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
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
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”.)
Shop our wonderful collection of super bulky-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
- 2 skeins of Spud & Chloe’s Sweater, 55% superwash wool, 45% organic cotton (This is “Watermelon”.)
Shop our wonderful collection of aran + worsted-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
Seed Stitch Version
- 4 skeins of Spud & Chloe’s Outer, 65% superwash wool, 35% organic cotton (This color is “Soapstone”.)
Shop our wonderful collection of super bulky-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
- 2 skeins of Spud & Chloe’s Sweater, 55% superwash wool, 45% organic cotton (This is “Pollen”.)
Shop our wonderful collection of aran + worsted-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
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!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
Your baby is so freaking cute!!! Thanks for the blankets. They’re very cool. I think I’ll make one for my daughter for her nap blanket at “school”.
I love these blankets! The bulky yarn is great…definitely knitting one of these (the seed stitch version!). Thanks for the great info on the border, too. The hardest part for me is making the picked up stitches on the edge look good.
Hi
Gorgeous blankets! (and super cute baby:)
Just wondering, what are the dimensions of the finished blanket?
Hello Loop-
The finished size is 26-inches by 26-inches. Thanks for your question!- The Purl Bee
Hello,
So cute! I have to make this.
Quick question, do you have any yarn left over from the border color when you’re done? I’d like to make a small rattle to go with this blanket for my friend and I’m wondering if I should buy more yarn. Thanks!
HI Shanonlee,
There is a little of the border yarn left over. My best guess would be about 40 yards…
Thanks for asking!
Whitney
Beautiful! Thanks for another wonderful baby blanket — will be making these two next.
I heart these blankets…will attempt to make this for the baby 🙂 Question, can the yards recommend go in the washer ok?
Hi Lucy,
Both of these yarns are “superwash” which means they can be washed and dried in the machine!
I have the yarn to knit this blanket and have printed the tutorials for “make 1 right and 1 left.”
However, I am not sure what “pick up 60 stitches” means and how to do it!
Can you lend some advice?
Thanks so much!!!
Love Purl and Purl Bee
Hi Nancy,
Here is a link to a great tutorial on knitty.com for picking up stitches:
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/FEATwin04TT.html
Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions, and good luck!
It’s always curious to me how pattern designers know how many stitches to pick up… Especially since earlier instructions said to knit until the 4 skeins were used up. Won’t some people need more or less picked up stitches?
Hi Jeri,
If you get the same gauge that Whitney recommends in the pattern it will work out the same. If your gauge is slightly off, you may have some variation in picking up.
Hope this helps!
Hi! Love this site and your beautiful patterns. I am going to start making this blanket this weekend. I have a “pound of love” that I haven’t used yet. I have another acrylic yarn that is kind of curly . . . not sure how else to describe it. It’s a shiny thread wrapped around the yarn. I want to use it up, too, but will it look like a sloppy mess if I use it for the border? Once I use these up, no more acrylics for me!
Another quick question – was the blanket blocked or washed or anything? Can you block synthetics? And should you always block, or only when a piece looks misshapen? Thanks so much, I’m a beginner, so I have tons of questions.
Gorgeous blankets!!
I KNEW i’d seen stockinette borders on a blanket before! I’d given up on my conviction until I came across this! Thank you so much! My garterlac baby blanket will look so nice with the simplicity of stockinette…
hi there, quick question about joining yarns.. i’m coming to the end of my first ball of yarn and am starting the second.. i joined the yarns by making a granny knot (this was the best method suggested to me).. after i join the 2 yarns with this knot, can i just keep knitting..continue on as normal? THANKS!! love this pattern so far..the yarn is so soft and plush and can’t wait to give it to my friends!
Hi Mary,
Actually, there is no need for a knot when joining yarn. The knot will just cause a big lump in your knitting. Just leave a tail (about 4 or 5 inches long) and start knitting. When you’re all through knitting, you will sew in the ends of each ball of yarn. Don’t worry if it looks a little loose where you join the new ball, you can tighten it up when you sew in the ends.
Whitney,
I can’t figure out how you picked up 60 stitches on the sides, when there are not that many garter ridges. Did you double-up on some? And for the top (garter-stitch version), you cast on 53, so how do you then pick up 60? The math has me very confused.
thanks,
becky
Thanks so much for the cute and simple pattern! I have been looking everywhere for a simple blanket pattern. It'll be a nice change from scarves. So excited to begin! 🙂
I am trying to figure how I pick up 60 stitches on each side when I only cast on 53 stitches across. I am a new knitter which may be obvious from this question. I am figuring I will learn on this project. Can't wait to figure it out so I can finish this adorable project. Any help is much appreciated. Can't wait to finish this project for my friend's baby! Thank you!
