Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

The Basics of Knitting a Baby Blanket

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how to knit a baby blanketI love knitting baby blankets. It’s probably the baby thing I’ve knit the most of and designed the most of in my years as a knitter and designer.

I think they’re fun because they are so easy. You can use any stitch pattern, any kind of yarn, and make them just about any size you like.

But it’s good to have some rules, and this handy guide to baby blanket design from Noble Knits is a great place to start.

It runs you through basic sizes, yarn choices and how to figure out how many stitches you should cast on — though a major caveat is it doesn’t say anything about stitch pattern multiples, which are vital to get right if you want your pattern to turn out.

(If you are using a pattern stitch dictionary, it will tell you the multiple of stitches you need. When you multiply your gauge by the size of blanket you want, adjust as needed to get to a number that also works for your stitch pattern.)

Have you ever designed a baby blanket from scratch? I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Noble Knits.]

A basic pattern to knit a baby blanket

Knitting a baby blanket is a great way to show your love for a new baby and to give a unique handmade gift. It is a relatively easy project that even a beginner can master.

To get started, you’ll need some basic supplies. You’ll need a pair of knitting needles, yarn, scissors, and a tapestry needle. Depending on the size of the blanket you want to make, you’ll also want to purchase enough yarn to cover the size you want. You can also use a different color of yarn for the border.

Next, you’ll need to learn how to cast on. To cast on, you’ll need to make a slip knot, which is an easy way to start a project. Once the slip knot is complete, you’ll need to make one stitch, then pass the loop through the first stitch to make a second stitch. From there, you’ll need to keep repeating the process until you have the desired number of stitches for your blanket.

Once you have the desired number of stitches, you’ll need to start knitting. To do this, insert the needle with the stitches through the yarn, and then pull the yarn through the stitches. Make sure to keep the tension even, and to keep the same number of stitches on the needle each time. If you’re having trouble with this, you can always use a stitch counter to help keep track.

Once you’ve finished knitting, the last step is to bind off. To do this, you’ll need to knit two stitches together, and then pass the first stitch over the second stitch. You’ll continue this process until you have one stitch left. You can then remove the last stitch, and your blanket is complete!

Looking for more Knitting patterns for Babies? Check these out on Etsy.

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Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.