How Many Stitches For A Baby Blanket

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
14 min read

I was wondering if you’ve ever attempted any baby knitting. To answer your question, around 130 stitches are needed to complete a baby blanket. A standard infant blanket is about this size.

It’s satisfying to knit your baby’s garments and accessories by hand. Aside from the obvious financial benefits, this also fosters a closer bond with the person(s) in question. Skilled mothers frequently reach for blankets, and for good reason.

A good supply of blankets is always welcome. Whether you need warmth or a place to rest your feet, these are a versatile addition to your wardrobe. Before diving headfirst into your art, there are a few things you should keep in mind. There is a wide range of options available, including different yarn types, colors, and sizes.

This may seem insurmountable, but you should not panic. What follows is a rundown of the fundamentals of knitting a baby blanket.

What Is A Good Size For A Knitted Baby Blanket?

Choosing a baby blanket might be challenging because there is such a vast range of sizes available.

Think about what is best for your baby. Should I get him a king-sized blanket, or just something to wrap himself in? Which do you need it for? The stroller, the car seat, or the crib?

Basic Sewing 101: How Many Stitches For A Baby Blanket - Krostrade

This is a list of the most common types of baby blankets.

Coverlet

Simply said, a coverlet is a blanket large enough to wrap over your infant’s entire body. For this reason, there is a wide range of sizes available for this blanket to accommodate babies of all shapes and sizes.

Lovey blanket

A Lovey blanket is like a plush animal for a baby. Infants find comfort in the square shape of this blanket.

Bassinet

Baby beds that can be rocked to sleep are called bassinets. They can range in size from 15 to 30 inches.

How Many Stitches For A Baby Blanket Are Enough?

Now that you have everything you need, you can start to work. Do you have a rough estimate of the number of stitches required?

A larger blanket would presumably require more stitches, so let’s figure out how many we’ll need.

Medium-sized blanket

Twelve-hundred-and-thirty stitches are required for a blanket of typical size. Blankets like a Coverlet or a Lovey Blanket can be made to fit this size.

Large blanket

At a stitch density of 4 stitches per inch, you will need approximately 166 stitches to complete a large blanket. These blankets are great for strollers since they provide ample coverage without restricting your baby’s movement.

Extra-large blanket

A Bassinet can be utilized with a huge blanket. Using a stitch count of four per inch, you’ll need to make 200 stitches to accommodate this size.

It’s a lot of work, but it’s worthwhile if it means your baby is safe and well at the end of the day.

You should now have a good idea of how many stitches to cast for various blankets. There are now more blanket-related factors to think about. Choosing the right kind of stitch is important.

What Is The Best Knitting Stitch For A Baby Blanket?

There is a wide variety of knitting stitches available. It can be challenging to zero in on the optimal form for your art.

Knitting a blanket requires only simple stitches, making it a great first project for knitters of all skill levels. Discover which ones work best for your baby’s blanket.

Slip stitch patterns

Colorful knitting can be easily achieved by using the slip stitch technique. In addition to improving the blanket’s overall look, this feature also gives it a textured surface.

If you want to use two colors in this pattern, you’ll switch colors every row. One option is to use a colorful yarn.

How to Knit a Baby Blanket: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Ribbed baby blanket

A baby blanket knitted in rib stitch will have more body and texture. For this look, solid hues are your go-to.

This knitting design requires both purls and knits, making it challenging for novice knitters. If you’re an experienced knitter, ribbed knitting is the way to go.

Garter stitch baby blankets

The nicest baby blankets are knit using this design. It’s a simple stitch pattern that allows for colorful experimentation. By using two strands of yarn, as in a garter stitch, the finished blanket will be very cozy. Since babies have such soft skin, this texture is ideal.

There are other options out there, but these three are our favorites. First, you should try your hand at some basic stitches. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you can move on to more advanced techniques and patterns like purling.

What Type Of Yarn Should You Use For A Baby Blanket?

When knitting a blanket, it’s crucial to use the proper yarn. As it is soft, comfortable, and easy to care for, cotton is a favorite among parents.

Keep in mind that newborns can’t control their own body temperature or remove blankets, so merino yarn is another fantastic option. You can rest assured that your infant will be warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Top Yarns for Baby Blankets

The best seven yarns for crocheted baby blankets are listed below. These yarns can be found in a wide price range, from very cheap to more expensive fibers. All of these yarns are suitable for use in creating a crochet baby blanket, as they are durable enough for daily usage without seeming worn out and are especially plush for the little one. Read on to find out why these yarns are perfect for making baby blankets and other crocheted baby items.

Acrylic Yarns

Baby blankets made from acrylic yarns are ideal since they can be readily washed and come in a broad variety of colors. For blankets, I recommend either Brava by WeCrochet/Knitpicks or Vanna’s Choice by Lionbrand. Both of these yarns are inexpensive and readily available (most of the time) because they are a four-weight, 100% acrylic yarn.

