Here's why I like to knit baby things:
- they're cute
- they're fast
- they have enough structure to be interesting to knit, but also basic enough to be easy
- who doesn't like babies?
So, I went and wrote a pattern for a baby blanket. Yes, I too said once that I would never make a blanket on account of them being too long and me getting too bored. But, this blanket has cables to make it interesting, and it's short enough to get done in a week. I cast mine on last night around 10, and it's already about a third done.
Cosy Baby Blanket- Llamas and Company Knits (llamasandcompany.blogspot.com)
DK or Worsted weight yarn (something fluffy and light, I would recommend an acrylic for this because it will need to be washed often if it’s used around babies) I used Bernat Softee Baby and you’ll probably need at least two, so 600 yards (more or less depending on how long you want it.)
Size 8 needles, either straight or circular or size to get a 4 stitches per inch gauge (gauge is not hugely important though since it’s only going to be a blanket not a garment)
Cast on 98* stitches
Work in garter stitch for 2 inches
Cable Set-Up row (right side)
k5 p3 k6 p3 k6 p20 k12 p20 k6 p3 k6 p3 k5
row 2 (wrong side) - knit the first 5 and last 5 (these are your garter stitch edging so it doesn’t roll up) the purling parts are going to be reverse stockinette stitch, so knit those on wrong side rows. The other knit stitches should be purled... so k8 p6 k3 p6 k20 p12 k20 p6 k3 p6 k8
row three- k5 p3 c6f p3 c6f p20 c6f c6b p20 c6b p3 c6b p3 k5
continue in this manner, cabling every 4th for the edge cables and 6th row for the middle cable (or on a right side row when you feel like it)
When this part of the blanket is long enough, or you’re almost out of yarn and don’t feel like going into town, knit another 2 inches of garter stitch on the end and cast off.
Yay babies!
*if you would like a wider blanket, cast on desired number of stitches and when you get into the pattern, just evenly add those stitches to the panels of reverse stockinette stitch on either side of the middle cable.
Bam! Baby Blanket!
My circular is unruly, otherwise, this is what your's should look like!
