Chevron Baby Blanket
If you lived through the 60s and 70s perhaps you have vivid memories of a chevron afghan. Perhaps you appreciated it at the time; were indifferent to it in the 80s; despised it in the 90s; and have developed a deep affection for it over the past decade, itchy acrylic, zany colors and all!
This knitted Chevron Baby Blanket makes some accommodations both for modernity and for babies. Instead of hard-to-cuddle acrylic, this 100% cotton blanket is as deep and soft and cozy as a cloud. And instead of fast food orange and kitchen appliance avocado, this version is a delicate spectrum of natural colors just right for babies!
The next generation of chevron blankets starts with Blue Sky Fiber’s Worsted Cotton. Loosely spun into a uniquely cozy cotton, this is one of our very favorite baby blanket yarns. For delicate skin, it’s non-allergenic cotton, and for busy parents, it’s machine washable (yay!).
Materials
- 7 skeins of Blue Sky Fibers’s Worsted Cotton, 100% cotton
- We used Lemongrass, Lemonade, Bone, Tulip, Drift, Sleet, and Graphite for the Dandelion colorway and Indigo, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Tulip, Drift, Sleet and Ash for the Sky colorway.
- A US 11, 24 or 32 inch circular needle
We put together two pretty colorways:
Dandelion
These colors, from the top, are Lemongrass, Lemonade, Bone, Tulip, Drift, Sleet, and Graphite.
Sky
These colors, from the top, are Indigo, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Tulip, Drift, Sleet and Ash.
Gauge
3 stitches = 1 inch in garter stitch with yarn doubled
Finished Size
26 x 33 inches
Notes
For this pattern you’ll use the Worsted Cotton doubled. The best way to double yarn is to pull one strand from the inside of the ball and one strand from the outside. If you don’t have a swift and ball winder to wind a center-pull ball, never fear, you can do it by hand! Click here for a great video that shows you how!
If you want to change the sizing or use this stitch pattern for a different project, just cast on a multiple of 14 plus 2 stitches.
Pattern
With the Lemongrass (doubled!), cast on 100 stitches. (Try not to leave too long a tail when you cast on. You’ll probably need the entire skein to finish the first stripe. If you end up one row short at this point, don’t worry! No one will notice!)
**Row 1 (right side): K1, ssk, *k10, k2tog, ssk, repeat from * to last 13 stitches, k10, k2tog, k1. (86 stitches)
Row 2 (wrong side): K6, *knit into front and back (kfb) 2 times, k10, repeat from * to last 8 stitches, kfb 2 times, k6. (100 stitches)
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you have knit the entire skein (which should be 8 or 9 more times).***
Change to the Lemonade color and repeat from ** to ***.
Knit until the skein runs out, making sure to end on the same side you finished the Dark Chocolate. In other words, all of the tails (except, perhaps, the cast on tail) will be along the same selvage, and the first row of every color will be on the “right side” of the blanket and you will end each color on the “wrong side”.
Continuing…
– See more at: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/01/06/whits-knits-super-easy-lap-blanket/#sthash.egI5gAaD.dpuf
Change to the Bone color and repeat from ** to ***.
Knit until the skein runs out, making sure to end on the same side you finished the Dark Chocolate. In other words, all of the tails (except, perhaps, the cast on tail) will be along the same selvage, and the first row of every color will be on the “right side” of the blanket and you will end each color on the “wrong side”.
Continuing…
– See more at: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/01/06/whits-knits-super-easy-lap-blanket/#sthash.egI5gAaD.dpufChange to the Bone color and repeat from ** to ***.
Make sure to end the third color (Bone) on the same side you finished the second color (Lemonade). In other words, all of the tails (except, perhaps, the cast on tail) will be along the same selvage, and the first row of every color will be on the “right side” of the blanket and you will end each color on the “wrong side”.
Continue in this pattern for the next three colors, ending each skein with a wrong side row and changing colors on the right side. The next color will be Tulip, followed by Drift, and then Sleet.
For the final color (Graphite), repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you have about 8 yards of yarn left (or nine times). Work Row 1 one more time.
Bind Off Row: Bind off 5 stitches, *(knit into the next stitch and leave the stitch on the left needle, bind off 1 stitch, knit into the back of the stitch, let the stitch off the left needle, bind off 1 stitch) 2 times, bind off 10 stitches, repeat from * to last 8 stitches, (knit into the next stitch and leave the stitch on the left needle, bind off 1 stitch, knit into the back of the stitch, let the stitch off the left needle, bind off 1 stitch) 2 times, bind off 6 stitches, pull the yarn through the last stitch.
