How to Knit the Iris Baby Blanket [Free Video Tutorial & Written Pattern!]

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The Iris baby blanket pattern is a simple, modern, knitting pattern. The 10 row repeat is easy to master, making this pattern perfect for almost any knitter, from a confident beginner all the way up to an experienced knitter looking for an easy knit to tackle after a busy day.

I never get bored of using simple designs on a clean stockinette background. In the case of Iris, I’ve chosen to create a little floral design created using just four cleverly placed purl bumps.

Knitted in the spring, I chose a gentle lavender shade for my sample Iris blanket. However I know this blanket will work in practically any shade of yarn, from a classic cream to a bold turquoise, mustard or even a deep charcoal grey.

Is this pattern reversible?

I get a lot of people asking if my blankets are reversible, so I thought it might be useful to include a little snapshot of what the back looks like.

As with a lot of my blankets, Austin is not a reversible design, the back is a lot plainer than the front. That being said, the reverse isn’t ugly or messy in any way, it just doesn’t match the texture of the front.

Right Side

wrong side

yarn and sizing tips & tricks

The Iris baby blanket pattern is knitted all in one piece, from bottom to top. In order to accommodate all your stitches, I recommend using a set of circular needles (at least 100cm long) as straight needles just won’t be long enough to fit your stitches on comfortably.

I’ve chosen DK (aka Double Knitting, Light Worsted, 3 Weight) yarn for this project, but don’t let that stop you from knitting it in your own preferred weight of yarn.

My instructions produce a baby blanket approximately 60cm x 80cm, perfect for using as a cot, pram or travel blanket. But don’t let that stop you from knitting this blanket in any size you want! I think it would look great scaled up as a Sofa Throw, Quilt or Bedspread!

I’ve deliberately designed this knitting pattern to be super easy for you to adjust the size of your blanket to whatever size you want/need.

To make the blanket longer, you’ll need to work more repeats of the Middle Section (the top and bottom border are worked the same regardless of the size of blanket you knit).

To adjust the width of your blanket you’ll need to cast on more (or indeed less) stitches, it can easily be done using the pattern multiple of 8+5 for the middle textured panel, and an additional 18 stitches (9 for each side) for the garter stitch edging.

Pin for Later:

Not ready to knit the Iris baby blanket just yet? Why not pin this image to your Pinterest so you can find it easily when you’re ready to sit down and cast on!

Materials Needed:

• 4mm (US Size 6) Circular Needles (to recreate this blanket 120cm is a perfect length)
• 400g of DK Yarn – I used King Cole Cherished in Lavender
• Scissors & Tapestry Needle for sewing in ends
• 2 Stitch Markers

Written Pattern:

Stitches Used

• k – knit
• p – purl
• sl1pwyf – slip one purlwise with yarn in front.
• Pm – place marker
• Sm – slip marker

Bottom Edge

Foundation Row: Cast on 135 stitches (I like to use the Long Tail cast-on)

Knit 15 rows as follows: K until final stitch, sl1pwyf.

Main Pattern Repeat

Row 1 (rs): k9, pm, k until 9 stitches remain, pm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 2 (ws): k9, sm, p until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 3: k9, sm, k2, p1, *k7, p1* repeat from *to* until 2 stitches before 2nd marker, k2, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 4: k9, sm, p1, k1, p1, k1,*p5, k1, p1, k1* repeat from *to* until 1 stitch before 2nd marker, p1, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 5: k9, sm, k2, p1, *k7, p1* repeat from *to* until 2 stitches before 2nd marker, k2, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 6: k9, sm, p until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 7: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 8: k9, sm, p6, k1, *p7, k1* repeat from *to* until 6 stitches before 2nd marker, p6, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 9: k9, sm, k5, *p1,k1,p1,k5* repeat from *to* until 2nd marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 10: k9, sm, p6, k1, *p7, k1* repeat from *to* until 6 stitches before the marker, p6, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Repeat Rows 1-10 (I worked 22 repeats in total) until project is slightly shorter than desired length (to allow for garter edging). Before starting the top Garter Stitch edge work rows 1-7 once more.

Top Edge

Knit 15 rows as follows: K until final stitch, sl1pwyf.

Final row (Row 16): Cast off knit wise with right side facing.

I hope you love Iris just as much as I do! If you’re looking for more knitted baby blanket inspiration then why not take a look at Sasha, Stanley or Harvey.

video tutorial

Want to browse all of my free knitted baby blanket patterns and more? See them HERE!