Favorite Washable Natural-Fiber Yarn for Afghans?

[idahoknitter]

My new niece-in-law suggested that I make afghans for the adult nieces and nephews for Christmas next year. That was a great suggestion!

I'm now looking for natural-fiber (or natural fiber blend) washable yarns for afghans. These relatives will soon be starting families so I want something that can survive families. Here are 4 patterns I'm considering:

Branches and Berries Afghan: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat13856&PRODID=xprd73703Wedding Afghan: http://www.interweaveknits.com/freepatterns/pdf/Wedding_Afghan.pdfIris Afghan: http://www.dailyknitter.com/iris.htmlBurridge Lake Aran Afghan (I must be crazy to think I can do this :knitting: ) http://magknits.com/Oct07/patterns/burridge.htm

What natural fiber yarn do you use to make soft, warm, luscious, cuddly, washable, long lasting afghans? Do you have a favorite pattern?

If this thread already exists, please point me to it. I wasn't able to find it using search.

Thanks!

[suzeeq]

You'd want to look for Superwash wools if you want 100% natural fibers. There's several blends that are washabale, Plymouth encore, Lion Woolease and a Paton's yarn. Many acrylic yarns are very soft, warm and snuggly, and will stand up to years of use.

[idahoknitter]

Thanks for the suggestions Suzeeq. I'm avoiding acrylic yarns because I am unable to wear 100% acrylic so I assume knitting with it isn't a good idea either. However, the blends seem seem to be ok so I'll start checking into the brands you suggest.

[suzeeq]

How are you not able to wear them? I do know that if I knit a tight (as in normal) gauge, they're too hot for me. That's one reason I knit with larger needles, opens up the stitches.

[idahoknitter]

Good question - I should be more specific. My skin does not respond well to acrylic or polyester so I avoid wearing it whenever possible. So I didn't want to work with 100% acrylic for that reason.

[cristeen]

I've seen any number of cotton, bamboo, soy and hemp yarns that would be luscious knit up into a blanket. Don't restrict yourself to wools. Some of them will shrink the first time they're washed though, so you may want to do a swatch and adjust the size/gauge/pattern accordingly.

[suzeeq]

Oh, there's a few wool/cotton blends that might be nice. Knitpick's has one, there's one by Brown Sheep, and probably others.

[Ingrid]

There are several superwash merinos--Cleckheaton is one that isn't horribly expensive. Nice and soft, too. Lorna's Laces is a dream, but it's a bit expensive for an afghan, most likely.

the Cleckheaton is on sale here!:happydance:http://www.yarnware.com/web/yarnware/Yarnware.nsf/Yarn/CLECKHEATON-Country_8_Ply!OpenDocument (http://www.yarnware.com/web/yarnware/Yarnware.nsf/Yarn/CLECKHEATON-Country_8_Ply%21OpenDocument)

[idahoknitter]

Christeen, I love the idea of bamboo, soy and hemp! I'll start looking into them right away.

Ingrid, you mentioned two brands I've never heard of before so I will look into them too.

Thank you everyone! I'm so very excited about the project now.

Cindy