How to Knit the "Wren" Baby Blanket
***You can purchase an INEXPENSIVE AD-FREE PDF of this pattern on Ravelry HERE or Etsy HERE***
The short days, and dank winter weather here in the UK have had me craving for the Spring to arrive. I'm absolutely positive this influenced my yarn colour choice when picking which colour I was going to knit Wren in. I've opted for a bright, happy, spring green and its definitely been the right colour to knit with over these long darker days of winter.
Wren is another short repeat, just 10 rows. Using the simplicity of Stockinette Stitch peppered with a cute little floral-esq motif created using just knit and purl stitches. Once again, simplicity wins out over complexity for me - but I like to think its a winning formula, and most importantly it's a simple, enjoyable knit suitable for anyone who can knit and purl.
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 8+5 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 80-100cm is a perfect length)
- 400g of DK Yarn - I used Stylecraft Bellissima in Luscious Leaf
- 2 Stitch Markers
- Scissors & Tapestry Needle for sewing in ends
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 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, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.
Row 4: k9, sm, p until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.
Row 5: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, 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.