Ten Stitch Blanket: A Step-by-Step Knitting Tutorial

If you are looking for a project that turns leftover yarn into a stunning heirloom without requiring a single seam, the Ten Stitch Blanket by Frankie Brown is an absolute classic. Because the entire blanket expands outwards from a tiny 10-stitch center strip, you never have to manage hundreds of heavy stitches on a single cable.

Whether you are working with long-gradient cake yarns or clearing out your scrap basket, this project is famously addictive once you catch the rhythm of the corners.

Why This Tutorial Stand Out

In this comprehensive video guide, Kristen from GoodKnit Kisses breaks down the needle-knit version of the Ten Stitch Blanket from the ground up:

• Foundation & Setup: How to cast on 10 stitches using the long-tail method and work the initial 9 garter ridges (18 rows) that form the starting square.
• Wrap and Turn Corners: A visual walkthrough of working short rows to form smooth 45-degree corner miters without creating unwanted holes.
• Seamless Joins: Step-by-step guidance on picking up side ridges as you knit, eliminating the need for post-project sewing.
• Troubleshooting & Technique Variations: Key insights into how slipping edge stitches (knitwise vs. purlwise) impacts your overall join layout and edge texture.

Full Step-by-Step Guide: Ten Stitch Blanket

7 Free One-Skein Knitting Patterns to Make from Your Yarn Stash

Have a beautiful single skein of yarn sitting in your stash and no idea what to make with it? You don't always need a sweater-sized quantity of yarn to start a satisfying knitting project.

These 7 free one-skein knitting patterns include shawls, a hat, cozy slippers, newborn booties and useful dishcloths. Some use nearly a full skein, while others leave plenty of yarn for another small project.

They are also a great way to use special hand-dyed yarn, leftover cotton, sock yarn or that single ball you bought simply because the color was too beautiful to leave behind.

1. Reyna Shawl

Reyna by Noora Backlund may be one of the best examples of a true one-skein stash project.

The triangular shawl was specifically designed for that single skein of variegated sock yarn that can be difficult to match with the right pattern.

Simple garter-stitch sections alternate with airy mesh, allowing the changing colors of hand-dyed yarn to remain visible rather than disappearing inside complicated stitchwork.

Reyna uses approximately 380–420 yards (347–384 m) of light fingering yarn and is worked from the top down in one seamless piece.

Another useful feature is its flexibility: the garter and mesh sections can be adjusted if your skein contains slightly more or less yarn than the original.

See the Free Reyna Shawl Pattern →

2. The Simple Thing

The Simple Thing by Melina Brell sits somewhere between a small shawl and a scarf, and its flexible construction makes it especially useful for stash yarn.

The original sample uses just one skein of DK yarn, approximately 219–273 yards (200–250 m).

It is worked sideways in relaxing garter stitch, beginning at one narrow tip and finishing at the other, with neat I-cord edges along the sides.

Best of all, the designer explains that the pattern can easily be made longer, shorter, wider or narrower depending on how much yarn you have.

That makes The Simple Thing an excellent choice when you want to use nearly every bit of a special skein instead of leaving a small amount behind.

See The Simple Thing Free Knitting Pattern →

3. Irma Hat

If you would rather turn your single skein into a practical winter accessory, try the Irma Hat by Aneta Gasiorowska.

This free textured beanie uses only about 142–153 yards (130–140 m) of DK-weight yarn.

Irma is worked from the bottom up and seamlessly in the round. Its distinctive swirling texture gives the finished hat a much more elaborate appearance than a basic stockinette beanie.

The pattern provides one adult size with instructions for adjusting the fit, making it a useful candidate for a treasured skein of DK yarn in your stash.

See the Free Irma Hat Knitting Pattern →

4. Cloud Slippers

Cloud Slippers by Adrienne Sullivan are a particularly satisfying option when your stash contains one ball of super bulky yarn.

The designer states that just one ball of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick or an equivalent super bulky yarn is enough to make any of the four available adult sizes.

Depending on size, the slippers require only 55–90 yards (50–82 m).

