8 Free Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns for an Unforgettable Gift

Want to make your next baby gift an heirloom? Try knitting one of these 8 beautiful (and free!) knitting patterns for blankets

Has someone you love recently told you she’s expecting a baby?

Have you just learned about an organization (like Project Linus or Binky Patrol) that collects baby blankets for infants and toddlers in difficult life situations?

If either of these have happened, you’re probably thinking that it’s time to knit a baby blanket.

And if that’s the case? You’re in the right place!

First, let me share with you some tips on knitting your way to baby blanket success.

How to Create the Perfect Baby Blanket

Number one: use very soft yarn, ideally the kind designed specifically for babies.

There are lots of wonderful baby yarns on the market – Lion Brand has some fabulous examples here! (Note: this is an affiliate link; if you make a purchase after clicking, I may receive a commission.)

Number two: if you’re using a pattern that recommends a certain type of yarn. consider why it’s recommended.

Usually, you can substitute another yarn that’s the same weight and/or fiber. Sometimes, though, the yarn is recommended because it has specific qualities required by the pattern. Do your homework before you substitute.

Number three: Not sure of the baby’s gender? Avoid pink or blue. Yellow, green, beige, and light gray are nice gender-neutral colors. You can even use black and white!

Now that you know how to prepare to knit a baby blanket, let’s look at some popular, free knitting patterns!

Popular Free Baby Blanket Patterns

Super Easy Baby Blanket: It doesn’t get any simpler than this: a garter-stitch striped blanket that doesn’t even require purling! Perfect for the beginner or anyone who needs a nice, mindless TV-watching knit, it also produces a very soft blanket.

Garter Rib Baby Blanket: A deceptively simple pattern that produces a soft, snuggly blanket.

Sunny Baby Blanket: The “sunny” comes from the cheery yellow color of the original pattern, but in any color this blanket is a pleasure. This pattern produces a fun textured checkerboard-styled design.

Pinwheel Baby Blanket: Like Hemlock Ring, this pattern also produces a round blanket. Its fascinating pinwheel design begins in the center and extends out.

Ten Stitch Blanket: An Elizabeth Zimmerman-inspired pattern, this blanket develops into a square spiral with a striking geometric appeal. You could almost call it a square version of pinwheel.

Hemlock Ring Blanket: Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed modeled this design after a vintage doily pattern. It’s exquisite, and thanks to its simple feather-and-fan stitch pattern, it looks far more difficult than it is.

Pine Forest Baby Blanket: Another pretty lace pattern, this one produces a snuggly blanket. And again, the lace pattern looks far more complicated than it really is.

OpArt: As its name implies, this blanket produces a different kind of striking geometric design. For babies, it even offers vision developmental support. Wouldn’t it look especially striking in black and white?

Equipped with one of these baby blanket patterns, you can produce a timeless classic to be beloved by generations!