Easy Knit Baby Blanket Pattern for Beginners

By Jan Bay

This easy knit baby blanket pattern gives beginners a straightforward project made with basic knit and purl stitches, a balanced 34-stitch eyelet repeat and three-stitch side edges. The instructions include a gauge checkpoint, adjustable sizing and finishing guidance so you can make a handmade blanket for supervised snuggling, tummy time or a baby shower gift.

See the Recommended Yarn for This Knit Baby Blanket

Materials and Supplies

• Soft worsted-weight yarn that can be washed according to the care instructions on its label
• US size 9 knitting needles, or the needle size needed to produce the fabric and gauge you want
• A long circular needle may be used for flat knitting if it holds 108 stitches more comfortably
• Tapestry needle for weaving in yarn tails
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Two to five removable stitch markers, optional, depending on the selected number of pattern repeats
• Row counter or a simple written repeat checklist, optional
• Blocking surface and rust-resistant pins, if appropriate for the chosen yarn

Skill level: Advanced beginner. You should be comfortable knitting and purling, slipping a stitch purlwise, making yarn overs, working K2tog decreases and counting a repeated stitch sequence.

The amount of yarn required depends on the blocked gauge and the finished dimensions you choose. The current pattern does not provide enough tested information for an accurate yardage figure, so an exact amount should not be assumed.

Joining a new ball of yarn: Begin the change at the start of a row whenever possible. Slip the first stitch as written, then knit the next stitch with the new yarn. Leave a tail of at least 6 inches from both the old and new yarn, continue working the row in pattern, and weave both tails securely into nearby stitches during finishing. Do not tie a bulky knot in the middle of the blanket. Use the same method for a planned color change.

Finished Size and Gauge

This pattern uses 108 stitches for the three-repeat version, but it does not produce one guaranteed finished width. Yarn thickness, needle size, knitting tension and blocking can all affect the final dimensions.

Make a full-pattern swatch before beginning the blanket:

1. Cast on 40 stitches. This equals one 34-stitch pattern repeat plus three edge stitches on each side.
2. Swatch Row 1: Sl 1 pwise wyif, move the yarn to the back, K39. (40 stitches)
3. Swatch Row 2: Sl 1 pwise wyif, move the yarn to the back, K2; K2tog, K6, YO, K1, YO, K6, K2tog twice, K6, YO, K1, YO, K6, K2tog; K3. (40 stitches)
4. Swatch Row 3: Sl 1 pwise wyif, move the yarn to the back, K2, move the yarn to the front, P34, move the yarn to the back, K3. (40 stitches)
5. Repeat Swatch Rows 1 through 3 several times, creating a swatch large enough to measure through its center.
6. Wash and dry the swatch according to the yarn label.
7. Measure the blocked stitches per inch through the center pattern. Divide 108 by that number for an approximate blanket width. Because the side edges have a different texture, the actual blocked width may vary slightly.

Work the blanket to the desired length. Blocking may increase, decrease or leave the finished dimensions unchanged, depending on the yarn and the knitter's tension.

Before casting on the full blanket: Record the blocked swatch gauge, chosen cast-on count and target finished width and length in one place. Select the cast-on count that comes closest to the desired width. During knitting, lay the blanket flat without stretching it and measure the length only after completing Row 3 so the full three-row repeat remains intact.

Stitches and Abbreviations

• K: Knit.
• P: Purl.
• Sl 1 pwise wyif: Slip one stitch purlwise with the yarn held in front.
• K2tog: Knit the next two stitches together. One stitch is decreased.
• YO: Yarn over. Bring the yarn forward and over the right needle to create one new stitch.

Working the yarn overs: On Row 3, purl each yarn-over loop as one regular stitch. Do not drop the yarn over from the needle. It forms the eyelet and is included in the stated stitch count.

When the instructions say K2tog twice, work K2tog over the next two stitches, then work another K2tog over the following two stitches. Four stitches are used and two stitches remain.

Easy Knit Baby Blanket Pattern Instructions

Cast on 108 stitches.

This equals three 34-stitch pattern repeats plus three edge stitches on each side:

3 edge stitches + 102 pattern stitches + 3 edge stitches = 108 stitches

Optional stitch markers: Place one marker after the first 3 edge stitches, one after each completed 34-stitch pattern repeat, and leave the final marker immediately before the last 3 edge stitches. Slip each marker as you reach it. Use 2 markers for 40 stitches, 3 markers for 74 stitches, 4 markers for 108 stitches, or 5 markers for 142 stitches. For the 108-stitch version, place the markers after stitches 3, 37, 71 and 105.

