Sweetly Simple Knit Prayer Blanket

When I first found out about Sophia's conception, I knew the pregnancy was going to require a serious prayer battle. Karla, who had a history of miscarriage, was already spotting. My heart ached. I'd had four miscarriages myself, and I didn't want Karla to have to go through another one.

I knew this baby was worth the battle, but I had no idea how hard we would have to fight. When precious Sophia was finally born, her doctors discovered she had a serious heart malformation (tetralogy of fallot). She had to have open-heart surgery as a newborn, and she faced two more in her lifetime.

As she and her parents spent many weeks in the hospital, I prayed over them daily. One night, it dawned on me that I HAD to knit Sophia a blanket, and I HAD to have it done by the time she came home. I went to the knitting store and found the softest, prettiest yarn and an intensely soft backing material.

It was an overly expensive blanket...my alabaster box...and I prayed over Sophia with every stitch. It comforted me to be doing something for her. Now that blanket has become a source of comfort to this very precious baby girl. The experience bound my heart to Sophia and her family! I still feel as though I walked through that anxious time with Karla.

I was so fulfilled that I decided to make more prayer blankets. I modified the pattern a few times and have finally settled on two versions. I use the first when I want a blanket done quickly. I use the second when I need an easy project for some extended back and forth knitting.

I hope you get as much satisfaction from it as I do. Enjoy!  

Free Knitting Patterns - Baby Blanket:

Bulky Yarn Baby Blanket Pattern

Materials

US size 15, 29 inch circulars (The circulars can hold more stitches.)

6 skeins of yarn in gauge (I used Lion Brand Hometown USA yarn. It is made in the USA.)

1 yard of fleece (or other soft and heavy) fabric

 Gauge

2 stitches and 2.75 rows = 1 knitted square inch*

Measurement

Finished Knitting Size (before sewing)= 35 inch x 35 inch

Knitting Instructions

1. Cast on 70 stitches.
2. Knit in SS for 96 rows.
3. Bind off on the right (knit) side.
4. Sew in all loose ends.

Sewing Instructions

1. Measure a 35 inch square of fabric and cut.
2. Pin fabric and knitting with right sides together. Sew a 1/4 to 1/2 inch from edge around all four sides of the blanket (turning corners). Leave a small opening for pulling material right side out.
3. Turn material right side out. Sew opening by hand.
4. Sew a 1/2 inch border, pushing inside material edging to the side to create a "puffy" edge.

Worsted Weight Baby Blanket Pattern

Materials

US size 8, 29 inch circular needles

5 skeins of yarn in gauge (I used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, but I am considering trying Impeccable, a Canadian brand.)

1 yard of fleece (or other soft and heavy) fabric

Gauge

4 stitches and 6 rows = 1 knitted square inch*

Measurement

Finished Knitting Size (before sewing)= 35 inch x 35 inch

Knitting Pattern

1. Cast on 140 stitches.
2. Knit in SS for 210 rows.
3. Bind off on the right (knit) side.
4. Sew in all loose ends.

Sewing Instructions

1. Measure a 35 inch square of fabric and cut.
2. Pin fabric and knitting with right sides together. Sew a 1/4 to 1/2 inch from edge around all four sides of the blanket (turning corners). Leave a small opening for pulling material right side out.
3. Turn material right side out. Sew opening by hand.
4. Sew a 1/2 inch border, pushing inside material edging to the side to create a "puffy" edge.

Knitting Pattern Abbreviations/Explanations

SS = Stockinette Stitch, *knit one row and purl the next* repeat from * to * until desired number of rows are completed.

*NOTE: Gauge and sizes do not have to be exact. Simply measure and cut fabric to match the size of your blanket.