You’ve heard your friend’s stories of knitting baby blankets when they were expecting a new baby. And that always made your heart smile. Secretly you’ve been wishing to do the same when it’s your turn. Finally, you’ve come to experience this wonderful journey of becoming a mother. And now, your old little desire has found the right time to get bloomed.
Don’t worry if you’ve never tried knitting before. Those who are an expert knitter were once a knows-nothing like you. There are some simple and easy patterns that you can learn with a bit of guidance and instruction. I’m here to do that.
Let’s talk about how to knit a baby blanket without having any previous record.
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How to Knit a Baby Blanket: From Start to End.
It’s time to give the inner fiber-lover or knitter some wings to make wonderful blankets for a guest to arrive in a few months. And so, I will talk about yarn choosing, color selection and everything from the start to end. Keep on Reading!
Get Your Yarn, Color & Needles Chosen Wisely.
You require two strands of yarn hold together to knit easily and quickly. So, get two regular 8 size skeins of average weighted and soft yarn. You can also get the 4 double-sized skeins instead. There are plenty soft and average weighted choices for yarns to go for a baby blanket.
Always check the label to find out how much yarn you’re getting. The standard amount that one would need is fifteen hundred meters. There are even special yarns available in most craft supply stores. These are specially designed for knitting baby blankets.
The extra softness and ranging of color make these more appropriate for beginners. For machine-washable blankets, a wood-acrylic blend of yarn works best.
For the color of baby blanket, you can choose depending on your taste. My first blanket was a pastel one and I love these shades such as mint green, lavender, baby blue and of course light pink. My sister preferred bold colors more. So, she went for apple red. You can also try sunshine yellow, royal blue or Kelly green in case of other bold shades. Neutrals can also be ideal choices such as any shade of beige, cream or brown. Some people also prefer off-white, light grey, charcoal, and similar vibe colors.
Usually, for simple blanket knitting, US size 11 works best. These 8 mm circular knitting needles do wonder with average weighted yarns. You also need to ensure that the pair of needle comes with a long cable between.
So that you can easily stitch with enough room available. Usually, 74-centimeter-long cables are considered ideal. You can also try straight needles. However, they will be hard to use. On the end of these needles, yarn tends to put its weight making it hard for your wrists.
Making First Cast.
On your right-hand needle, start by making a slipknot. Now from two-inch skeins of yarn, you need to hold one strand. This is for keeping strands together by evening ends. Around your middle and index finger, simply loop the both working yarn strands.
Do this two times and let the second loop be pulled by first one. Tighten the knot nicely by pulling yarn’s tail. You need to slip the loops onto your needle on right hand from your fingers. This is the very first cast on stitch you just made. Keep a note of the following cast on stitches as well.
Continue Until 133 More Stitches.
For a baby blanket, you require having around 134 stitches in total. Work on both strands at the same time to continue casting. Around your left-hand needle, simply loop next working yarn.
Then let the right-hand needle slip inside this loop and keep yarning. Again, get yarn into this loop for the left-hand needle. This way, keep continuing for reaching a total of 134 casts on stitches. You can also try more numbers of the cast for any other preferable pattern.
Using Garter Stitch for Rows.
The garter is a flat stitch to work with easily. The working yarn needs to be on cast’s right-hand side. Make it done by turning the knitting needles. It’s time for the first cast to have a right-hand needle.
Over end of needle, simply loop the yarn. It needs to be pulled through the old stitch. You can let the old stitch slip off needle’s end while making new stitches. Keep on repeating this process until the row ends. Turning the work around for every end of row is important.
Working Across Rows.
For adding texture, you need a special stitch to work across row. To create an intricate looking baby blanket, there are many stitches to try. According to your skill level, you can try waffle, brioche, bamboo, seed, rice, and more type of stitches.
After every 10 rows, you need to change color for creating strips. It’s also okay to use only one color for the entire blanker. Chunky striped looks are possible by switching colors every 10 rows.
One-yard skein end needs to be tied when another skein starts. This is the best way to switch colors. It’s also possible to switch colors whenever you want. Just don’t forget about cutting excess yarn after such switching.
Keep on working until the blanket reaches your desired length. 45 inches should be an ideal target for somebody new to this. Using a tape measure simply check the length and you can stop when it reaches desired mark.
Final Row Bind Off.
The first two stitches on row need knitting for binding off. Over the second stitch, simply raise first knitted stitch onto right handle needle. Once again go for another knit and lift the old stitch-up. It should be above the new stitch. Keep on repeating the knitting and lifting process for a new stitch to cast last row.
In the last row, tie final stitch with a knot to secure it. Leave 6 inches from the last stitch and cut yarn. Now thread it into the yarn needle and keep weaving inside and outside of baby blanket’s edge. Once the yarn gets very short to continue any weaving, tie a knot around last stitch. Cut the yarn leaving half inches.
Adding Satin Borders.
Get a satin border matching your color taste. Cut it down into the required length so that it goes around outside border of created baby blanket. For every edge, cut one piece and sew it onto the blanket nicely.
Pin them into the border to get better positioning and equal fabric on every side. Using zigzag stitches, simply sew it along the inner edge border. You should sew gradually to not make mistakes.
Done!
And that’s How to knit a baby blanket easily. Make sure you watch a few videos to understand the knitting steps even better. Also, you can try getting help from someone who had previous experience. It’s always best to complete your first try under someone’s supervision. So that you can save time by avoiding wrong practices from the beginning.
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