Knitted Baby Blanket Pattern: Polka Dots & Baubles
Sharing a knitted baby blanket pattern featuring a body of polka dots and crocheted baubles on the edge. The body of this simple baby blanket is comprised of basic knit and purl stitches. It is a reversible pattern and is perfect for new knitters. The crocheted bauble edge, while totally adorable, can be left off if you are uncomfortable with crochet. Nab this free knitting pattern, warm up your needles and you’ll have this adorable blanket in no time.
I keep thinking I’m going to start building a stash of baby blankets, but as soon as I start a new one, I hear of a new baby on his or her way! In my mind’s eye, I get an invitation to a baby shower and open my armoire to gaze at all the hand-knit blankets I’ve made. I lovingly choose one and show up with the perfect gift! But doggone it, I’m having a hard time just keeping up, let alone building a stash!
I’ve often said I’m a firm believer in kismet and this is no exception. For the last two blankets I’ve knitted, I chose a baby blue yarn. And shortly thereafter, I found out that someone I know is having a wee boy! Things that make you say…hmmm….🤔
Table of Contents
This is a Reversible Knit Pattern
Lately, I’ve been focusing on reversible knit blankets, meaning the blanket looks as nice on the back as it does on the front. Working with simple knitting patterns that switch between knit stitches and purl stitches on each row does that.
What skill level is needed to make this easy knit baby blanket?
This modern baby blanket pattern is suitable for newer knitters, advanced beginner knitters, and experienced knitters. It uses repeats of basic knitting stitches (knit and purl) to create the polka dots. Start to finish, I completed this quick knit in a month.
As far as the crochet bauble edge, it is entirely optional, but DANG…it is awful cute! If you are new to crochet, let this be the project that encourages you to go forward. The bauble is simply five double crochets in the same space on a chain. It’s that simple. I did a quick video tutorial to show the process to you…I believe in you! You can do this! Bauble edge or not, this will surely be a sweet gift for anyone lucky enough to receive it.
And if you’ve never crocheted around a blanket before, pop over to this video. Fast forward to minute 5:38 where I show how to crochet around a different blanket.
What’s the Best Yarn to Use for a Baby Blanket?
There are several considerations when choosing the best yarn for your baby blanket.
- Fiber – I am a cotton gal, but some other options are bamboo, acrylic, and washable wool. I always prefer cotton or cotton blends primarily because it is hypoallergenic, making it a safe bet for sensitive skin. It is washable, soft, and smooth. Merino and superwash wools can also be great options, but check with the new mom beforehand. Acrylic yarn has the benefit of also being hypo-allergenic, washable, and won’t shrink. I find some acrylics a little scratchy, so check before you buy. Bamboo (and blend) yarns are similar to cotton, with a bit more durability. Regarding pilling, animal fibers (wool) will pill more than cotton or acrylic.
- Washability – make sure your blanket can be washed. I always recommend a cold, gentle wash with as little dryer time as possible…mostly to fluff it up.
- Temperature – where the newborn lives might influence your choice of yarns. A baby in hot climates would probably prefer a cotton or bamboo (or blend) yarn, whereas one in colder climates would appreciate the warmth of merino wool.
- Yarn Weight – stay away from heavy, bulky, and chunky yarns, opting for lighter weight DK and worsted weight yarns.
Some of my favorite baby blanket yarns are:
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- Berroco Modern Cotton is a 60% Pima cotton/ 40% viscose yarn that is machine washable and comes in a wide array of colors. I used this yarn for my Eyelet and Argyle Baby Blankets. Modern cotton comes in worsted and DK weights.
- Lana Grossa Soft Cotton Big is a 70% Cotton/ 30% Polyacrylic that is also machine washable with a nice variety of colors. I used this yarn for my Polka Dot Blanket. Soft Cotton Big is a worsted/heavy worsted yarn. It has since been discontinued, but Cascade Sarasota is a pretty good match and is also a cotton/microfiber blend.
- Natural Cotton Maxcolor 4/6 by Circulo is a 100% cotton yarn, is machine washable and comes in a wide array of colors. It’s a little heavier than the other two but not too heavy for a baby blanket. It does knit up quickly. I used it for my Rosebud and Ruffles Blanket.
