Easy to Knit Baby Blankets Free Patterns
It seems like there's always somebody who's having a baby. What's a girl to do with an inbox full of baby shower invitations and a stash full of yarn? Make some of these super cute free knit baby blanket patterns – that's what!
Do you want to know why I like to make things for babies? Because the baby doesn't care what it looks like haha! Seriously, if you are a beginner knitter who is stressing out over how to knit a baby blanket – don't sweat it! The baby isn't going to notice if the stitch count is off or if the edges aren't quite straight. They are going to love it and snuggle it no matter what!
We've got an excellent variety of patterns for you today. There are free knit baby blanket patterns for beginners, and some for more experienced knitters too. We've got monochrome baby blankets, two color baby blankets, and multicolor baby blankets too! And you might be surprised at all the modern options for color schemes there are out there. (Hint: baby blankets aren't all pastel anymore!)
What is a good type of yarn to use for a baby blanket? Some of the patterns use thinner weight yarns like DK and there's some that use thicker weight yarns too like super bulky. So whatever you've got in your stash, we've got the pattern for you! Heck, we've even got a few patterns that are perfect for scrap busting!
So what are you waiting for? Scroll down and prepare to be inspired by all of these amazing free knit baby blanket patterns. Also scroll for the cute baby pictures, because they are freaking adorable!
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How to Knit a Baby Blanket
There are tons of knitting patterns out there for adorable knit baby blankets. They all use different colors, stitch patterns and designs. You'll find a great collection of them below, but here is how to knit a basic baby blanket.
Step One: Pick out your yarn and the size knitting needles you want to use (I typically will go up a size or two from the recommended size on the ball band for better drape).
Step Two: Cast on as many stitches as needed for the size blanket you want to make (this is where a gauge swatch comes in handy).
Step Three: Work in your desired stitch pattern until the blanket is the size you like. This can be as simple as knitting garter stitch or as complex as you'd like.
Step Four: Bind off the last row and add a border if you prefer.
Best Yarns for Baby Blankets
When choosing a yarn to knit a baby blanket, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the fiber content. I typically stay away from wool since it can be scratchy and some people have a reaction to it, so I wouldn't want the baby to be uncomfortable.
Second, I think of how easy it is going to be to care for the blanket. You want a yarn that is machine washable because babies are messy!! The blanket will probably need to be washed, at least if it gets any use. I have four kids and I remember how messy they were, so I stick to an easy-care yarn.
So look for yarns that are easy to care for and made from a premium acrylic (no scratchy yarns here!), a cotton or cotton blend or another animal fiber (maybe a great alpaca blend or something similar).
Here are some of my favorite yarns for knit baby blankets:
Premium Acrylic and Blends
- Knit Picks Brava Worsted (you can also get this in different yarn weights)
- Knit Picks Comfy Worsted (another great choice also in many different yarn weights)
- Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (a super popular yarn for years!)
Cotton and Blends
- Knit Picks Shine Worsted (a cotton blend available in many different yarn weights)
- Lion Brand Oh Baby (an organic cotton made for babies!)
How many skeins of yarn will you need to knit a blanket?
This depends on the yardage per skein and the size of the blanket you are making, but you can count on three to four skeins of an average 3.5oz weight.
Be sure to check the pattern you are making to see how many yards were used in the sample, especially if you are substituting the yarn called for in the pattern. So if the yarn used in the pattern needed 3 skeins at 250 yards each, you know you need around 750 yards.
Knit Baby Blanket Sizes
These sizes are the same for both knit and crochet blankets, and are a general guide. Don't feel bound to any one of these sizes – I typically like my blankets 24″ x 36″ for babies, and that size doesn't really "fit" into any of these categories. Smaller blankets can be used for car sears and strollers, or even lovies or security blankets, while larger blankets can be used for bed (with supervision or for older babies!) or to spread on the floor for play time.
25 Beautiful and Free Knit Baby Blanket Patterns
1. Herringbone Blocks Blanket
Bright sunny yellow is a great choice for a new summer baby, especially if the gender is going to be a surprise! This lovely herringbone design has a satisfying geometric repetition that is both playful and sophisticated. It is also nice that the recommended yarn is machine washable, because babies are messy!
Designer: Shannon Dunbabin
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Nifty Cotton (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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2. Pretty Blooms Baby Blanket
Work smarter not harder! You've probably heard of self striping yarn, but have you heard of self striping yarn that also creates floral motifs? This magical yarn will save you so much time and effort. You don't have to worry about switching colors or weaving in extra ends, you can just get into the knitting zone with your favorite show!
Designer: My Poppet
Yarn: Premier Yarns Bloom Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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3. Honeycomb Stripes Baby Blanket
Of course, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg on good quality yarn to get an amazing knit baby blanket! The honeycomb stripes blanket uses a very budget-friendly yarn, but you can't tell by looking at it. The modern color scheme and geometric hexagon design are an absolute delight. You can make the design using garter stitch and slip stitch.
