13 Free Ways to Knit an Adorable Blanket for Children

Any of these beautiful knitting patterns for children’s blankets would make great gifts or charity projects

My family still has every handmade blanket we’ve ever received. Some of these were knitted, others were crocheted, still others were quilted. But they remained treasured items even when the recipient has long outgrown its original purpose.

Both my children still have tiny hand-stitched blankets they were given as babies by one of my cousins – and believe me, they are far too large for those blankets now! But they are still treasured items, and I’m certain they will never give them up.

I believe the same holds true for most people. Hats, scarves, and mittens may be lost. Sweaters will be outgrown. But a handknitted blanket will be treasured for a lifetime, and possibly handed down to future generations.

For this reason, I think blankets make not only wonderful gifts for children, but also tremendous charity knitting projects.

Consider a child who is sick, recovering from a tragedy, or is otherwise in need. A blanket made just for him or her will not only brighten his or her spirits, but it may also serve as a reminder — perhaps for the rest of that child’s life — that someone cared enough to offer the time and love required to make a blanket.

The knitting patterns for children’s blankets in this collection had just one criterion: intriguing design. They have unique shapes, eye-catching patterns, or complex colorwork that result in child-friendly designs.

I believe that every pattern you see here would be greatly loved by a child. And I think they would be great fun to knit, too!

I’ve divided this into simple patterns and perhaps-not-so-simple patterns, to make it even easier to find just the pattern you’ll love to knit.

Super-Simple Children’s Blankets 

The Richmond Blanket

• What you’ll need to make it: 550 yards worsted weight yarn (in 6 different colors); US Size 8 circular needles, at least 32 inches long

• Why you’ll want to: This is the simplest pattern of the bunch, creating a squishy blanket with lots of colorful stripes. It’s perfect for when-I-have-a-spare-moment knitting, as it’s easy to knit, set down, do something else, and then come back to easily without hunting for a lost place in a pattern!

Project Linus All-Purpose Afghan

• What you’ll need to make it: 875 to 1450 yards light to medium-worsted weight yarn; US Size 9 or 10 (9 for light worsted, 10 for medium worsted) circular needles (at least 24 inches long)

• Why you’ll want to: This blanket uses an easy-to-memorize stitch pattern that results in a very pretty, wavy blanket. Any child would love to snuggle up with this. (It’s the very first pattern listed on this page.)

Cuddly Chevron Baby Blanket

• What you’ll need to make it: 1050 yards worsted weight yarn (in as many different colors as you wish); US Size 7 circular needles (at least 36 inches long)

• Why you’ll want to: If you have a weakness for chevron designs, this sweet blanket is exactly what you’ll love. The chevron design is a classic for a reason; our family has 3 or 4 of them!

Red Heart Wild Waves Throw

• What you’ll need to make it: 1300 yards worsted weight yarn (in whatever colors you desire); US Size 10 circular needles (at least 36 inches long)

• Why you’ll want to: I’m a big fan of “far easier than it looks” patterns, and this pattern is one of the best. You can use it with just three colors, or you can go crazy and use as a stash-buster. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

Itty Bitty Sockyarn Bits Blanket

• What you’ll need to make it: ALL your leftover bits of sock yarn; US Size 3 circular needles (at least 24 inches long)

• Why you’ll want to: Who wants to throw away leftover sock yarn? Especially when you’ve poured so much love and care into knitting socks? I love the idea behind this blanket — using it to showcase all the socks you’ve knitted and loved before. Not only is it a great way to showcase leftover sock yarn, but you can also use this pattern to knit any size blanket you want.

Family Afghan Quilt

• What you’ll need to make it: 1900 yards super-bulky weight yarn; US Size 10.5 needles

• Why you’ll want to: This is a special pattern that, in my opinion, is perfect for a group of knitters in a family or a group of knitters who want to create a unique afghan for a special child (either a relative or a charity recipient). It is designed so that each knitter creates a series of squares that will be sewn together at the end. What a special idea!

Caron Butterfly Blanket

• What you’ll need to make it: 800 to 1000 yards worsted weight yarn (in multiple colors); US Size 8 circular needles (at least 30 inches long)

• Why you’ll want to: Butterflies! Need I say more? It’s far easier than it looks; you’ll knit the blanket first, then knit the butterflies and sew them on afterward. While it’s more of a baby-sized blanket than a child’s blanket, it could still be a beloved gift to any child.

Children’s Blankets with a Bit More Teeth

Easy As Pi(e) Blanket

• What you’ll need to make it: 1200 to 1260 yards DK weight yarn (in many different colors); US Size 6 DPNs, circular needles 24 to 32 inches long, and circular needles 48 inches long (or more)

• Why you’ll want to: I have wanted to knit this blanket for some time now; I find the pops of color and the circle-in-a-square design irresistible. Though this is a Knitty pattern, I’ve linked to the Ravelry page. This way you can not only check out the link to a knitalong that offers helpful tutorials, but also see project photos that really show off the delightful possibilities of this pattern. (Click on the “Projects” tab to see these photos.)

Bernat Star Afghan

• What you’ll need to make it: 1688 yards aran/heavy worsted weight yarn; US Size 4 DPNs and circular needles at least 48 inches long (the pattern calls for two 36-inch circular needles, but I think you’ll be better off with one long needle. 48 inches long should work, but 60 would be better)

• Why you’ll want to: The name speaks for itself! This gorgeous star-shaped afghan bursts with color.

Commemorative Police Throw

• What you’ll need to make it: 3500 yards worsted weight yarn (in many, many assorted colors); US Size 8 circular needles (at least 36 inches long)

• Why you’ll want to: This remarkable blanket presents a real challenge! But if you love complex knits, have the right colors of yarn, and would love to honor a child who wants to grow up to be a police officer, this is a fantastic pattern to try!
  
  (Like all Lion Brand patterns, you need to be registered on their website to download the pattern – but registration is free. Also, ignore the price at the beginning of the page–that’s for the kit, not for the pattern alone.)

Homer Blanky

• What you’ll need to make it: 1100 yards worsted weight yarn (in two different colors, though only about 270 yards of the “writing” color is required); US Size 10.5 circular needles (at least 36 inches long); 26 x 26 inches of thick fleece (in the color of your choice; optional)

• Why you’ll want to: For a child who loves baseball, this is the perfect blanket pattern! It’s designed for Minnesota Twins fans but can easily be adapted either for another team or to leave off the “Twins.”

Commemorative Fire Fighter Throw

• What you’ll need to make it: 2800 yards of worsted weight yarn (in many assorted colors); US Size 8 circular needles (at least 36 inches long)

• Why you’ll want to: Another Lion Brand special, this blanket pattern is much like the Police throw listed above. It’s challenging and colorful and absolutely perfect for a child who dreams of growing up to be a fire fighter.

Patons Butterfly Blanket

• What you’ll need to make it: 4200 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 7 circular needles (at least 36 inches long); darning needle for embroidery

• Why you’ll want to: Because you’re insane. No, just kidding! One knitter on Ravelry did say “not for the impatient or faint at heart,” and that’s the perfect way to describe the knitter who wants to give this pattern–loaded with Fair Isle and embroidery)–a go. The gorgeous butterflies of this blanket would undoubtedly cause this to be a cherished treasure to many a child, especially to one recovering from a crisis.

Are you ready to grab your needles and get to work on one of these knitting patterns for children’s blankets?