Fern Lace Baby Blanket – Free Knitting Pattern

February 8, 2010

This softly flowing lace blanket brings out the organic movement of fern fronds through a rhythmic, easy-to-memorize repeat. Worked in worsted weight yarn and blocked for crisp definition, it creates a light, airy texture that still feels cozy and substantial. A garter-stitch border frames the lace beautifully, giving the piece a polished, timeless look. Perfect for gifting, displaying, or keeping as a cherished heirloom.

Fern Lace Baby Blanket – Free Knitting Pattern

Finished Size

42 × 23 inches (blocked)

Materials

5 mm knitting needles (US #8), recommended: Addi needles
5¼ skeins (3 oz each) worsted weight yarn – recommended: Wool-Ease Denim Blue #114
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Blocking tools

Gauge

5.5 sts × 7 rows = 1 inch in stockinette stitch
(Important for achieving finished size)

Notes

Keep 2 garter stitches at each side of the pattern.
Lace pattern adapted from The Complete Book of Knitting by The Complete Book of Knitting — Pattern #194, Fern Pattern.
All odd-numbered rows are WS.

Abbreviations

K3tog – knit 3 stitches together
K3togB – slip 1 st to right needle and return it to left needle twisted, knit 3 together through back loops
yo – yarn over
k – knit
p – purl

Instructions

Cast On

Cast on 140 stitches.
Knit 6 rows for the garter border.

Pattern Stitch

Row 1 (WS) and all odd rows

k2, p13, *k2, p25; repeat from * to last 17 sts; k2, p13, k2

Row 2 (RS)

k3, *k3togB, k8, yo, k1, yo, p2, yo, k1, yo, k8, k3tog, k1; repeat from * to last 2 sts; k2

Row 4

k3, *k3togB, k7, (yo, k1) twice, p2, (k1, yo) twice, k7, k3tog, k1; repeat from * to last 2 sts; k2

Row 6

k3, *k3togB, k6, yo, k1, yo, k2, p2, k2, yo, k1, yo, k6, k3tog, k1; repeat from * to last 2 sts; k2

Row 8

k3, *k3togB, k5, yo, k1, yo, k3, p2, k3, yo, k1, yo, k5, k3tog, k1; repeat from * to last 2 sts; k2

Row 10

k3, *k3togB, k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, p2, k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, k3tog, k1; repeat from * to last 2 sts; k2