Woodland Collection - Free Layette Knitting Pattern For Babies in Paintbox Yarns Baby DK by Paintbox Yarns

Woodland Collection: Free Baby Layette Knitting Pattern by Paintbox Yarns

The Woodland Collection by Paintbox Yarns is a free, beginner-friendly layette set designed for babies, encompassing four coordinating knitted pieces: a blanket, booties, a hat, and overalls. Each piece is worked in Paintbox Yarns Baby DK, a soft double knit weight yarn, and the full pattern is available as a downloadable PDF at no cost. The collection is unified by a gentle, nature-inspired palette and a mix of simple textural techniques that make it an ideal project for knitters who are new to garment and accessory construction.

Woodland Blanket

What Is Being Made

The Woodland Blanket is a square knitted baby blanket measuring 55 cm (21½ in) across when completed. It is designed as a cosy, lightweight wrap or pram blanket suitable for newborns and young babies. The finished dimensions make it generously sized for swaddling or stroller use.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The blanket is worked flat on a pair of straight knitting needles, making it an accessible project for beginners who are not yet comfortable with circular or in-the-round construction. The primary stitch pattern is moss stitch (known in US terminology as seed stitch), which is created by alternating knit and purl stitches across each row in a specific sequence so that knit stitches sit above purl stitches and vice versa. This produces a beautifully textured, reversible fabric that lies flat without curling — a particularly practical quality for a baby blanket.

The design also incorporates stripes, worked by changing yarn colour at regular intervals. Stripe knitting is a straightforward technique that adds visual interest without requiring complex stitch work, making it well suited to a beginner difficulty rating. The pattern uses make one (M1) and make one purl (M1P) increase methods where shaping is required elsewhere in the collection.

Materials

• Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Baby DK, 50g balls
• Colours used: 2 × Champagne White (Colour A), 2 × Vanilla Cream (Colour B), and 2 × Soft Fudge (Colour B)
• Needles: 4mm (UK 8 / US 6) straight knitting needles, or size needed to achieve correct tension

Tension (Gauge)

The pattern requires a tension of 20 stitches and 26 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over moss stitch using 4mm needles. Checking tension before beginning is strongly recommended, as an incorrect gauge will affect the finished size of the blanket and the quantity of yarn required.

Woodland Hat

What Is Being Made

The Woodland Hat is a knitted baby beanie forming part of the coordinating layette set. Designed for newborns and young babies, it pairs with the blanket, booties, and overalls to create a complete gift set or wardrobe collection worked in the same Paintbox Yarns Baby DK palette.

Techniques and Stitches Used

Like the blanket, the hat is worked flat and then seamed to create its three-dimensional shape. Seaming is a fundamental finishing skill in knitting, joining knitted panels together neatly along their edges. The hat design likely incorporates the same moss stitch and stripe detailing seen across the collection, maintaining visual cohesion between all four pieces. Shaping for the crown of the hat is achieved through decreasing stitches, a core beginner technique.

Materials

• Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Baby DK, 50g balls, in the coordinating Woodland Collection colourway
• Needles: 4mm (UK 8 / US 6) knitting needles