How to Knit a Dreamcatcher Baby Blanket
DreamCatcher is a company that makes therapeutic weighted blankets. Anecdotal evidence shows that weighted blankets help soothe children with autism and the Austistic Society encourages their use. DreamCatcher also makes smaller blankets to soothe restless babies. Each blanket measures 36 inches by 52 inches and weighs 3 pounds to 6 pounds. However, the company advises not to use a blanket weighing more than 10 percent of the baby's weight, so they are not appropriate for babies weighing less than 30 pounds. Knit your own blanket to be any size and weight you choose.
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Things You'll Need
- 8 skeins of baby yarn in main color
- 1 skein baby yarn in contrasting color
- U.S. size 8 knitting needles
- Polypropylene filler pellets
- Tapestry needle
Instructions
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1
Cast on 40 stitches. Knit every row until you have a square measuring approximately 10 inches long. Gauge is not critically important for this project.
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2
Repeat Step 1 to make 80 squares.
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3
Weigh the 80 squares and subtract this weight from the total weight you want the blanket to be -- no more than 10 percent of the baby's weight. Divide this number by 40 and weigh out that amount of filler pellets for each square.
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4
Put two squares together so there is one knit side and one purl side facing outward. Thread the tapestry needle with yarn and whipstitch the squares together until you have a 1-inch opening left. Fill the square with the filler pellets measured out in Step 3 and continue sewing the squares closed.
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5
Repeat Step 4 for the rest of the squares.
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6
Sew the squares together in a checkerboard pattern, alternating knit squares and purl squares, with a whipstitch.
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7
Finish the edges with a blanket stitch in a contrasting color of yarn.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can make your squares and the blanket any size you want using the same basic steps.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
