Which wool to use for a baby blanket? Knitting made easy
- Wool for baby blanket
- amount of material
- pattern suggestions
- Simple braiding pattern
- honeycomb
- Further sample suggestions
A knitted baby blanket is a simple anticipation project for expectant parents and a welcome gift for friends who are expecting a new family member. In this guide you will learn which wool is suitable and with which patterns you give the good piece an individual touch.
The wool shop swells with temptingly colorful yarns, but you're not sure which wool is suitable for a baby blanket "> wool for baby blanket
Which wool is suitable for a baby blanket?
You should select the wool for a baby blanket in the shop so you know what the material feels like. It should be soft in any case so that it does not scratch on the delicate baby skin. Since the finished blanket will often get stained and lie on the floor, it is important that it can be easily cleaned in the washing machine . You can find information about this on the banderole. Be sure to choose a smooth yarn because the lint of long-haired wool could swallow the baby and choke on it. Many manufacturers offer special baby wool, which meets all the criteria mentioned.
material
As a material for a baby blanket are basically three different fiber types are good: merino, cotton and acrylic. In addition to the pure yarns, there are numerous blends, for example made of 50% cotton and 50% polyacrylic. Such compounds combine the advantages and disadvantages of the individual substances.
merino
Merino wool comes from Merino sheep and feels very soft. Therefore, unlike other types of wool, it does not generally scratch. If the wool is equipped with "superwash", it can be easily washed in the machine. Merino wool regulates the heat in a natural way, so that the baby always has a cozy cuddly under the blanket. However, some babies are allergic to the fabrics with which the yarn has been treated and get a rash.
cotton
Cotton is a natural vegetable fiber that regulates temperature well. However, she feels less cuddly-soft than Merino wool and dries only slowly. In addition, blankets made of pure cotton yarn often become very heavy.
Synthetic fibers, such as polyacrylic, are cheap, easy to clean and dimensionally stable . However, they are less warm than natural fibers. Overall, the decision for or against chemical yarns on the skin of a baby is a matter of faith.
amount of material
For a baby blanket, you will need 400 to 650 grams of wool, depending on the desired dimensions and yardage of the yarn. How to calculate the wool consumption can be found in the following article: How much wool for baby blanket. Depending on the quality and consumption, you should plan for between 15 and 70 euros for the material.
On the banderole of your wool, the manufacturer gives a recommendation on needle size . For a baby blanket, the strengths between four and six are particularly good, so that the piece is not too bulky, but at the same time the knitting does not take too long. On normal knitting needles the required stitches do not find enough space. Therefore use a circular needle . Such consists of two short needles, which are connected by a flexible hose. You can use it as usual after every row.
pattern suggestions
Pattern for a baby blanket
In addition to the stitches for your desired pattern, you'll need two edge stitches to get the blanket clean. We recommend the edge of the chain, for which you push the first stitch in each row with the thread before working on the right needle. So do not knit this stitch. The stitch at the end of the row will work you right.
Tip: For particularly beautiful edges you can crochet the finished knitted blanket. How to do this is explained in the following instructions: Knitting baby blanket. In addition, you will learn how to stretch the finished blanket so that the fabric does not curl up.
Simple braiding pattern
This pattern is very effective with little effort. Therefore, it is well suited for knitting beginners. For your baby blanket, weave a number of stitches in the weave pattern, which can be divided by six, and add two additional stitches and the two edge stitches. Repeat all the steps in each row until all the stitches are knitted. The asterisks (*) mean that you only repeat the instructions in between. The stitches in front of or behind knit only once at the beginning or end of the row. In the following instructions, the edge stitches are not listed.
