Arches Baby Blanket designed by © LJM Designs
Arches Baby Blanket by LJM Designs is a free lace baby blanket knitting pattern featuring an elegant repeating zigzag design. Even better, the pattern also includes instructions for a matching baby hat and mittens, making it a lovely handmade gift set for a new baby.
The blanket is knitted flat in one piece using DK-weight yarn. Its repeating lace motif creates the distinctive arches while the simple border gives the finished blanket a neat frame.
Arches Baby Blanket Pattern Details
- Designer: LJM Designs
- Craft: Knitting
- Category: Baby blanket
- Pattern availability: Free download
- Yarn weight: DK
- Blanket needles: 4 mm (US 6)
- Hat and mitten needles: 3.25 mm (US 3) and 4 mm (US 6)
- Gauge: 22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches
- Suggested yardage: 793–820 yards (725–750 m)
- Blanket size: Approximately 85 × 73 cm after blocking
- Construction: Worked flat in one piece
- Language: English
A Beautiful Zigzag Lace Baby Blanket
The defining feature of the Arches Baby Blanket is its repeating lace pattern. The combination of increases and decreases produces graceful zigzag arches across the fabric, giving the blanket plenty of texture without requiring separate knitted panels.
The lace motif uses a 16-stitch and 16-row repeat. Once you become familiar with the repetition, the developing arches make it easier to see how the design is progressing.
Yarn and Needles
The pattern is designed for DK-weight yarn. Several DK yarns are suitable for the original specifications, giving you plenty of flexibility when choosing a soft, washable yarn for a baby project.
The blanket uses 4 mm (US 6) needles. The complete set requires approximately 725–750 m (793–820 yards) of DK yarn.
Blanket, Hat and Mittens in One Free Pattern
One of the nicest features of this pattern is that the download is not limited to the blanket. LJM Designs also includes instructions for a simple matching baby hat and mittens.
The hat and mittens are sized for an average baby up to approximately three months old and can be worked either flat or in the round.
Can You Change the Blanket Size?
Yes. The designer notes that the Arches Baby Blanket can be adapted by adding or subtracting stitches and pattern repeats. This makes the design useful if you want a different finished size.
Changing the dimensions or yarn weight will also change the amount of yarn required, so plan additional yardage if you decide to make a larger blanket.
Skills Used in the Pattern
In addition to basic knit and purl stitches, the lace design uses common increases and decreases such as yarn overs, knit-two-together and slip-slip-knit. The instructions are written line by line.
Blocking is an important finishing step for this project because it helps open the lace and show the repeating arches more clearly.
Get the Free Arches Baby Blanket Pattern
The complete Arches Baby Blanket pattern by LJM Designs, including the matching baby hat and mittens, is currently available as a free download from the designer's pattern store.
Get the Free Arches Baby Blanket Pattern
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.