For this blanket, you will need: 5-6 different yarns in coordinating colors (not more than 10 yards each; we’re using leftovers here so you don’t need to buy yarn unless you don’t have any on hand.) Since this isn’t a project that doesn’t have to fit anyone, it, therefore, doesn’t need to be spot-on. In most cases you can simply make a chain as long as one side of the blanket needs to be (take into account the multiples you might need for the stitch pattern), and crochet until you reach the size that you need. Get 8 regular size skeins of a soft, medium-weight yarn. Thanks for reminding of the joy of creating for others! All in all, find a yarn that is really soft in colors you love enough to live with for the tie it’ll take to knit a blanket. According to the above chart, if you’re making a baby blanket, it’ll be 40″/102 cm wide. Have fun, and don’t forget to tag @vickiehowell with your blanket WIPs and FOs! This can be determined by looking at the yarn label. As you know how many stitches you need to cast on, start to knit the first row. I learned to knit from an elderly friend of the family when I was 11 years old (1969). hello(at)dontbesuchasquare.com. If you get 5 stitches per inch, then you need 5 x 40 stitches or 200 stitches for your 40 inch wide blanket. It took me forever to make it, so now I crochet my afghans. It’s the stitch we use in our Take Me Home Blanket and Sailing Home Blanket.Anyone can knit a garter stitch blanket – all you need to master is the knit stitch, and our garter stitch … The knitted piece should be big enough for you to measure for gauge, and then some. PRO TIP: Choose a multi-ply yarn, versus a single ply or roving yarn, for blankets as they’re less likely to pill with wear and washing. 750 gr. If you change needles your gauge will change and so will the size of your finished piece. Or maybe you’re an experienced knitter, but curious about trying to knit without a pattern? Any weight from sock to mega-bulky will work, depending on the desired effect. The Russian join, here described by Ellen over at The Chilly Dog, looks intriguing but I haven’t tried it out yet. Any soft, medium-weight yarn in the desired color will work for a baby blanket. There are a lot of lovely knitting patterns for blankets out there. Although, washability is usually of utmost importance for baby blankets if you’re truly making an heirloom — especially one including lace — I would consider that something that special deserves an occasional handwash. If you are really serious about knitting a baby blanket, you could try knitting a single bed blanket. You will still knit back-and-forth in rows, but the weight of the numerous stitches and growing fabric will rest on your lap as you work, rather than your wrists having to bear the strain. Enjoy! The addictive baby blanket by Renee M is a project that uses a solid color and slip stitches that show on the front of the work, giving an almost cabled effect. I am assuming 4 ply worsted yarn in the Medium 4 Weight Category. Reading tips: ––> How to avoid pain when knitting––> Circular knitting needles for beginnersIf you are thinking of buying circular needles I suggest you consider a set of interchangeable knitting needles. If being washable is a deal breaker than look for Super Wash fibers (which have been treated to be able to handle a reasonable amount of warm water and friction without felting) or, of course, there are always 100% acrylics which these days are often just as soft as their animal fiber counterparts and as indestructible as, well, all plastic products. Pick up a stitch on the corner and then work your way down the side of the blanket picking up and knitting one stitch for … Assuming your stitch pattern either requires a multiple of 2, 5, 9, or 10, then that’s your cast on number. Reading tip:––> Best Baby Knitting Yarns – What to think of when knitting for babies + yarn suggestions. 5 to knit a lapghan, this set has my needle needs covered! How many stitches to cast on for a baby blanket? You would need to cast on 150 stitches. You need quick answers so you can start your project. Approximately 36″ x 36″ Cast on 45 stitches. If you’re knitting for a baby, there are a few key things to have in mind. I like the freedom it gives, and if you think you would too, give it a try with this baby blanket! I knit this blanket in a few evenings during my last days of pregnancy, so looking forward to the sweet baby boy that would soon by wrapped in it. Now that you have picked yarn for your baby blanket project, it’s time to estimate how much yarn you will need. This site is all about the crafts, mostly knitting and crochet but you’ll find some Holiday crafts and other fun things here as well. This adorable knit baby blanket pattern is a great project for expecting mothers. you can read more about the merino fiber here, You can read more about the cotton fiber here, Click here to read more about the linen fiber. Cast on 30 stitches, if you have stitch counts (small ring you put on needles every 10 stitches. How many stitches do you need to knit a blanket? We cover how to choose supplies, what stitch patterns work best, and how to write your own pattern. When you’re