A knit baby blanket is one of the best gifts you can make. It gets used every day, it often ends up as a keepsake, and it is a good way to practice a new stitch on a project with no shaping. Whether you are knitting for a shower, a new grandbaby or a charity drive, there is a pattern here that fits your time and skill.
Every pattern below is free, and we opened each page to check. You will find quick chunky blankets for beginners, soft textured designs, and a few lace and colorwork pieces for knitters who want a little more challenge.
Knit Baby Blanket Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Long circular knitting needles (24″ to 40″ cable)
- Soft baby-friendly yarn, washable acrylic or cotton
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Small sharp scissors
- Measuring tape
- Blocking mats and pins
1. Easy Chevron Pattern Baby Blanket
Photo: Louise Bollanos / Handy Little Me
Soft zigzag stripes in four colors give this square blanket a cheerful, modern look. The chevron comes from simple increases and decreases, and garter borders keep the edges flat. It is a nice next step once you are comfortable with knit and purl and want to try shaping. Swap the colors to match a nursery and you have a gift that looks far more complicated than it is.
- Designer: Louise Bollanos / Handy Little Me
- Skill level: Easy (advanced beginner)
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8) circular, 24″
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. A Modern Baby Blanket (Diagonal Seed Stitch)
Photo: Leelee Knits
This blanket uses only knits and purls, but the seed stitch is arranged in diagonal lines so the texture looks bold and graphic. The tweedy yarn in the sample adds a lot of charm. At about 37 by 46 inches, it is big enough to grow with the baby, and it works well in neutral colors for a parent who likes a clean style.
- Designer: Leelee Knits
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 6 mm (US 10) circular, 32″
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Insiya Baby Blanket
Photo: The Blue Elephants
If you only know knit and purl, start here. Insiya is worked in stockinette with color blocks, so the rows are easy to remember and the finished blanket looks fresh and soft. The designer used Caron Simply Soft, which washes well, a big plus for busy parents. It is a generous 42 by 52 inches, so it can double as a stroller or floor blanket.
- Designer: The Blue Elephants
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 5.5 mm (US 9) circular
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Baby Bobble Blanket
Photo: Sheep and Stitch
Little bobbles scattered over smooth stockinette make this blanket fun to touch, and babies love the bumpy texture. A garter border frames it neatly. The bobbles are the only new skill, and the page walks you through them. Knit it in a soft pink, mint or cream for a sweet, classic look.
- Designer: Sheep and Stitch
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted / aran (#4)
- Needle size: 5 mm circular, 40″
- Price: Written pattern on the page + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Easy Knit Baby Blanket
Photo: B.Hooked
This one is all garter stitch on big needles, so it works up fast and stays flat. The brushed yarn gives a fuzzy, cozy finish with stripes in three colors. It is a great first blanket and a smart choice when the baby shower is next weekend and you have not started yet.
- Designer: B.Hooked
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Brushed (see pattern for weight)
- Needle size: US 15 circular, 36″
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Woolflower Velvet Yarn Knit Blanket
Photo: Whimsy North
Velvet yarn makes this blanket incredibly soft, and a simple four-row repeat of mostly knit rows gives it a plush, even texture. The pattern comes in baby, lapghan and throw sizes, so you could make a matching set for baby and mom. It is mostly knit rows, which makes it relaxing TV knitting.
- Designer: Whimsy North
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Velvet yarn, worsted (#4) per pattern
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8) circular
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Bernat Cloud Nine Knit Baby Blanket
This square blanket uses a striped, plush yarn that does the color work for you. The result is a puffy, cuddly blanket about 41 inches across. It is a good pick if you like a brand pattern with a clear layout and want a soft, snuggly finish without fancy stitches.
- Designer: Bernat / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Bernat Pipsqueak Stripes (see pattern)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Warm Hands Baby Blanket
Photo: Sophia Minakais (Emmy Arts)
A 40-inch square in worsted yarn, this is a roomy, practical blanket that suits any baby. It is a free download on Ravelry, and the designer also links a PDF on her own site. Pick a calm color and it will fit any nursery.
