Bernat Oh Deer Blanket in Bernat Baby Blanket - BRK0202-000803M - Downloadable PDF

Bernat Oh Deer Blanket – Free Knitting Pattern for a Charming Baby Deer Blanket

The Bernat Oh Deer Blanket is a delightfully whimsical knitted baby blanket featuring a built-in deer-themed hood complete with ears, making it far more than a standard throw. Designed for beginner to easy-level knitters, this free downloadable PDF pattern from Bernat produces a finished blanket measuring approximately 50" x 30" [127 x 76 cm], excluding the hood — a generous size perfect for wrapping up a little one in cozy, playful style. The pattern is worked flat, back and forth in rows on a circular needle, making it accessible even for those relatively new to knitting.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a knitted baby blanket with an attached deer hood and dimensional ears. The hood gives the blanket its signature "Oh Deer" character, transforming a practical nursery staple into an adorable photo prop or snuggle wrap. Side borders are picked up and knitted directly onto the finished blanket body for a neat, polished finish. The ears are knitted separately and then attached, adding a three-dimensional, sculptural element to the design.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed specifically for Bernat Baby Blanket yarn, a chunky weight yarn celebrated for its ultra-soft, plush texture that is gentle against a baby's skin. Two colors are used throughout the pattern, referred to as Color A and Color B, allowing for contrast between the main blanket body and the border or hood details. The chunky weight of Bernat Baby Blanket yarn means the project works up quickly, which is especially encouraging for beginner knitters.

• Yarn: Bernat Baby Blanket (chunky weight)
• Colors: Two colors used — Color A and Color B
• Needles: Both larger and smaller circular needles are required

Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is important to ensure the blanket reaches its intended dimensions. The pattern specifies two gauge measurements depending on the stitch pattern being used:

• Garter stitch gauge: 7½ stitches and 16 rows = 4" [10 cm] with larger needles
• Stockinette stitch gauge: 8 stitches and 13 rows = 4" [10 cm] with larger needles

Techniques and Construction Method

The blanket is constructed in a straightforward, logical sequence that is easy for beginners to follow. The main body is cast on and worked flat on a circular needle — a common approach for wide knitted pieces that would be too large for straight needles. The circular needle is used to work back and forth in rows rather than in the round, so no experience with circular knitting is required.

A key technique used early in the blanket body is a knit front and back (Kfb) increase, which is worked on a wrong-side row to expand the stitch count from 84 stitches to 90 stitches. This simple increase is one of the most beginner-friendly methods in knitting and adds width to the blanket body in a subtle, even way.

After the border section, the yarn is broken and the second color is introduced to work the main body of the blanket in stockinette stitch — the classic combination of knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side — until the blanket reaches approximately 27½" [70 cm] from the beginning.

Side Borders

Rather than being knitted separately and sewn on, the side borders are picked up and knitted directly from the edges of the completed blanket body. Using Color B and the larger circular needle, 56 stitches are picked up evenly along each side edge, and 9 rows of garter stitch are worked before casting off. This technique creates a tidy, integrated border and eliminates the need for seaming along the sides.

Ears

The outer ears are worked as separate small pieces using the smaller needles and Color A, cast on with just 5 stitches. They are shaped using