Each slipper is knitted flat in one piece using garter stitch, then folded and seamed from toe to heel.

With large 10 mm needles and very little yarn required, this is also one of the quickest projects in this collection.

See the Free Cloud Slippers Knitting Pattern →

5. Little Eyes Baby Booties

Tiny baby projects are another excellent way to use small quantities of beautiful yarn.

Little Eyes by Inma Gijón is a free newborn booties pattern requiring only 30–60 yards (27–55 m) of light fingering yarn.

The little boots feature decorative cable detail and are worked flat. The original newborn version uses 2 mm needles, and the designer notes that 2.5 mm needles can be used if you want a slightly larger pair.

Because the yarn requirement is so small, Little Eyes can be an especially good project for leftover fingering yarn from a larger shawl or sock project.

See the Free Little Eyes Baby Booties Pattern →

6. Copycat Dishcloth

Not every special skein needs to become something wearable. Copycat Dishcloth by Michelle Krause is a quick, practical project that uses approximately 80 yards (73 m) of worsted-weight cotton yarn.

The simple square design combines garter and stockinette textures and uses slipped edge stitches to help create neat sides without adding a separate border.

Cotton works particularly well for a kitchen dishcloth, while a soft cotton chenille can turn the same design into a gentle washcloth.

This is a useful pattern to keep bookmarked whenever a partial or single skein of cotton is left in your stash.

See the Free Copycat Dishcloth Knitting Pattern →

7. Easy as Pie Dishcloth

Easy as Pie Dishcloth by Emily E. Williams takes the stash-busting idea even further.

Each circular dishcloth uses only about 40 yards (37 m) of worsted cotton yarn, and the designer notes that you can knit two dishcloths from one ball of Sugar 'n Cream.

The pattern is also a fun introduction to short rows or knitting backward. The finished piece measures approximately 6 inches (15 cm) across.

Beyond dishcloths and washcloths, the designer suggests using them as coasters, trivets or padding between dishes and pots.

See the Free Easy as Pie Dishcloth Pattern →

What Can You Knit With Just One Skein of Yarn?

A single skein can go surprisingly far when you choose a pattern designed around a limited amount of yarn.

Fingering-weight yarn can become a lightweight shawl or tiny baby booties. A skein of DK can become a textured hat or small scarf-shawl. Super bulky yarn can turn into cozy slippers, while leftover cotton is ideal for dishcloths and washcloths.

Before starting, always compare the yardage or meterage of your skein with the amount required by the pattern. Two skeins with the same yarn weight can contain very different lengths of yarn.

Tips for Choosing a One-Skein Knitting Project

Start by checking the yarn label for its weight, total yardage and fiber content. Then choose a pattern that leaves a small safety margin rather than requiring every last yard in your skein.

Fiber matters too. Wool is a natural choice for warm hats, shawls and slippers, while washable cotton is generally more practical for dishcloths.

And if you have only a partial skein left, don't overlook the smallest projects in this collection. Little Eyes Baby Booties, Copycat Dishcloth and Easy as Pie Dishcloth all require relatively small quantities of yarn.

Turn Your Yarn Stash Into Something Useful

That lonely skein in your stash doesn't have to wait for a matching ball.

Whether you choose the colorful Reyna Shawl, the adaptable Simple Thing, a textured Irma Hat, cozy Cloud Slippers, tiny baby booties or a useful cotton dishcloth, these free patterns show how much you can make with a surprisingly small amount of yarn.

Choose the yarn you want to use first, check its yardage, and then pick the project that makes the best match.

Happy knitting—and happy stash busting!

9 Free Baby Sweater & Cardigan Knitting Patterns You'll Love

Looking for a beautiful free baby sweater knitting pattern for your next project? This collection brings together nine lovely baby sweaters, cardigans and jackets, from simple beginner-friendly designs to lace, colorwork and textured knits.

Whether you're knitting a handmade baby-shower gift, a cozy newborn cardigan or a little sweater for a growing toddler, these patterns offer a wonderful variety of styles and construction methods.