1st row: knit all stitches to the right
2nd row: knit all the stitches on the left
3rd row: 2 stitches on the right, * 4 stitches on the left, 2 stitches on the right *
4th row: 2 stitches on the left, * 4 stitches on the right, 2 stitches on the left *
5th row: 2 stitches on the right, * 4 stitches on the left, 2 stitches on the right *
6th row: 2 stitches on the left, * 4 stitches on the right, 2 stitches on the left *
7th row: knit all stitches to the right
8th row: knit all stitches on the left
9th row: 3 stitches on the left, * 2 stitches on the right, 4 stitches on the left *, 2 stitches on the right, 3 stitches on the left
10th row: 3 stitches on the right, * 2 stitches on the left, 4 stitches on the right *, 2 stitches on the left, 3 stitches on the right
11th row: 3 stitches on the left, * 2 stitches on the right, 4 stitches on the left *, 2 stitches on the right, 3 stitches on the left
12th row: 3 stitches on the right, * 2 stitches on the left, 4 stitches on the right *, 2 stitches on the left, 3 stitches on the right
Repeat these twelve rows until your baby blanket is big enough.
Tip: End in a second or eighth row so that the conclusion looks the same as the beginning.
honeycomb
The pattern is a bit more elaborate than the weave pattern, but it's well worth the effort, because the little honeycombs look very cute on a baby blanket. You will need a needle to cross stitches . Use either a special pigtail needle that is bent in the middle, or a needle from a double-needle play . It is important that your needle has a point on both sides and is about as thick as the needles used to knit your blanket. Whenever instructions dictate, slip the next stitch on the needle without knitting it.
Be sure to place the needle on the required side of the work (front or back). Then knit a right stitch as described. Then knit the skipped stitch on the needle as indicated directly from this. The two stitches are now knitted regular on the right needle, but have changed places. This gimmick creates the honeycomb.
For the honeycomb pattern, strike a mesh number divisible by four and add two edge stitches. The latter are no longer listed in the following instructions. In each row after the edge stitch at the beginning repeat all the steps described until only the second edge stitch is left on the left needle.
1st row: put 1 stitch on the auxiliary needle behind the work, knit 1 stitch on the right, knit the stitch from the needle to the right, put 1 stitch on the needle before work, knit 1 stitch on the right, knit the stitch from the needle to the right
2nd row: knit all the stitches on the left
3rd row: knit all stitches to the right
4th row: knit all stitches on the left
5th row: put 1 stitch on the needle before work, knit 1 stitch on the right, knit the stitch from the needle to the right, put 1 stitch on the needle behind the work, knit 1 stitch on the right, knit the stitch from the needle to the right
6th row: knit all stitches on the left
7th row: knit all stitches to the right
8th row: knit all stitches on the left
Repeat the eight rows described until your baby blanket is ready.
Further sample suggestions
The following patterns consist (except for the small star pattern) only of right and left stitches and are therefore easy to follow for beginners.
seed stitch
You will have internalized this simple pattern quickly. Both the classics small and large pearl pattern as well as the half and oblique version are suitable for a blanket.
Knit moss pattern
checkerboard
The monochrome checkerboard pattern will stand great on your baby blanket. The bicoloured is not so good, as on the back unsightly tensioning threads can be seen.
Knit checkerboard pattern
heart pattern
Welcome the baby!
Knitting heart pattern
Zigzag pattern
The smart teeth are available in three versions, namely horizontal, vertical or diagonal.
Knit zigzag pattern
diamond pattern
For a baby blanket, choose the monochrome pattern because the bicoloured ones interfere with the tension on the back.
Knit diamond pattern
wave pattern
The horizontal waves work well for a blanket.
Knitting waves
polka dots
Decorate your baby blanket with the monochrome dots.
Knit polka dot pattern
star pattern
Knitting several big stars in the blanket or choose the very cute little star pattern. For the latter you need a special technique that is not hard to learn. We will explain them in the manual step by step.
Knit star pattern
Tip: Combine two or more of the patterns described. For example, divide the ceiling mentally into squares like a chessboard. Instead of the black and white areas you knit two different patterns. Or you frame the ceiling with a different pattern than the main pattern. To do this, knit a few rows in the second pattern at the beginning and end, as well as the first and last few stitches in each row.