Hi Julie and Becky,
To pick up 60 stitches across the 53 cast on stitches you have to pick up two stitches in almost the same spot 7 times. So you will pick up a a stitch and then insert your needle one strand over, in almost the same place you just picked up the stitch, and pick up another stitch. Distribute these 7 “extra” stitches evenly across the side.
I hope this makes sense and I'm sorry I didn't explain that in the pattern – I should have! Thanks for your questions and good luck!
Whitney
Hi Whitney,
I absolutely love the seed stitch pattern and I'm trying it out for the first time however I've hit a snag. I cast on 71 stitches and assumed that the number of sts that I would have to pick up would be equal to the number of sts that I cast on. Is there a formula for determining how many extra sts I need to pick up to begin the border? Thanks!
Felicity
Hi Felicity,
Yes, there is a formula! You first need to determine the gauge of your border yarn in stockinette stitch. Then multiply the number of stitches per inch by the width of your blanket and pick up that number times along each side (assuming your blanket is square). So if your gauge is 3 stitches = 1 inch and your blanket is 30 inches by 30 inches, you would pick up 3 x 30= 90 stitches along each side (360 stitches total).
Please let me know if you need more help. I'd be happy to give it!
Good luck and thank you for your question!
Whitney
Hi Whitney.
Ok, so I put this project down for a couple weeks after picking up my stitches for the border and forgot where I was. When I started the border I got ahead of myself. Instead of knitting the first round, I accidentally did my increases in the first round. Will I be able to salvage my work by knitting the 2nd round (just swapping 1st and 2nd rounds of border) and then go from there or do I need to tear it out and restart? OOPS! Thanks for your help!
Julie
Hi Julie,
I think you might be okay switching the first and second rounds. The only problem I can think of might be some puckering because the increases weren't evenly spaced. I guess you'll have to weigh out that possibility with the hassle of re-working the first round, a typical knitting dilemma!
Thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney
I think I should be fine then because the increases were evenly spaced. Just a round early. Thank you for the feedback.
Hi, I am a beginner and I would love to make this blanket! I was just wondering what needles you used? was it circular or the straight ones? Is it possible to do this using straight needles?
Hi nb123-
The needles Whitney used are listed in the materials section of the pattern:
A 24 or 32 inch, US #15 circular needle
A 40 inch, US #13 circular needle
We highly recommend using the circular needles, it will just make your life a lot easier!
Thank you so much for your question and please let us know if you need any more help.
Best- Molly
is there a pattern for this blanket in crochet????I like it but don't know how to knit.
HI Jill-
There is no crochet version of this pattern, but we'll keep it in mind going forward.
Thanks for the question!
Ok, I too am new to knitting and I'm having a really hard time with this border. I've been doing research to try to figure it out on my own and I'm just not figuring this out. I've seen the term pick up stitches… for this pattern am I only picking up the 60 stitches or am I picking up and knitting the 60 stitches? I tried to pick up and knit and I was getting this line of the contrasting color in the “back side” of the blanket that I didn't like. I tore that out and now I'm just picking up the stitches but if this is a waste of time I want to know before going any further… Thanks
Hi Newknitter,
When I pick up, I pick up and knit, but however you do it, you will end up with a contrasting back side. But in this case, you don't end up seeing it because you'll fold the border down over it. I hope this eases your worries!
Thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney
Hi… I love this blanket. I started it this weekend. I don't know if the yarn I am using is bulkier than the stated yarns, but I just started my second skein and I am already at 21 inches… Should I keep going or stop when I get to 26″?
I am sort of new/getting back to knitting, so I'm just not sure here.
Thank you!
Danica
Thank you for getting back to me… I think after this question I'll be set. Since you pick up and knit… Do you consider that round 1 then and then the next round is round 2 or does the round 1 start after you've picked up and knitted a round… such a confusing way to put it but I don't know how else to ask. Thank you for your patience and time! I really do love this blanket and I'm so excited to have a completed project!
Hi Danica,
It sounds like your yarn's skeins are longer than the Spud & Chloe Outer. That's fine! Since the 26 inches includes the border, just bind off when your blanket is square !
Thanks for your question and for making the blanket! Good Luck!
Whitney
Hi again Newknitter!
Round 1 begins after you pick up and knit. In other words, you'll pick up and knit a round and then begin with Round 1.