Weave in the ends and you’re all done!
PRINT
Another question!
You replied to my previous comment about the two strands of yarn getting twisted together. Your reply was helpful- I am mindful of how the yarn is oriented as it’s pulling. However, the motion of knitting causes twisting anyway- I’m sure this is normal, yes? I find myself every couple of rows stopping to untwist the yarn.
I wondered if after winding each skein, could I take the two ends and wind a new ball with the yarn doubled? Have you ever tried this, and do you think this would be helpful or possibly problematic?
Hi Natalie,
Yes you are correct, the motion of knitting definitely adds to the the yarn twisting! Also something I just learned recently- plant fibers are more prone to twisting than other fibers, so this yarn being cotton will twist more than a wool yarn would for example! I also learned it helps to pull from the outside with plant fibers to help avoid twisting and running your fingers along the yarn to smooth out kinks will also help.
In this case since you are holding the yarn doubled the yarn coming from the inside might twist more, so that would be the strand to kind of “massage” to smooth out the twists. Even though previously I suggest pulling from the outside and inside, now that I know more about plant fibers twisting it may be easier overall to split the skein so you could pull both strands from the outside! And on that note- I haven’t actually heard of anyone winding the yarn doubled so I am not totally sure if it would be helpful or cause more issues, but I could see it being more on the helpful side to be able to pull both strands from the outside!
I hope this helps and please let me know which method you end up trying!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi,
I tried this method as well- diving the yarn into two separate balls so I could pull each from the outside. However, the throwing motion I do with the yarn creates the twists, so I finally tried holding my working yarn in my left hand (Continental style knitting.) This method is new to me but I’ve had some practice so I’m happy to use it when I knit this blanket again with this yarn. And it helps to avoid twisting the yarn!
I have to make sure to make a gauge swatch just to see how my tension may be different!
Hi Natalie,
That is a great idea! I myself knit continental and find that I experience less twisting with yarn on general(and work a bit faster!) I typically don’t suggest trying to knit in a different style since I know it can be difficult for some people to switch, but that is great that you have practiced a bit and are feeling comfortable with continental! I definitely agree that you should check your gauge again before beginning to see if there are any major changes to your tension!
Warmly,
Gianna
Bind Off Question? I have read through all of your comments and have a request (I am sure I am not the 1st person), could you please do a video on the Chevron Bind Off! Please! It would be extremely helpful. Now, to my question WHICH IS IN ALL CAPS WITHIN YOUR INSTRUCTIONS.
Bind Off Row: Bind off 5 stitches,
*(knit into the next stitch and leave the stitch on the left needle, bind off 1 stitch, knit into the back of the stitch, let the stitch off the left needle, bind off 1 stitch) 2 times, WHICH MEANS TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE PARENTHESES ONLY – 2 TIMES… CORRECT? I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THE INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN THE PARENTHESES.
bind off 10 stitches,
repeat from * to last 8 stitches, WHICH MEANS TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE PARENTHESES ONLY UNTIL YOU GET TO THE LAST 8 STITCHES
or
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE PARENTHESES AND ALSO BIND OFF THE NEXT 10 STITCHES UNTIL YOU GET TO THE LAST 8 STITCHES?
(knit into the next stitch and leave the stitch on the left needle, bind off 1 stitch, knit into the back of the stitch, let the stitch off the left needle, bind off 1 stitch) 2 times, [FOLLOW SAME INSTRUCTIONS AS ABOVE WITHIN THE PARENTHESES ONLY]
bind off 6 stitches, pull the yarn through the last stitch.
Thank you in advance for any assistance! I love this pattern, love how my Chevron baby blanket has turned out so far… just to get it bound off, blocked and off to our new great-grandbaby.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for reaching out! At this time we don’t have the resources to film a video tutorial for this bind off but thank you for expressing your interest and I will certainly pass this along to the rest of the team!
As for your question- I think you have everything correct! You will Bind off 5 stitches, then begin to work the section in the parenthesis, you will repeat what is in the parenthesis 2 times, then bind off 10 stitches. You will then work that entire section again from the * until you have reached the last 8 stitches. Once you have 8 stitches left then you will begin the next set of instructions in the parenthesis, repeating that 2 times, then bind off 6 stitches, pulling the yarn through the last stitch!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I am so confused by this. So I knit in to the stitch, leave it on the left needle…knit into it again move to right needle and bind it off?
