What Makes A Great Baby Blanket?
As your little one makes their way through life, they’ll naturally gravitate toward what makes them feel the safest. That includes siblings, friends, and of course you, their loving parents. It doesn’t have to stop there, though. Depending on their personality, a blanket might be the perfect companion to help them begin to find a place in the world.
The title of this article might seem overly simplistic, but blankets play an integral role in life that’s largely taken for granted. They are always there to soothe you exactly when you need them. They’re so dependable that there’s rarely time to stop and think about why they’re so great. Well, that time has come. Here are three things to consider to pair your little tyke with a blanket they’re sure to cherish.
Soft and Fuzzy
Your baby’s blanket should have that classic warm and fuzzy feeling to offer comfort in every situation. Remember that, much like a teddy bear, a child can use their blanket to calm themselves down by giving it a good squeeze. Why not encourage them with yarn that’s gentle to the touch?
What you’re after is a chenille-style yarn. French for ‘caterpillar’, ‘chenille’ refers to fabric treated with heat to give it a frizzy, hairy surface that looks a lot like velvet without the added price. Bernat Blanket yarn is a popular example in the crafting community with options for all budgets and skill levels. Its super bulky weight means it stitches up quickly whether you knit or crochet, and it comes in a bevy of colours to complement any home’s décor.
There’s even a special Bernat Baby Blanket yarn with soft and colorful baby shades your little one will love. All Bernat Baby yarns have been OEKO-TEX tested and are free from harmful substances so you can be sure the material your baby is in contact with is safe.
If you need some guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local yarn shop where an expert will be happy to help you.
Durability
It’s important to use strong sturdy yarn so baby can build a bond with their blanket over many years. It’s a well-known fact that babies are explorers at heart. They’ll follow curiosity wherever it takes them and they’ll want a blanket that can tag along for any adventure.
If there’s something interesting going on in another room or out the window, your baby won’t worry about cleanliness before crawling across the floor to take a look. This is why the yarn you choose should be machine-washable. Given a parent’s busy life, having to wash something by hand can be painstaking, especially at the end of a long day. It also takes away from quality time with your child, which is too short and too precious to waste.
The Joy of Knitting
Taking the initiative and knitting the blanket yourself will make the whole process more rewarding. Not only that, you’ll experience first-hand why this pastime is so relaxing. Just follow your chosen pattern, stitch by stitch, and let your cares melt away.
Meaningful Design
Even if they’re very young, your baby will already be giving you signs about what they like or don’t like. Do some sleuthing and see what you find. You may learn something new in the process and grow closer to your little bundle than you thought you could.
● Do they light up with joy every time a dog passes by on your morning walks?
● When it’s time to get dressed, are they drawn to some colors more than others?
● Do they want you to read them a certain book multiple times in a week?
These are all fun and creative directions to take with baby’s next blanket. You don’t need to know why they feel the way they do—in fact, you may not be able to if you’re still waiting on those magical first words. It’s all about taking the initiative and customizing their surroundings based on how they interact with the world.
A big beautiful blanket won’t only develop your child’s appreciation for top-notch craftsmanship and keep them from catching a chill. It’ll also be there as a friend to console them and help them feel less alone. Focus on their tastes to determine how the blanket should look and feel and let the adventures begin.