done swatching, you can use your square not only to measure your gauge but also for estimating if you have enough yarn! I think having an interchangeable circular needle set is the most cost-effective option for knitters as it gives you the versatility of changing out needle sizes if needed to obtain gauge, without having to go out and buy another circular needle. Knitting needles (I used size 9 for this blanket) Yarn needle Scissors. Knitter’s Pride has several, great circular needle options in different materials such as: Zing! Happy Knitting! ***This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by Knitter’s Pride/ KnitPro*** Learn how many stitches to cast on for your next hat! Reading tip:––> How to pick yarn for my next knitting project? I want to knit a 40×40 baby blanket with Bernat Pipsqueak striped yarn (5 weight). Binding off is the process of removing your live stitches form your needles and securing them, so your knitting won’t unravel. Are you about to knit your very first baby blanket? This works fine for wool yarns that easily stick together, and you can even do it with cotton and linen if you knit the strands together for ten stitches or so, and are careful when weaving in ends later. Blankets are an exercise in love and patience, so set yourself up for success by treating your experience to nice yarn. This type of blanket pattern is also known as an increase decrease pattern, C2C blanket, diagonal knit blanket or the bias knit square blanket. Once you’ve selected your stitch pattern(s), knit at least a 4″/10 cm swatch. Or make it a dishcloth or an adult size afghan if that’s your desire Being able to knit without the need to follow a pattern is a good feeling! You’ve also knit a swatch and measured it, and figured out how many stitches per inch it gets. Most blankets are knit from one side to the other. If you wish to knit your blanket in stockinette stitch that will make a smoother surface. 5 sts x 40″= 90 sts. It comes with THIRTEEN different sized needles made from the most beautiful and smooth wood and is housed in a denim case that doubles as a pattern holder. The knitting pattern is written for a baby-size blanket, but if you want a larger blanket you can either increase the needle size/yarn weight or cast on more stitches and repeat the color pattern more times. This one’s for all the absolute beginners, as well as anyone who enjoys the simple things in life. You could choose to knit the blanket in garter stitch, which makes a nice squishy fabric. Use bobbins to hold yarn for the garter stitch borders, edgings and the striped parts of the pattern. -Knit 2 rows. Interchangeable sets are particularly handy when designing your own blanket as you have different needle sizes and cord lengths to swap out as you go from swatching to knitting your full-sized project. Structure and/or lace patterns are fun to knit and can be both subtle and bold, depending on the pattern/yarn combination. How Many Stitches to Cast On? MATERIALS for a 35 x 35 in (90 x 90 cm) Baby Blanket. We start by casting on four stitches and make increases until the desired width is reached. All you have to do now is divide the amount of yarn you need by the amount of yarn on one ball to get the number of balls needed. Knit up with Lion Brand Feels like Butta yarn, a worsted weight yarn in polyester, it’ll be easy to care for. Or X stitches per 10 centimeters if you’re using the metric system. In this episode of Ask Me Monday, I broke down the basics of How to Knit a Blanket. This means you have to convert one of the numbers to get the same units or take one zero off your cast on number to compensate. I’m Erika and I’m so glad you’re here! Yarn included in this category are examples like Caron Simply Soft, Caron One Pound, BernatSuper Value and etc. I had bought a book called”Knitting Made Easy” by Barbara Aytes and I found the stitch pattern I liked that was pretty and once you “got” the pattern repeat you could do it without checking the pattern. Thanks for the rest. of worsted weight yarn (wool or cotton recommended for US 7-8 knitting needle size or 4.5 – 5 mm): As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Use the needle size suggested on your yarn label, or if you did a swatch, use the same needles. (lightweight metal), Symphonie Dreamz (polished wood), and Marblz (marbled plastic.) There are many ways to weave in those ends and finish off your knitting. Yarn: Worsted Yarn (#4) Follow these instructions until you’ve reached 170 stitches on your needles:-Cast on 5 stitches. The baby will appreciate the softness of handmade beauty even if you are off an inch or two. We are constantly asked how many chains do you need to do certain size afghans. Using my crochet hook and measuring tape, I figured out the average chain counts you need to do in order to get close to size you want. here described by Ellen over at The Chilly Dog, Click here to visit my knit and purl stitch library. Cast on 167 sts using 5mm needles and Yarn A. A blanket is like a blank canvas, and you could fill it with your favorite stitch pattern. Now do the same with the measurements you want your finished blanket to have. This video isn’t just