Knitting a Baby Blanket – How Many Stitches?
Knitting a baby blanket is the perfect project to make for that special little one! But before you get started, you’ll want to determine how many stitches you need for your project.
Step 1: Choose the Yarn
Before you can start counting stitches – you need to choose the yarn that’s best for your project. There are a few important factors to consider:
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- Fibre content – is the yarn made from natural or synthetic fibres?
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- Weight – is the yarn labelled bulky, worsted, chunky or variegated? Different weights will produce different results.
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- Colour – do you want to use one solid shade, or a few multicolours?
Once you have selected your perfect yarn, it’s time to start stitching!
Step 2: Choose the Needle Size
The yarn you’ve chosen will come with a recommended size for the knitting needles. Generally, you should use the size needle that is closest to the yarn’s suggested size.
For baby projects, you want to use a small needle size. You’ll want to get something in the 4-6mm range or smaller. The smaller needle size will create a tighter, warmer stitch that is ideal for delicate baby skin.
Step 3: Calculate the Number of Stitches
Now it’s time to finally figure out the number stitches needed. Every pattern will have different instructions, but a basic baby blanket will require around 800-900 stitches. If you want a bigger blanket, add an extra 200 stitches.
Step 4: Cast On Stitches and Start Knitting!
Once you have the right yarn, needles, and the number of stitches cast on, it’s time to start knitting! Your baby blanket will no doubt be a special treasured gift for a lucky little one!