| A soft, warm blanket is a must for every infant. | | | | and polyester. This provides a much more affordable |
| Always among the most popular baby gifts, blankets | | | | way to attain the glossy finish the fabric is known for. |
| give new mothers something cuddly to wrap her baby | | | | Although still costing $50 or more, satin baby blankets |
| in. Blankets are available in and unending number of | | | | are much less expensive today than they were when |
| designs, colors, and styles, and can be had with plush | | | | they were made from silk. |
| lining and trim. They are also available in many types of | | | | Alpaca |
| fabrics, which is the subject of this article. Here's a | | | | The original source for alpaca wool is the Peruvian |
| listing of the ten most popular baby blanket fabrics and | | | | alpaca, but the term now refers to a more generic |
| what you can expect to spend on them. | | | | style of fabric. It can be made from Icelandic sheep |
| Cotton | | | | wool, high-quality English wool, or mohair, and is |
| Cotton is the most well known fabric in existence | | | | available in a wide price range. Expect to pay a |
| today. It can be washed by machine and is extremely | | | | minimum of $30 but the cost could go above $120. |
| versatile - it can be woven, knitted, and dye any color | | | | Cashmere |
| you can imagine. Generally priced in the $10-$40 range, | | | | Obtained from the cashmere goat, this wool is |
| it can become more expensive with an elaborate | | | | renowned for its legendary softness. One of the more |
| design. The packaging may also influence the price. | | | | expensive fabrics to choose for a baby blanket, |
| Flannel | | | | expect to pay from $80 to more than $200 for a |
| A light- or medium-weight cloth, flannel can be made in | | | | cashmere blanket. |
| several ways, primarily a blend of wool and cotton or | | | | Merino |
| wool and a synthetic fiber. These blankets are | | | | Merino is a less expensive alternative to cashmere. |
| generally available in the same price range as cotton, | | | | Originating in Spain, it comes from a breed of white |
| $10-$40. | | | | fine-wooled sheep that produce an exceptional quality |
| Chenille | | | | of fleece. It looks and feels very similar to cashmere, |
| Usually made from cotton, this fabric can be | | | | but baby blankets made from merino will cost |
| distinguished by its manufacturing process. First the | | | | significantly less - about $30 to $120. |
| fibers are spun into a tightly wound core, then piles | | | | Velvet |
| (short lengths of fabric) are wrapped around so its | | | | Considered a luxury fabric because it requires multiple |
| edges stand at right angles from the core. This gives | | | | steps to manufacture and more thread per square |
| chenille its characteristic look and makes it feel so soft. | | | | inch than other fabrics, velvet can be made from |
| A blanket made from chenille is a little more costly | | | | many fibers, including cotton, silk, and synthetics. Prices |
| than one made from cotton or flannel, ranging from | | | | for velvet baby blankets range from $40 to more than |
| $25 to $60 in cost. | | | | $150. |
| Fleece | | | | Charmeuse Silk |
| I bet you think you know what this is made from, but | | | | Charmeuse silk is the most expensive fabric used to |
| you're wrong. You're confusing this with the wool of | | | | make baby blankets. Shiny and very smooth, a blanket |
| sheep. As used in a fleece baby blanket, the term | | | | made from the "silk of the emperors" will make a |
| describes a polyester fabric. There's no wool in a | | | | great impression on the new parents and show just |
| fleece baby blanket! Prices can range from $10 all the | | | | how much they and the baby mean to you. With a |
| way to $70. | | | | beautiful drape and an elegant luster, a blanket made |
| Satin | | | | from charmeuse silk will cost about $300. Maybe not |
| Once very expensive because it was made from silk, | | | | the most practical fabric to catch baby's messes, but |
| satin is currently produced from nylon, rayon, acetate, | | | | it'll definitely feel nice. |