Which is better for baby clothes?

Caron Simply Soft. It is softer next to skin and machine washable and dryable, which matters for baby items. Cascade 220 is warmer but needs hand washing.

Cascade 220. Wool keeps its shape and resists pilling better over years of wear. Simply Soft is durable for acrylic but can stretch and pill with heavy use.

Can I use them for the same patterns?

Mostly yes. Both are worsted weight, but check gauge: Cascade 220 knits at about 18 to 20 stitches per 4 inches on US 7 to 8 needles, and Simply Soft works at a similar gauge.

Is Cascade 220 worth stepping up to?

Yes for sweaters, hats and colorwork where warmth, stitch definition and longevity matter. Skip it if you need easy machine care or a very soft hand.

Which is better for blankets?

Simply Soft for large blankets: it is softer, washable and has more yardage per skein. Cascade 220 blankets are warmer and heavier but need hand washing.

Does Simply Soft really have no dye lot?

Its solid colors are sold without dye lots, so skeins match across purchases. Cascade 220 is dyed in lots, so buy enough for a project at once.

Caron Simply Soft Yarn vs Cascade 220

Buy Caron Simply Soft for soft, machine-washable projects and easy care, especially baby items and garments that need drape. Buy Cascade 220 for real wool warmth, stitch definition and long-lasting sweaters and accessories. Simply Soft is softer out of the skein and has more yardage per skein; Cascade 220 holds shape better, felts, and is the standard workhorse wool knitters trust.

Choose the Caron Simply Soft if you want a soft, machine-washable acrylic for baby items, blankets and quick beginner projects.
Choose the Cascade 220 if you want a durable wool with good stitch definition for sweaters, hats and colorwork.

Prices

Caron Simply Soft Yarn: $5.78 at Amazon (last seen Nov 12)
Cascade 220: $12.49 at Paradise Fibers (last seen Nov 10)
Difference: the Caron Simply Soft Yarn is $6.71 cheaper than the Cascade 220 at the latest prices (Nov 10 and Nov 12)