Knitting a Baby Blanket is an easy knitting project though time-taking and laborious. You can knit the blanket project with any of your regular knitting needles. Even if you are new knitter with basic knitting skills you can start with this patterns. And, even if you have the experience of years, knitting a baby blanket is quite easy and interesting. Any knitter would love to see a baby cuddled in the blanket. It’s a simple construction with any pair of single pointed or circular needles. While you can opt for a knitting pattern, a baby blanket can be easily designed without one.
So, let’s get started.
Choose the Size
Though you’ve decided to go ahead with knitting a baby blanket, you must first decide its size. The blankets for babies come in different sizes, both lengths and widths used for different purposes. Once you decide upon the requirement, for the crib or for wrapping them up for a special occasion, you can plan the next steps and get closer to knitting the blanket.
Choose the Yarn for Blankets
Yarn is the soul of any knitting project and for your baby blanket you have to carefully decide the yarn. If you are following a knitting pattern you’ll have the information about yarn weight and material. You can go ahead with the yarn suggestion or pick a good yarn for your blanket project. To choose the yarn, you can explore the yarn weight and material.
Yarn Weight- For knitting the blanket, the yarn weight or thickness can range from fingering weight to chunky yarn. For beginners who are unsure, worsted is a good weight to start with. It is easy to stitch with and has a good stitch definition. Chunky yarn can be a good choice for a faster project but do consider that it does not smother the baby with its bulkiness.
Yarn Material – The fiber of the yarn – wool, cotton, acrylics, etc. all work for the project but be careful about the use. Wool is warm and durable, but it can be hard to care for and scratchy for the little one. Cotton is a good choice as it is natural fabric does not harm the baby but can be a little difficult to knit with as well as manage later. Acrylic blends offer a plethora of color choices along with light weight and frequent washing.
Choose Knitting Needles
Knitting a blanket requires you to knit back and forth. Circular knitting needles, both fixed and interchangeable are great for any blanket project. They’re long enough to hold stitches for a whole blanket and the cord carries the weight of the project not stressing the hands and wrists of knitters. If you are working with mid-weight yarn, the size 8 is perfect the project. It is also possible to go ahead with a pair of classic straights, but then circulars are perfect for the particular task.
Needle Size & Length – The size (diameter) of knitting needle will be mentioned in the pattern or the yarn label. It can also be used according to your desired gauge. The general rule is that bigger needle sizes means bigger stitches and smaller size, smaller stitches. For the needle length, circular needles have the versatile option of cord lengths that can accommodate the entire length or width of the blanket, allowing you to knit the project in one piece.
Blanket Construction and Common Stitches
As far as construction goes, knitting a blanket means going back and forth. The project has both the right side and wrong side visible. The common stitches you’re likely to find in blankets are those that are reversible. The basic garter has a neat and stretchy look. Stockinette offers a neat fabric that can be balanced with either a garter or seed stitch patter. Textured stitches are great but then can use more yarn so knit a swatch before you start with the project.
Knit a Gauge Swatch
A gauge swatch is the first step of a knitting project. With the yarn, knitting needles and even stitches you’ve planned for your project, make a swatch first. You’ll get an idea of the gauge, how the pattern will look and even the quantity of yarn required for the project. If you are trying out a new stitch pattern or new yarn, the swatch will give enough practice before you begin with the baby blanker.
With this tutorial, get ready to cast on stitches for your blanket. Make sure to work with stitch markers to divide your stitches into manageable sections. These steps will help you in knitting. Once you’ve achieved the dimensions, bind off stitches. Make sure to neatly weave in yarn ends with a darning needle in the stitch pattern. Snip off the ends with your scissors. Do wash your blanket once as during its knitting it might have gathered dust and dirt.
Happy knitting the baby blanket.
