5 Baby Knitting patterns Every New Mom Will Appreciate

what are the most used baby knitting patterns?

Whether you’re expecting or gifting, knitting for a baby is such an amazing way to shower baby with love! As a knitting mom of four, I’ve knit and been gifted a lot of knits for babies. Some are cute, quirky, and fun. These are the most essential baby knitting patterns to cast on today.

1. woodland moss baby blanket by this yellow farmhouse
2. baby bear balaclava by knitting for olive
3. cable columns knit baby blanket by bernat
4. vintage toys stocking by ursula almeida
5. rye socks by tin can knits

baby blanket

Forgive me, but the first pattern is written by yours truly (I promise, it’s the only one!). The Woodland Moss Baby Blanket is a free, beginner friendly blanket that you can even knit it during that ninth month like I did. You know, the one where you can’t sleep because of… everything (tip: buy the Snoogle pillow. You won’t regret it!). This blanket keeps you interested in knitting the texture, but it’s just an Irish Moss pattern that switches the knits and purls every two rows. Easy peasy, and adorable with a snuggly baby wrapped inside!

baby bear balaclava

I’ve only knit a bulky version of the baby bear balaclava (I used this discontinued pattern), but since then Knitting for Olive has designed an adorable sport weight pattern that’s well-loved by the knitting community. The sizes available are from 6 months all the way up to 8 years old. I can promise you, if you live where it’s cold in the winter like I do, even your 9 year old will want to wear one in cool mermaid colors! This is a pattern to knit for baby and then hold on to as she grows.

Cable knit blanket

A free pattern on the Bernat website (or as a Michaels handout in 2017, when I grabbed it!) this blanket has three things I love:

1. Super bulky + ultra soft yarn= finished knitting time, as written in the pattern, averages 24 hours!
2. Cables that are incredibly simple repeats.
3. A large footprint. This one made a lovely sized tummy time blanket and still covers my 7 year old.

Christmas stocking

A special hand knit stocking for your new baby is such a special treat. At first thought, it seems like too much work for such a small thing. But imagine your baby’s face lighting up each year as she grows and unpacks her personalized stocking from the Christmas bin! This is one that is equal parts essential and special, in my opinion. Plus, knitting her name into the stocking as you’re growing her in your tummy, or waiting for her arrival is such a bonding experience! You can’t go wrong with any of Ursula’s designs. I also love the steamer train and ginger mint stockings for children.

socks

I actually used to be anti-sock knitting for babies. Mine never kept them on! But the problem wasn’t socks, it was the pattern I had been using. (Tip: bulky yarn is never a good idea for socks, especially on tiny baby feet!). But I was a new knitter at that time, and have since discovered a real fitted baby sock. You can knit the Rye Socks as vanilla socks as well, like I did. It looks great without the texture if you have self-striping or variegated yarn!