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| Photos above © supergra |
Teint de Neige / DROPS Baby 14-22 is an elegant knitted baby blanket that combines several lace textures in a soft, traditional design.
Designed by DROPS Design and originally published in the DROPS Baby collections, the blanket measures approximately 23½ × 33½ inches (60 × 85 cm). Best of all, the complete original pattern is still available free directly from DROPS Design.
✓ Free Pattern Availability
Teint de Neige / DROPS Baby 14-22 remains available as a free official DROPS knitting pattern. The current DROPS page includes the complete instructions, lace diagrams and an official pattern correction.
Teint de Neige Blanket at a Glance
Pattern: Teint de Neige / DROPS Baby 14-22
Designer: DROPS Design
First Published: January 2006
Craft: Knitting
Category: Baby Blanket
Finished Size: Approx. 23½ × 33½ in / 60 × 85 cm
Suggested Yarn: DROPS Alpaca
Yarn Weight: Sport / 5 ply
Yarn Required: 250 g / 5 skeins
Needle: 3 mm circular needle, approx. 80 cm / 32 in
Gauge: 24 stitches × 32 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in the specified lace sections
Construction: Worked flat on a circular needle
Features: Multiple lace patterns and garter-stitch side borders
Availability: Free official pattern
About the Teint de Neige Baby Blanket
Teint de Neige is a classic lace baby blanket from DROPS Design. Rather than using one stitch repeat from beginning to end, the design combines different lace sections to create changing texture across the length of the blanket.
The off-white color used for the original version gives the project a traditional heirloom appearance and allows the lace structure to remain the main visual feature.
The finished dimensions also make it a practical baby-sized blanket rather than a full-size throw.
Finished Blanket Size
The official finished measurement is approximately:
23½ × 33½ inches / 60 × 85 cm
Remember that lace can change noticeably after washing and blocking. Matching the pattern gauge and treating your swatch in the same way as the finished blanket will give you a better idea of the final fabric.
DROPS Alpaca
The original blanket was designed using DROPS Alpaca.
The official pattern calls for:
250 g / 5 skeins in off-white
DROPS Alpaca is a Sport / 5-ply weight yarn. The relatively fine yarn helps create the delicate appearance of the lace without making the finished baby blanket excessively heavy.
Needles and Gauge
DROPS specifies an approximately 80 cm / 32-inch circular needle in 3 mm.
Although a circular needle is used, the blanket itself is worked back and forth. The circular needle simply provides enough room to comfortably hold the large number of stitches.
For the specified lace sections, the published gauge is:
24 stitches × 32 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm
DROPS also provides a separate width gauge for one of the charted sections, so consult the current official pattern before beginning.
A Blanket Made from Several Lace Sections
One reason Teint de Neige looks more elaborate than many beginner blankets is that the texture changes as the knitting progresses.
DROPS uses several charted stitch patterns rather than simply repeating one motif across the entire blanket.
This creates distinct decorative areas while maintaining a unified monochrome appearance.
Garter-Stitch Side Borders
The decorative lace is framed by simple garter-stitch edges.
These borders provide visual contrast and give the sides of the blanket a cleaner finish.
When working the lace sections, take care to keep the border stitches separate from any increases or decreases that belong only to the main pattern area.
Reading the DROPS Charts
The original pattern uses several DROPS diagrams for the lace sections. The diagrams show the pattern rows as viewed from the right side.
Before beginning a new section, identify the correct diagram and check where its repeat begins and ends.
Amazing Knitting does not reproduce these copyrighted charts. The complete current diagrams are available free on the official DROPS pattern page.
The Two Ends Are Not Identical
There is an interesting detail worth knowing before you begin: DROPS specifically notes that the pattern is not the same at both ends of the blanket.
In other words, do not assume that the second half simply mirrors the first.
Following the sequence of charts in the original instructions is important for reproducing the intended design.
Why a Circular Needle Is Useful
Newer knitters sometimes assume that using a circular needle means the project must be knitted in the round.
That is not the case here.
A circular needle is simply an efficient way to hold the width of a blanket. At the end of each row, the work is turned just as it would be when using straight needles.
Skills That Help
Helpful skills for Teint de Neige include:
- Casting on and binding off
- Knitting and purling
- Working garter stitch
- Yarn overs
- Working increases and decreases
- Reading lace charts
- Following repeating stitch patterns
- Keeping accurate stitch counts
- Working flat on circular needles
- Blocking knitted lace
Keep Track of Your Stitch Count
Lace knitting depends on increases and decreases balancing correctly. A missed yarn over or an extra decrease can shift the following pattern repeats.
Check your stitch count after important transition rows rather than waiting until the end of a large section.
Stitch markers may also help separate repeats where appropriate.
Consider Adding a Lifeline
If you are less confident with lace, a lifeline can make a large blanket considerably less stressful.
After completing a section correctly, thread a smooth contrasting strand through the live stitches without removing them from the needle.
If you later need to unravel several rows, the lifeline provides a safe point at which to stop.
Choosing a Substitute Yarn
You are not limited to the original off-white DROPS Alpaca, but yarn substitution should be based on more than color.
Look for a yarn that can achieve the required gauge and allows the lace motifs to remain clearly visible.
For a baby blanket, also consider softness, washing requirements, durability and how the chosen fiber behaves after blocking.
Make a Lace Swatch
For this project, a swatch worked only in stockinette will not tell you everything you need to know.
Testing one of the lace sections allows you to check gauge while also seeing whether your yarn provides enough stitch definition for the decorative pattern.
Wash and dry the swatch according to the yarn's care instructions before making your final decision.
Blocking the Finished Blanket
Lace often looks compressed immediately after it comes off the needles. Appropriate blocking allows the decorative openings and lines to settle into their intended shape.
Use a method suitable for your chosen fiber and avoid stretching the blanket far beyond its intended dimensions.
Important Pattern Correction
The official DROPS page states that Teint de Neige has received a pattern correction.
For this reason, knitters should use the current online DROPS version rather than relying solely on an old printed copy, saved transcription or instructions copied to another website many years ago.
This is another reason Amazing Knitting links directly to the current designer/publisher source instead of reproducing the knitting instructions here.
Is Teint de Neige Still Free?
Yes. Teint de Neige / DROPS Baby 14-22 remains available as a completely free knitting pattern directly from DROPS Design.
The official page contains the current instructions, diagrams, measurements and pattern correction.
Amazing Knitting does not reproduce DROPS Design's copyrighted charts or complete row-by-row instructions. This page provides an independent project guide and directs knitters to the legitimate original source.
Get the Free Teint de Neige Pattern
Use the official DROPS Design page for the complete current knitting pattern and diagrams.
Get the Free Teint de Neige Pattern →
More Free Baby Blanket Patterns
If you enjoy Teint de Neige, explore more free lace and baby blanket projects from the Amazing Knitting archive.
Explore Free Baby Blanket Patterns →
You can also browse lace baby blankets, free lace blankets, and DROPS baby blankets.
Before You Start
Open the current DROPS pattern before casting on and review the sequence of lace diagrams. Because the blanket uses several pattern sections, understanding the transitions in advance will make the project easier to follow.
Make a lace swatch, check your gauge and use the current corrected online version of the pattern rather than an old copied set of instructions.
Pattern credit: Teint de Neige / DROPS Baby 14-22 was designed and published by DROPS Design. The existing project photographs on this Amazing Knitting page are credited to supergra. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce DROPS Design's copyrighted charts or complete row-by-row knitting instructions.
