| |

How to Knit the “Forrest” Baby Blanket [Free Video Tutorial & Written Pattern!]

***You can purchase an INEXPENSIVE AD-FREE PDF of this pattern on Ravelry HERE or Etsy HERE***

Meet Forrest – My take on a festive baby blanket knitting pattern!

For a while now I’ve wanted to knit a Christmas blanket, but didn’t want it to be something that screamed Christmas so strongly that it just wouldn’t appeal to someone who happened to stumble across the knitting pattern during the other months of the year.

I like to think this little pine tree design I’ve come up with will work as a Christmas blanket during those festive months, and a nature themed baby blanket for those other months – or for the people out there for whom Christmas is not an important milestone,

Forrest has quite a long repeat for my blankets, it’s an 18 stitch pattern multiple worked across 30 rows. It’s definitely not one for the complete beginners out there, but isn’t outside of the realms of someone who has mastered knit and purl stitches (and can count to 18!)

yarn and sizing tips & tricks

The Forrest baby blanket pattern is knitted all in one piece, from bottom to top. In order to accommodate all your stitches, I recommend using a set of circular needles (at least 100cm long) as straight needles just won’t be long enough to fit your stitches on comfortably.

I’ve chosen DK (aka Double Knitting, Light Worsted, 3 Weight) yarn for this project, but don’t let that stop you from knitting it in your own preferred weight of yarn.

My instructions produce a baby blanket approximately 60cm x 80cm, perfect for using as a cot, pram or travel blanket. But don’t let that stop you from knitting this blanket in any size you want! I think it would look great scaled up as a Sofa Throw, Quilt or Bedspread!

I’ve deliberately designed this knitting pattern to be super easy for you to adjust the size of your blanket to whatever size you want/need.

To make the blanket longer, you’ll need to work more repeats of the Middle Section (the top and bottom border are worked the same regardless of the size of blanket you knit)

To adjust the width of your blanket you’ll need to cast on more (or indeed less) stitches, it can easily be done using the pattern multiple of 18+10 for the middle textured panel, and an additional 18 stitches (9 for each side) for the garter stitch edging.

Pin for Later

Not ready to knit Forrest just yet? Why not pin this image to your Pinterest so you can find it easily when you’re ready to sit down and cast on!

Materials Needed

  • 4mm Circular Needs (to recreate this blanket 100cm is a perfect length).
  • 400g Double Knit Yarn – I used King Cole Cherished in Fern.
  • 2 Stitch Markers
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Embroidery Scissors

Written Pattern

Stitches & Abbreviations

  • K – knit
  • P – purl
  • Sl1pwyf – Slip one purlwise with yarn forward.
  • Pm – place marker
  • Sm – slip marker
  • RS – right side
  • WS – wrong side

Bottom Garter Border

Foundation Row: Cast on 136 Stitches.

Knit 15 rows as follows: K until final stitch, sl1pwyf.

Main Pattern Repeat

Row 1 (RS): k9, pm, k until 9 stitches remain, pm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 2 (WS): k9, sm, p until second marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 3: k9, sm, k until second marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 4: k9, sm, p4, k2, *p7, k2* repeat from *to* until 4 stitches before second marker, p4, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 5: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 6: k9, sm, p until second marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 7: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 8: k9, sm, p2, k6, *p2, k8, p2, k6* repeat from *to* until 2 stitches before second marker, p2, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 9: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 10: k9, sm, p until second marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 11: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 12: k9, sm, p3, k4, *p4, k6, p4, k4* repeat from *to* until 3 stitches before second marker, p3, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 13: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 14: k9, sm, p until second marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 15: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 16: k9, sm, p4, k2, *p6, k4, p6, k2* repeat from *to* until 4 stitches before second marker, p4, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 17: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 18: k9, sm, p until second marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 19: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 20: k9, sm, p13, k2, *p16, k2* repeat from *to* until 13 stitches before second marker, p13, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 21: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 22: k9, sm, p until second marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Rows 23-30: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Repeat Rows 1 – 30 8 times in total (slipping markers on Row 1 instead of placing them), and then work Rows 1-23 once more before moving on to top border.

Top Garter Border:

Knit 15 rows as follows: K until final stitch, sl1pwyf. (On your first row – remove your stitch markers)

Final row (Row 16): Cast off knit wise with right side facing.

I hope you love Forrest just as much as I do! If you’re looking for more knitted baby blanket inspiration then why not take a look at Finley, Taylor or Noah.

video tutorial

Want to browse all of my free knitted baby blanket patterns and more? See them HERE!