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Holding Hands Baby Blanket. Photo © sworley
Holding Hands Baby Blanket by Yasemin Ersoy is a free textured baby blanket knitting pattern that turns a simple rectangular blanket into something much more interesting through repeating raised motifs.
Worked with DK-weight yarn, the design combines large areas of smooth knitting with textured details and a seed-stitch gauge. The result is a classic baby blanket that works beautifully as a handmade newborn or baby-shower gift.
The charm of the Holding Hands Baby Blanket comes from the contrast between its smoother background and repeating textured motifs. These raised sections break up the fabric and create the distinctive look that gives the blanket its name.
Because the texture is built directly into the knitting, there are no separate decorative pieces to attach afterward.
The original pattern calls for DK-weight yarn and 3.5 mm (US 4) knitting needles. Approximately 1,200 yards (1,097 m) of yarn are listed for the project.
The suggested yarn is Ingelise Palma, a DK-weight blend of cotton, rayon and linen. If you substitute another yarn, choose one that gives good stitch definition so the blanket's textured motifs remain clearly visible.
The blanket is an appealing choice for knitters who are comfortable with basic knitting and want to move into more interesting textured projects.
The design uses familiar knitting techniques to build the repeating texture across the blanket. Paying attention to the pattern repeats and checking your work as each motif develops will help keep the design consistent.
This pattern offers a nice balance between a practical baby blanket and an interesting knitting project. The neutral geometric texture can work with many different yarn colors, making it easy to adapt for a nursery or handmade gift.
A solid or lightly tonal yarn is especially effective because it allows the shadows created by the raised stitches to become part of the design.
The complete Holding Hands Baby Blanket pattern by Yasemin Ersoy is currently available as a free download from the designer's pattern page.
Get the Free Holding Hands Baby Blanket Pattern
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.
Checco's Dream. Photo above © sofiecat
Checco's Dream is a free baby and children's cardigan knitting pattern from DROPS Design. This classic button-front jacket features a V-neck, textured seed stitch and cleverly constructed sleeves without traditional sleeve seams.
Available in sizes from approximately 1 month to 4 years, it is a versatile free cardigan pattern for babies, toddlers and young children.
Checco's Dream covers a particularly useful range of baby and toddler sizes. The original DROPS pattern includes five sizes: 1/3 months, 6/9 months, 12/18 months, 2 years and 3/4 years.
Finished bust measurements range from approximately 48 to 70 cm (19 to 27½ inches), while the finished length ranges from approximately 27 to 40 cm (10⅝ to 15¾ inches), depending on the size selected.
The original cardigan is knitted in DROPS Merino Extra Fine, a soft merino yarn in DROPS Yarn Group B.
The current official pattern lists approximately 200–300 g of yarn, depending on size. DROPS notes that this yarn quantity was corrected in an update to the online pattern.
A 4 mm (US 6) circular needle is recommended, or the needle size required to achieve the specified gauge of 21 stitches and 28 rows per 10 cm in stockinette stitch.
The textured stitch pattern gives Checco's Dream much of its classic character. It adds visual interest to the cardigan while allowing a solid-colored yarn to show the stitch definition clearly.
The design also features a V-neck and buttoned front, giving the finished jacket a traditional style that works well for both babies and toddlers.
One of the most interesting features of Checco's Dream is its construction. Rather than knitting conventional separate sleeves and sewing them into armholes afterward, stitches are added as the garment progresses to form the sleeves.
The jacket is worked back and forth on a circular needle, beginning with the front sections and progressing through the shoulders and back. This approach avoids traditional sleeve seams.
DROPS Merino Extra Fine is the yarn specified for the original design, but DROPS also provides guidance for substituting yarns within its yarn group system.
If you choose another yarn, matching the original gauge is particularly important because gauge affects both the finished cardigan measurements and the amount of yarn required.