Best of all, every pattern in this collection is currently available for free. Each project below links to our detailed Amazing Knitting guide, where you can check the yarn, needles, sizing, construction and current legitimate pattern source before casting on.

9 Free Baby Sweater & Cardigan Knitting Patterns

1. Growing Garden Cardigan

If you love cheerful colorwork, the Growing Garden Cardigan by Sandi Rosner is a wonderful place to begin.

Designed for Purl Soho, this top-down baby cardigan uses simple slip-stitch colorwork to create tiny rows of colorful textured dots. Because only one color is worked at a time, it can also be an approachable introduction to colorwork knitting.

The pattern uses DK-weight cotton yarn and includes four sizes from newborn through 18–24 months.

Best for: Easy colorwork, top-down construction and colorful baby gifts.

See the Growing Garden Cardigan Free Pattern Guide →

2. Checco's Dream Baby Cardigan

Checco's Dream by DROPS Design is a sweet textured baby cardigan with a wonderfully unusual construction.

The cardigan is worked back and forth using seed stitch and stockinette, with the sleeves incorporated into the construction rather than being made as completely separate pieces.

It is available in a particularly useful range of sizes, beginning at 1–3 months and extending through 3–4 years.

Best for: Classic baby style, textured knitting and a wide size range.

See the Checco's Dream Free Knitting Pattern Guide →

3. Leaf Love Baby Sweater

For something a little more decorative, try the Leaf Love Baby Sweater by Taiga Hilliard.

This top-down cardigan combines a classic baby sweater shape with an offset button front and a beautiful leaf lace panel. The lace provides enough detail to make the project interesting without covering the entire garment in a complicated stitch pattern.

The free pattern includes four baby sizes from 0–3 months through 12–18 months and is designed for worsted-weight yarn.

Best for: Leaf lace, elegant baby gifts and knitters ready for a little decorative detail.

See the Leaf Love Baby Sweater Free Pattern Guide →

4. Garter Ridge Baby Cardigan

The Garter Ridge Baby Cardigan by Sarah Hoadley proves that simple texture can make a baby sweater look special.

Designed with contrasting garter ridges and smooth stockinette sections, this cardigan has a timeless appearance that works equally well in traditional baby colors or modern neutrals.

The pattern includes sizes from 0–6 months through 2–3 years and uses approximately 336–504 yards of yarn, depending on size.

Best for: Simple texture, classic styling and practical everyday baby cardigans.

See the Garter Ridge Baby Cardigan Free Pattern Guide →

5. Fuss Free Baby Cardigan

Need a tiny cardigan without lots of complicated finishing? The Fuss Free Baby Cardigan by Louise Tilbrook is an excellent choice.

This little raglan cardigan was designed with simplicity in mind and is particularly appealing to knitters who are new to seamless garment knitting.

It uses DK-weight yarn, requires less than 100 grams for the original small sizes and leaves plenty of room for personalization with stripes, contrasting edges or other simple modifications.

Best for: First baby cardigans, stash yarn and knitters learning seamless construction.

See the Fuss Free Baby Cardigan Free Pattern Guide →

6. Harvest Cardigan

Harvest by Tin Can Knits is much more than a baby cardigan pattern. It is a family cardigan with sizes extending from babies all the way through adults.

Part of the designers' Simple Collection, Harvest was created to help knitters learn essential garment-making skills. Its seamless construction and clean styling make the baby sizes particularly appealing for anyone attempting a cardigan for the first time.

The pattern uses worsted-weight yarn and its exceptionally broad size range also makes it possible to knit coordinating cardigans for siblings or other family members.

Best for: First sweaters, family knitting and learning seamless cardigan construction.

See the Harvest Cardigan Free Pattern Guide →

7. Puerperium Cardigan

The Puerperium Cardigan by Kelly Brooker is a wonderfully simple little cardigan created specifically with a newborn baby's earliest weeks in mind.

Its clean, top-down seamless construction makes it a versatile blank canvas. You can keep it beautifully simple or personalize it through yarn choice, buttons, stripes or small embellishments.

