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

As always, I’ve chosen to knit my blanket in double-knit yarn (for those of you outside the UK, the equivalent is Light Worsted or 3 weight yam), but this blanket design will work in any weight yarn you choose. Just make sure that you select the right size needles for the yarn you want to work with.

My instructions produce a Blanket approximately 60cm x 80cm, but for those of you wanting to adjust this size, 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.

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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.

video tutorial