Wye Needlecraft Blankets for Babies.

These patterns for little blankets have been shared with Wye Needlecraft S.C.B.U. Project by some of the knitters. Thank-you to them all !

Some tips on knitting blankets for tiny babies.

Yarn – D.K. Baby Yarn is most popular. Wool and wool rich yarns are nice and soft but they are NOT suitable because hospitals wash garments at high temperatures which shrink and felt wool. A standard Acrylic or Acrylic blend yarn is best. Baby Aran and 4 Ply can also be used, but Chunky is a bit too thick for the smallest blankets. Textured and Bobbly yarns are unsuitable because they can rub delicate skin.

Style – Any stitch that produces a smooth texture can be used. Patterns using a combination of knit and purl stiches are easy and give good results. Lacy stitches are pretty and fun to do, but they are NOT suitable because tiny, fragile fingers can get caught in the holes. Aran style cables may cause similar problems. Crochet blankets are not used at most hospitals.

Size – THIS IS UP TO YOU ! The most frequently used sizes are 14” x 14” square and 18” x 24” rectangles and sizes between.
All our patterns are based on these sizes and instructions are given for varying the dimensions. Don’t worry if your finished blanket is not an exact size – there is a good home for it! Also, please don’t trim your blanket with a lacy edging or ribbon.

All blankets are needed, used and appreciated.

The Patterns
Special Note - All the following patterns are based on a 1 x 100gm ball of D.K. Baby Yarn and Size 8 (4mm) needles. A larger blanket will need more yarn. The size of the blankets can be altered by using Baby Aran or 4 Ply yarn and the appropriate needles (see ball band of your chosen yarn).

BASIC BLANKET.
Cast on the required number of stitches (about 80 is a good number)
Garter stitch 8 rows (every row Knit)
Row 1. Knit
Row 2. K6. Purl to the last 6 stitches. K6.
Knit to required length ending with 8 rows Garter stitch before casting off.

This blanket is very easy and quick to knit. It is popular because it is smooth and soft for the babies.

It looks good in self-patterning yarns, e.g. James C. Brett MAGI-KNIT – available from Wye Needlecraft.

Mary’s Blanket.

It was Mary’s kind donation of her blanket pattern that inspired this leaflet. Thank you Mary!

Cast on 84 stitches. Knit 8 rows garter stitch.

Begin Pattern.

Row 1. K6 (K4,P4) to last 6 stitches. K6. (wrong side).
Row 2. (and all even number rows) Knit.
Row 3. As Row 1.
Row 5. As Row 1.
Row 7. K6 (P4,K4) to last 6 stitches. K6.
Row 9. As Row 7.
Row 11. As Row 7.
Row 12. Knit.
Repeat 12 Row pattern for length required.
Finish with 8 rows garter stitch. Cast off.

To vary the size.
Cast on a multiple of 8 stitches + an extra 12 stitches (for garter stitch borders). Follow pattern as set.

Lizzie Todd’s Mum’s Blanket.

Cast on 88 stitches. Garter stitch 8 rows.

Row 1. K8 * P1,K1, repeat from * to last 8 stiches, K8
Row 2. K8 * K1,P1, repeat from * to last 8 stiches, K8

Repeat these 2 rows to required length.
Garter stitch 8 rows. CAST OFF

To vary size – Cast on any ODD number of stitches

Katie’s Blanket.

This pattern is named for Mrs. Katie O’Brien from Norfolk. Katie is a generous donor and supporter of the project. We are very grateful for her kindness.

Cast on 77 stitches. Garter stitch 8 rows.

Row 1. K6. P1 * K7 P1. Repeat from * to last 6 stitches. K6.
Row 2. and every alternate row K6. P to last 6 stitches. K6.
Row 3. K6 P2 * K5 P3. Repeat from * to last 6 stitches. K6.
Row 5. K6 P3 * K3 P5. Repeat from * to last 6 stitches. K6.
Row 7. K6 P4 * K1 P7. Repeat from * to last 6 stitches. K6.
Row 9. K10 * P1 K7. Repeat from * to last 11 stitches. P1 K10.
Row 11. K9 * P3 K3. Repeat from * to last 12 stitches. P3 K9.
Row 13. K8 * P5 K3. Repeat from * to last 13 stitches. P5 K8.
Row 15. K7 * P7 K1. Repeat from * to last 11 stitches. P7 K7.
Row 16. As row 2.
These 16 rows form the pattern. Repeat for the required length.
Garter stitch 8 rows. CAST OFF.
To vary size – cast on a multiple of 8 stitches +1 for pattern panel plus an extra 12 stitches for borders

Caron’s Blanket.

This blanket is named for Mrs. Caron Bond who has generously donated yarn to the S.C.B.U. project – our thanks go to her!

Cast on 76 stitches. Garter stitch 8 rows.
Begin Pattern.