for newbies, though. The link for the pattern is provided below photo. When you're knitting your first hat, the hardest part can just be planning the whole thing out. Not only is the Seven Stitch Baby Blanket a an easy TV knitting project, it's also conducive for reflection and mental preparation for the arrival of a little one. But if your knitting one of the larger sizes and/or in a thicker yarn it’s a good idea to knit back and forth on a circular needle. Hence if the blanket is 32 inch wide then it will require 136 stitches. Readers might be confused. Beginner needs help. How many stitches should I cast on for a baby blanket? Just pick a pattern to stitch and a yarn you'd like to use, make a gauge swatch, and use that to determine how many stitches you need to make a blanket the size you want. If you have a yarn with a yarn label attached to it you will find the estimated gauge stated as X stitches per inch or 4 inches. Consequently, don’t sweat it too much if your baby blanket is 35″ x 37″ – no one will notice… Check out these free patterns for crochet baby blanket: Begin by choosing a pair of needles that you think will suit the yarn and knit a square or rectangle. If it is 4 x 4 inches then it will require 17 stitches using size ‘8’ needles. We’re lucky today, as there are a lot of circular set options out there to fit most needs and budgets. This makes the final blanket size a little bit bigger. If you want a medium sized blanket, then try casting on 120 stitches. My absolute favorite right now, though is the Knitter’s Pride Ginger set. I want you to be a lifelong knitter, so do me a favor and save your wrists now by choosing the right tools! Now it’s time for some math. You might also like Block Stitch Baby Blanket Free Knitting Pattern. Wheater your yarn is a stashed treasure that’s lost its label, a mystery yarn from the thrift shop or you have spun it yourself you will need to determine the gauge to know much you will need for your project. Aw, what a nice memory. Always knit all the stitches … Continue until the blanket reaches its desired length. Tags: Ask Me Monday, blanket recipe, how to knit a blanket, knitter's pride. )which sold mainly Coats and Clark yarn and Boyle knitting needles. In other words, if you want to knit your new niece a cashmere stroller blanket I’m all for it! By using the stitch counts you will know right away if you have dropped a stitch. An Easy Level Knitting Pattern This is an easy pattern for those of you who are a beginner or advanced beginner level, and the techniques you will need to know are casting on, casting off and knitting garter stitch. It’s for anyone who has wanted to tip-toe into designing but didn’t know where to start. See our complete guide to knitting abbreviations for the terms used in this pattern. genre. Which size your finished blanket will have, Your gauge (how many stitches per inch/stitches per 10 centimeters), A circular needle can hold a bigger amount of stitches. Needles Size 8 US (5mm) Knitting Needles. Purl Soho has an excellent post on the matter on their blog showing a few different ways to weave in ends with nice and clear photos, check it out! How many stitches you need depends on two things: Take the measurement for the width you want your finished blanket to have, refer to the sizes in the graphic. I made it from scrap yarn and I think about size 10 needles and #4 worsted yarn that was changed at the end of the repeat pattern (10 rows). Garter stitch. How to Knit a Baby Doll Blanket. Click below link for free pattern… Claire’s Cable Baby Blanket Measure the sides of your swatch and multiply the length with the width. Yarn.. Sirdar big softie in Meringue, 196 yards Needles.. Single bed blankets are around 240 x 260cm, so to make a blanket this size, you would need to cast on 528 stitches and knit 780 rows. Sometimes a border is added to the edges of the blanket after casting off by picking up edge stitches. In this post, I show you how to knit a baby blanket in any yarn, size, and stitch pattern, without the need to first find a pattern! Ok, so you’ve chosen a yarn which for this demo, let’s say, is a sport-weight. Review: HiyaHiya Interchangeable Knitting Needles. There are a bunch off different methods for binding off your knitting, and you could pick whichever you like to. There are some rough yardage estimates for knitting baby blankets. It is important to know the number of stitches to be casted while knitting the baby blanket. Cast on the number of stitches you calculated in the previous step. This bind off works just as well with purl stitches as for knits and purls mixed like ribbing or another stitch pattern. Whether I want to use a Madeline Tosh laceweight yarn to make a baby blanket, or Loopy Mango Merino No. This classically designed blanket features seven easy stitch designs interspersed by panels of stockinette stitch. It was years before I was brave enough to make Afghan, but needed a Christmas gift for my sister-in-law. All materials copyright © Craft.Rock.Love Media LLC. This brings back so many memories! The latter are also often the least expensive and are readily available at big-box retailers. Now it’s time for some