Hi Liz,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes that is correct, you will knit into the next stitch and leave the stitch on your left needle, bind off 1 stitch, knit into the back of the stitch, let the stitch off the left needle, bind off 1 stitch!
Warmly,
Gianna
I am also working on the bind off. This is very confusing. Can you clarify how the many stitches you are binding off in the parenthesis? Knit into the next stitch and leave the stitch on the left needle, bind off 1 stitch?, then knit into the back of the stitch, let the stitch off the left needle, bind off 1 stitch? Sorry, I need some clear instructions.
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, that is correct, you knit into the next stitch but leave the stitch on the left needle, bind off 1 stitch, then you knit into the back of that same stitch, this time letting the stitch off the left needle, bind off 1 stitch. So you are binding off 2 stitches, and both those bind-offs are coming from the same stitch. You then repeat what is in the parenthesis again, so 4 stitches total bound off before you continue and bind off 10 stitches. You will then repeat for the *!
I hope this clears things up!
Gianna
I read a submitted comment inquiring about making this pattern using a different yarn, namely Morning.
Could it work to knit this Chevron Baby Blanket pattern using a single strand of Morning yarn ( not doubling the yarn as written with Blue Sky worsted cotton)?
Morning has 191 yards per skein which is much more than BlueSky (150 yds).
I prefer the texture and look of the Morning in photos of the Super Easy Baby Blanket
but I prefer a more interesting pattern (chevron) over color block / striping.
Also, not sure how to figure out needle size to be used with single strand.
I’d appreciate your recommendation.
This will be my third baby blanket project from Purl Soho.
I’ve already made the Mosaic Blanket and just finishing the Mitered Corner Blanket.
Thanks so much !!!
Hi Marlene,
Thanks for reaching out and for your kind words! I am so glad to hear that you enjoy our patterns! I think you could certainly use Morning for this blanket! If you plan on using a single strand I would recommend using a US 5 or 6 needle! You can work a gauge swatch in stitch pattern with the needle size you choose to calculate your cast on.
Please let me know if you have any more questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi, how can I combine the colors without a knot or without leaving the a thread to sew in at the end? Also, how much yardage or meters on each skein?
Thank you so much.
Hi Lesbia,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, if you are using the Worsted Cotton as we use here, there really isn’t a way to add a new color without leaving a tail. I would suggest checking out our Adding a Ball of Yarn tutorial and our Weaving in Your Ends tutorial!
Also, each skein of Worsted Cotton is 150 yards.
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi Gianna,
I started this blanket last year, ended up knitting another blanket for my niece. i am picking it back up and i am not sure if i start back up on row 1 or 2. is there any easy way to tell? The start of the blanket where the extra yarn is thats what end i am picking up at (if that makes sense).
Thanks,
nikki
Hi Nikki,
Thanks for writing in! If you look at your previous row very closely you should be able to tell which row you left off on! If you completed row 1 you should have the ssk and k2tog visible, and if you completed row 2 you should have the knit into front and back (kfb) stitches visible.
If you would like further assistance please feel free to send an email with some photos to our customer service team at customerservice@purlsoho.com and we can help figure out where you are from there!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Hello,
I got a super bundle of 9 skeins from a friend! Can’t wait to start this project for my grandson “in the making”.
Since there are special instructions for binding off, are there special instructions for casting on?
Thanks!
Hi Diane,
Thanks for reaching out! Nope! You can use your preferred method of casting on for this blanket, I recommend a basic Long Tail Cast On!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
Given this is a baby blanket and most new moms don’t have time to hand wash items, can this blanket be machine washed. Or did I just purchase the wrong yarn?
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for reaching out! The recommended washing instructions for Blue Sky’s Worsted Cotton that this blanket was knit up in are: hand wash in tepid water using a mild soap; Do not agitate or twist; Shape and dry flat on a towel. Given the way this particular yarn is plied, I would not recommend machine washing it.
If you wanted to use a yarn that is machine-washable, then I’d recommend going with something like our Campo or Anzula’s For Better Or Worsted, both of which are very close in gauge to the Blue Sky but can be machine washed without fear of harming the finished product!
If you’ve already purchased the Blue Sky and haven’t yet started your project, you can return your yarn (as long as it’s in its original, unwound condition) and get a different, machine-washable yarn! You can find all the details on our return/exchange policy right here.
Warmly,
Kelsey