Yarns for Knitting and Crocheting Blankets

It depends on the weight and the size. For a sofa throw measuring around 120 × 150 cm in DK yarn, you will need between 1,200 and 1,500 g; with Chunky or Super Bulky weight, between 800 and 1,000 g. Check the metres per ball on each product page and calculate according to your pattern’s tension swatch.

A certified organic cotton DK or Sport yarn, such as Gazzal Organic Baby Cotton, is a safe choice: soft, breathable and GOTS certified. Superwash merino blends also work well, as they are warm and washable on a delicate cycle.

It depends on the fibre. Cotton and premium acrylic can be machine washed on a gentle cycle. Superwash merino can be machine washed on a wool programme. Yarns with alpaca or untreated virgin wool need hand washing in cold water and drying flat.

Yes, but it is important that the yarns have a similar weight and compatible washing instructions. If you mix a cotton that can be machine washed with an alpaca that requires hand washing, you will need to care for the whole blanket as if it were made from the most delicate fibre. It is also a good idea to knit a swatch with each yarn to check that the tension matches and that no section ends up tighter or looser than the rest.

It mainly depends on the yarn weight and the complexity of the stitch. A sofa throw made with Super Bulky yarn and 10-12 mm needles can be finished in a weekend. With DK weight and a granny square design or textured stitch, allow between two and four weeks if you knit regularly. The thicker the yarn, the faster the project grows.