Free Knitting Patterns for Baby Blankets

Is there anything more comforting than a hand-knit baby blanket? It is one of those things that we all have fond childhood memories of, and therefore knitting one is more than just a way to pass the time till baby arrives -- it's a way of showing baby how much you care.

On the following pages we will show you a few different patterns for baby blankets. Through your choice of colors and yarns, you can personalize your blanket to fit your baby perfectly and keep him or her warm and cozy any time of the year.

Free Houndstooth Blanket Knitting Pattern

This classic pattern has been updated with a pretty ruffled edge.

Free Sunny Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern

Let your baby shine with this bright blanket.

Free Honeycomb Stroller Blanket Knitting Pattern

Great texture and color variety in a small blanket that fits strollers and cribs alike.

The first pattern we are going to look at is the classic houndstooth pattern -- here in an upbeat red-and-white color combination.

Worked in crisp, contrasting colors, this blanket is sophisticated as well as cozy and warm. Its simple-to-knit slip-stitch pattern uses only one color yarn per row so you don't have to carry two colors.

Size

Approximately 42x40" (106.5x101.5cm), including ruffle edge

What You'll Need

Yarn: Soft sport weight yarn, 918 yards (839.5m) each in 2 colors

We used: Lion Brand Babysoft (60% acrylic, 40% nylon; 459 yards [420m] per 5oz ball): #100 White (color A), 2 skeins; #184 Melon (color B), 2 skeins

Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm)

Notion: Tapestry needle

Notes: Carry unused yarn loosely along edge; do not cut yarn at end of each color. When slipping stitches, slip as if to purl.

Gauge

22 stitches and 31 rows=40 (10cm) in pattern

Making the Blanket

With color B, cast on 216 stitches very loosely.

Row 1 (right side): Drop color B. Join color A and knit 1, *with yarn in back slip 1 as if to purl, knit 2; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, with yarn in back slip 1 as if to purl, knit 1.

Row 2: With color A, purl.

Row 3: Drop color A, pick up color B, *with yarn in back slip 1 as if to purl, knit 2; repeat from * across row.

Row 4: With color B, purl.

Repeat rows 1-4 until piece measures about 361/2" (92.5 cm) ending with row 4.

Make the Border

Side edge

Using color B, with right side facing pick up and knit 270 stitches evenly spaced across 1 side edge.

Row 1: (Knit 3, purl 2) across row.

Row 2: (Knit 1, knit in front and back of next stitch, purl 3) across row. (324 stitches)

Row 3: (Knit 3, purl 2, purl in front and back of next stitch) across row. (378 stitches)

Row 4: (Knit 3, knit in front and back of next stitch, purl 3) across row. (432 stitches)

Row 5: (Knit 3, purl 4, make 1 purlwise, purl 1) across row. (486 stitches)

Row 6: (Knit 6, purl 3) across row.

Row 7: (Knit 3, purl 6) across row.

Bind off loosely in pattern. Repeat for other side edge.

Bottom edge

Using color B, with right side facing pick up and knit 215 stitches evenly spaced across cast-on edge.

Work rows 1-7 same as for side edge. (Note: Increase rows will have fewer stitches than side edge. You'll increase 43 stitches on each increase row.)

Bind off all stitches loosely in pattern.

Repeat for upper edge across the bind-off edge.

Weave in all yarn ends to wrong side of work.

Perhaps the houndstooth is not the nursery style that you are looking for? Go to the next page to get a pattern for a very bright and sunny baby blanket.

Of course this blanket can be knit in any color you please, but bright yellow brings an extra spark of joy and light. A pretty textured pattern makes it even livelier. The more you wash this yarn, the softer it gets.

Size

301/2x34" (77.5x86.5cm)

What You'll Need

Yarn: Machine-washable worsted weight yarn, about 800 yards (731.5m)

We used: Plymouth Encore (75% acrylic, 25% wool; 200 yards [183m] per 31/2oz [100g] skein): #215, 4 skeins

Needles: US size 8 (5mm) circular, 29" (73.5cm) long

Notion: Tapestry needle to weave in ends

Gauge

17 stitches and 32 rows=4" (10cm) in garter stitch (knit every row)

Making the Blanket

Cast on 132 stitches.

Rows 1-16: Knit.

Begin pattern:

Row 1 (right side): Knit.

Row 2 (wrong side): Knit 8, (purl 8, knit 4) 9 times, purl 8, knit 8.

Rows 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11: Repeat row 1.

Rows 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12: Repeat row 2.

Rows 13-18: Knit.

Repeat pattern (rows 1-18) 11 times more. Repeat rows 1-12 once more. Knit 16 rows for border.

Bind off, and weave loose ends to wrong side of work. Wash and block.

If you would like a blanket with even more texture and more colors, try our honeycomb stroller blanket pattern on the next page.

Unlike most typical baby blankets, this one features a unique honeycomb pattern. It may look complicated, but the pattern is actually easy enough to master. The blanket's small size, perfect for a stroller or crib, is another welcome feature.

Techniques

Binding off -- BO

Casting on -- CO

Picking up stitches

Ribbing

Slip stitch purlwise

Size

Approximately 24x32" (61x81.5cm)

Gauge

19 stitches and 24 rows=4" (10cm) in pattern

What You'll Need

Yarn: Sport weight yarn: about 6oz (170g) each in 3 colors

We used: Bernat Baby Coordinates (75.2% acrylic, 22.2% acetate): Lavender (main color); mint green (color A); peach (color B), 1 ball each

Needles: US size 10 (6mm)

Notion: Tapestry needle

Note: Carry unused yarn loosely along edge; do not cut yarn at end of each color.

Making the Blanket

With color B, cast on 100 stitches very loosely.

Rows 1 and 2: Knit.

Row 3 (right side): With color A, knit 1, with yarn in back slip 2 as if to purl, *knit 6, with yarn in back slip 2 as if to purl**; repeat from * to ** across to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 4: Purl 1, with yarn in front slip 2 as if to purl, *purl 6, with yarn in front slip 2 as if to purl**; repeat from * to ** across row to last stitch, purl 1.

Rows 5-8: Repeat rows 3 and 4 twice more.

Rows 9 and 10: Change to color B; knit.

Row 11: With main color, knit 5, with yarn in back slip 2 as if to purl, *knit 6, with yarn in back slip 2 as if to purl**. Repeat from * to ** across to last 5 stitches; knit 5.

Row 12: Purl 5, with yarn in front slip 2 as if to purl, *purl 6, with yarn in front slip 2 as if to purl**; repeat from * to ** across to last 5 stitches, purl 5.

Rows 13-16: Repeat rows 11 and 12 twice more.

Rows 17-218: Repeat rows 1-16 twelve times; then repeat rows 1-10 once more.

With color B, bind off all stitches very loosely.

Make the Border

Side edge

Using main color, with right side facing pick up 108 stitches evenly spaced across side edge.

Rows 1-5: Work in knit 1, purl 1 ribbing across 108 stitches.

Bind off all stitches very loosely.

Repeat for other side edge.

Lower edge

Using main color, with right side facing working across cast-on edge, pick up 86 stitches evenly spaced across lower edge.

Rows 1-5: Work in knit 1, purl 1 ribbing across 86 stitches.

Bind off all stitches very loosely.

Repeat for upper edge across bound-off edge.

Weave in all yarn ends to wrong side of work.

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Contributing designers: Terry Kimbrough, Susan Leitzsch, and Lucie Sinkler.