Because it is such a compact newborn garment, it can also be an appealing project when you want to knit a thoughtful handmade gift without committing to a large sweater.

Best for: Newborn gifts, simple top-down knitting and personalization.

See the Puerperium Cardigan Free Pattern Guide →

8. French Macaroon Baby Sweater

Prefer a pullover instead of a cardigan? French Macaroon by Caro in the City is a charming garter-stitch baby and child sweater with a distinctive two-color design.

The sweater is worked flat in two main pieces, making it quite different from many of the seamless cardigans in this collection. A boat neckline and small button opening at the back add practical finishing details.

Six sizes are included, ranging from newborn through 4 years, making this a pattern you can return to as a child grows.

Best for: Garter stitch, color blocking and newer garment knitters.

See the French Macaroon Baby Sweater Free Pattern Guide →

9. Seed Stitch Baby Jacket

The Seed Stitch Baby Jacket is another lovely option when texture is more important to you than elaborate colorwork.

Seed stitch creates a beautifully textured knitted fabric using only knit and purl stitches, giving a simple baby jacket plenty of visual interest without requiring complicated cables or stranded colorwork.

It is a particularly nice choice for a solid-color yarn, where the small raised texture can become the main feature of the finished garment.

Best for: Textured knitting, classic baby style and knit-and-purl stitch practice.

See the Seed Stitch Baby Jacket Free Pattern Guide →

Which Free Baby Sweater Should You Knit First?

With nine different designs, the best pattern depends on what you want to practice and the style of garment you want to make.

For a straightforward first cardigan, start with Fuss Free Baby Cardigan or Harvest. Both are excellent choices for learning garment construction without making decorative stitches the main challenge.

If you want lace, Leaf Love Baby Sweater adds a beautiful botanical detail. For texture, look at Garter Ridge Baby Cardigan, Checco's Dream or the Seed Stitch Baby Jacket.

For color, the Growing Garden Cardigan offers a playful introduction to slip-stitch colorwork, while French Macaroon lets two contrasting yarn colors become the focus of a very simple shape.

Free Baby Cardigans for Different Skill Levels

Baby sweaters are excellent projects for developing garment-knitting skills because their smaller scale allows you to practice techniques that also appear in adult sweaters.

Depending on the pattern you choose, you can practice top-down construction, raglan shaping, working sleeves, button bands, lace, seed stitch, garter stitch, color changes and seamless knitting.

If you are relatively new to garments, choose a simpler design first and concentrate on achieving the correct gauge and understanding the construction. You can move on to lace or colorwork once the basic sweater-making process feels familiar.

Choosing Yarn for a Baby Sweater

Always check the individual pattern before buying yarn. These nine designs do not all use the same yarn weight, gauge or yardage.

For baby garments, consider softness and comfort as well as appearance. Washability can also be important for clothing that may need frequent cleaning.

If you substitute yarn, match the pattern's required gauge rather than relying only on the yarn-weight label. A gauge swatch can prevent a beautifully knitted cardigan from ending up much larger or smaller than intended.

A Handmade Baby Gift

A knitted baby cardigan or sweater can make a memorable handmade gift for a newborn, baby shower or first birthday.

Several patterns in this collection require relatively modest amounts of yarn, making them useful for special skeins or leftovers from larger projects. Others include multiple sizes, so a favorite design can be knitted again as the child grows.

Before starting, open the individual Amazing Knitting guide and then follow the link to the designer's current original pattern. Check the latest sizing, yarn requirements, gauge, needle sizes and any pattern updates before casting on.

More Free Knitting Patterns

If baby sweaters aren't the only thing on your knitting list, explore our collection of 7 Free Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns for Beautiful Handmade Gifts.

Together, a tiny cardigan and a coordinating knitted blanket can make an especially lovely handmade baby gift set.

Pattern availability was checked when this collection was prepared. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designers' copyrighted row-by-row instructions or charts. Each project links to an Amazing Knitting guide that identifies and directs readers to the legitimate pattern source. Pattern availability may change over time.