Classic Garter Stitch Baby Blanket

Skill level: Beginner
Construction: Worked flat, knit every row (garter stitch)

A soft, squishy rectangle with no purling, no shaping, and no charts—ideal for a first blanket or a mindless knit.

Finished measurements

About 30 × 36 in (76 × 91.5 cm) after light blocking.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted weight (CYC 4), approximately 1000 yd / 915 m.
Examples: 5 skeins of a typical 200–220 yd worsted, or equivalent in a superwash wool, cotton, or acrylic blend suitable for babies.

Needles: US 8 / 5 mm circular needle, 32 in (80 cm) or longer (used as a long straight needle). Straight needles are fine if you prefer.

Notions: Tapestry needle; locking stitch marker (optional, to mark the RS if you like); scissors.

Gauge

18 stitches and 36 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in garter stitch (knit every row), after light blocking.

Work a swatch at least 6 in (15 cm) square. If you have more stitches per 4 in, go up a needle size; if fewer, go down a size. Gauge affects both size and yarn use.

Abbreviations (US)

CO — cast on
k — knit
BO — bind off
st(s) — stitch(es)
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
yd — yards
in — inches

Notes

• Garter stitch looks the same on both sides; there is no true “right side,” but you may mark the first row as RS for tracking length.
• A long circular needle holds the stitches comfortably; you still knit back and forth, not in the round.
• For neat edges, slip the first stitch of every row purlwise with yarn in front, then bring yarn to back and knit the rest. Optional for beginners—plain knitting every stitch is also fine.
• This pattern is garter stitch only. For cables, lace, or other complex patterns, request an intermediate or advanced blanket pattern.

Instructions

Cast on

Using a long-tail or knitted cast-on, CO 136 sts.
(18 sts / 4 in = 4.5 sts per in × 30 in = 135; 136 sts ≈ 30¼ in — 136 ÷ 4.5 = 30.2 in ✓)

Body

Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
Row 2 (WS): Knit all stitches.

Repeat Rows 1–2 (knit every row) until the piece measures 36 in (91.5 cm) from the cast-on edge, or 324 rows.
(36 rows / 4 in = 9 rows per in × 36 in = 324 rows ✓)

Tip: Place a removable marker every 36 rows (every 4 in of length) if you prefer counting rows to measuring.

Bind off

Knitwise bind off all stitches. Do not bind off tightly; use a needle one size larger for the bind-off if your edge tends to pull in.

Cut yarn, leaving a 6 in (15 cm) tail. Pull through the last stitch.

Finishing

Weave in ends on the WS (or either side—garter hides tails well).

Block: Soak in lukewarm water with a little wool wash if using animal fiber. Gently squeeze (do not wring). Lay flat to 30 × 36 in (76 × 91.5 cm). Pin if needed. Let dry completely.

Optional: Add a simple single-crochet or blanket-stitch edge later; it is not required.

Yarn and care

Choose a yarn labeled machine-washable if the blanket will be used often. Superwash wool, cotton, and many acrylics work well. Always follow the ball-band care instructions.

Size check (inline)

• Width: 136 sts ÷ 4.5 sts per in = 30.2 in ✓
• Length: 324 rows ÷ 9 rows per in = 36 in ✓
• Area ≈ 7.5 sq ft; worsted garter typically uses ~120–140 yd per sq ft → ~900–1050 yd; 1000 yd recommended ✓