Brava Yarn From We Crochet + Knit Picks

Baby blankets crocheted from Brava yarn are both attractive and affordable. I’ve used it successfully before in making a modern granny baby blanket in a few different hues.

You can easily crochet a baby blanket with just one skein, as it has 218 yards and costs very little. Have a look at the wide variety of yarn colors available for crocheting a lovely baby blanket.

Vanna’s Choice From LionBrand

I can’t sing enough praises of Vanna’s Choice yarn. It’s easy on the wallet, fun to shape, and available in a rainbow of colors. There are 171 yards in each skein of this four-weight yarn, and it comes in a variety of solid colors, self-striping patterns, and more.

See how Vanna’s Choice looks when it’s crocheted into a baby blanket by checking out these examples of blankets produced using the yarn.

Softee Baby From Bernat

The yarn weight category “three” describes the softness of Softee Baby, which is made entirely of acrylic fiber. It comes in a wide variety of pastels, brights, and ombres, making it ideal for crocheting infant garments.

Look at the yarn carefully, since you won’t believe how stunning a baby blanket you make from it will be. Discreetly, this lovely yarn would make a great blanket.

Baby Blanket Yarn From Bernat

Baby Blanket Yarn is an extremely bulky six weight yarn made from 100% polyester. Crocheting a baby blanket with this bulkier yarn takes no time at all. It comes in both standard blanket yarn and baby blanket varieties. Both yarns would be ideal for making a cozy baby blanket.

If you want to see what blanket yarn looks like when crocheted into a baby blanket, check out the Sea Soft Blanket pattern here on Easy Crochet.

Soft Baby Steps From Red Heart

A wide variety of lovely pastel to neon baby yarn colors are offered in Soft Baby Steps yarn, a 100% acrylic medium weight yarn.

The Granny Stitch Ripple Baby Blanket I designed using it turned out beautifully. Aside from its lovely hue, this blanket is also exceptionally plush, making it an excellent choice for a newborn.

Cotton + Cotton Blend Yarns

Yarns spun from cotton or a cotton blend are ideal since they are soft, durable, and easy to care for. Comfy Cotton by Lion Brand and Comfy Worsted by WeCrochet are two of my favorite cotton yarns. Below, you’ll find information to help you begin crocheting the most comfortable baby blanket ever.

Comfy Cotton Blend From LionBrand

Incorporating both cotton and polyester, the three-weight yarn known as “Comfy Cotton Blend” is soft and breathable. Because of the blend’s airy texture, it’s ideal for a baby blanket or present at any time of year.

You won’t need quite as much of this yarn to make a baby blanket, and you’ll have fewer ends to weave in before beginning a new project.

Comfy Worsted From WeCrochet

The 109 yards of Comfy Worsted are comprised of a 75% pima cotton and 25% acrylic four-weight yarn blend (100 m). This yarn works up well in any crochet pattern, and it’s especially nice for making baby blankets.

This yarn is ideal for use adjacent to a baby’s skin because of the pima cotton it contains. It can be be cleaned and dried in a washing machine.

Common Baby Blanket Yarn Questions

I’ve used all of the yarns listed above in at least one of my baby blanket patterns, and they’re all among of my favorites to work with. Look at the Q&A I compiled below if you still have some concerns or questions concerning the yarns typically used in baby blankets.

How Much Yarn Do I Need For A Baby Blanket Pattern?

You will need approximately between 400 and 500 yards four weight yarn to make a small crochet baby blanket size. This can vary from yarn brand to yarn brand but generally speaking, if you use a worsted weight (or medium) weight yarn you will need this much to create a smaller size baby blanket. I love using this How Much Yarn Do I need? chart from Lion brand as a reference.

How to Knit a Baby Blanket: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Make a little crochet baby blanket by using between 400 and 500 yards of four weight yarn. For a smaller baby blanket, you’ll need around this much worsted weight (or medium weight) yarn. This can vary from brand to brand, though. I find the Lion brand’s How Much Yarn Do I Need? chart to be an invaluable resource.

Do I Need To Buy All The Yarn For The Baby Blanket At The Same Time?

Yes! I suggest purchasing all your yarn for your baby blanket project at the same time because of dye lots. Dye lots are given to a yarn when it is made, so the consumer will be able to tell if the balls or skeins of yarn they buy will match in color. You can find the dye lot usually on the outside label of the yarn.

Yes! As a precaution against inconsistencies in dye lots, I advise buying all the yarn for the baby blanket at once. In order for the buyer to know if the balls or skeins of yarn they purchase are going to be the same color, manufacturers assign dye lots to yarn. Usually, the yarn will include a label on the outside with the dye lot number.

Conclusion

If you know how many stitches you need to knit a baby blanket, knitting becomes a really satisfying activity. Remember that the type of yarn you use will have an impact on the outcome of this endeavor. You can show your infant how much you care by creating one-of-a-kind handmade gifts. Wow, isn’t it a kind gesture?

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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