Baby blankets are popular project among weavers. If you have a narrow loom, you can seam your fabrics together, or if you have a loom with a double heddle block, you can weave a double width blanket and skip the seaming.
The first fun task is to select yarns. You want a yarn that is gentle, yet strong—a yarn that will be kind to baby’s soft skin, but hardy enough to stand up to repeated use. I’ve just wrapped up a visit to The National NeedleArts trade show (where your local yarn shop goes to shop) and I have three recommendations from the show floor.
The first is Cotton Fleece from Brown Sheep. Made of 80% Pima cotton and 20% Merino wool, Cotton Fleece offers you the best of the cotton and wool worlds. It is soft, cool to the touch, breathable, and wears well.
I used this yarn for the project in my new video, Double Your Fun, and in Life After Warping. Both videos feature small baby blanket-sized throws. The doubleweave version is popular among weavers because there are no seams for baby to tangle little feet and toes. You may want to skip the lattice fringe and tie simple overhand knots for the same reason.
Another option is AppalachianBaby, an organic cotton grown in Texas and spun to about a DK weight. Organic cottons retain more of cotton’s natural wax, making them buttery smooth and hard wearing. In addition to white, this yarn comes in pastel pink and blue. The Appalachian Baby folks are lovely people who focus just on items for baby. They also offer ready-made baby gifts, handmade in West Virginia, or you can buy the yarn and make a gift yourself.
If you are more of a wool gal or guy, I am so excited about FreshStitches’ new line with Louet. It is 100% machine washable Merino wool. Stacey has added her intense pop to the Louet Gems line. These would make an excellent, bright edition to any wee one’s wardrobe.
There was so much else to see at the show, supreme among them the people. As I often say, I go for the yarn, but I stay for the people.
Weave on!
Liz
P.S. If you subscribed to this blog and it hasn’t shown up for awhile my apologies. I discovered a glitch in the system.
Liz. Just took your class yesterday at Loop. What size heddle do I need to use the organic cotton for a baby blanket. Thx. Pam
Hi Pam. This is a new kit I just saw at a trade show from Appalachian Baby. I don’t see a link to it yet on their website and I’ve emailed them for more details. I’ve woven with this yarn before and used a size 8 rigid heddle. I’ll post again when I get more details.
Just heard back from Appalachian Baby. They are finalizing the pattern and tt will be available in August. I’ll post a link when it is ready.
Is there a pattern on this for baby blankets. Where do you buy the yarn? I’m from Australia.
The first blanket is from my new video, Double Your Fun. The pattern is included in the video. You can get the yarn from many online retailers including one of my favorites Cotton Clouds They are very knowledgeable about rigid heddle weaving. The second blanket featured is a new kit from Appalachian Baby.