I’m sharing my review of a baby blanket knitting pattern book along with a giveaway. I’ve also included an excerpted pattern for the soft and squishy Railroad Tracks blanket by Cheryl Lavenhar, so read on for details!

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. A free review copy of 60 More Quick Baby Blankets: Cozy Knits in the 128 Superwash & 220 Superwash Collections from Cascade Yarns was provided to me by Sixth&Spring. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

Book Review

60 More Quick Baby Blankets: Cozy Knits in the 128 Superwash & 220 Superwash Collections from Cascade Yarns is another addition to Sixth&Spring’s 60 Quick Knits Collection. (Most recently, I reviewed 60 Quick Knitted Toys from the series here.) This book opens with a short introduction and then dives right into the patterns. Each pattern includes a description; the difficulty level; measurements; a materials list that includes yarn listed by weight, line, and color; special stitches and/or notes when appropriate; and a pattern written in U.S. abbreviations. As the title suggests, all of the patterns are for baby blankets using superwash wool yarns by Cascade Yarns. As with the other books in this series, every pattern also includes at least one large photograph of the pattern in a well-lit and styled setting. Most patterns include multiple smaller photos, too. The book ends with illustrated and written directions for the Kitchener stitch, several embroidery stitches, and the provisional cast on. It also includes helpful information like a glossary of pattern abbreviations, needle and yarn sizes, and tips for reaching gauge. It ends with a thorough index.

Twenty-nine patterns include charts (such as colorwork charts or cable charts). In most cases, charted information is not also included in the written pattern. In other words, you will be directed to the chart for a portion of pattern. Another 7 patterns also include assembly charts.

There is a variety of patterns in the book. In terms of difficulty level, there are:

• 4 beginner patterns,
• 20 easy patterns,
• 31 intermediate patterns, and
• 5 experienced patterns.

The patterns also use a range of different Cascade Yarns. There are:

• 26 patterns using Cascade 220 Superwash,
• 18 patterns using Cascade 220 Superwash Aran,
• 7 patterns using Cascade 128 Superwash,
• 6 patterns using Cascade 220 Superwash Merino, and
• 2 patterns each using Cascade 220 Superwash Effects or 220 Superwash Aran Splatter.

Some patterns use more than one type of yarn. (U.K. readers can buy many of these yarns through Wool Warehouse.) There is also an additional pattern for a bear included with one of the blankets (so there are actually 61 patterns in this collection). A variety of methods are used in these patterns, too, including cables, intarsia, motifs, and one-piece blankets. There are also a range of styles as the patterns were developed my many designers. You can see all the patterns from this collection here on the book’s Ravelry source page.

60 More Quick Baby Blankets is a pattern collection aimed at advanced beginner and intermediate knitters who enjoy making blankets and projects for baby. These blankets would be ideal for gifts or to donate to one of the many charitable organizations that distributes blankets to infants and children in need of comfort. Although the book is a paperback and doesn’t lay flat so you can read while knitting, it does have cover flaps in the front and back, so it is easy to keep your place while working. The book has plenty of patterns to keep you engaged. If you aren’t comfortable reading from charts, more than half of the patterns include pattern abbreviations only. And, if you’re just looking for a fun knitting book filled with both brightly colored blankets and contemporary monochromatic ones, you’ll find plenty of options in this book!

Railroad Tracks

Knitting Pattern by Cheryl Lavenhar

Published in 60 More Quick Baby Blankets: Cozy Knits in the 128 Superwash & 220 Superwash Collections from Cascade Yarns.

Pattern and Photos © 2017 Sixth&Spring Books and shared with permission.

Notes from Underground Crafter:

• This pattern uses standard U.S. knitting pattern abbreviations. You can find a master list of abbreviations here.

Texture—created by alternating rows of garter stitch—takes center stage in this striking blanket, while an orange I-cord frame gives a bold finish.

Knitted Measurements

• Approx 25 x 25″/63.5 x 63.5cm

Materials

• 2 – 3½oz/100g balls (each approx 220yd/200m) of Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash (superwash wool) each in #892 Space Needle (A) and #817 Aran (B)
• 1 ball in #907 Tangerine Heather (C)
• Size 6 (4mm) circular needle, 24″/60cm long, or size to obtain gauge
• One size 6 (4mm) double-pointed needle (dpn)
• Stitch markers

Gauge

• 19 sts and 42 rows to 4″/10cm over garter st using size 6 (4mm) needle.
• Take time to check gauge.

Note

• Circular needle is used to accommodate large number of sts. Do not join.

Blanket

• With circular needle and A, cast on 120 sts.
• Rows 1 and 2 With B, k8, *p8, k8; rep from * to end.
• Rows 3 and 4 With A, k8, *p8, k8; rep from * to end.
• Rep rows 1–4 until piece measures approx 25″/63.5cm from beg, end with a row 2 of pat. With A, bind off.

I-Cord Edging

• With RS facing and C, pick up and k 1 st in every st along top, pm, pick up and k 1 st for every garter ridge along left side, pm, pick up and k 1 st in every st along bottom, pm, pick up and k 1 st for every garter ridge along right side, pm.
• Cast on 4 sts to LH needle.
• *Next row (RS) Using dpn, k3, k2tog tbl, sl 4 sts back to LH needle, pull yarn snug across back of work.
• Rep last row and work across sts to next marker.
• Turn work.
• Corner row (WS) P4. Turn work.
• Rep from * 3 times more, removing markers. Turn work and bind off rem sts purlwise.
• Sew ends of I-cord tog.

Finishing

• Weave in ends.
• Block to measurements.

If you enjoyed this pattern, you can find more books in Sixth&Spring’s 60 Quick Knits Collection on Amazon.

Giveaway

Now that you’ve read my review and checked out a sample pattern, I’m sure you can’t wait to get your hands on a copy of 60 More Quick Baby Blankets. Well, the nice folks at Sixth&Spring have set aside one copy for a lucky Underground Crafter reader!

This giveaway is open to readers with mailing addresses in the United States and Canada, except where prohibited by law. Enter by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, October 4, 2017. One winner will be chosen at random from the entries submitted via the Rafflecopter widget. The winner will receive one copy of 60 More Quick Baby Blankets, courtesy of Sixth&Spring. Good luck!

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