The complete Checco's Dream / DROPS Baby 21-11 pattern is available free from the original publisher, DROPS Design. The official page includes the full instructions, sizing information and pattern diagram.
Get the Free Checco's Dream Pattern at DROPS Design
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.
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| Photos above © Yarnspirations |
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| The photo above © Monica Hellberg |
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Jutka Cardigan. Photo © Anakire
Jutka Cardigan by Irina Poludnenko is a free easy cardigan knitting pattern featuring cozy garter stitch, short sleeves and super bulky yarn.
Designed for Lion Brand Yarn, this chunky cardigan is worked primarily in garter stitch on large needles. The pattern includes five women's sizes from S through 2X, making it an appealing project for knitters looking for a simple, wearable cardigan that works up with thick yarn.
One of the most appealing features of Jutka is its extensive use of garter stitch. Instead of relying on complicated cables, lace or colorwork, the cardigan gets much of its texture from the simple ridges created by knitting every row.
Lion Brand rates the pattern Easy (Beginner+), making it an interesting next step for knitters who are comfortable with basic knitting and want to move into garment construction.
Jutka is designed for #6 Super Bulky yarn. The original pattern uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, a thick wool-blend yarn often used for warm garments and quick-knitting projects.
The large stitches emphasize the horizontal ridges of the garter stitch while giving the finished cardigan a substantial, cozy appearance.
If you substitute another yarn, choose a suitable super bulky yarn and use your gauge rather than the yarn label alone to determine whether it will work for the pattern.
The free pattern includes five women's sizes: S (M, L, 1X, 2X).
The finished bust measurements, with the cardigan buttoned, are approximately:
Finished length ranges from approximately 21½ to 27½ inches, depending on the selected size.
Compare these finished garment measurements with your preferred fit before deciding which size to knit.
The original design uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in the Fossil colorway.
The pattern calls for approximately 5 (6, 7, 8, 9) balls for sizes S (M, L, 1X, 2X), respectively.
If you use a substitute yarn, calculate your requirements according to yardage rather than simply buying the same number of balls, since skein sizes vary between yarn brands.
Jutka uses a 9 mm (US 13) circular knitting needle, approximately 40 inches (101.5 cm) long.
The specified gauge is: 8 stitches + 17 rows = approximately 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch.
Gauge matters when knitting a cardigan because even a small difference across a few stitches can become several inches across the finished garment. Make a swatch before beginning, particularly if you are substituting yarn.
Jutka has an interesting construction that keeps much of the garment connected during knitting. The main body is worked in one piece, while the short sleeves are knitted separately.
The cardigan's simple garter-stitch fabric allows the shaping and silhouette to become the main features of the design rather than an elaborate stitch pattern.
After the main pieces are complete, finishing includes joining the required sections and working the neckline edge according to the designer's instructions.
Unlike a traditional long-sleeved chunky cardigan, Jutka has short sleeves. This gives the garment an unusual layering-friendly shape.
Wear it over a long-sleeved top in cooler weather, or use it as a substantial outer layer when you want warmth around the body without full bulky sleeves.
Although Lion Brand rates Jutka as an easy pattern, it is still a garment rather than a basic rectangular beginner project.
Useful skills include:
If you have already completed scarves, cowls or other simple projects, Jutka can provide an opportunity to apply familiar stitches to a wearable garment.
Jutka combines simple knitting with an unusual modern silhouette. Super bulky yarn and large needles create bold garter-stitch texture, while the short sleeves keep the finished cardigan from looking like a conventional chunky sweater.
The five-size range and straightforward stitch pattern also make it useful for knitters who want to concentrate on garment construction rather than complex decorative techniques.
The complete Jutka Cardigan by Irina Poludnenko is currently available from Lion Brand Yarn. Lion Brand may require a free account or sign-in to access its free pattern.
Get the Free Jutka Cardigan Pattern at Lion Brand
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability and access requirements on external websites may change over time.
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| The photo above © Fiona64 |
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