You're almost there – congratulations!
Whitney
This is my first baby blanket although I have been knitting for a few years now. I thought the border part was going to be extremely challenging for me as a beginner but it was quite simple once you get the hang of it! I made mine for a little boy, chocolate brown with a bright turquoise border. Thank you for the adorable pattern!
I am having trouble deciphering the bind off instructions for this blanket. Is there a video that I could watch to see it more clearly? Thanks so much for this adorable pattern.
your baby is simply adorable. I love the pattern and you do a terrific job with your pictures and explanations. Beautiful baby and talented lady. Thank you for sharing.
Hello,
I love the look of this blanket and wondered how big it actually is? would it fit on a single bed or much smaller?
As I'm very new to knitting (haven't knitted since child hood) I thought it would be easier to use the straight needles make smaller squares? using different tones and then do a border? or do you have a pattern similar to what I'm talking about but using the bulky wool? I've seen Debbie Bliss wool which has cashmere in it. Does this wool you talk about have that? or is it much more harder feeling? if that makes sense?
Also is there a section where it shoes you how to start off ? or a link?
Hi Linda-
We don't have a similar pattern to what you're describing but you should always feel free to experiment. There are plenty of cast on tutorials online, here's one: http://www.ehow.com/video_4429584_cast-knitting-stitches.html
The finished size of this blanket is 26 inches square.
Thanks for your questions!
Molly
Hi again just wanting to know the ply of the yarn? Thickness? As I'm in Australia not sure if I'm getting the right size?
Also which stitching pattern is the cream and orange blanket? I'm guessing that it's not the k1 p1 pattern??? And assume that is knit 1 row purl a row?
Hi Linda-
The Cream and orange blanket it the seed stitch version. The pink and gray one is the garter stitch version. Both patterns can be found above.
The yarn for the main body of the blanket is a bulky weight which should yeild 2 1/4 stitches per 1 inch in garter stitch or seed stitch
The boarder yarn is a standard worsted weight yarn.
Since this pattern is fairly simple and doesn't have to fit anyone you have more freedom in the yarn choice. Just make sure you're getting the correct gauage (as listed in the pattern) and you'll be fine.
Thanks for your question!
Molly
Hi – I'm making this blanket and loving it – thank you. One note – the make one left, make one right, links within the pattern are no longer working. Could I ask about those? thank you!
Hi Debbie-
The links should be working now. Thanks for letting us know.
Molly
When you say to pick up 60 stitches all four sides, but there are 51 (for seed) CO stitches, also the two vertical sides are of unspecific stitches (until using all 4 skeins of yarn), how do I evenly pick up the stitches for the border? Thank you!
Hi Sharon,
To answer your first question, here is a variation of the answer I gave earlier to Julie and Becky:
To pick up 60 stitches across the 51 cast on stitches you have to pick up two stitches in almost the same spot 9 times. So you will pick up a a stitch and then insert your needle one strand over, in almost the same place you just picked up the stitch, and pick up another stitch. Distribute these 9 “extra” stitches evenly across the side.
And for your second question about picking up along the sides, usually along a selvedge you pick up 3 stitches for every 4 rows, or sometimes 2 for every 3, or even sometimes 4 for every 5. A technique I often use to make sure I'm picking up evenly is to mark (with scrap yarn) every quarter length of the edge (first fold in half, then divide each half in half). Figuring out how to evenly pick up 15 stitches is a lot easier than 60!
I hope this all makes sense! Thanks for your questions and good luck!
Whitney
Hi! I am knitting the blanket now. I am to the purl bump pick up. I am confused as to how to do this. Do I put the loop on my left needle then go back and knit it? And how do I get the edge to lay down? I hope my questions make sense.
Thanks!
Kim
Hi Anna,
It sounds like you're maybe not knitting the border in the round as you should be. After you've picked up the stitches for the border, you should continue to knit with the same side facing you by knitting into the first stitch you picked up (rather than turning the work and knitting into the last stitch you picked up). When you knit in the round, you create stockinette stitch with all knit stitches.
Please let us know if you're still confused. If this is your first time knitting in the round, it can definitely be puzzling, but once you get the concept, it's easy!
Thanks for your question!
Whitney
Hi,
Loving the blanket. I'm on the border and a little bit confused with precisely where the increases and decreases go. The Initial K1 I guess is the stitch after the first marker, then the M1R the stitch directly after that. Then after knitting to the first marker, I M1L between the marker and the stitch I've just knitted, then slip the marker, then the K1 is the one after the marker.
