Knitting Patterns, My Knitting and Crochet Patterns

Updated Leafy Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern

This is a pattern for a beautiful knit lace blanket with seed stitch border. It’s elegant and gender neutral design works equally well with sold and variegated yarns.

I published this blanket as my first ever pattern on Ravelry in summer 2011, and was amazed at how successful it became. Since then, it was downloaded on Ravelry over 100 000 times, and over 3000 projects have been logged. You can also admire all the beautiful work people are sharing on Instagram.

To celebrate 10 years’ anniversary, I am publishing an updated version – hopefully, it will be easier to understand, as it is written closer to traditional English patter writing style. Several amazing ladies on Ravelry have tested it for me, so you can be sure there are no mistakes and typos.

Since 2025 there’s also a pattern for the matching hat available – Leafy Baby Hat. I also have written up a different version for the blanket. It uses the same yarn as the hat – and has a different stitch count to accommodate thinner year, and features a wider border. While the original blanket pattern is available as free PDF download below, the 2025 version is only available as a part of the bundle that can be purchased from my website or Ravelry.

I have published a full video guide on making the blanket on my YouTube channel, this should provide additional support for beginners.

However, if you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to comment below! This is a quick and relatively easy blanket with beautiful lace stitch. The pattern includes information about adjusting the stitch count for different sizes and yarn weights.

MATERIALS

  • Eco-Cotton Bioline 28 by Grignasco (100% cotton, 140m/50g = 153 yd/1.76 oz) – 6 skeins, used 2 strands at a time. You can use any DK weight yarn in the same fashion, or 1 strand of worsted weight. I recommend using not-too-soft, well-twisted yarn for good stitch definition. Using 2 strands held together creates a more drapery fabric, compared to 1 strand of worsted.
  • 5mm / US 8 needles.
  • Stitch markers (optional).

SIZES

One size. Finished measurements – 75×70 cm (30×28 in)

GAUGE 1 pattern repeat = 11.5 cm (4.5 in). Exact gauge is not critical for the project. Please note that if your gauge is different, the finished garment will have different measurements

Download links

Leafy Baby Blanket – 2021 edition, English

When I first published this pattern, several lovely people translated it into their languages. No translations are available so far the updated version, so here are the links to the old ones:

Leafy Baby Blanket – version française (2011) traduite par Marjorie de Filophiles 

Leafy Baby Blanket – espagnole (2011) by Marga Frances

Leafy Baby Blanket – česká verze (2011)

Leafy Baby Blanket – Portuguese version (2011) by Gilma Elias.

Tag your creations #leafybabyblanket on social media, and mention me @leyla_knits_and_crochets in Instagram so that I can see them!

56 Comments

Add Yours
  1. 1
    Olie
    Reply

    Bonjour, je suis aller sur Ravely pour le patron en français de la couverture avec les feuilles, mais ont me dirige vers votre site, et je ne le trouve pas le patron en français, pouvez vous me le donner en français. ? Merci à l’avance.
    Olie

  2. 3
    FG
    Reply

    Hi! This blanket is absolutely adorable! I obsessed with it. Is there any chance you would be okay with me making these and selling them? I would include a note in each package where the pattern come from with a link to your blog!

    • 4
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Hi Courtney, i thought I’d answered, but i cannot see my answer. I am happy for you to make these for sale, as long as they are hand made.

  4. 7
    Lyndy
    Reply

    Hi Leilalieva,

    First, thank you for sharing such a beautiful pattern! I am confused about increasing the size though. Since I only want to do one repeat, I read it 15+10=25, so I should cast on 125 stitches. This however, makes the seed stitch borders off (easily adjusted). My real question though, this would affect the leaf pattern though because there is now a uneven number of stitches on the leaf pattern, correct? (Or am I missing something?!)

    • 8
      Lyndy
      Reply

      I apologize Lelialieva!

