Blue Sky Fibers Cotton Baby Set Blanket Knitting Pattern

Blue Sky Fibers Cotton Baby Set

Overview

The Blue Sky Fibers Cotton Baby Set is a downloadable knitting pattern designed by Cheryl Nelson that includes two coordinated garments: a quilted blanket and a kimono-style cardigan. This advanced beginner pattern showcases the versatility of worsted and fingering-weight cotton yarns, making it an ideal project for creating a cohesive baby gift set or layette collection.

Quilted Blanket

What is Being Made: A 32" x 32" quilted blanket worked flat from the bottom up, featuring a decorative quilted pattern combined with seed stitch edging.

Techniques Used: The blanket is constructed using bottom-up construction and seamed finishing methods. The pattern incorporates textured stitch combinations to create visual interest while maintaining a soft, breathable fabric suitable for delicate baby skin. Side edging is picked up and worked separately, allowing for a finished, professional appearance.

Stitches Used: The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches including knit, purl, and seed stitch. Seed stitch (alternating knit and purl stitches in each row) creates the decorative side edging, while the body features a quilted effect achieved through strategic placement of knit and purl stitches in geometric patterns. Make-one increases (M1) are used for shaping where necessary.

Materials: The blanket requires 5 hanks of Blue Sky Worsted Cotton (100g/150yds per hank) in the colorway shown as #604 Aloe. Knitting is worked on Size 9 (5.5 mm) needles, or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge of 16 stitches and 20 rows equaling 4" in stockinette stitch. A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in ends and blocking.

Kimono Cardigan

What is Being Made: A kimono-style cardigan available in five sizes spanning from newborn through 24 months, featuring snap tape closure for easy dressing of infants.

Techniques Used: The kimono is worked flat using bottom-up construction with seamed finishing. The kimono silhouette offers a relaxed, wrap-style fit that accommodates growth and layering. Snap tape closure provides a practical alternative to traditional buttons, making the garment safer and more convenient for baby wear.

Stitches Used: The cardigan pattern utilizes knit and purl stitches to create textured stitch patterns throughout the body and sleeves. Seed stitch appears in the pattern for decorative elements and stitch definition. The pattern includes standard abbreviations such as knit (K), purl (P), cast on (CO), bind off (BO), and make one (M1) increases for shaping the garment pieces.

Materials: The kimono requires Blue Sky Multi Cotton (70g/100yds per hank) in quantities of 2 hanks in main color (MC) and 1 hank in a contrasting color (A) for the smaller sizes, with 3 hanks MC and 1 hank A for larger sizes. The colorways shown are #6805 Spearmint and #604 Aloe. Construction uses Size 8 (5 mm) needles, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. Additional supplies include a stitch holder for managing stitches during construction, 8" of snap tape for the closure, and a tapestry needle for finishing.

Pattern Details

Experience Level: This pattern is rated as Advanced Beginner, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are ready to tackle multi-piece garment construction and more complex stitch patterns.

Yarn Characteristics: Both garments showcase Blue Sky Fibers' cotton yarns, which offer breathability, durability, and a soft hand ideal for baby garments. The worsted-weight cotton provides structure and drape for the blanket, while the fingering-weight multi-colored cotton adds visual interest and texture to the cardigan.

Construction Method: Both pieces in this set are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, simplifying the knitting process and allowing for straightforward seaming during finishing. This method is particularly forgiving for knitters still developing their skills with more complex construction techniques.

Finishing: The pattern includes detailed finishing instructions, with emphasis on blocking to achieve proper measurements and professional results. Loose ends are woven in using a tapestry needle, and the blanket receives a blocking treatment to set the quilted pattern and even out the fabric.