Then for the decreasing, again the initial K1 would be the stitch after the first marker?
Sorry – I'm fairly new to knitting and double knitting, in the round, with increasing and decreasing is confusing me a bit – just hoping for a straight border!
Thanks.
Hi Helen,
Yes, the initial k1 is the stitch after the beginning-of-the-round marker, and the m1R is into the strand between the first and second stitch. Then yes again, you knit to the next marker (so there are no stitches left before the marker) and yes, M1L between the marker and the last stitch you knit.
And you've got the decreases correct too! The first k1 is the stitch right after the first marker.
Keep in mind that what you're actually doing is knitting 1 stitch at each corner with a pair of either increases or decreases on each side of it.
I hope this helps and good luck with the rest of your blanket!
Whitney
Oh I love this border!! I am a Great Aunt with another little one joining the family soon and so naturally I am thinking of knitting a baby blanket…and I will definitely use this border. It puts the finishing touch on and also completely seals in any evidence of the ends woven in! Perfect! Thanks so much…
Great Aunt Chris 🙂
Hi there,
I am knitting using the #15 US needle and using the seed stitch option with the spud and choe, therefore casting on 51 stitches. My gauge seems to be 3 stitches per inch and so far the measured width is only 20-21 inches for the main colour. Is the border going to make up the extra 5-6 inches? It doesn't look that big in the picture so I am wondering if I am doing something wrong. Thanks for any advice 🙂
Hi Manuela,
The main body of the blanket should measure 22 1/2 inches, so if yours is a little smaller that's because your gauge is a bit tight (it sounds like you're getting 2 1/2 instead of 2 1/4 stitches to the inch).
If you'd like to extend your border a bit to make up for lost inches, repeat Rounds 3 and 4 of the border one or two more times (be sure to also repeat Rounds 9 and 10 the same number of times).
I hope this helps. Please let us know if you have any more questions and thanks for this one!
Whitney
Thank you SO much for the edging instructions!
I knitted a giant (32in x32in) diagonal 'dishcloth' blanket for my first Grandbaby – the garter st version, with 2 st and eyelet border. I did it in acrylic UK chunky in Claret, Emerald, Camel amd Mid Blue blocks, with random width stripes in Black and Silver Grey dividing the colours, and all colour changes on one side.
I ended up with LOTS of ends to weave in and doubted that I could make them secure and neat, so I was delighted to stumble upon your edging.
I had 80 eyelets per side, and picked up and knitted 1 st in each eyelet, with Cream Aran weight yarn, doubled. This meant that the 2 st borders on the blanket were to be trapped (along with all the secured ends!) inside the hem.
It worked out wickedly BEAUTIFUL! The 'padded' edging looks so professional, with that lovely chained finish on the reverse.
Thanks so much for the pattern for this beautiful baby blanket! I'm in the very beginning stages of knitting and I am using size
10 circular needles with size 10 yarn— we cast on 53 stitches but I just measured my blanket and realized that its only 16" wide? I already have about three inches done. Can I just make the borders bigger? And/or do three colors for the border?
Thank you so much in advance!!
Hi Tracydacey,
It sounds like you're using a much thinner yarn than I did, and so instead of getting 2 1/4 stitches to the inch, you're getting 3 1/3. But as you suggest, you can remedy this situation by making a bigger border. As I recommended to Manuela (a few questions above yours), you should repeat Rounds 3 and 4 of the border one or two more times (be sure to also repeat Rounds 9 and 10 the same number of times).
Thanks so much for your question. Please let us know if you have more and good luck!
Whitney
Well i'm looking for an easy pattern with size 10 1/2 needles with just plain old knitting. Do you have any suggestions?
Do you recommend a particular cast on for this pattern? If I use the long tail and it counts as the first row will this be a problem to continue in seed stitch? Thank you so much, I am looking forward to completing 2 of these, they are adorable!
Hi Andrea-
A long tail cast on will work fine. Unless specifically noted you can almost always use a long tail cast on to start any project. Your cast on row is not your first row.
Thank you for your question!
Molly
Hi Darcy,
You might like our Super Easy Lap Blanket which uses a US #10 needle (although #10.5 would probably be fine too) and is knit entirely in garter stitch: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2013/1/6/whits-knits-super-easy-lap-blanket.html
And you also might enjoy checking out our entire gallery of knit blankets. Maybe you'll find just what you're looking for! https://www.purlsoho.com/create/blankets-knitting/
Thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney
Just finished my blanket – what an excellent pattern! Love that there is no sewing involved, the border is so neat and easy.