      I see my mistake. I was taking your 15 x 2+10 and adding that to the initial 100 cast on. I see now I need to start from zero, to get the correct amount.

      Again, thank you for sharing such a beautiful pattern!

      (If I could figure out how to delete my initial question, I would! )

      • 9
        leilalieva
        Reply

        Hi Lyndy, I am glad you like my pattern! I’m also happy you have figured your question out (sorry I didn’t get back to you in the meantime). Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you need help further along the way.

      • 10
        Therese
        Reply

        I’m having trouble at Row 19. Looking at the pattern, I see that the repeat calls for working only 14 existing stitches in Row 19 (plus a YO) whereas in Rows 13 and 15, for example, you work 15 existing stitches in the repeat plus a YO. So when I’ve gotten to the end of Row 19, I have and extra 6 stitches (plus the seed stitch section) that are unworked. I’ve gone back and made sure I didn’t make an error somewhere but I can’t find any. I wonder is there a stitch missing from the repeat in Row 19? Looking ahead, the same problem would exist in Rows 21, 23 and 25. They all call for you to work only 14 existing stitches in the repeat (plus add a YO) instead of 15 existing stitches, which would leave you with 6 unworked existing stitches in every row. This is unlike odd Rows prior to 19, each of which calls for you to work 15 existing stitches in the repeat (plus a YO where there is a K2Tog). Help please.

        • 11
          leilalieva
          Reply

          Hi Therese, in row 19 the repeat is over 15 stitches:

          Row 19. K1, p1, k1, p1, (p2, k1, yo, skp, k10) x6, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1

          p2 = 2, k1 = 1, yo, skp= 2, k10 = 10 >>> 2+1+2+10=15

          Are you sure you finish row 18 (or 16 to be more precise) with the correct stitch count?

    • 14
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Hi, depends on the material you use. If you use acrylic yarn, machine wash should be fine. If not, hand washing is probably better…

    • 16
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Hi Paula, I have seen some very pretty blankets in variegated yarn, and some that were much less so. It really depends on the colours and lengths of colours. If you want to be on the safe side, I’d go with a single solid.

  8. 17
    Mary Snider
    Reply

    I would like to use a worsted yarn, washable, etc. rather than cotton. Would you recommend it? I am a relatively new knitter but am challenged by this pattern. It is lovely for a baby’s blanket. Using Cascade 220, for instance.

    • 18
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Yes, definitely, many people have used such yarn to make beautiful Leafy blankets! I recommend swatching first, to see how many repeats will give you the size you want. Good luck!

  9. 19
    Linda Oldach
    Reply

    Hi
    I love this pattern and have gotten up to row 11 where I am having trouble with the count. Has anyone else experienced that?
    Thanks

  13. 23
    Susie
    Reply

    Hi Leyla! I am knitting your Leaf Baby Blanket and it is gorgeous! I am finding that when I stretch it on the blocks, I can get the blanket comfortable to 30 inches, but it is only 27 inches tall. I’m afraid one more full pattern of the 26 rows will make it too long, so is it possible to do just half the pattern and then the border, or would it look funny? Thanks so much for the beautiful pattern and your advice!

    • 26
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Thank you for your kind words! If you mean the turquoise one, it’s Bella by Alize (100% cotton, two strands at a time).

  16. 27
    Bonnie
    Reply

    Hi! I’ve just cast on my yarn to start make your lovely blanket but I don’t understand the border. When I see pictures of it I see that I should do p1, k1 and then on the next row purl where I knitted on the first row. If you follow? I see that I should’nt end up with a ribbed border but I do, where am I going wrong? Is it because im knitting with circular needles? I can of course just make it the right way but will it affect the rest of the knitting? And most of all I just want to know why it keeps getting wrong 😅

    • 28
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Hi Bonnie, it depends on the number of the repeats in your blanket. If you cast on the exact number of stitches as in the pattern, everything should work correctly. If it doesn’t, then you are making a mistake somewhere. The correct way to create a seed stitch border is to alternate the stitches as they appear in front of you. So if you knit a stitch in the RS, it will appear as purl on the WS, and you have to knit it on WS. Hope this makes sense?

