How to Make a Baby Blanket
Whether you're into sewing, knitting or crocheting, a baby blanket is a quick and simple project that is suitable for both beginners and the more experienced. Made from sewn, knitted or crocheted rectangles, the blankets are easily customized to suit your required colors and design. Make one to welcome a new baby into your home or a friend's or as a donation to your local maternity unit or children's charity.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Sew:
- 1 yard cotton flannel
- 1 yard cotton fabric
- Scissors
- Iron
- Sewing pins
- Thread
- Knit:
- 4 skeins of bulky-weight yarn
- U.S. Size 15/10mm knitting needles
- Tapestry needle
- Crochet:
- 4 skeins of bulky-weight yarn
- Size L/11 (8mm) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
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Sewn Baby Blanket
-
1
Cut to flannel and cotton fabric to the desired size for the blanket. Wash and press them with an iron.
-
2
Use sewing pins to pin the right side of the flannel to the right side of the fabric.
-
3
Sew the flannel and cotton fabric together, starting in the top-right corner, by weaving the needle under and over both pieces. Pull tightly on the thread to secure each stitch. Work down the right-hand side, across the bottom and up the left-hand side, leaving the top edge open.
-
4
Turn the blanket right-side out through the opening at the top edge. Sew this opening closed with needle and thread as in Step 2.
-
5
Iron the blanket to remove any creases and to keep it flat.
Knitted Baby Blanket
-
1
With yarn and knitting needles, cast on 73 stitches.
-
2
Knit every stitch on the first four rows.
-
3
Knit the first three stitches of the next row and then repeat the following pattern until you reach the last two stitches: yarn over (place the yarn over the right-hand needle to make a new stitch), knit two stitches together (insert the needle into the next two stitches, wrap the yarn around the needle and knit as normal). Knit the last two stitches.
-
4
Repeat Step 3 until your work measures 36 inches from the beginning.
-
5
Knit every stitch on the next four rows and bind off all stitches, leaving a 5-inch tail.
-
6
Thread the yarn tail through the tapestry needle and weave in and out of the blanket stitches until it becomes invisible.
Crocheted Baby Blanket
-
1
Make a foundation chain of 61 stitches.
-
2
Crochet the first row by working one double crochet into the second chain from the hook and in each chain across.
-
3
Crochet the second row by chaining two stitches. Turn your work and then work one double crochet into each double crochet across, through the front loops only.
-
4
Repeat Step 4 a further 39 times.
-
5
Fasten off your work, leaving a 5-inch tail. Thread the tail through the tapestry needle and weave it into your stitches until it becomes invisible.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Wash blankets with a mild soap or sensitive laundry detergent to prevent irritation to baby's skin.
The knitted blanket can be worked completely in garter stitch, where you knit every row, or in another stitch pattern of your choice.
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