Row 1. and every alternate row. Knit.
Rows 2 & 4. K10. * P4 K4. Repeat from * to last 10 stitches. P4 K6.
Rows 6 & 8. K8. * P4 K4. Repeat from * to last 12 stitches. P4 K8.
Rows 10 & 12. K6. * P4 K4. Repeat from * to last 6 stitches. K6.
Rows 14 & 16. K6. * P2 * K4 P4 to last 12 stitches. K4 P2 K6.

Repeat these 16 rows for desired length.

Garter stitch 8 rows. CAST OFF.

To vary the size – Cast on a multiple of 8 stitches plus 12 for borders.

Sue’s Blanket.

Cast on 80 stitches. Garter stitch 8 rows.

Begin Pattern.
Row 1. K8. * K9 P2. Repeat from * to last 17 stitches. K17.
Row 2. K8. * P2 K2. Repeat from * to last 8 stitches. K8.
Repeat Rows 1 & 2 FOUR times.
Row 11. K8. Purl to last 8 stitches. K8.
Row 12. Knit.

These 12 rows form the pattern. Repeat for desired length.
Garter stitch 8 rows. CAST OFF.

To vary size – Cast on a multiple of 11 stitches & 9 for pattern panel, plus 16 stitches for borders.

Janet’s Blanket.

Cast on 77 stitches. Garter stitch 8 rows.

Begin Pattern.

Row 1. Knit.
Row 2. K6. * K1 P4. Repeat form * to last 6 stitches. K6.
Row 3. K6. * K3 P2. Repeat from * to last 6 stitches. K6.
Row 4. As Row 3.
Row 5. As Row 2.
Knit 2 Rows.
Row 8. K6. * P4 K1. Repeat from * to last 6 stitches. K6.
Row 9. K6. * P2 K3. Repeat from * to last 6 stitxhes. K6.
Row 10. As Row 9.
Row 11. As Row 8.
Row 12. Knit.
Repeat 12 Row pattern for desired length. Garter stitch 8 rows.
CAST OFF.

To vary size -  Cast on a multiple of 5 stitches plus 12 extra stitches for garter stitch borders.                                      

Penny Meade’s Blanket.

Cast on 80 stitches. Garter stitch 8 rows.

Rows1 & 3. K8. *K1 P2 K3.Repeat from * to last 12 stitches.K1 P2 K9
Row 2 and alternate rows. K8. Purl to last 8 stitches. K8.
Rows5 & 7. K8. *K4 P2. Repeat from * to last 12 stitches. K to end.

Repeat 8 row pattern for length required. Garter stitch 8 rows.
CAST OFF.

To vary size – Cast on a multiple of 6 stitches & 4 for pattern panel plus 16 stitches for garter stitch borders.
Daphne’s Blanket.

Cast on 87 stitches. Garter stitch 8 rows.

Begin Pattern.

Row 1. K6. * P3 K3 to last 9 stitches. P3 K6.
Row 2 and alternate rows. K6. Purl to last 6 stitches. K6.
Row 3. As Row 1.
Row 5. As Row 1.
Row 7. Knit.
Row 9. Knit.
Row 11. K9. * P3 K3 to last 6 stitches. K6.
Row 13. As Row 11.
Row 15. As Row 11.
Row 17. Knit.
Row 19. Knit.
Row 20 . As Row 2.

These 20 rows form pattern. Repeat for desired length.
Garter stitch 8 rows. CAST OFF.

To vary size  - Cast on a multiple of 6 stitches & 3 for panel pattern plus an extra 12 stitches for garter stitch borders.

This pattern produces an attractive waffle texture – Don’t press !

Sandra’s Blanket.

Cast on 77 stitches. Garter stitch 6 rows.

Begin Pattern.

Row 1. K6. * K5 K1 winding yarn around needle twice. Repeat from *
           to last 11 stitches. K11.
Row 2. K6. * P5. Slip 1 purlwise.Repeat from * to last 11stitches. P5     
           K6.
Repeat Rows 1 & 2 THREE times.
Rows 9 & 10. Knit.

Repeat 10 row pattern for desired length. Garter stitch 6 rows.
CAST OFF

To vary size – Cast on a multiple of 6 stitches plus 5 for pattern panel. Plus an extra 12 stitches for garter stitch borders.

Carol’s Blanket

Special Abbreviation: K1b, Knit 1 stitch in row below.

Size 15 x 18 inch approx
Cast on 85 stitches. Garter Stitch 7 rows.

Commence Pattern
Row 1. Knit
Row 2. K6, Purl to last 6 sts, K 6
Row 3. K6, P1, *K1, P1 to last 6 sts, K6
Row 4. K6, K1, *P1, K1b, to last 8 sts, K1, P1, K6
Rep these 4 rows till approx 17 inches ending with Row 1.
Garter stitch 6 rows. Cast of knitwise.

To adjust size cast on any odd number of stitches.