Nothing beats snuggling up and getting all cosy, so we’ve rounded up a range of affordable and free blanket knitting patterns for you to wrap up warm with.
We all love a cosy knitted blanket to snuggle up in, especially when the weather is chilly. When it comes to blanket patterns there’s plenty of choice, from traditional to modern, heavy and lightweight, and everything in between.
Designers are always coming up with exciting new ways to decorate your homes with a handmade knitted blanket, so we've gathered our top 10 for you to choose from. And we’ve also included some free knitting patterns too, so bargain hunters keep your eyes peeled!
10 top blanket knitting patterns
1. Whip up a Hestia Afghan blanket pattern
Finish this knitted blanket in no time, complete with a super squishy cable pattern. The Hestia Afghan blanket pattern is worked in super-chunky weight Lion Brand Cover Story yarn and comes with a skill level of easy.
You’ll need a 10mm circular needle measuring 36 inches for this hand knitted blanket, in order to hold all the stitches easily when knitting.
- Find the Hestia Afghan blanket pattern at Lion Brand
2. Enjoy dreamy moments with a Hibernate Blanket
This large hand-knitted throw pattern by Chloe Thurlow features a beautiful graduated colour-block stripe, which has been achieved using a slip-stitch technique. Using all eight shades of Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted yarn, it’s a luxury knit for a very special sofa.
- Find the Hibernate Blanket pattern at Rowan
3. Try a Sea Creatures Throw to brighten a nursery
Knit oodles of bright fun when you hand knit this gorgeous kids’ throw using Red Heart yarn.
This seaside-themed knitted blanket pattern comes with crab, octopus and starfish motifs, to name just a few. They are all set on a cream and colour checkerboard background, adding more lovely colours into the mix.
- Find the free Sea Creatures Throw pattern at Yarnspirations
4. Don’t miss this Rainbow Baby Blanket
Celebrate an exciting new birth with this explosion of knitted colour by Jane Burns and Nicola Valiji. A pristine white background paves the way for a knitted rainbow, perfect for celebrating a new birth.
This blanket makes up part of a rainbow nursery set. You’ll find the patterns for the full knit-along set in Simply Knitting magazine issues 213, 214 and 215. Issue 215 contains patterns for the Rainbow Baby Bonnet, Rainbow Baby Blanket and Rainbow Cushion.
- Find the Rainbow Baby Blanket pattern (in Simply Knitting issue 215) and all the other issues featuring the nursery KAL patterns for sale on Ravelry.
5. Stay safe at home with this colourful blanket
Make the most of your stash with this stunning hand-knitted blanket pattern worked using yarn leftovers.
This stash-busting blanket pattern is worked in garter stitch strips which are then sewn together to complete the blanket. The border is added by picking up and knitting along the completed blanket edges.
- Find the Stay Safe at Home Blanket pattern on Etsy
6. A bounty of blankets for you
If there’s one thing the Simply Knitting magazine team adore it’s a blanket or two. As part of their back issue offering you can buy issue 234 which comes with a five-pattern knitted blanket supplement, including this gorgeous cable option by Siân Brown.
There's plenty within the pages of this supplement to inspire you to make a plethora of exciting blankets.
- Buy a PDF download of Issue 234 of Simply Knitting magazine on Ravelry
7. Embrace pearl brioche texture
Fancy giving brioche knitting a go? Caroline Birkett’s Pearl Brioche Stitch Blanket pattern appeared in Simply Knitting magazine issue 186 and it’s now available to you for free.
Worked in two complementary colours, mixing a simple pattern of thick and thin stripes, it’s created in wonderfully textured pearl brioche stitch for extra-special snuggliness.
- Find the Pearl Brioche Stitch Blanket pattern on Gathered
8. Jazz up a blanket with Jewelspun
Add a pretty look and another layer of warmth on colder nights with this cosy, chunky blanket in Sirdar Jewelspun yarn.
This geometric bias hand-knitted blanket is worked in stripes and then sewn together to give the zigzag effect. Sirdar say this showstopper blanket is suitable for beginners too – yay!
- Buy the Knitted Bliss Blanket pattern at Sirdar
9. Try lush lace with DROPS Sweet Nordic Rose blanket
Delicate summer moments can be yours as you sit in the garden under this lightweight hand-knitted lacy blanket.
Knitted in budget yarn, DROPS Sky, the pattern is a combination of floral and square shapes, creating a dreamy cool homeware that’s perfect for dozing under swinging in a hammock.
- Download DROPS Sweet Nordic Rose Blanket pattern at Garn Studio
10. Your Heart’s Desire blanket pattern
Relish winter knitting with a project destined to become a family heirloom. Lynne Rowe’s vibrant, heart-themed blanket from the brilliant Simply Knitting magazine is a must-knit and you can make it square by square!
The blanket features a pretty mix of hearts and diamonds, and is a fun way to try out lots of different stitch patterns. You can get the first two squares for free and the full ebook is for sale on Ravelry.
- Find out more about the Your Heart's Desire Blanket pattern on Gathered
Find the perfect blanket pattern
The internet is filled with exciting patterns for knitted blankets. Whether you’re knitting for yourself, your home, family or a friend there’s bound to be an option for your special occasion.
The same goes for skills and techniques – while some of the most beautiful blankets are knitted in simple garter stitch, lace, cables and colourwork bring their own characteristics and beauty to your knitting projects.
Knit baby blankets with Gathered
Blankets make lovely gifts, especially for new babies. Check out our guide to the best yarn for baby blankets for everything you need to know about knitting blankets for little ones.
