Braids & Shells Baby Blanket Set

There’s something especially meaningful about welcoming a new baby with a handwoven gift made just for them. My cousin and his wife are expecting their first child, and as a baby shower gift, I wanted to create a custom blanket that was soft, lightweight, and practical, but with a little more pattern and personality than a traditional baby blanket. The result is the Braids & Shells Baby Blanket Set, an 8-shaft plaited twill design with two treadling variations that offer two distinct looks.

A Plaited Twill with Two Variations

The design is built around plaited twill, which creates an interlaced pattern that looks a bit like woven braids. I love how the structure creates a graphic pattern across the cloth without feeling too busy, making it a great option for a baby blanket.

The pattern includes two treadling options: Braids and Shells. The first creates a repeating braided motif, while the second has a shell-like appearance. Both use the same threading and tie-up, so you can weave either variation without changing your loom setup. You could weave all four blankets in one design, or try both variations and see which you prefer.

Playing with Color

For my samples, I used a combination of Brassard 8/2 cotton and a hand-painted, pre-wound warp from Shiny Dime Fibers in the colorway Riverbed. I chose a solid Natural weft to let the hand-painted section of the warp stand out, while the plaited twill structure adds another layer of pattern.

The pattern is a great opportunity to experiment with color. You don't need to use the Shiny Dime Fibers warp to weave this project. You can substitute any combination of Brassard yarns or other 8/2 cotton to create your own color palette. Dark warp colors paired with a lighter weft will help the pattern stand out, but sampling is always worthwhile, especially when working with a different combination of colors.

And here's another idea: if you're using solid-color stripes in your warp, try changing the weft color sequence to create a plaid. You could also use a solid warp and weft for a more traditional look, or experiment with additional colors to change the overall effect. With so many possibilities, this is a design you can really make your own.

One Warp, Four Blankets

One of the things I like about this project is that you can weave four blankets from a single warp. My sample was designed around a six-yard pre-wound warp chain from Shiny Dime Fibers, which made it easy to plan the project around the available length. Each finished blanket measures approximately 29.75" × 40" after wet finishing.

You can adjust the warp length to suit your needs, whether you're working with a shorter pre-wound warp or winding your own. You can also modify the width and length to make larger blankets or adapt the design for coordinating towels. The pattern structure lends itself nicely to a variety of projects, so don't feel limited to the original dimensions.

Ready to Weave?

The Braids & Shells Baby Blanket Set is an advanced-beginner project for an eight-shaft loom. The pattern includes the threading, tie-up, treadling diagrams, yarn requirements, and finishing instructions for both variations.

Whether you're weaving a set of blankets for a new arrival, creating a handmade baby gift, or adapting the design for another project, I hope you'll have fun exploring the possibilities. Try the two treadling variations, experiment with your favorite colors, and see where the design takes you.

The Braids & Shells Baby Blanket Set pattern is available now in my shop.

Happy weaving!