I am a beginner knitter. I want to make a baby blanket for my friend. I bought the yarn before deciding which pattern to use, but I really want to make the popcorn blanket (below). The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn but I have DK yarn. Will using the DK yarn have a significant effect on the outcome of the blanket? Are there any techniques I can use to ensure the blanket turns out, even though I am using DK yarn? Or would you advise choosing a new pattern?
Thanks in advance!
Leah
I think the only difference would be the thinness or thickness of the finished blanket.
If it was me, I would cast on a much smaller amount of stitches, to make a “sample” pattern. Start with size 6 needles. Cast on 40 sts. Start right away with Row 1 in the pattern. See how u like how it looks. If u like it, rip it out and start the blanket at the regular size. If u don’t like how the sample looks, rip it out and try a different size needle.
knitcindy
Because a blanket doesn’t need to fit like a garment you can usually get away with using a different weight yarn. The difference will most be in size (smaller) and a lighter fabric. Unless you cast on more stitches you likely won’t have a crib blanket, but it would probably work as a stroller or car seat blanket. You may need extra yarn and you will need smaller needles.
The texture will be a little more subtle and, yes, you’ll want a smaller needle size–the big issue with baby blankets is holes or loose stitches that little fingers can get caught in. 
You’ll need more yarn than the pattern calls for, too.
If you want it to be crib size, knit a swatch to get your gauge. Then increase the cast-on stitches as many as you need to achieve the width you want. It looks like the pattern has 20 stitches of garter stitch border (10 on each side) and a four-stitch repeat across the body of the blanket. So make sure you increase in multiples of 4.