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# Pom Pom Garter Stitch Baby Blanket

A soft, squishy baby blanket worked entirely in garter stitch using fun pom pom yarn. The built-in pom poms do all the decorative work, so you simply knit every row — perfect for your first blanket. Reversible and cosy.

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## Skill Level
**Beginner** — if you can cast on, knit, and cast off, you can make this blanket.

## Finished Measurements
- **Width:** approx. 76 cm (30 in)
- **Length:** approx. 91 cm (36 in)

*Standard baby blanket size.*

## Materials
- **Yarn:** Pom pom yarn, worsted weight (Aran/medium, weight category 4). Approx. **550–650 m (600–710 yds)** total. *Note: pom pom yarns vary widely in yardage per ball — buy 1 extra ball to be safe, and check all balls share the same dye lot for an even colour.*
- **Needles:** 5 mm (UK 6 / US 8) straight or circular needles. A long circular (80 cm / 32 in) is recommended to comfortably hold all the stitches — you will still knit back and forth, not in the round.
- **Notions:** Blunt-tipped tapestry needle for weaving in ends; scissors. Optional: a stitch marker or scrap of contrast yarn to mark your working side.

## Tension (Gauge)
**18 sts and 36 rows = 10 cm (4 in)** over garter stitch (knit every row) on 5 mm needles.

> **Tip for pom pom yarn:** Because the pom poms hide the individual stitches, knit a small swatch first and measure between two pom poms or count rows by the garter ridges rather than the V's. Tension does not need to be exact for a blanket, but checking it helps you predict yarn quantity.

## Abbreviations
- **k** – knit
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **RS / WS** – right side / wrong side
- *In garter stitch, both sides look the same, so there is no "wrong" side to worry about.*

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## Construction Notes
The blanket is worked flat in one piece. You cast on along the width, then knit every row until you reach the desired length, and cast off. There is no shaping, no purling, and no seaming.

**Working with pom pom yarn:**
- The pom poms are spaced along the strand. Simply knit straight through and let them fall where they may — there's no need to position them.
- If a pom pom lands awkwardly mid-stitch, gently slide it to the front or back; it will settle as you work.
- Keep your stitch count steady at **137 sts** on every row. If a row feels longer or shorter, count your stitches before continuing.

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## Instructions

### Cast On
Using 5 mm needles and a long-tail cast-on (or your preferred method), **cast on 137 sts.**

*Check: 137 sts ÷ 18 sts per 10 cm = 76.1 cm ≈ 30 in width. ✓*

### Body
Knit every row (garter stitch) until the blanket measures **91 cm (36 in)** from the cast-on edge, or you have worked approximately **328 rows** (= 164 garter ridges on each side).

**Row 1 (and every row):** K to end. (137 sts)

*Check: 328 rows ÷ 36 rows per 10 cm = 91.1 cm ≈ 36 in length. ✓*

> Counting ridges is the easiest way to track garter stitch: every **2 rows** forms one raised ridge. 164 ridges = 328 rows. Place a marker or note your tally every 20 ridges.

### Cast Off
Cast off all 137 sts loosely knitwise. A loose cast-off keeps the edge from pulling in and tearing — if your cast-off feels tight, go up one needle size for the cast-off row only.

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## Finishing
1. Weave in both yarn ends (cast-on tail and cast-off tail) using the tapestry needle, threading the tail along the garter ridges on one side for at least 5 cm before trimming. Avoid weaving through a pom pom.
2. **Blocking (optional):** Pom pom and novelty yarns are usually best left unblocked, as heat or heavy steaming can flatten the pom poms. If you wish to even out the edges, lay the blanket flat, mist lightly with cool water, gently pat into a 76 × 91 cm rectangle, and leave to dry. Always check the yarn ball band first.
3. Give the finished blanket a gentle shake to fluff up the pom poms.

## Care Instructions
Follow the yarn ball band. Most acrylic-blend pom pom yarns are machine washable on a cool, gentle cycle — wash inside a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag to protect the pom poms, and dry flat. Avoid high heat.

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## Beginner Tips
- **Lost your place?** Garter stitch is very forgiving — there's no pattern repeat to track, just keep knitting every row.
- **Straight edges:** Knit the first and last stitch of every row firmly but not tightly for tidy selvedges.
- **Running low on yarn?** It's better to finish a few rows short with a neat cast-off than to run out mid-row. The size is flexible — anywhere from 86–96 cm (34–38 in) long still makes a lovely baby blanket.

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*Note: This is a simple garter stitch pattern. For more complex stitch patterns (cables, lace, etc.) with charts and detailed instructions, request an intermediate or advanced difficulty blanket.*

**Enjoy your squishy, snuggly pom pom baby blanket!**