- Valley Yarns Southwick is a 52% Pima Cotton/48% Bamboo Viscose, DK-weight yarn that is ideally suited for those with sensitive skin as it is completely hypoallergenic. Walmart also carries Valley Yarns Southwick, so be sure to shop around for the best price. Lion Brands LB Collections Cotton Bamboo Yarn is also a good substitute. I used Southwick in my Quiet Plaid Baby Blanket.
Pattern Repeats in this Knitted Baby Blanket Pattern
The polka dot patterns repeat horizontally every 10 stitches, 15 times, and vertically every 20 rows, 12 times.
I used the Russian Join to join the ends of my cotton yarn
While the Russian Join is easier to do with animal fiber yarns (wool and the like…fibers that have some grab to them), I was successful in joining the ends of my cotton yarn using this joining technique. As opposed to just going through the ‘tube’ of wool yarns, you’ll need to weave your needle in and out of the cotton yarn. It’s not quite as easy, but I’m pleased with not having to weave in loose ends or deal with the knots where I would’ve tied the yarn ends together.
You can see where I joined yarn in the picture below.
Using Circular Knitting Needles to Knit a Blanket
I used straight needles for this blanket, but I bounce back and forth between circular and straight needles for my blankets.
If you’ve never used circular needles for blankets, you basically just treat the needles like straight needles; as in you turn the knitting and needles around the same way as you would with straight needles when you get to the end of each row.
If You Want to Make This Beautiful Blanket in Different Sizes
An important note about this blanket if you want to resize it; the polka dot pattern is a multiple of 10 plus 1, plus 6 seed stitches on each end. Make sure to figure that into your calculations. You can see how to resize any blanket to a smaller or larger blanket here.
Blocking your Blanket
Once you’ve spent the time to create your beautiful knit blanket, make sure you finish it properly by blocking it. The active blocking time will only take 30-45 minutes, with another 1-2 days of dry time, so plan accordingly. Follow this link for instructions on how to block your knitting and the materials I use.
Materials Needed for this Knitted Baby Blanket Pattern (36″ by 38″)
Some of these links may be Amazon affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from the sale of these products to help defray the costs of operating this site, but the price you are charged is not affected. You can see my full disclosure policy here.
- 1200 yards of worsted weight yarn. I used Lana Grossa Soft Cotton Big in Light Blue (16), but it has since been discontinued. Cascade Sarasota is a pretty good match and is also a cotton/microfiber blend.
- US size 7 (4.5mm) Knitting Needles, Straight or Circular Needles
- Crochet Hook, H8
- The full pattern available to all Nourish and Nestle Subscribers in the Subscriber Library. Not a subscriber? We’ve got you covered! Click this button to subscribe and to have the pattern automagically appear in your inbox.
After you’ve knit your keepsake blanket, make sure to include a tag telling the recipient what the yarn fibers are and how to care for their new gift.
More Free Patterns!
And if you are looking for something other than knitted baby blanket patterns, I have other knit blankets, washcloths, Christmas stockings, a pillow, and even a purse pattern here. They are all knit patterns and many are considered easy knitting patterns, suitable for new knitters.
Bookmark this page or pin the following image to return to this easy baby blanket knitting pattern down the road.
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Absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Jane! Isn’t it adorable?! And a quick knit, to boot!
Happy Knitting,
Lynn
Sharing a knitted baby blanket pattern featuring a body of polka dots and crocheted baubles on the edge…
Please email me the directions for the knitted polka dot baby blanket and how to reduce and increase the size of a knitted blanket. Thank you.
HI Linda, check your inbox. I’ve emailed the PDF for the blanket and link for the post where we discuss how to change the size of your blankets.
Happy Knitting!
Lynn
Love the border for this. Would you be able to send a copy of the border pattern so I can use it on a finished shawl that I haven’t been able to find an edging I was happy with until this came along. Please let me know if there is a fee and I will gladly pay it. Thanking you in advance. Much appreciative,
Caro
Hi Caro,
I’ve attached the baby blanket pattern which includes that bauble border. Isn’t it fun!? Happy Knitting.
Hi,
Seems the like for blocking the blanket isn’t there.
Thanks for the head’s up Suzanne. I don’t know what was wrong, but I’ve fixed it. The link works now.
Have a great day, Lynn
Still waiting for directions on knitted polka dot baby blanket. I’ve checked my trash/junk boxes too. 🤷🏼♀️
Hmmm…not sure, but I’ve just sent it to you.