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn: Caron One Pound (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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4. Shore to Shore Baby Blanket
Soothing hues of greens and blues are a lovely pick for the new bundle of joy. This design uses a self striping yarn, so there's no changing colors or weaving in extra ends. It also just so happens to be a very budget friendly yarn as well. It's a win win! The pattern uses only basic knitting stitches and yarn over eyelets. It's worked on the bias.
Designer: Red Heart Design Team
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Stripes (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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5. Textured Baby Afghan
Here's another one of our free knit baby blanket patterns that features a self striping yarn. I just love the effortless color blending, and all the time I save from not having to weave in extra ends! This design features a textured stitch pattern that uses knit stitches, yarn overs and stitches that are passed over. It's an easy stitch pattern to memorize and it's interesting enough to keep you engaged all project long.
Designer: Bobbie Fitzgerald for Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Ice Cream Big Scoop (DK Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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6. Terracotta Dreams
You can easily add interest to a monochrome blanket with a bit of texture! This textured stitch pattern uses stitches that are knit together along with slipped stitches, stitches that are passed over and long knit stitches. I like how the work forms a sea of little fans. Yes, this is definitely a free knit baby blanket pattern that you can sink your teeth into!
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Merino Extra Fine (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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7. Honey Honey
Zig zags and lace are the hallmarks of this stunning baby blanket design from Garnstudio DROPS. It is a beautiful and timeless blanket that is sure to be treasured for years to come. Plus, it is a unisex design that can be gifted regardless of the baby's gender. Both written and charted instructions are available for the stitchwork.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Kid-Silk and Garnstudio DROPS Baby Merino
Held double (Lace Weight #0 and Sport Weight #3, respectively)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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8. Sunset Baby Blanket
Move over pastel colors! You shouldn't feel restricted to lighter colors for your free knit baby blanket patterns. I mean, just look at the bold colors in this beautiful sunset design! One benefit of a more sophisticated color palette is that the baby won't outgrow the blanket. This design is knit diagonally in garter stitch and finished off with an icord edging.
Designer: Hudson + West Co
Yarn: Hudson + West Co Weld (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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9. Baby Fern Lake
Here's a neat new spin on an old trick: you can use the mosaic color change technique to make a super cool blended ombre effect. Teal fades to brown and brown fades to white in this beautiful celebration of transitions. The design calls for knit and slip stitches. Switching between holding your yarn in front or in back gives the project a subtle texture.
Designer: Berroco
Yarn: Berroco Vintage Baby (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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10. Luxe Log Cabin Blanket
You might be wondering what makes this free knit baby blanket pattern luxe. The secret is the ridiculously soft velvet yarn! The spoiled baby is sure to feel like they're being swaddled in clouds. The design is knit in the traditional log cabin style using garter stitch. New sections of color are added by picking up stitches.
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn: Bernat Baby Velvet (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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11. Colorblock Jute Stitch Blanket
Here's a fun way to make a knit baby blanket with two colors. This blanket design features two solid colored sections and one mixed color section in the middle. The jute stitch uses knit, purl and slip stitches. When you alternate between rows of two different colors you get a really cool effect that almost looks like weaving!
Designer: Purl Soho
Yarn: Purl Soho Linen Quill Worsted (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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12. Triss Baby Blanket
You don't need to know any fancy knitting tricks to make this beautiful blanket – just knit and purl! The Triss Baby Blanket features textured triangles and bold stripes. No one has to know that this blanket is so easy to make. I really like the look of this one, and I bet the recipient will love it too!
Designer: Creple Knits
Yarn: we are knitters The Pima Cotton (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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13. Zoe Baby Blanket
A beautiful knit baby blanket covered in colorful hearts is the perfect way to shower the new baby with love. This is such a cute design, and it's pretty easy too! The pattern is worked in stockinette stitch using the intarsia color change technique. I think this project would also be a great choice for scrap yarn!
Designer: Lillie Larsen
Yarn: Lang Yarns Cashmerino for Babies & More (Sport Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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14. Summer Daisie Blankie
This one's for all the purl stitches out there. Yes, we have free knit baby blanket patterns for you too! I love garter stitch for baby items because it is so squishy and soft. This pattern is made from 2 triangles and 4 colors of yarn. Both asymmetric and geometric styles are on trend right now, and this blanket has both characteristics!
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Softball (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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15. Mosaic Stitch Blanket
Just look how striking this knit baby blanket is with chains of diamonds all in a line. This design uses the mosaic colorwork design which calls for slipped stitches. It's a really neat technique that's not nearly as tricky as it looks, and it's made even easier by the super bulky weight yarn. Beginner knitters – definitely give this cute pattern a try!
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn: Bernat Baby Blanket (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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16. Half Moon Baby Blanket
Just wow! This abstract half moon blanket is so striking, don't you think? I love the bold colors of the half moons, and the neutral-colored heather background too. The design is worked in garter stitch and it uses the intarsia colorwork technique. I think it's just lovely, and it would make a perfect present for either a girl or a boy!