Thank you
Hi there Whitney,
I'm knitting the very last row and have come upon an issue. You suggest to check frequently to make sure that the purl bump I'm picking up is in line with the stitch on the left needle. For some reason there seem to be way more stitches on the left needle, than purl bumps – so in other words, they are quickly getting "out of line."
If this happens, how should I get them back in line? For example, should I knit 3 together instead of 2? Or just do a regular knit/bind off until they are back in line?
Any advice would be great, thank you! (Baby is due in a month!) 🙂
Sara
Hi Sara,
Your question has made me realize that I didn't include stitch counts after the border's increases and decreases (I've rectified the problem!). Anyway, you really shouldn't have more stitches on the needle than purl bumps at the pick up, since both counts should be 240 stitches. Is it possible that you didn't do the border's increases and decreases quite right?
Or if you'd prefer to just move forward rather than figure out what could have gone wrong (understandable!), then either of your suggestions are good (i.e. k3tog or do a bind off without picking up). I'd try both and see which looks better!
Good luck finishing in time! Please let us know if you have any other questions and thanks so much for this one!
Whitney
I am curious how you weave in the ends (starting a new skein) within the body of the blanket without showing-since you really don't have a wrong side. I have knit with Outer and know the thickness of this yarn really shows every detail.
Love this pattern and can't wait to get started.
Thanks Donna
Hi Donna,
A great solution is to weave the ends into the selvedges, since the very edges will get encased in the border at the end. Otherwise we have a great tutorial with lots of tips on how to most effectively weave in your ends right here: http://purlbee.squarespace.com/knitting-tutorials-finishing/2011/7/14/weaving-in-your-ends.html
I hope this helps you get the kind of finish you want! Please let us know if you have any other questions and thanks so much for this one!
Whitney
I don't' understand how to "pick up 60 stitches" if you only start with 51. I haven't done too much that's very "involved," so if these are dumb questions, I'm sorry.
Hi Kelly,
Not a dumb question at all! To pick up 60 stitches across the 51 cast on stitches you have to pick up two stitches in almost the same spot 9 times. So you will pick up a a stitch and then insert your needle one strand over, in almost the same place you just picked up the stitch, and pick up another stitch. Distribute these 9 "extra" stitches evenly across the side.
I hope this makes sense, thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney
I made this in Bernat SuperBulky yarn, using double strands so it was super thick. I did the border in the same yarn, contrasting color, but single strand. Once you get the idea on the border and the folding over of the border and binding it off, it's really quite easy. I made it for my baby grandson, and it was a huge hit with his parents, so much so that they asked me to make a 2nd one.
I want to make a baby blanket for newborn – how many stitches should I cast on? I bought baby bulky yarn – and what size needle should I use – can I use a staight needle
Hello Lillian!
This pattern calls for bulky yarn and uses US#13 needles. The circular needles are crucial to this pattern’s construction since you use them to create the border at then end of knitting the body, and there are simply too many stitches to fit on straight needles. This pattern has a cast on of 51 stitches for the seed stitch version or 53 for the garter stitch version.
Best of luck! -Alyson
I've been reading through comments to try and keep from repeating a question. I came across the pick up formula which seems to be "(number of stitches=inch)x(however many inches the blanket is) as long as it's square, but if the gauge and main body measurements you have are right, which would be 2.25×22.5= 50.6. So I'm still unsure how to calculate how many stitches I need to pick up. My blanket is 28inx28in. I'm sorry if I'm missing something.
Hi Molly,
The gauge you should be factoring is your border gauge, not the gauge of the main body. I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear!
So, for you, you would determine your border gauge (stitches per inch) and multiply that number by 28. That's how many stitches to pick up!
Thank you for your question and good luck!
Whitney
You might already have this somewhere and I’m just not seeing it but I just wondered if you have this pattern in a PDF somewhere. I’m trying to do some computer cleaning and put all my patterns that I’ve made and love in a folder so I will have them for years to come and I want to save this in there. Can you either tell me where to find it or can you email it to me? Is that asking a lot or being rude? I hope not, I just love this blanket so much! 😉
Hi Heather-
Unfortunately we don’t have the resources to convert all of our free patterns into PDFs but it’s fairly simple to save this as a PDF yourself! First, copy and paste all of the text and photos that you want into a Word or Text doc. From there you can save it as a PDF! If you don’t see the save as pdf option within your editing program you can usually convert it in the print dialog box.
Thanks so much for getting in touch and I hope this helps!
