Seaside Collection - Top, Hat and Blanket Layette Knitting Pattern for Kids in Paintbox Yarns Baby DK - Free Downloadable PDF

Seaside Collection Layette Knitting Pattern – Top, Hat and Blanket for Kids in Paintbox Yarns Baby DK

The Seaside Collection is a coordinated layette knitting pattern from Paintbox Yarns, available as a free downloadable PDF. Designed at an intermediate difficulty level, the collection brings together three classic baby and children's pieces — a blanket, a top, and a hat — all worked in the same soft, baby-friendly yarn and united by a fresh, coastal colour palette. The pattern is written using UK knitting terminology, with US equivalents provided in italics throughout, making it accessible to knitters on both sides of the Atlantic.

Seaside Blanket

What Is Being Made

The Seaside Blanket is a generously sized knitted blanket measuring 59.5 cm (23½ in) wide and 82.5 cm (32½ in) long. It is a substantial piece, ideal as a pram blanket, cot cover, or a cosy wrap for a baby or young child. The finished dimensions make it practical for everyday use while remaining a beautiful handmade gift.

Techniques and Construction

The blanket is worked flat on straight needles, making it a straightforward project for knitters who are comfortable with basic flat knitting but want a rewarding, textured result. The construction is seamed where required, consistent with the broader collection's approach. Being worked flat means the knitter works right-side and wrong-side rows in sequence, building up the fabric row by row.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch (g st) — every row knitted, creating a reversible, ridged fabric with excellent drape and natural edge stability. This is a particularly practical choice for a blanket, as garter stitch lies flat without curling.
• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches are referenced throughout, forming the foundation of the stitch pattern used across the blanket.
• The blanket is worked over pattern, with a tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over the stitch pattern.

Materials

• Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Baby DK — 4 × 50g balls in Dolphin Blue (MC), as shown on the pattern cover. Paintbox Yarns Baby DK is a soft, baby-appropriate yarn in the DK weight category, well suited to items that will be worn or used close to a child's skin.
• Needles: A pair of 3.75mm (UK 9 / US 5) knitting needles and a pair of 4mm (UK 8 / US 6) knitting needles are required. The main blanket fabric is worked on the 4mm needles, or the size needed to achieve the correct tension.

Tension (Gauge)

Achieving the correct tension is essential to matching the stated finished measurements. Knitters are advised to work a swatch of at least 13 cm (5 in) square before beginning. The target tension is 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over pattern on 4mm needles. Adjusting needle size up or down as needed will help achieve an accurate result. Paintbox Yarns notes that yarn quantities are approximate and that using a yarn other than the recommended Paintbox Yarns Baby DK may affect the finished measurements.

Seaside Top

What Is Being Made

The Seaside Top is a knitted children's garment forming part of the coordinated Seaside Collection. Worked to complement the blanket and hat in the same Paintbox Yarns Baby DK, the top is a practical and charming everyday piece for babies and young children. It is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have moved beyond beginner projects and are comfortable with shaping and garment construction.

Techniques and Construction

The top is