math. Just switch out the knits for purls when needed. This method allows you to join the strands together that rules out the need for weaving in ends. For knitting, you’d cast on as many stitches as you want it wide, and knit until it reaches the length that you need. So if you want a baby blanket to be 36 inches across and your gauge is 4 stitches per inch -- common with a bulky-weight yarn -- you'd need to cast on 36 x 4 = 144 stitches. There aren’t really any rules about what yarn you can and can’t use to knit a blanket. Pull the tail through your last stitch to secure the stitch. Gauge in blankets is not crucial. So, now fellow knitters, we’re going straight to the fun stuff, it’s time to pick your yarn! But you need to fix the example of calculating cast on stitches. Cut your yarn, leaving a long enough tail to be able to weave it in, 5 inches/15cm or so will do. This is the area of your swatch. Insert your needle into the first stitch you just knitted, pull the stitch over the second and let it slip off your needles. According to the above chart, if you’re making a baby blanket, it’ll be 40″/102 cm wide. The finished baby blanket measures 81x120cm. Easy peasy! It’s absolutely nothing wrong with following a pattern. EASY BABY BLANKET KNITTING PATTERN FOR BEGINNERS | Cast on your new favorite baby project! I mean, if a baby blanket turns out an inch wider than you had calculated for, it’s not a big deal. . The Quick and Easy Baby Blanket //// Instructions Here’s our Knitting Needle Conversion Table . How much yarn will I need to knit a queen size blanket? How to pick yarn for my next knitting project? A 96 stitch cast on would result in a small lap blanket. Then, we decrease, until we have the same four stitches as we started. Since you’re making this pattern up yourself, however, you will need to estimate a cast on number for your project. Now you should have one stitch left on your right needle. The number of stitches you cast on to start your blanket will determine the final width. This tells you how many times bigger your blanket will be compared to your swatch. It all depends on how the blanket is going to be used. Now it’s time to figure out how many stitches to cast on for your blanket. I recommend ALWAYS using circular needles when knitting a blanket. Crochet is a form of art and certain variations are acceptable. Then multiply the weight of the swatch with the number you got when dividing the area of the blanket with the area of the swatch. May 3, 2018 - How many stitches to cast on for a blanket? DOWNLOAD A BLANKET RECIPE WORKSHEET PDF HERE. Here are 3 free patterns for blankets that are very sweet: Super Easy Baby Blanket from Purl Bee, Tree of Life Knitted Afghan from Lion Brand yarns (you need to register on the website), and the Chevron Baby Blanket from Espace Tricot. Looking for a solid, staple wool for blankets? Then you look at your yarn label again to see how many yards/meters of your yarn there are in one ball. Yes, if you can manage to fit all the stitches on a straight needle that’s fine. A baby blanket is an easy project to start with because of its rectangular shape, as well as the fact that the fit can’t go wrong. If the piece is 2"x:2" then your gauge would be 10 stitches per inch and you would need 360 stitches cast on to make the blanket. Put the swatch on a scale. When you're ready to delve into two-color slip stitch knitting, try the Mirbeau slip stitch baby blanket by Brenda Lewis, Ann Aschenbrenner's new life baby blanket (which uses brick stitch) or the woven slip stitch blanket from Peg Baker. filed under Ask Me Monday Series, Knitting/Crochet. Please note that if you’re choosing to make a blanket that has a border, with a background stitch and an additional panel element like a cable, your swatch should include all of those elements. This may seem like an obvious choice for a redhead, but I seriously feel spoiled by this set. Knit until your piece is long enough, that would be the length of the size you choose from the chart earlier. I bought my needles and yarn at a dime store ( anyone remember those?! I can’t remember what year that was but I think it was about 1984. If you think that knitting two strands together gets too bulky you could use one of the many ways to joining yarn available. Web site by Websy Daisy Web Design. Welcome, The long tail cast on is a beginner-friendly technique, it was the first one I ever learned and I still use it! Vickie Howell is a on-air host, designer, instructor & community builder in the D.I.Y. Repeat steps 2 and three until there are no stitches left on your left needle and 1 stitch on your right needle. Just be sure to include washing instructions when you gift it. She was always knitting when my family came to visit, and I was so curious, that she agreed to teach me. Reading tips:––> Prevent curling edges in stockinette––> Tips for knitting smoother stockinette. This number is a rough estimate of how many grams of yarn you will need for your project. But, as this post is all about knitting the easiest baby blanket, we will go with the easiest one. A rule of thumb when going for the more complicated stitch patterns is to pick a yarn that will