Best-
Molly
Nevermind!! Apple is awesome and I figured out how to do it on my own, duh. lol
I would like to use this border on a larger blanket size, 60×40, but being a newbie to knitting I don’t know how many stitches I need. Can you help me with that?
Hi Teresa,
To determine how many stitches you need for your border you need to first figure out the gauge of your border, which means the number of stitches per inch you knit with the border yarn and needle. Once you know the gauge, you multiply that number by the length of the side where you are picking up and that is the number of stitches you should pick up for that side. For example, let’s say your border knits up to 5 stitches per inch. You would then pick up 5 x 60 inches = 300 stitches along the long sides of your blanket and 5 x 40 inches = 200 stitches along the short sides.
I hope this makes sense. Please let us know if you need more help and thank you so much for asking!
Whitney
Thank you so much. I really appreciate the help!
How many rows exactly should I be knitting on the main part of the blanket? I’m using a different kind of yarn than the one in the pattern and 4 skeins seems to be too much
Hi Taylor,
It is certainly possible that four skeins is too much if the yarn you are using has more yardage per skein than the yarn we used. So rather than concerning yourself with how much of the yarn you use, you should just keep working until your blanket is square. If, in the end, your finished body dimensions are different than ours, you may need to pick up a different number of stitches for the border. I just explained to another reader named Teresa how to determine the number of stitches you may need for the border. Check out my response to her!
Thanks for your questions and please let us know if you have any more!
Whitney
Nice detail. It really pretty.
Love this pattern! Second time making it. The border is easy and looks great. So far I’m making one in a different color combo for each of my cousin’s kids. <3
Hi….I am a new knitter and I am making this adorable blanket for a friend of mine. I have completed the main color and my blanket measures 20×36…now I am stumped on how many stitches I need to pickup in order to make the border….HELP!
Thanks so much!
Tracey
Hi Tracey,
Thanks for your question.
You will need to pick up a total of 240 stitches for the border. The border is knit in the round so you will be picking up the entire edge of the blanket and knitting the entire border at once. The stitch markers are placed every 60 stitches to indicate the corners for your increasing and decreasing.
I hope that clarifies things!
Jake
Just wanted to say that your news letter is the best. The tips are way off the chart. So helpful and unusual. Thanks for your hard work.
Hi. I apologize if this is a repeat question…I was just wondering if I were to replace the 2 strands of worsted for the border, would it be best to use 1 strand of chunky or super? Thanks!
Hi Alexis,
Thank you for your question. If you would like to use a single strand for the border you want a bulky weight yarn. Our Super Soft Merino yarn would be a great choice; https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8944-Purl-Soho-Super-Soft-Merino.
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Is there a video of how to knit the border? I’m a newbie knitter and this feels daunting! Thanks!
Hi Tina,
Thank you for the comment! Unfortunately we do not have a video tutorial for this particular technique. Knitting a border looks a lot more daunting than it is. If you’d like a tutorial on how to pick up stitches here is one from our provisional cast on tutorial; https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2007/12/10/provisional-cast-on/
For this you will pretend the edge of your blanket is the crochet chain and follow the pictures for picking up stitches. Once you’ve picked up the stitches all the way around it is just like regular knitting in the round doing the increases and decreases when necessary. Here’s a link to the appropriate increasing tutorials as well;
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/04/23/make-1-right-m1r-make-1-left-m1l/
I hope this helps and please feel free to write back if more questions arise!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Hi! I’m using this as a guide for the border, I already have my own baby blanket knitted (knit?). I didn’t use bulky yarn, I used single strand of the thin yarn that you used for the border. Since I am not making a bulky blanket, should I only use one strand of the border yarn? Will that mess up the pattern? Thanks!
Hi Nicole,
Thank you for the comment! I recommend using one strand for the border because making a heavier border fabric than the body of a blanket isn’t ideal. You can absolutely follow these directions for picking up and knitting the border. However since your using a thinner yarn you will probably have more stitches and rows than the pattern does in the bulky yarn, so you may end up with different numbers than the pattern. I would pick up all the stitches around the blanket and place removable stitch markers at the corners. If you end up with different numbers than we do I would just make sure that you have the same number of stitches between each stitch marker. Then you can follow the pattern as it’s written for the increasing and decreasing at the corners, just disregarding the number of stitches mentioned in the pattern.
I hope this helps and feel free to write back if you have any more questions!
Good Luck!
Jake
Made this for my daughter’s baby, it was such a hit, she asked me for a second one! Now new baby is on the way, so I am making a third one.