Edge rule: At the beginning of every row, slip the first stitch purlwise with the yarn in front. When the next stitch must be knitted, move the yarn to the back between the needles before continuing. The first and last three stitches form the side edges.

Row 1: Sl 1 pwise wyif, move the yarn to the back, K107. (108 stitches)

Row 2: Sl 1 pwise wyif, move the yarn to the back, K2; *K2tog, K6, YO, K1, YO, K6, K2tog twice, K6, YO, K1, YO, K6, K2tog; repeat from * two more times; K3. (108 stitches)

Row 2 stitch check: Each 34-stitch repeat contains four yarn overs and four decreases. Each repeat begins with 34 stitches and ends with 34 stitches.

Row 3: Sl 1 pwise wyif, move the yarn to the back, K2, move the yarn to the front, P102, move the yarn to the back, K3. (108 stitches)

Repeat Rows 1 through 3 until the blanket reaches the desired length, always completing the full three-row repeat.

Optional row tracking: Use a row counter or written checklist to record one completed pattern repeat every time Row 3 is finished.

Construction note: Because this is an odd-numbered three-row repeat worked flat, the eyelet row falls on alternating faces of the blanket. The written pattern therefore creates an alternating-sided texture rather than one permanent lace-facing side.

End after completing Row 3. On the following row, bind off all 108 stitches knitwise and loosely. Use a larger needle for the bind-off if the edge begins to draw inward.

How to Change the Blanket Size

To change the blanket width, cast on a multiple of 34 stitches plus six additional stitches for the side edges.

• One pattern repeat: 34 + 6 = 40 stitches
• Two pattern repeats: 68 + 6 = 74 stitches
• Three pattern repeats: 102 + 6 = 108 stitches
• Four pattern repeats: 136 + 6 = 142 stitches

Do not add a partial pattern repeat. Keep three edge stitches at the beginning and end of every row.

Use these row instructions for any resized version:

Row 1: Sl 1 pwise wyif, move the yarn to the back, then knit every remaining stitch. The row ends with the same number of stitches that were cast on.

Row 2: Sl 1 pwise wyif, move the yarn to the back, K2. Work the following 34-stitch sequence a total of once for a 40-stitch cast-on, twice for 74 stitches, three times for 108 stitches, or four times for 142 stitches: K2tog, K6, YO, K1, YO, K6, K2tog twice, K6, YO, K1, YO, K6, K2tog. K3. The row ends with the same number of stitches that were cast on.

Row 3: Sl 1 pwise wyif, move the yarn to the back, K2, move the yarn to the front and purl until three stitches remain, move the yarn to the back, K3. The row ends with the same number of stitches that were cast on.

Repeat Rows 1 through 3 to the desired length, completing the full three-row repeat before binding off.

Changing the yarn weight or needle size also changes the width, drape and amount of yarn required. Make and block a new swatch whenever either is changed.

Finishing and Blocking

1. After binding off, cut the working yarn and pull the tail completely through the final loop.
2. Use a tapestry needle to weave every yarn tail securely through nearby stitches.
3. Wash or dampen the blanket only as permitted by the yarn label.
4. Lay the blanket flat and arrange it into an even rectangle without overstretching the eyelet pattern.
5. Allow it to dry completely before measuring or adding embroidery, monogramming or binding.

If satin binding is added, pin or baste it evenly without stretching the binding or the knitted fabric. Miter the corners, sew both edges securely and inspect the completed binding for loose sections.

Color and Personalization Ideas

• Use one color to emphasize the repeating eyelet texture.
• Embroider the baby's initials or birth date after the blanket has been blocked.
• Have the blanket professionally monogrammed after confirming its finished dimensions.
• Add securely sewn satin binding if the knitted edges and binding can lie flat without gathering.

Secure all embroidery threads and yarn tails. Do not attach buttons, beads or other small removable decorations to a blanket intended for a baby.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many stitches do I cast on for this baby blanket?

Cast on 108 stitches for the three-repeat version. This includes 102 pattern stitches and six side-edge stitches.

How do I make the blanket wider or narrower?

Use a multiple of 34 stitches plus six edge stitches. Add or remove only complete 34-stitch repeats.

Does this blanket have a permanent right side?

The written three-row repeat places the eyelet row on alternating faces. Make a swatch and choose the appearance you prefer for display, but continue following the repeat in sequence.

Can this blanket be used in a baby's crib?

Do not place loose blankets in an infant's crib, bassinet or play yard during sleep. Reserve the blanket for supervised use or display.

For another knitting project, see this free easy baby blanket knitting pattern.

Browse more free baby knitting patterns for handmade baby gifts and nursery projects.