This pattern is an easy one for a new or a returning knitter to try a sampler of different stitches. This would be a great idea for a group of new knitters as a cooperative project. A class of students could make this for their teacher’s baby, or all the cousins could make this for their aunt’s baby shower. I made this pattern for my granddaughter Pyper while I was traveling across the country in a van this summer. It was hot, and I didn’t want to have a lot of knitting on my lap, or spill anything on it. I needed to get it done quickly because the shower was scheduled a few days after my return. I wanted it to show my love for the new baby, so I incorporated the heart motif in it, along with other stitches I knew I could finish easily.
This pattern is a:Knit AND Crochet Pattern
Skill Level:Easy
Credits:
All photographs taken by Catherine Hoben. Five month old Pyper crawls around on her pink and white “Knit With Love” Baby Blanket, made by Grandma Cathy. This blanket has been washed a few times and shows that it has been used and loved.
Materials:
Yarn:
Color #1: Plymouth Brand Encore Yarn ( 200 yards/100 G (31/2 oz) skein, 75% Acrylic, 25% Wool, Color #256 (Pink color) 6 balls
Color #2: Plymouth Brand Encore Yarn ( 200 yards/100 G (31/2 oz) skein, 75% Acrylic, 25% Wool, Color #256 (White color) 6 balls
Yarn Substitute:
You can change Color A (Pink) to Blue, Green, Lavender, Yellow or any color your wish. You may substitute any washable acrylic or acrylic-blend yarn that will give you the approximate weight you wish.
Knitting Needles:
Straight or Circular worked flat Needles
US# 10 / 6 mm, Length in inches 12” or more
Crochet Hooks :
US # J/10 / 6 mm
Notions and Accessories:
Scissors
Measuring Tape or Ruler
Yarn Needle
Size:
Baby Crib Size approximately 24”x36”
Finished Product Measurements:
Baby Crib Size approximately 24”x36”
Pattern Stitch and Design Notes :
This blanket is made by knitting 24 separate blocks, 12 in color A and 12 in color B. The blocks in color A (pink in this sample) can be made in a variety of decorative stitches with a 1” seed stitch border. When you make the heart blocks, be sure to give the yarn a little tug when switching from knit to purl stitches. To make the blocks square, measure them by folding on the diagonal. The sides should match evenly. The 24 blocks are sewn together, or can be crocheted together. To finish, crochet a single or double crochet around the entire blanket.
You may change the patterns of the blocks to any simple pattern of your choice, but be sure to make 2 blocks of each pattern to keep the blanket balanced. You may wish to avoid cables and lace stitches because they will require a different number of stitches to be 6” square.
Blocks made with Color B are worked in garter stitch (knit every row).
All blocks made with Color A have a 1”seed stitch border with an odd number of stitches cast on
Row 1- 4: *K1, P1, repeat from * to end of row;
Row 5: [K1, P1, K1, P1] work in pattern for each block, end with last 4 stitches [P1, K1, P1, K1]
Continue working in seed stitch at the beginning and end of each row. End each block with 4 rows of seed stitch
Number of Blocks:
Four blocks have a knit heart motif in the center of a purl stitch block.
Four blocks have a seed stitch allover pattern
Two blocks have a seed stitch border around a stockinette stitch main block
Two blocks have a box or a decorative stitch pattern
Gauge:
20 stitches / 36rows = 4 inch (10 cm) in pattern stitch
To save time, take time to check your gauge, but gauge is not critical to success of this project.
Seed Stitch Block
With Color A, Cast on 25 stitches
Row 1: *K1, P1, repeat from * to end.
Row 2: *P1, K1, repeat from * to end.
Continue in pattern until block is square.
Bind off in pattern.
Stockinette Block
With Color A, Cast on 25 stitches.
Row 1: *K1, P1, repeat from * to end.
Row 2: *K1, P1, repeat from * to end.
Row 3: Repeat Row 1
Row 4: Repeat Row 2
Row 5: [K1, P1, K1, P1,] K to last 4 stitches, [P1, K1, P1, K1]
Row 6: [K1, P1, K1, P1], P to last 4 stitches, [P1, K1, P1, K1]
Row 7: Repeat Row 5
Row 8: Repeat Row 6
Continue in pattern until block is 1’short of square.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until block is square.
Bind off in pattern.
Other blocks where you create a custom pattern:
With Color A, Cast on 25 stitches
Row 1: *K1, P1, repeat from * to end.
Row 2: *P1, K1, repeat from * to end.
Row 3: Repeat Row 1
Row 4: Repeat Row 2
Row 5: [K1, P1, K1, P1], [Block or other pattern of your choice], [P1, K1, P1, K1]
Row 6: [K1, P1, K1, P1], [Block or other pattern of your choice], [P1, K1, P1, K1]
Continue in pattern until block is 1’short of square.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until block is square.
Bind off in pattern.
With Color B, cast on 25 stitches
Row 1: K
Row 2: K
Repeat each row in garter stitch and continue until block is square.
Bind off.
Finishing:
Arrange the 12 blocks of color A and the 12 blocks of color B in a checkerboard pattern. Sew blocks together using a yarn needle and 24” length of yarn in a mattress stitch with either Yarn A or Yarn B or crochet using a single crochet. Crochet around the entire blanket in a chain stitch. At the corners, add an extra stitch to allow the corners to stay flat. Add another row or two in single or double crochet.
Weave in ends of yarn.
Meet the Designer:
Cathy is busy knitting baby things for her12 grandchildren. Five of them are under the age of 3 years, so she has had to work quickly. She enjoys uncomplicated patterns and projects that she can take along with her in her travels. The Knit With Love Baby Blanket was knit in pink, a color that she doesn’t get to use very much, since most of the grandbabies are boys. Cathy uses a lot of blue, green, and cream, because that is what the baby’s parents have requested. She would like to have a photo with all the grandchildren in it, but due to naptime and travel schedules, only 9 month old Peter is in this photo with her. And he doesn’t look too happy about it, either. See her article about what to knit for babies and their parents in “A Grandmother’s Guide to Great Shower Gifts” in this issue of For the Love of Yarn.
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This blanket is made by knitting 24 separate blocks, 12 in color A and 12 in color B. The blocks in color A (pink in this sample) can be made in a variety of decorative stitches with a 1” seed stitch border. When you make the heart blocks, be sure to give the yarn a little tug when switching from knit to purl stitches. To make the blocks square, measure them by folding on the diagonal. The sides should match evenly. The 24 blocks are sewn together, or can be crocheted together. To finish, crochet a single or double crochet around the entire blanket.
Heart Block 
Other blocks where you create a custom pattern:
