and I appreciate that you even talked about acrylic yarns. I am very sensitive to wool. Therefore I knit blankets in acrylic. Stylecraft has many different opinions and interesting colours and affordable. I'm using a colourful blanket 7ish years ago, minimal pilling and I have also used it as a cover for a chair. When people talk about the terrible handle of acrylics I don't have a problem, but knit swatches and feel the yarn. I'm a sock knitter and the 75% wool and 25% nylon can feel quite hard on my hands, but very strong. Great video and thank you.
Your blanket sounds incredible, and it sounds like it is holding up so well over time. I knit almost exclusively with acrylic for quite a long time when I first started and still use it fairly frequently now, it can be a very hardy and useful yarn! Thanks again for coming by ☺
Hi, I knitted the most beautiful cabled baby blanket that I've ever knitted for a baby. I used Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK in Vanilla. The pattern is by Debbie Bliss. I wish that I could send you photos of it. It's still like new as I made it over 2 years ago, so has washed well.
I used the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino for my baby blanket, but i actually think it's too heavy and a lot rougher than expected (for example, rougher than the Patons and Cleckheaton baby merinos), given the merino and cashmere content (i know it's still a blend). It will do for my project, but especially for Queensland i would go something lighter. Look forward to hearing your updates on the Fiddlesticks!
for toys and baby blankets i like scheepjes catona (it's a fingering weight mercerised cotton). it comes in over 100 colours and they are available in 50 or 25g balls which is very handy for toys and multicoloured blankets that you don't end up with lots and lots of leftovers. i think the basic colours (white, grey black etc) also come in 100g balls. it is a bit dry to work with (normal for cottons i think) but stands up very well to washing and rigorous play (nephew approved). in australia i find belle mae yarns (online store based in victoria) has a very good range of scheepjes yarns.
Hi from just over the boarder in NSW. It’s so great to see a fellow knitter in this climate😅 I’m currently knitting Purl Sohos baby cardigan with BWM cotton/wool in one of the new colours (Cupid meadow). It’s soft and has lovely drape. It doesn’t hurt my hands to knit with it at all. Lovely video - thanks
Gosh, your research is amazing and I'll return to this video when I need to knit a baby blanket. Personally I think you've made a great decision and I, too, really hope that your blanket will be the "everyday blanket" for the child to carry around all.the.time.
Thanks for that video. I love making baby gifts but don’t often think too much about the yarn I am using. I am just finishing a flax sweater ( I have also been obsessed with it 2 adult sweaters and 4 infant/toddler) for a 1 year old using Brooklyn tweed Arbor which is a woolen spun. I figured I would get a long sleeve onesy to go under it but now I’m rethinking that choice. Oh well, next time. It was in my stash so that’s a win! Looking forward to seeing your blanket pattern and progress.
Nadine, your previous comments on cotton have made me think.. Now I am trying a viscose/cotton blend. It feels soft, but I will have to use a larger needle, otherwise it will be another body armour. Cotton is unforgiving. Before the summer (your winter) I will try a cotton/merino blend. I have a factory made 100% merino t-shirt (very thin). It is the best garment for doing sports in hot weather which suddenly turns to freezing rain.
I don’t knit blankets and don’t have a baby to knit for- and I still really enjoyed your video! As always, very thoughtful and detailed discussion! Looking forward to finding out what pattern you’ll use 😊
Nice roundup of the baby yarns! I often wonder if the term "baby" is indicative of the weight of the yarn or if it is meant for baby skin (super soft)? I do have a few baby knits coming up soon, so great information!
I’m keen to know what blanket pattern you’ve decided to use, Nadine? I usually steer clear of acrylics, but I’ve used Fiddlesticks 8 for baby knits, and it’s quite lovely. I hope you enjoy knitting it up, too. :)
Hello! I've just received my Fiddlesticks in the mail and so I think I'll get started on my blanket soon - it's great to hear you enjoyed using it! I think I'm going to go with a self drafted pattern - just something nice and simple. Maybe the 4 rows garter + 4 rows 1x1 rib pattern which is everywhere at the moment.
