Bulky Baby Blankets
I love thick and squishy baby blankets. They keep babies cozy in cold weather, of course, and they’re fast to knit, which is always a welcome bonus; but, best of all, they are perfect floor mats for young babies who haven’t yet discovered their locomotive skills. I’m always reaching for the plushest blankets I have so I can set Bear down wherever I need to be. I get to keep an eye on him, and he gets to experience new vantage points from his luxurious travelling rugs.
Spud & Chloe’s Outer is the ultimate yarn for this purpose. A blend of superwash wool and organic cotton, it is honestly soft enough for sensitive baby skin. It makes a bulky blanket with wonderful loft and padding, as well as rustic beauty.
The borders are made out of Spud & Chloe’s Sweater yarn doubled. Also a superwash wool/cotton blend, I used it because it comes in lots of great, kicky colors and gives a nice neat finish to the edges. –Whitney
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoBulkyBabyBlankets. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
Garter Stitch Version
- 4 skeins of Spud & Chloe’s Outer, 65% superwash wool, 35% organic cotton (This color is “Flannel”.)
- 2 skeins of Spud & Chloe’s Sweater, 55% superwash wool, 45% organic cotton (This is “Watermelon”.)
Seed Stitch Version
- 4 skeins of Spud & Chloe’s Outer, 65% superwash wool, 35% organic cotton (This color is “Soapstone”.)
- 2 skeins of Spud & Chloe’s Sweater, 55% superwash wool, 45% organic cotton (This is “Pollen”.)
Both Versions
- US 15 (10 mm), 24- or 32- inch circular needle
- US 13 (9 mm), 40-inch circular needle
- Jumbo stitch markers
Gauge
9 stitches = 4 inches in garter stitch or seed stitch, with Main Yarn
11 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, with Contrast Yarn held double
Size
26 inches x 26 inches
Pattern
Seed Stitch Version
Using the Main Color and US 15 needles, cast on 51 stitches.
*K1, p1, repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat this row until you have used all 4 skeins of yarn, leaving enough to bind off.
Bind off in k1, p1 pattern, and weave in the ends.
Garter Stitch Version
Using the Main Color and US 15 needles, cast on 53 stitches.
Knit every row until you have used all 4 skeins of yarn, leaving enough to bind off.
Bind off and weave in the ends.
The Border (for Both Versions)
Note: For the Border, use the Contrast Yarn DOUBLED. You can either pull from the inside and the outside of one ball of yarn, or pull one strand from each of two balls.
With the Contrast Yarn and a 40-inch, US 13 needles, begin the border at any corner:
*Pick up 60 stitches to the next corner, place a marker, repeat from * until you have returned to the beginning corner. For the last marker, use a different color in order to indicate the beginning of the round. (240 stitches)
The border is knit in the round. Join the round by knitting into the first stitch you picked up.
Round 1: Knit.
Round 2: *K1, make 1 right, knit to the next marker, make 1 left, slip the marker, repeat from * to the end of the round. (8 stitches increased)
Rounds 3 and 4: Repeat Rounds 1 and 2. (256 stitches)
Round 5: Knit.
Round 6: Purl.
Round 7: Knit.
Round 8: *K1, k2tog, knit to 2 stitches before the next marker, ssk, slip the marker, repeat from * to end of round. (8 stitches decreased)
Rounds 9 and 10: Repeat Rounds 7 and 8. (240 stitches)
Now is a good time to weave in any ends.
To finish the border, fold it over so the purl sides are facing each other and:
1. Pick up the purl bump (from the pick up round) that is directly in line with the first stitch on the left needle.
2. Slip the purl bump onto the left needle.
3. Knit two together (the purl bump and the first “regular” stitch).
(At the beginning of the round, repeat these three steps one more time so that you are able to do the next step.)
4. Slip the second stitch on the right needle over the first (just like binding off).
Repeat these 4 steps all the way around the border. (Tip: Check frequently that the stitch you’re picking up is still in line with the first stitch on the left needle, otherwise the border will start to skew.)
Weave in the ends and you’re done!
Hi, the m1R & m1L links are broken, please help!
Hello Olga,
Thank you for reaching out! Thank you for letting us know! They are fixed now, but just in case here is the link- .
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Help. What does Make 1 right and make 1 left mean. I’m a ver new knitter and trying to add a contrasting border to a baby blanket I made and need a border.
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for reaching out! Make 1 Right and Make 1 Left are types of increases, and you can learn how to do them from our M1R + M1L tutorial video!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Please let me know what size a baby blanket should be. Thank you.
Hi Loretta,
Thank you for writing in! This pattern is for a 26 inch x 26 inch baby blanket which can be laid on a floor, draped over a stroller, or used as a cozy cover during a nap. I hope that helps!
Happy knitting!
Gaby
My blanket is long enough but
I need to add some width. The stocking stitch edging would be perfect. Is it better to knit it separately and attach later or pick up the stitches directly from the edge of the blanket. I am tending towards ‘separate ‘ as it might be easier to handle?
The blanket is ‘Neon’ wool and the colours are great. Is it better to stay with that for the edge or try pick up on one of the colours so it doesn’t look like an ‘add on’ ?
Any help appreciated!
Eileen
Hi Eileen,
Thanks for writing in! Most people find it easier and faster to pick up the stitches directly from the edge of their knitting instead of seaming on a separate edging. It will be a little bulky to handle but the edge knitting goes very quickly. Without knowing what colors your using on your blanket, it’s difficult for me to advise on the edge color. It sounds like your yarn is variegated, so picking one of the colors to trim the edge would frame the blanket nicely. I hope this helps! Please reach out if you have any more questions.
Happy Knitting!
Jessica
Hello, where can I find the yarn for this blanket – Spud & Chloe Outer and Spud & Chloe Sweater?
Hi Dinna,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately, we no longer carry Spud & Chloe yarns. I would suggest using Blue Sky Worsted Cotton! You can use it held single in place of Sweater, and double in place of outer, and it is just as machine washable and lovely for baby blankets as the original Spud & Chloe yarns.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Thanks Julianna!
I only have 2 skeins of the sweater in different colors. Do you think it would work if I used two different colors together for the border? Or do half one color and half another then when it’s folded it’s a different color on both sides. Hmmm? Thoughts? Thank you!!
Hi Kate,
Thanks for reaching out! I think it would look really cool to alternate single row stripes of your two colors in the border, but it would definitely work (and also look awesome!) to work half of the border in one color and half in the other.
I hope that helps, and please let us know how it turns out!
Julianna