How to Knit Squares for a Baby Shower Blanket

Each square for the blanket can be a different color and pattern.

The women who started quilting bees in the 1800s knew this fact: When people join together to finish a project, the work goes faster. Instead of one person making a quilt from start to finish, the entire group worked together to finish a single quilt in a fraction of the time. Apply the quilting bee concept to a baby shower with a knitting theme. Ask the guests who are knitters to bring squares of the same size knit from yarns of their choice, within a specified color range. Then assemble the blanket at the baby shower. Join squares of different patterns that are the same size for a patchwork effect.

Things You'll Need

• U.S. Size 8 knitting needles
• Baby yarn

Instructions

Checkerboard Pattern

1. Cast on 24 stitches.

2. Knit four stitches, purl four and repeat this pattern across the first five rows.

3. Purl four, knit four stitches and repeat this pattern across five rows.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 three more times and bind off.

Simple Garter Stitch

1. Cast on 24 stitches.

2. Knit every every stitch for 30 rows.

3. Bind off.

Tips & Warnings

• Each square should measure 4 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches. Adjust your gauge to make the squares the right size.

• You can also block the squares to make them the right size.

References

• Emporia State University: History of Quilting

Resources

• Knitty: To Block or Not to Block; Jessica Fenlon Thomas