Designer: Maura Jacobi
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rios (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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17. Emmy's Blanket
Free knit baby blanket patterns that are worked from the center or the corner are perfect if you're lazy like me because there's no long cast on! This design features stripes that radiate outward from the corner at a right angle. The basic stitchwork is nicely elevated by the eyelet rows and it looks good with a lot of different colors.
Designer: Weaving Tales
Yarn: La Droguerie Fleur de Coton Bio (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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18. Cute as a Button Baby Blanket
Raise your hand if you like a knitting challenge! This super cute baby blanket design is named after the estonian button stitch that the pattern uses for the main part of the blanket. The border is worked using the latvian braid stitch. Talk about texture! What a great way to make a monochrome blanket more interesting.
Designer: While They Dream
Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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19. Mini Stripes Blanket
One of the reasons I love free knit baby blanket patterns so much is because baby yarn is always so deliciously soft and smooth – it's just so easy to work with! Combine that with the simplicity of an eye catching chevron design and you've got a recipe for knitting bliss with this cute Mini Stripes Blanket.
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn: Bernat Baby Blanket (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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20. Hooded Bear Blanket
What could be cuter than a handmade baby blanket? How about one with a hood and bear ears! Photography opportunities abound with this adorable design from Bernat. The pattern uses knit stitch for the main blanket, garter stitch for the border, and a ribbed stitch for the edge of the hood.
Designer: Bernat Design Studio
Yarn: Bernat Giggles (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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21. Seachange Baby Blanket
Want to know how to get the marled effect in your knitting projects? It's easy – just work with two different colors of yarn held together. This is also a great way to gradually fade from one color to the next for an on trend ombre effect. You can make this knit baby blanket in a jiffy using just garter stitch!
Designer: Wooly Bear Knits
Yarn: Wool and the Gang Shiny Happy Cotton (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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22. Hope Baby Blanket
Studies have shown that knitting is good for your mental health and can help relieve stress. I think that knitting is a great way to get through tough times and still be able to have hope for the future. This design uses a nice relaxing and repetitive combination of stockinette and seed stitch.
Designer: Leelee Knits
Yarn: Knit Picks CotLin (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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23. Kisses and Hugs Reversible Baby Blanket
If the perfectionist in you hates the look of the back sides of all your knitting projects, then try this reversible pattern on for size! The cute and simple design is accented by a row of cablework X's and O's. It's cute, it's relatively easy, and it's totally giftable too! What a sweet way to let the new baby know she is loved.
Designer: Kelley Hobart for Alpaca Direct
Yarn: Berroco Vintage Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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24. Astrophil Blanket
The beautiful Astrophil Blanket features simple cabling and an easy to remember 4 row repeat. The design is named after the sea of stars that the cables form. I love the 3-dimensional effect, don't you? The border of the blanket is knit as you go so you don't have to mess around with picking up stitches.
Designer: Chicory Sticks
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rios ( Weight #)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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25. Sweet Snuggles Pinstripe Baby Blanket
Not all free knit baby blanket patterns have to be colorful. I really like this black and white design. It's perfect for the modern nursery with a minimalist design. The pattern calls for broken garter stitch and it works up lightning fast thanks to jumbo weight yarn and a big ol' pair of knitting needles.
Designer: Raw Blackledge for Michaels
Yarn: Loops & Threads Sweet Snuggles (Jumbo Weight #7)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Common Questions about Knitting Baby Blankets
How many stitches do you need for a baby blanket?
When knitting a baby blanket, you will use a different number of stitches depending upon your pattern. Typically you will cast on over 120 stitches depending upon the weight of the yarn you are using. The lighter the weight of the yarn used, the more stitches you will need to cast on.
What is the best knitting stitch for a baby blanket?
There really is no "best" stitch as there are so many amazing ones out there. You can use simple garter stitch where you knit every row or a combination of knit and purl stitches for texture. I would stay away from simple Stockinette unless you are planning on adding a substantial border as it tends to curl. Also, stay away from lace patterns with lots of holes, as little fingers and toes can get caught in them.
Can you knit a baby blanket with straight needles?
Most baby blanket sizes should be able to fit on 14″ long needles. Circulars just give more room for the stitches to spread out and you work them the same as straight needles, but if you have sets of straight needles and don't want to invest in circulars, you can definitely knit a baby blanket with straight needles.
How long does it take to knit a baby blanket?
This will depend upon several factors: the weight of yarn used, the size of your knitting needles, and how fast you are at knitting. I'm much faster at crocheting a baby blanket, so I typically will use that craft, but you can knit a baby blanket in several hours with super bulky weight yarn, or it can take weeks with lighter yarn.
I just can't get enough of these free knit baby blanket patterns. It's cuteness overload! I see a lot of happy and snuggly babies in the future…tell me which blanket you will be making in the comments below!!
Don't forget, sharing is caring! Send this free knitting pattern round-up to all your knitting friends so they can join in on the fun too! Bookmark this page or save the link to your Pinterest board for amazing knitting patterns.
I'll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3
Happy Knitting!
Amanda
Source: https://lovelifeyarn.com/knit-baby-blanket-patterns/
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