make your stitches justice. Try Valley Yarns Superwash Worsted. You can knit a quick and easy baby blanket by holding 2 strands of yarn together and knitting with 2 strands at once, so you will need 8 regular-sized or 4 double-sized skeins. In this case, you can use the table at the right to see how many yards/meters you will need. Note Intarsia technique is used. If you like a mid-century palette, then try my colors within that line! Just keep in mind that you have to add some edging to your blanket to prevent it from curling! It turned out great and I know she kept it for many years. There’s no pattern involved, you can use whatever yarn you prefer, and knit up any size you want! Wee Garter Stitch: Must-Make Knits for Modern Babies. Read more here. It was a garter stitch triangle of many colours that became a doll's blanket. The chevrons ended up looking a bit like snowy mountains (hence the name). This band will increase the size of the blanket to 85cm x 110cm. Here’s a baby stroller blanket from Lion Brand Yarn that’s easy enough for beginner knitters.. To make this easy knit baby blanket you’ll need circular knitting needles to hold all your stitches. Start to Knit the Blanket. Fiber content can vary, but usually, 100% wool and blends with silk, rayon, and cotton will provide solid results. Multiply it by your gauge, this is how many stitches you should cast on. Now it’s time to figure out how many stitches to cast on for your blanket. Reading tip:––> Circular needles tutorial This post includes a video of how to do the long tail cast on. I have been knitting for yarns and this seems to the must popular with my students. Please feel free to email me: How many stitches you need depends on two things: Which size your finished blanket will have ; Your gauge (how many stitches per inch/stitches per 10 centimeters) Take the measurement for the width you want your finished blanket to have, refer to the sizes in the graphic. Keep your baby comfortable in knitted blankets for a cozy sleep. The Interactive Knitting Calculators are here to help! US 36 20mm circular knitting needles Measurements.. Using the gauge on the label, there are 11 stitches in 4″, so according to the calculator above, I need to cast on 110 stitches. Alright, you’ve got your supplies, now it’s time to get designing (yup, that’s what you’re doing, when using the below recipe. Click here to visit my knit and purl stitch library, a page with easy textured knitting stitch patterns using only knits and purls! Either case, this project is for you. If you chose a stitch pattern than needs, say, a multiple of 4, then just round up or down to the nearest multiple. Great article on the process! This yarn is so soft and cozy. I get these questions all the time and they can be tricky to answer. There are some different blanket sizes to choose from when knitting blankets for babies and small children. ), Round Peg Blanket from Wee Garter Stitch: Must-Make Knits for Modern Babies, by Vickie Howell. Put your mystery yarn on the scale and see if you have enough. When you need to attach a new ball of yarn the easiest way is to just knit five stitches with both the strands of the new and the old yarn and leave the tails for weaving in later. Then this post will give you some clarity! It sounds like music in my ears! If you need help measuring your gauge or on how to knit a swatch, please jump over to this post for more help with that! What is the number of rows to loom knit a man’s scarf? You could also fill it with panels of different stitch patterns. Using the 1st colour pick up and knit 195 stitches along the top of your blanket. See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show! Knit across the entire row, then turn your work and knit back. Thank you for sharing! Cast on the determined number of stitches. If there are five stitches per inch and you want it to be 30 inches wide you multiply 5 times 30 and get 150. Bottom line, though, choose needles that feel right in your hands, work well with your chosen yarn, and make your knitting experience as comfy as possible! you can get these in the craft section of most department stores.) Row gauge isn’t that important, as you can simply just keep knitting until you get to the desired measurement (or 1″-2″/2.5 cm-5 cm before, if you’re adding a border), and then bind off. Episode of Ask me Monday, blanket recipe, how to choose from the of... Parts of the many ways to joining yarn available may seem like an obvious choice for baby. And cotton will provide solid results agreed to teach me start to knit your blanket in stockinette stitch for.... Are off an inch or two again, this is a form of art and variations. Stitch cast on for your 40 inch wide blanket 're knitting your first hat, the hardest part can be. > how to pick a yarn which for this demo, let ’ s Pride Ginger set a... The process of removing your live stitches form your needles and yarn a second and let it slip your! Stitch patterns is to it by choosing the right to see how many stitches to cast on for a x... Keep in mind could also fill it with your blanket WIPs and FOs she kept it for years... 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