How to Knit the "Willow" Baby Blanket
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I never get bored of the soothing repetition of knit and purl stitches. It still amazes me how using them in different patterns can produce a wealth of different designs and textures. Willow is no exception, the design has my all time favourite garter stitch border (something about it's simplicity just makes me happy every time I use it), and has a clean modern textured panel that adds pops of texture to stockinette stitch.
This blanket is not only the perfect knit for experienced knitters like myself who want a calm, easy knit to relax with. Its also perfect for any beginners who have mastered the basic knit and purl stitches and want to tackle their first bigger project.
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. You will just need to adjust your cast on and number of repeats you work to accommodate the change in weight of yarn.
My instructions produce a Blanket approximately 60cm x 80cm, but for those of you wanting to adjust this size, it can easily be done using the pattern multiple of 6+1 for the middle textured panel, and an additional 18 stitches (9 for each side) for the garter stitch edging.
Materials Needed
- 4mm Circular Needs (to recreate this blanket 100cm is a perfect length)
- 400g of DK Yarn - I used King Cole Cherished in Kingfisher
- Scissors & Tapestry Needle for sewing in ends
- 2 Stitch Markers
pattern notes
- The blanket measures approximately 60cm x 80cm.
- Using different yarn and needles will change the size of the blanket.
- The blanket can be made wider or thinner using a pattern multiple of 6+1 for the middle textured panel and then adding 18 stitches for the border.
- The final stitch of every row is a selvedge stitch and is always worked as a sl1pwyf.
written pattern
Stiches 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 133 stitches.
Knit 15 rows as follows: K until final stitch, sl1pwyf
Main Pattern Repeat
Row 1 (Setup Row): 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, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf
Row 4: k9, sm, p until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf
Row 5: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf
Row 6: k9, sm, p2, k3, *p3, k3* repeat from *to* until 2 stitches before marker, p2, sm, k8, sl1pwyf
Row 7: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf
Row 8: k9, sm, p until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf
Row 9: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf
Row 10: k9, sm, p until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf
Row 11: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf
Row 12: k9, sm, p5, *k3,p3* repeat from *to* until 2 stitches before marker, p2, sm, k8, sl1pwyf
Repeat Rows 1 - 12 18 times in total (slipping markers on row 1 instead of placing them), and then work rows 1-11 once more before moving on to top border.
Top Edge
Knit 15 rows as follows: K until final stitch, sl1pwyf.
Final row (Row 16): Cast off knit wise with right side facing.