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

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

Even though I’m an experienced knitter, I love to knit baby blankets that combine just knit and purl stitches to create a project that’s not just simple to knit, but is one that looks great too.

Holly is a 12 row repeat, the perfect length for a beginner tackling a big project for the first time or an experienced knitter like me who’s just looking for a quick knit. The horizontal blocks of texture make create interest, but also make it super easy to read your repeats, and I’ve chosen to combine some garter stitch with stockinette and a tweak on a 2×2 Ribbing and I’m so happy with the end result.

yarn and sizing tips & tricks

The Arlo 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 5+2 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 the Holly baby blanket 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 of DK Yarn – I used Stylecraft Bellissima in Double Denim
• Scissors & Tapestry Needle for sewing in ends
• 2 Stitch Markers

written pattern

Stitches Used

• k – knit
• p – purl
• sl1pwyf – slip one purlwise with yarn in front.
• Pm – place marker
• Sm – slip marker

Bottom Edge

Foundation Row: Cast on 135 stitches.

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

Main Pattern Repeat

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

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

Row 3: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 4: k9, sm, p until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 5: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 6: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 7: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 8: k9, sm, p2, *k3,p2* repeat from *to* until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 9: k9, sm, k2, *p3,k2* repeat from *to* until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 10: k9, sm, p2, *k3,p2* repeat from *to* until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 11: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 12: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Repeat Rows 1 – 12 22 times in total (slipping markers on Row 1 instead of placing them), and then work Rows 1-5 once more before moving on to top border.

Top Edge

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

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

I hope you love Holly just as much as I do! If you’re looking for more knitted baby blanket inspiration then why not take a look at Sasha, Stanley or Harvey.

video tutorial

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