Bulky Baby Blankets | Purl Soho

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!

Bulky Baby Blankets | Purl Soho

Materials

Garter Stitch Version

Bulky Baby Blankets | Purl Soho

  • 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

Bulky Baby Blankets | Purl Soho

  • 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

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.

Bulky Baby Blankets | Purl Soho

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.

Bulky Baby Blankets | Purl Soho

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)

Bulky Baby Blankets | Purl Soho

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.

Bulky Baby Blankets | Purl Soho

2. Slip the purl bump onto the left needle.

Bulky Baby Blankets | Purl Soho

3. Knit two together (the purl bump and the first “regular” stitch).

Bulky Baby Blankets | Purl Soho

(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).

Bulky Baby Blankets | Purl Soho

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.)

Bulky Baby Blankets | Purl Soho

Weave in the ends and you’re done!

Bulky Baby Blankets | Purl Soho
Bulky Baby Blankets | Purl Soho