Such a neat edging! Uncomplicated, too. Thank you! Your reply, Jake, regarding the number of stitches to be picked up is very helpful.
This is my first blanket. I’m on the border. Confused why you say to pick up 60 stitches when only 51 stitches were cast on?
Why will I be picking up 240 stitches?
On my blanket I have 51 stitches across and 47 stitches down the side. That makes 196 stitches around? I must have miscalculated something!
Hi Chandra,
The reason you pick up more border stitches than there are main-body stitches is because the gauge of the border yarn is smaller than the body-yarn gauge.
So, for the cast-on and bind-off edges, to pick up 60 stitches across the 51 cast on stitches you have to pick up two stitches in almost the same spot 9 times. So you will pick up a stitch and then insert your needle one strand over, in almost the same place you just picked up the stitch, and pick up another stitch. Distribute these 9 “extra” stitches evenly across the side.
If you happen to be using the same yarns for both sections, or your blanket has different measurements than ours, you’ll want to determine the gauge of your border (the number of stitches you knit per inch), as well as the measurements of the body of the blanket, and figure out how many stitches to pick up based on that information. If you need help, we’d be happy to work it out for you… Just provide us with the data and we’ll crunch it!
Thank you very much for your questions and good luck!
Whitney
I am using the same yarns your pattern suggests.
I now understand why to pick up more stitches.
I counted 51 stitches across at 23 1/2 inches wide. Down the side I counted 47 stitches at 25 1/2 inches in length.
Thank you for the help.
I forgot to say that I am using seed stitch.
The links for the yarn for this blanket are broken and a search doesn’t show them either. Please email me with substitute ideas or the yarn amount. Thanks!
Hello Rebecca!
We are going through our transition to our new site, so thank you for writing and thank you for your patience with us as we adjust to the changes! The pattern site is back up and running, please let us know if you continue to have any issues.
Thanks again! -Alyson
Hi there
I am not able to find this yarn online by clicking on the name. Is it no longer being sold online and/or instore?
Thanks!
Hi, Emily!
Thank you so much for writing in! Unfortunately, we no longer carry the Spud and Chloe Outer or the Sweater. As an altertanive to the Outer you could use Purl Soho’s Super Soft Merino (https://www.purlsoho.com/yarn/knitting-crochet/super-soft-merino.html), Blue Sky Alpaca’s Bulky (https://www.purlsoho.com/yarn/knitting-crochet/bulky.html) or Woolfolk’s Hygge (https://www.purlsoho.com/yarn/knitting-crochet/hygge.html). And substitutes for the Sweater include Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist (https://www.purlsoho.com/yarn/knitting-crochet/worsted-twist.html), Anzula’s For Better or Worsted (https://www.purlsoho.com/yarn/knitting-crochet/for-better-or-worsted.html) or Woolfolk’s Far ()https://www.purlsoho.com/yarn/knitting-crochet/far.html).
If you have further questions please let us know!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
I just finished making this blanket and I can’t thank you enough for making me look so talented! The directions, photos and links for additional instruction were clear and comprehensive. Thank you!
Hi, Brenda!
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Best,
Kumeko
Love this border! I’m adapting this border pattern to a Lacey rib blanket. Unfortunately, I picked up the stitches on the right side of the blanket rather than the wrong side. I couldn’t figure out how to join in the round so that the wrong side was facing. So I’m purling instead of knitting.
Should I do the increases and decreases differently?
I figured out how to do the increases on the purl side.
But now I have a new problem :(. I understand that there is an increase right and an increase left on either side of the corner stitch. But I’m not understanding your pattern instructions. This is how I understand round 1 and 2.
Round 1 – knit to end of round (to the different colour marker) slip marker
Round 2 – * knit 1, m1r, knit to next marker(next corner), m1L, slip marker, repeat to end of round
I am very confused
Hi Dawn,
I guess I misunderstood your last comment. If you are purling, then I would pfb (purl front and back) for the increase on each side. This is the best looking purl increase. I hope this helps!
-Adam
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for your question! I don’t think you’ll have to do anything different for the border decreases in this case. I do think, however, your bind off will be on the right side of the work. This can be considered decorative though since it looks like an edging. I like to call these things happy mistakes! Best of luck on the blanket and let us know if you have any other questions!
-Adam
I can you do an I cord border with this?
Hello Marcia,
Thank you for your question! You can certainly do an I-cord border, have you checked our Attached I-cord tutorial? Again, thank you for writing in! If you have further questions please let us know!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Hi,
I love the idea of this pattern. I’m pretty new to knitting anything that isn’t a basic square, can you recommend any sites/videos that give more detail on how to ‘pick up’ stitches to start the edging? Thanks
Anne
Hi Anne,
We have a tutorial for that! Click here!
