Is there anything cuter than homemade knitted things for children? A cuddly swaddle wrap for newborn is perfect for peaceful sleep and is a sweet gift idea for new babies. Give the gift of warmth and security - plus it looks so cute! There are many beautiful knitting patterns out there. We have chosen a simple but unique style. Today we’ll show you how to knit a knitted sleep sack, sometimes referred to as a knitted swaddle. With our free tutorial you can easily knit a swaddle wrap for newborn. Before we start please note 2 points below.
What should you consider when making infant swaddle blankets?
First and foremost, you should pay attention to the type of yarn you will use to knit a swaddle wrap. Will the knitted sleep sack be used in the warmer months or during the cold season? While 100% wool or polyester are suitable for the cold season, cotton is the best option for blankets to be used in during the warmer months.
Keep in mind that patterns with thick textures such as knots or braids can be rough against a baby’s skin. It’s best to choose a pattern which doesn’t contain these decorative textures.
What is the best yarn for knitting infant swaddle blankets?
If you want to knit a swaddle wrap for newborn then you should also pay close attention to the quality and type of yarn being used for the project. Since babies and toddlers have sensitive skin, it’s important to use yarn which will not irritate their soft skin. The yarn should be made with material which is not scratchy and will not create a lot of lint or pill. The best yarn to consider is high-quality cotton and merino wool. Acrylic yarn is also a good option for children's clothing as it’s soft, gentle on the skin and easy to clean. In addition, synthetic fibers are low allergen, because they do not contain animal substances.
You will need the following to knit a swaddle wrap for newborn:
- 200 g yarn (50 g = 120 m), 50% Merino Wool, 50% Polyamide
- Knitting needles 3,5 – 4 mm (US sizes 4 - 6)
- 12 buttons
Free Knitting Tutorial
The design of this knitted sleeping bag for newborns is surprisingly simple and you’ll be happy with the finished product. It is simply a knitted rectangle which is 100 cm long and 35 cm wide with holes for buttons on both sides. Buttons are sewn on and the upper part is sewn into a hood.
1. Cast on 72 stitches and knit 2-3 cm in a rice grain pattern: alternating knit & purl, one row knit and purl, and then alternate for every row purl and knit, and then the next row knit and purl and so on.
2. In the seventh row, create the button holes on both sides. To do this, knit the 3rd and 4th stitches together, and then knit a buttonhole stitch (yarn over), at the end of the row after stitch 68, knit a buttonhole stitch (yarn over), and stitch 69 and 70 together.
3. Use the following pattern to stitch to the end:
Knitting Pattern Legend:
| - Knit
/- Knit stitches together
□ - Purl
4. The first 6 stitches are knit in a rice grain pattern, followed by 2 purl stitches, then 6 knit stitches (knotted in every 7th row), 2 purl stitches, 40 stitches in the check pattern, 2 purl stitches, 6 knit stitches (knotted in every 7th row), 2 purl stitches, and 6 stitches in a rice grain pattern.
5. Buttonholes are repeated every 8-9 cm until the length reaches about 40 cm (6 buttons on each side). The remaining 60 cm is knitted without buttonholes.
7. To finish up, sew on the button and attach a Wunderlabel name label to your newly finished knitted swaddle blanket.
Finished!
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