Free knitting pattern Baby blanket

Free knitting pattern Babies blanket

Knitted in soft, absorbent, machine-washable cotton chenille, this project works equally well as a towel or blanket. To give the project a finished look, the basketweave stitches are framed by garter stitch. Stitch markers are used as a visual cue to show you where the garter stitch edge stops and the
basketweave begins (and vice versa). Because this project begins with 136 stitches (and it’s not always easy to keep that many stitches on a straight needle) we recommend you use a 29-inch or longer circular needle.

M A T E R I A L S
FOR 38-INCH-SQUARE TOWEL
OR BLANKET
8 skeins Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille (50 grams /98 yards; 100% cotton) in pale pink #6752
One size 4 circular needle, 29 inches or longer, or size needed to obtain gauge 2 stitch markers
G A U G E
14 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches
on size 4 needles in basketweave stitch

M AKE A G AU G E
SWATCH
Before starting the towel or blanket, make a gauge swatch to make sure you are using the correct size needles and to practice the basketweave stitch while working back and forth on circular needles. When you are done, you can use the swatch as a mini washcloth.

To make the swatch, cast on 24 stitches and work in basketweave stitch as follows:
ROW 1: For the swatch, knit 8 stitches, purl 8 stitches, knit 8 stitches. For the towel/blanket, knit 8 stitches, purl 8 stitches, then repeat to the end of the row, and end with the last 8 stitches as knit 8.
ROW 2: For the swatch, purl 8 stitches, knit 8 stitches, purl 8 stitches. For the towel/blanket, purl 8 stitches, knit 8 stitches, then repeat to the end of the row, and end with the last 8 stitches as purl 8.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 five more times for a total of 12 rows.

ROW 13: For the swatch, purl 8 stitches, knit 8 stitches, purl 8 stitches. For the towel/blanket, purl 8 stitches, knit 8 stitches, then repeat to the
end of the row, ending as above with purl 8.
ROW 14: For the swatch, knit 8 stitches, purl 8 stitches, knit 8 stitches.
For the towel/blanket, knit 8 stitches, purl 8 stitches, then repeat to the end of the row, ending as above with knit 8.
Repeat rows 13 and 14 five more times for a total of 12 rows; there are now 24 rows total.

ROWS 25-36 (swatch only): Repeat rows 1–12 for a total of 36 rows on swatch. Bind off loosely.
Block your swatch as you will the finished towel/blanket (see page 24). Lay your work on a flat surface and count the number of stitches and rows over 4 inches. You are aiming for 14 stitches and 26 rows, but because the towel is not worn and does not need to “fit,” you don’t have to match this gauge exactly—
just try to get close. However, if you are not satisfied with the way your swatch looks, and you have more stitches and rows than the gauge (indicating that your stitches are too tight), go up a needle size or two; if you have fewer stitches and rows than the gauge (indicating that your stitches are too loose), go down a needle size or two. If you are making the towel/ blanket for a baby, make sure your
knitting is tight enough to assure that fingers and toes won’t easily get caught in the stitches. Be aware that if you do not knit to gauge, you may need more yarn than specified.

MAKE THE
TOWEL/BLANKET
Cast on 136 stitches. Work in garter stitch (knit all stitches) for 2 inches.
ROW 1: Establish block pattern with garter edge as follows: Knit 8 stitches. Place a marker on the right-hand needle directly after the 8 stitches you have just finished knitting. Work row 1 of basketweave stitch (see left) over the center 120 stitches (until there are 8 stitches left), place a
marker and knit the last 8 stitches.
ROWS 2 THROUGH 24: Work 8 stitches in garter stitch (knit every row), then transfer the marker from your left-hand to your right-hand needle. Work basketweave stitch as
explained at left. When you reach the second marker, transfer it to your right-hand needle and work the remaining 8 stitches in garter stitch. When you have finished 24 rows total (which is one complete pattern repeat), return to row 1 of the basketweave stitch and start over.
Work as established in garter and basketweave stitch until your towel/blanket measures 36 inches and you have completed row 12 or row 24 of basketweave stitch. (This will give a balanced look to your towel/blanket.) Work 2 inches in garter stitch. Bind off loosely. Weave in loose ends .

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