I’m knitting with Bellevue Park Wool hand dyed right now - I’m knitting a Musselburgh Hat by Ydolde Teague for a friend who will be going through chemo soon, and it is so spectacularly soft. I’ve knitted a few projects with this yarn, and I have to say it is my hands-down favourite. The downside would be it’s definitely a luxury yarn with a much higher price point, and the hand dyed is a handwash only yarn, so not sure it’s practical for baby blankets etc.
@@jodydcrawford5470 ah good point. The jumper I’m knitting at the moment is not dyed at all, ‘odd one out’ colour from their brown sheep. But it’s still hand wash only. Your project sounds very special.
Really enjoyed your review on the yarns, love the Top you are wearing in the Caron, how are you finding it for the warmth? I don’t knit in Acrylic because of that reason.. ❤
Oooo yes that's a fantastic idea! If you search for the yarn in the 'yarn' tab, you'll find the rating on the right hand side about half way down the page - the same as where ratings are for patterns ☺
A lovely video with some great yarns featured! My fave baby yarn at the moment for gift knits is the baby soft from lincraft. The colour selection has changes this year and is a little limited, but I love to work with I’ve made some beautiful blankets with it in the past 💗
I do want to mention that of course gauge varies from person to person. Right now I'm knitting up Drops baby merino at 3,5mm needles, an my gauge is 21 stitches for 10cm. 3mm needles would make it a bit denser fabric, but the drape I get now is fine. At 4mm needles (that were asked for the pattern I use now) I even got 20 stitches per 10cm, but the fabric got a bit too thin to my liking and the pattern asks for those 21 stitches. All to say, if you'd want to try this yarn it works fine with a bit bigger needles and bigger gauge too.
There is a beautiful blanket pattern for DK weight. Im now panicking as I purchased the pattern a year ago to knit now for my granddaughter due in July and now cannot find it. Could you focus your review of baby yarns that are available in Australia please?
I use dk weight yarn for afghans and baby blankets. I love cotton/acrylic blends. Cotton for breathability and acrylic to make them washable and lighter in weight. All cotton items are pretty heavy. I find it hard to get a blend that offers a good color range. I dont like 'baby' colors, they've been thought up by adults. Young children like bright, primary colors, and thats what i want to use.
Really enjoyed your research👍 and was surprised by your yarn choice (in a good way). Usually on knitting blogs they use rather pricey yarn and double it up with pricey mohair😳 I recently knitted a baby blanket with 4 Seasons half n half 10ply...50% acrylic 50% wool machine washable...pleasure to knit with.
The 4 Seasons half n half sounds fantastic! I'm sure there will be more baby knits on my to do list, so I may have to look into this one ☺
Drops has a dk weight that is perfect, it’s called merino extra fine. I actually just bought the baby merino for a project and gauge swatches and it was more of a fingering weight gauge, but the merino extra fine is spot on and it’s got the same type of higher twist spin as the baby merino. Literally identical wool but different weights. You may want to consider checking it out 😊
It sounds fantastic!! Thank you for putting it on my radar 😄
Up here in the Nordic countries (Finland in my case) we put babies out on balconies and in yards for their naps even when the temperature drops way below freezing. The important thing is that the garment closest to the body is made of merino or a wool/silk blend that is not itchy. On top of this layer use fleece or somthing which will "suck" the moisture ( babies don't sweat like we do). Air is the best insulation, i.e. knit a fluffy blanket in acrylic... it will trap a lot of air and work perfectly. However, I would not use cotton. Cotton gathers up the moisture from our bodies and the air around us. It will stay wet and cool us down, whereas our body temperature will dry the wool (or polypropylene) fabric.
How interesting! Thanks so much for leaving this comment, it's great to hear about how things are done in different places.
Here in the UK many knitters are yarn snobs and I appreciate that you even talked about acrylic yarns.
I am very sensitive to wool.
Therefore I knit blankets in acrylic.
Stylecraft has many different opinions and interesting colours and affordable.
I'm using a colourful blanket 7ish years ago, minimal pilling and I have also used it as a cover for a chair.
When people talk about the terrible handle of acrylics I don't have a problem, but knit swatches and feel the yarn.
I'm a sock knitter and the 75% wool and 25% nylon can feel quite hard on my hands, but very strong.
