Sproutling Baby Blanket

Designed by Judy Kaethler

The perfect project for a new mom wanting to wrap
her little one in yarny love!
The main part of the blanket is simple garter stitch,
which is welcome knitting in the middle of the night
when youre up rocking the wee one, or during the day
when youre awake but in that postpartum fog. The
gauge or dimensions are not critical keep going for a
larger blanket, or bind off early for a smaller carseatsized throw. The edging is worked separately and sewn on at the end. The beauty of this approach is that all the
knitting that needs concentration is done at the end, when youve hopefully got some energy and brain power
back. Plus, while you knit the edging, the main part of the blanket is still usable! (and my baby didnt mind the lack
of trim while we used it that way) The edging takes some focus, but because its less than 20 stitches across, the
pattern doesnt take long to memorize and it comes together quickly.
The sample is knit in a sport-weight cashmerino, but just about any baby-soft yarn would do. Use a thicker yarn to
make this an even faster knit.
To fit: Any size! Knit this to whatever dimensions you like. Sample is 32 x 31 inches. (was 26x26 unblocked,
before edging)
Yarn requirements: Sample was made with 1233 yards (9 balls) of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (sportweight). 7
balls for the body and 2 for the edging.
Needles: US 3 / 3.25mm or those required to obtain the density of garter stitch that you are happy with. Youll
need a circular needle long enough to handle the width of the blanket, and shorter needles for the edging (dpns
are suggested)
Gauge: Sample was knit at 22 stitches per 4 inches (blocked), but feel free to knit it more densely for a heavier
blanket or more loosely for a lighter feel. Just keep in mind that a different gauge will change the yardage required.
Notions: Darning needle to apply edging and weave in ends, scrap yarn for provisional cast on
Abbreviations:
dpn(s) double-pointed needle(s)
k - knit
k2tog knit 2 sts together
kfb knit into the front and back of the same stitch
(1 st increased)
p - purl
RS right side of work
sk2p slip 1 st, knit 2 together, pass the slipped
stitch over (2 sts decreased)

Sproutling Baby Blanket

ssk slip slip knit: slip the first stitch as if to knit, slip
the second stitch as if to knit, insert the left needle
through both sts from the left side and knit them
together
st(s) stitch(es)
WS wrong side of work
yo bring working yarn forward between needles,
then back over right needle, creating an eyelet and
increasing one stitch

Judy@kaethler.com

Instructions:
Body of blanket:
Loosely cast on 157 sts, or as many as you want to obtain the width you are targeting. Work in garter stitch (knit
every row) until length is 26 inches. Cast off loosely.
Leaf Edging:
Using a provisional cast-on, CO 8 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k2, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, yo k2
Row 2 (WS): p6, kfb, k3
Row 3: k2, yo, k2tog, p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k3
Row 4: p8, kfb, k4
Row 5: k2, yo, k2tog, p2, k3, yo, k1, yo, k4
Row 6: p10, kfb, k5
Row 7: k2, yo, k2tog, p3, k4, yo, k1, yo, k5
Row 8: p12, kfb, k6
Row 9: k2 yo, k2tog, p4, ssk, k7, k2tog, k1
Row 10: p10, kfb, k7
Row 11: k2, yo, k2tog, p5, ssk, k5, k2tog, k1
Row 12:p8, kfb, k2, p1, k5
Row 13: k2, yo, k2tog, p1, k1, p4, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1
Row 14: p6, kfb, k3, p1, k5
Row 15: k2 yo, k2tog, p1, k1, p5, ssk, k1. K2tog, k1
Row 16: p4, kfb, k4, p1, k5
Row 17: k2, yo, k2tog, p1, k1, p6, sk2p, k1
Row 18: p2tog, bind off 5 sts knit-ways, p3, k4
Repeat these 18 rows until leaf edging is the length required to reach all the way around the blanket. When you
are approaching the required length, wash and block both the blanket and the edging. When dry, lay them out
together to measure for length. The edging will lengthen a fair bit when washed, and you will most likely find that
you are closer to the end than you think!
Assembly:
Beginning with the CO end, loosely sew leaf trim to the blank. Start about 3-4 to the right of a corner, and
continue around clockwise. As you are approaching the last corner, ease the trim so that the ends will come
together at a matching row (after Row 18). With just a few inches left to attach, remove the scrap yarn from the
provisional cast on and use Kitchener stitch to graft the ends of the trim together. Now attach the rest of the trim.
Weave in yarn ends, and wrap that baby up!

Sproutling Baby Blanket

Judy@kaethler.com