-Adam
Hi!
I’m making this blanket in an aran (10 ply) cotton and have cast on 145 stitches. I would like to make the blanket about 80 x 90cm.
I’m wondering how many stitches I will need to pick up when starting the border. I know I will need more stitches than were cast on but I’m wondering how many?
I love the pattern as I love ALL Purl Soho patterns.
Thank you so much.
Warm regards,
Gillian
Hi Gillian,
Thanks for writing in! The number of stitches that you will pick up for the border will depend heavily on your finished blanket size and the number of stitches that you cast on and the number of rows that you knit. For the cast on and cast off edges, you will pick up one stitch for every stitch you have. Along the vertical edges, the new stitches will run perpendicular to the existing stitches. And since the stitch and row gauges are typically unequal, you will not pick up a stitch for each row along the vertical edge of the fabric. Often you’ll pick up 2 stitches for every 3 rows or 3 stitches for every 4 rows. Which depends on the gauge of the fabric.
We have a great tutorial that you can consult for this and it can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/picking-up-stitches/
Best,
Cassy
Love this blanket! I just finished the border and my 2nd side the bind off is a bit too tight. I used a pure merino superwash. Will blocking loosen it or do I need to bite the bullet and redo it?
Hi Amy,
I am happy to hear you love this blanket. Unfortunately for your bind off because it is tight you will have to redo it, blocking will not loosen it.
I hope this helps.
Melissa
Hi
I love this edging and intend using it on a blanket I’ve just knitted. I am alittle confused though – the instructions indicate that all rows, apart from the one that becomes the edge turn, are knitted but the picture looks like stocking stitch (alternate rows knit and purl). Please can you explain my misunderstanding?
Many thanks
Jackie
Hi Jackie,
Thanks for writing in! I think that I can help! As this border is knit in the round, stockinette in the round, you will knit every stitch and every row. If you were to alternate knit and purl rounds in the round, you would get a garter border. Knitting is magical sometimes!
I hope that this clears things up!
Cassy
Hi! I can’t wait to knit this blanket! I’m planning on doing it as a marled, seed stitch baby blanket with two strands of worsted wool. Any suggestions on how much yardage I might need for each of my colors? I’m thinking of using 100% superwash Merino.
Also, is it possible to update the links to new yarn that you carry?
Thanks!
Pam
Hi Pam,
Thanks for writing in! Great idea! For the main body of the blanket, you would want to hold 2 strands of worsted together and you will need 240 yards of each color. For the border, you will hold worsted weight singled and need 320 yards. You could certainly use any Worsted Weight yarn here. If you would like to use a superwash, Anzula’s For Better or Worsted would be a nice option!
Thank you for your suggestion! We will certainly keep it in mind for the future!
Best,
Cassy
Cassy,
Thanks so much! If I’m doing the worsted weight singled for the border, what size needle would you suggest? (I’m assuming US 15 @ 32 or 40 for the blanket itself).
Cheers,
Pam
Hi Pam,
You are very welcome! You will use the 40 inch, US 13 that we used with the original yarn! If your worsted weight is a lighter worsted, you may want to try a US 11 but the US 13 should work just fine!
Best,
Cassy
Love the pattern—are there any yarns on sale in your shop now that may be a good match?
Hello Kate,
Thank you for writing us! Unfortunately we no longer carry Spud and Chloe yarns. I would suggest looking at Super Soft Merino or Blue Sky’s Bulky to replace Spud and Chloe’s Outer and Worsted Twist or Anzula’s For Better or Worsted to substitute Sweater.
I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Marilla
The wrong side of my blanket just doesn’t seem right after I picked up on the bindoff edge. I was hoping to add a picture here. Basically, a horizontal thread of the yarn shows beneath some of the main color. It doesn’t seem to look that way in your picture. Can you help me out?
Hi Janet,
Hmm, that doesn’t sound quite right! It is hard to say what might have happened without a picture though. Could you send a picture to [email protected] so we can help you figure it out?
Best,
Julianna
Thanks for this beautiful pattern, i can’t wait to get started! If I wanted to increase the width of the border (repeating rounds 3&4 as well as 9&10 two times each) as suggested above, will I need an extra skein of the contrast yarn? Thanks in advance!
Hello Aileen,
Thank you for reaching out! I would reccomend getting an extra skein if you are extending the border.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
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