      • 29
        Bonnie
        Reply

        Thank you so much for your quick respons 😊Even though I hade counted the stitches a trillion times I had missed that there only were 99 stitches 🙈

        • 30
          leilalieva
          Reply

          I’m glad it’s all working out in the end! if you have any other questions, please, do not hesitate to get in touch!

  17. 31
    Robin Eshleman
    Reply

    Hello! I would like to purchase this pattern, but nothing happens when I click on “Download Link – English.” Is the pattern still available? If so, please LMK how I can obtain it! Thank you.

    • 32
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Dear Robin,
      thank you for your message. I’m sorry you couldn’t download the pattern. I think it must be security settings of your browser, as link is working.
      I have emailed you the pattern – I hope you have well received it.
      Happy knitting!
      Leyla

  18. 33
    Fiona
    Reply

    Hi, I am excited to knit your gorgeous blanket . I have 8ply (DK) cotton. Do I need two strands or just one? Cheers, Fiona

    • 34
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Hi Fiona, thank you for choosing my pattern! 2 DK held double will probably be thicker than 2 strands of sports weight yarn, but thinner than worsted. It also depends on the yarn itself and your tension. I would suggest swatching both options, and seeing which fabric you like the most.

    • 35
      Erin
      Reply

      Hello! I am having problems downloading the pattern. Please let me know if there is another way I can get this. Thank you!

      • 36
        leilalieva
        Reply

        Hi Erin, can you please let me know what happens when you click the link? You’re the second person who’s telling me that the download is not working – but is for me? Also, if you email me at silkandwool.eu@gmail.com, I’ll send you the pattern.

  19. 37
    Jean9Corey
    Reply

    I’d like to hear more about the KAL this month – just about the start the pattern for my dear friend due in April and I’m hosting her shower in March

    • 38
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Hi Jean! I’m so glad you’re interested! I’m finalising a few technical details, and should be able to provide more information in a couple of days.

  22. 41
    Carleen
    Reply

    Hi! Love this pattern and have made it many times and so many compliments! It is a beautiful pattern.
    Going to knit again and picked up Lion Brand 24/7 cotton – Medium #4.
    Would I use two strands or one with this yarn?
    Thank you!

    • 46
      leilalieva
      Reply

      You can add the pattern page, but it looks like you can only pdfs if they are available from Ravelry. Mine is longer there, I’m afraid.

  24. 47
    Laurie S
    Reply

    Hi Leyla,
    I’m attempting to knit this blanket but I find that for the seed stitch border row 1 (k1,p1) and row 2 (p1,k1) results in a rib stitch not a seed stitch. Can you please advise? My understanding is that a seed stitch should be the same row repeated over and over?
    Many thanks.

    • 48
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Hi Laurie!

      Seed stitch (like ribbing), depends on whether the number of stitches is even or add. If you follow the pattern exactly as it is (casting on 100 stitches), then following the instructions in the pattern (2 rows) will give you the seed stitch.

      If you have cast on an odd number of stitches, then indeed you have to follow the one row pattern: (k1, p1) k1. You will then have to modify the borders when making the main body as well.

  25. 49
    Srimathi bhat
    Reply

    Hi. My friend has knitted a beautiful blanket of this pattern. ..for charity. I wanted to contribute by knitting a hat in the same pattern. So while knitting in round.. it is fewe r RDS n I thought I cd manage but it is not working that way. Please help.

    • 50
      leilalieva
      Reply

      I’m just about to publish the pattern. I can email it to you if you like – in exchange for your feedback 😊 let me know if you would like that?

      • 51
        Srimathi bhat
        Reply

        Oh sure. So sweet.. It is amazing the blanket.. Certainly it wd like to have a hat as it’s mare. Thank you for ur fast response.☺️🙏

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