Great video and thank you.
Your blanket sounds incredible, and it sounds like it is holding up so well over time. I knit almost exclusively with acrylic for quite a long time when I first started and still use it fairly frequently now, it can be a very hardy and useful yarn! Thanks again for coming by ☺
Patrons Baby Dreamtime Merino comes in a good range of colors as well.
Hi, I knitted the most beautiful cabled baby blanket that I've ever knitted for a baby. I used Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK in Vanilla. The pattern is by Debbie Bliss. I wish that I could send you photos of it. It's still like new as I made it over 2 years ago, so has washed well.
Sounds absolutely gorgeous!!
I used the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino for my baby blanket, but i actually think it's too heavy and a lot rougher than expected (for example, rougher than the Patons and Cleckheaton baby merinos), given the merino and cashmere content (i know it's still a blend). It will do for my project, but especially for Queensland i would go something lighter. Look forward to hearing your updates on the Fiddlesticks!
for toys and baby blankets i like scheepjes catona (it's a fingering weight mercerised cotton). it comes in over 100 colours and they are available in 50 or 25g balls which is very handy for toys and multicoloured blankets that you don't end up with lots and lots of leftovers. i think the basic colours (white, grey black etc) also come in 100g balls. it is a bit dry to work with (normal for cottons i think) but stands up very well to washing and rigorous play (nephew approved). in australia i find belle mae yarns (online store based in victoria) has a very good range of scheepjes yarns.
Fantastic recommendation, thank you!! If it's nephew approved it must be very good indeed 😉
Hi from just over the boarder in NSW. It’s so great to see a fellow knitter in this climate😅 I’m currently knitting Purl Sohos baby cardigan with BWM cotton/wool in one of the new colours (Cupid meadow). It’s soft and has lovely drape. It doesn’t hurt my hands to knit with it at all. Lovely video - thanks
Gosh, your research is amazing and I'll return to this video when I need to knit a baby blanket. Personally I think you've made a great decision and I, too, really hope that your blanket will be the "everyday blanket" for the child to carry around all.the.time.
Hi Nadine I think you’ve made a good choice for your baby blanket. I also like the Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury yarn 🧶
Thanks for that video. I love making baby gifts but don’t often think too much about the yarn I am using. I am just finishing a flax sweater ( I have also been obsessed with it 2 adult sweaters and 4 infant/toddler) for a 1 year old using Brooklyn tweed Arbor which is a woolen spun. I figured I would get a long sleeve onesy to go under it but now I’m rethinking that choice. Oh well, next time. It was in my stash so that’s a win! Looking forward to seeing your blanket pattern and progress.
Love to find another Flax addict! 😄
I enjoyed the thought process of picking out yarn! Thank you. Great episode
I love your perspective because I'm a knitter from a very warm place too (Brazil). ❤
I used the Snuggly Bamboo for a baby sweater. It could be splitty but made a beautiful sweater with some sheen.
Love your top🙌😍 big balls🤣too funny😅looking forward to seeing your blanket progress.
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Nadine, your previous comments on cotton have made me think.. Now I am trying a viscose/cotton blend. It feels soft, but I will have to use a larger needle, otherwise it will be another body armour. Cotton is unforgiving. Before the summer (your winter) I will try a cotton/merino blend. I have a factory made 100% merino t-shirt (very thin). It is the best garment for doing sports in hot weather which suddenly turns to freezing rain.
I don’t knit blankets and don’t have a baby to knit for- and I still really enjoyed your video! As always, very thoughtful and detailed discussion! Looking forward to finding out what pattern you’ll use 😊
I'm so glad to hear it, thank you!!
Now that you've picked the yarn, the hard part is, which blanket pattern will you choose? There are so many beautiful blankets..........
So many gorgeous blankets to choose from!! I'm going to knit up my swatch (hopefully) this weekend and see how it feels.
Nice roundup of the baby yarns! I often wonder if the term "baby" is indicative of the weight of the yarn or if it is meant for baby skin (super soft)? I do have a few baby knits coming up soon, so great information!
