Most parents choosing their first baby blanket get stuck on the same question: how big does it actually need to be? A blanket that is too large bunches up in the car seat and gets in the way of the straps. One that is too small stops covering the legs once your baby starts kicking. At our knitting workshop in Dvorje we knit baby blankets in four sizes, and each one has its own job. Here is which size to use where.
The four baby blanket sizes we knit
Every Jakopina baby blanket comes in one of these sizes:
- 70 x 100 cm: the smallest size, for the car seat, Moses basket and pram in the first months, and for the cot as well.
- 75 x 110 cm: the size of our merino blankets and a few cotton ones, for the pram and cot with a little extra room.
- 100 x 140 cm: for a larger cot, the sofa and floor play, and it keeps being useful well past the baby years.
- 140 x 200 cm: a full home blanket that your child takes along as they grow, or that the whole family ends up sharing.
Our 70 x 100 and 100 x 140 cm blankets are knitted from organic cotton, for example Rice Grain, Foxy and Little Elephants. Merino blankets such as Wool Bear and Pure Love come in 75 x 110 cm.
Car seat blanket size: 70 x 100 cm
In a car seat the blanket must not get between your baby and the harness, which is why 70 x 100 cm works best here. Cover the legs and tummy, tuck the edges in at the sides, and keep the straps fastened directly against your baby's body. The blanket always goes over the straps, never under them. A thick layer under the harness makes it less effective.
A light cotton knit is the better choice for the car seat, because cars warm up quickly. A blanket with an open knit structure, such as Hearts, lets air through and helps your baby avoid overheating.
Pram and pushchair blanket size: 70 x 100 or 75 x 110 cm
A pram (or stroller) has a bit more room, so either of the two smaller sizes works. In winter, many parents reach for a 75 x 110 cm merino blanket: wool stays warm even when it is slightly damp, and it does not overheat your baby when you push the pram into a warm shop. In summer, a thin cotton blanket is enough to keep off draughts and sun.
Weight matters too. Our knitted blankets are light, so you can fold one into your bag as soon as your baby is warm enough without it.
Cot blanket size: 70 x 100 or 100 x 140 cm
A standard cot (crib) mattress measures 60 x 120 cm or 70 x 140 cm. A 70 x 100 cm blanket covers a baby in the cot comfortably up to around a year and a half. A 100 x 140 cm blanket covers the full length of a larger cot and leaves enough on the sides to tuck in, so it lasts well into the toddler years.
Use any blanket in the cot with care while your baby is very small. Paediatricians recommend a baby sleeping bag for night sleep during the first year, with a blanket kept for supervised naps and for covering your baby during the day. A light knitted blanket suits this better than a thick quilted one because it breathes.
Play mat and sofa: 100 x 140 or 140 x 200 cm
Once your baby starts crawling, the blanket becomes a play mat. A 100 x 140 cm blanket is big enough to spread on the floor or over the sofa, and still small enough to wash in a normal washing machine. We knit Tiny Hearts and Sheeps in all three sizes from 70 x 100 to 140 x 200 cm, so you can add the same pattern in a larger size later.
If you want a blanket that stays in use after childhood, choose 140 x 200 cm. That is the size of our Rice Grain home blanket, which many families buy for their child first and later move to the living room sofa. The Me & Mini Me set gives you the same blanket in 70 x 100 and 140 x 200 cm.
What about 75 x 110 cm?
This is the size of our merino blankets and some cotton ones, such as Cotton Bear. It sits between the small and large sizes: just right in the pram, and a few centimetres more generous in the cot. If you are buying a single blanket and are not sure where you will use it most, 75 x 110 cm is a safe choice.
Baby blanket sizes at a glance
- Car seat, Moses basket: 70 x 100 cm
- Pram, pushchair: 70 x 100 or 75 x 110 cm
- Cot: 70 x 100 cm (up to around 18 months) or 100 x 140 cm
- Play mat: 100 x 140 cm
- A blanket for years, and for the home: 140 x 200 cm
We wash every blanket with gentle natural detergents before we send it out, so it is soft from the first touch and does not shrink when you wash it at home.
On our personalised baby blankets we can also knit your child's name into the blanket. They are available in 70 x 100, 75 x 110 and 100 x 140 cm.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 70 x 100 cm blanket big enough for a newborn?
Yes. In the first months, 70 x 100 cm is the most practical size, because it does not bunch up in the car seat or pram. In the cot it covers your baby comfortably up to around a year and a half.
What size blanket fits a 70 x 140 cm cot?
A 100 x 140 cm blanket. It covers the full length of the mattress and leaves enough to tuck in at the sides.
Can I use a 100 x 140 cm blanket in the pram?
You can, but you will need to fold it, which in winter is actually useful because you get a double layer. For everyday pram use, a smaller size is more practical.
Does a knitted baby blanket shrink in the wash?
Our blankets are already washed before shipping, so the sizes we list are the sizes after washing. We recommend washing cotton at 40 °C and merino on the wool programme.