- Designer: Sophia Minakais (Emmy Arts)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Cloverleaf Eyelet Baby Blanket
Photo: Nourish and Nestle
Small eyelets arranged in cloverleaf shapes give this cotton blend blanket a light, airy, heirloom feel. A seed stitch border and a crocheted edge finish it off. It is perfect for spring and summer babies and for knitters who know the basics and want to try simple lace.
- Designer: Nourish and Nestle
- Skill level: Advanced beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: US 6 (plus G-6 crochet hook for edging)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Arches Baby Blanket
Photo: LJM Designs
Rows of soft lace arches make this DK blanket look delicate without being fussy. It is sized for a crib, bassinet or stroller, and is worked in one flat piece with a 16-stitch repeat. Choose a light pastel to show off the arches.
- Designer: LJM Designs
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6) and 3.25 mm (US 3)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Pastel Rainbow Baby Blanket
Photo: Stitchylinda Designs
Feather and fan stitch creates gentle waves, and stripes in pastel rainbow shades make it a happy blanket for any baby. The pattern also teaches the basic stitch, so you can make it in any colors. It uses under 300g of DK yarn for the sample size.
- Designer: Stitchylinda Designs
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Easy Baby Blanket (Checkerboard Blocks)
Photo: Ing-credible Threads Designs
This blanket is made for new knitters who are ready to go beyond garter stitch. Blocks of knit and purl form a checkerboard, framed with seed stitch. You will learn to read your stitches and use markers along the way. The finished size is 28 by 32 inches.
- Designer: Ing-credible Threads Designs
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 6 mm (US 10)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Butterfly Love Baby Blanket
Photo: candylou
Knit and purl pictures of butterflies sit between little chevron bands in this 24-inch square. It is small, so it makes a lovely lovey, car seat or tummy-time blanket. The pattern has both charts and written rows.
- Designer: candylou
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Aran (#4)
- Needle size: 5.5 mm (US 9)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
14. Easy Chunky Knit Baby Blanket
Photo: Merrythought
Giant needles and super bulky yarn mean this blanket is done in an evening or two. It is a simple rectangle worked flat, great for a last-minute gift or a first project. The suggested yarn is extra soft, so it feels like a cloud.
- Designer: Merrythought
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Needle size: 19 mm (US 35)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First blanket ever? Start with #3 (Insiya) or #5 (Easy Knit Baby Blanket). Both use basic stitches and stay simple.
- Shower is in a few days? Go with #14 on giant needles or #5 on US 15 needles.
- Want to learn something new? Try #1 for chevrons, #4 for bobbles or #11 for feather and fan.
- Want an heirloom? #9 (Cloverleaf Eyelet) and #10 (Arches) have a classic lace look.
- Need a small lovey or stroller blanket? #13 is a 24-inch square.
FAQ
What is the best yarn for a knit baby blanket?
Choose something soft and machine washable. Acrylic, cotton blends and washable merino are all good choices. Avoid very fuzzy or long-hair yarns, since loose fibers are not ideal near a baby’s face. Worsted and DK are the most common weights, while super bulky is great for speed.
How big should a baby blanket be?
A stroller or car seat blanket is around 30 by 35 inches, a receiving blanket is about 30 to 40 inches square, and a crib blanket is about 45 by 60 inches. Most patterns above fall between 28 and 46 inches, which suits newborns and small toddlers.
How much yarn do I need for a knit baby blanket?
It depends on size and weight, but plan for roughly 900 to 1,500 yards of worsted yarn for a standard baby blanket. Chunky and super bulky blankets use fewer yards but more weight in grams. Always check the pattern and buy one extra skein from the same dye lot.
Pick the pattern that fits your skills and timeline, and you will have a handmade blanket that gets used and loved for years.