I’m keen to know what blanket pattern you’ve decided to use, Nadine? I usually steer clear of acrylics, but I’ve used Fiddlesticks 8 for baby knits, and it’s quite lovely. I hope you enjoy knitting it up, too. :)
Hello! I've just received my Fiddlesticks in the mail and so I think I'll get started on my blanket soon - it's great to hear you enjoyed using it! I think I'm going to go with a self drafted pattern - just something nice and simple. Maybe the 4 rows garter + 4 rows 1x1 rib pattern which is everywhere at the moment.
Another Australian yarn I like is the 8ply superfine merino from Bellevue Park Wool. It’s so soft, and has some baby examples on ravelry.
I’m knitting with Bellevue Park Wool hand dyed right now - I’m knitting a Musselburgh Hat by Ydolde Teague for a friend who will be going through chemo soon, and it is so spectacularly soft. I’ve knitted a few projects with this yarn, and I have to say it is my hands-down favourite.
The downside would be it’s definitely a luxury yarn with a much higher price point, and the hand dyed is a handwash only yarn, so not sure it’s practical for baby blankets etc.
@@jodydcrawford5470 ah good point. The jumper I’m knitting at the moment is not dyed at all, ‘odd one out’ colour from their brown sheep. But it’s still hand wash only. Your project sounds very special.
Really enjoyed your review on the yarns, love the Top you are wearing in the Caron, how are you finding it for the warmth? I don’t knit in Acrylic because of that reason.. ❤
Let's just say it's definitely an air con top!!! 😅
Where do you find the yarn ratings on ravelry?
I would love to see a baby pattern round up!
Oooo yes that's a fantastic idea! If you search for the yarn in the 'yarn' tab, you'll find the rating on the right hand side about half way down the page - the same as where ratings are for patterns ☺
A lovely video with some great yarns featured! My fave baby yarn at the moment for gift knits is the baby soft from lincraft. The colour selection has changes this year and is a little limited, but I love to work with I’ve made some beautiful blankets with it in the past 💗
Ooooooh yes I have some baby soft in my stash, actually! It has such a lovely soft feel to it. 🩷
I do want to mention that of course gauge varies from person to person.
Right now I'm knitting up Drops baby merino at 3,5mm needles, an my gauge is 21 stitches for 10cm. 3mm needles would make it a bit denser fabric, but the drape I get now is fine. At 4mm needles (that were asked for the pattern I use now) I even got 20 stitches per 10cm, but the fabric got a bit too thin to my liking and the pattern asks for those 21 stitches.
All to say, if you'd want to try this yarn it works fine with a bit bigger needles and bigger gauge too.
That's great to know, I could definitely see myself using it sometime soon ☺
I really enjoyed the round up. Good to hear the comparisons.
For the pattern, have you considered the baby blanket from Call the Midwife?
Hi,didn’t know there was a call the midwife blanket?, is it on Ravelry?
@@lorrainewalker9426 the crochetcrowd have done it and I think also engineeringknits.
There is a beautiful blanket pattern for DK weight. Im now panicking as I purchased the pattern a year ago to knit now for my granddaughter due in July and now cannot find it. Could you focus your review of baby yarns that are available in Australia please?
I use dk weight yarn for afghans and baby blankets. I love cotton/acrylic blends. Cotton for breathability and acrylic to make them washable and lighter in weight. All cotton items are pretty heavy. I find it hard to get a blend that offers a good color range. I dont like 'baby' colors, they've been thought up by adults. Young children like bright, primary colors, and thats what i want to use.
The king Cole one says not to machine dry. I need more cotton yarns that can be machine dried
Hi I have no suggestions for baby knitting sorry. But I love your top could you please provide the pattern or link to it.
She did mention that it was the Flax sweater. That is a free pattern in all sizes by Tin Can Knits. 🙂
@warrandytegirl is absolutely right - this is the Flax, as far as I can remember ☺
Great roundup. Lots of commercials though which was distracting.
Remember that bamboo is a grass and can cause allergy issues in some people.
Oh I didn't know that! Thank you for mentioning it.
Drops merino does not keep its shape. Don't use it for garments if you want it to keep its shape and size.
I really want to try Drops Baby Merino. 🧶Paintbox Yarns is one of my favorite acrylic yarns.