Bobble Border Blanket
With its rows of little seedlings poking their eager heads toward the sun, oh my, our Bobble Border Blanket is a real cutie pie!
Each border is densely packed with round kernels of immensely charming yarn bobbles. Together, they make neat fields of irresistible texture and good humor.
The job of knitting the Bobble Border Blanket is simple: You work the bottom border, then the whole center garter-stitch section, followed by the top border. To finish, you pick up along each side and work those borders.
For a supremely soft and cozy feel, we used our Posy yarn, a machine washable beauty with a touch of cashmere. We love that its hand-dyed vicissitudes make each bobble and garter ridge come alive, like they’re shining on the sun!
We knit a great pasture of Pink Nectar and with some bright Sour Gooseberry outskirts… Pick the same or any other winning combination, and cast on for a your own little sweetie!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!
Share your progress + connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoBobbleBorderBlanket, and #PurlSohoPosy. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- Main Color (MC): 10 (20) skeins of Purl Soho’s Posy, 75% superwash merino, 15% cashmere, and 10% nylon. Each skein is 159 yards; approximately 1,590 (3,180) yards required. We used the color Pink Nectar.
- Contrast Color (CC): 3 (5) skeins of Posy. Each skein is 159 yards; approximately 479 (780) yards required. We used the color Sour Gooseberry. (Please Note: Each size uses almost all of the Contract Color. Consider buying an extra skein, and exchange it unwound if not needed!)
- US 3 (3.25 mm), 32- or 40-inch circular needles
For more inspiration we put together these additional colorways…
MC: Lilac Mist, CC: Chili Pepper
MC: Mourning Dove, CC: Maple Wood
Gauge
25 stitches and 50 rows (25 garter ridges) = 4 inches in garter stitch
Sizes
Crib (Throw)
Finished Dimensions: Approximately 30 inches wide x 40½ inches long (42¼ inches wide x 55 inches long)
NOTE: Center Panel measures 24 (30) inches wide with a 3 (6) -inch wide bobble border all the way around.
SAMPLE: The blanket pictured here is Crib size.
Notes
Stitch Multiple
This pattern works over a multiple of 4 + 5 stitches.
NOTE: If you’re altering the length of the Center Panel, be sure to pick up a multiple of 4 + 5 stitches for each side Border.
Slip Stitches
Slip all slip stitches purlwise with yarn in back, unless indicated otherwise in the pattern.
Turn + Slide
When you work the bobble section of this pattern, you either “slide” or “turn” the work at the end of each row.
“Turn work” means to do what you would normally do when knitting rows with circular needles: Transfer the needle from your left hand into your right hand and the needle from your right hand into your left, flipping the work around so the opposite side is facing you.
“Slide work” means to keep the same side of the work facing you and to push all the stitches to the right end of the circular needles. Without turning the work, start the new row as you normally would.
You will know that you’re doing this right if the yarn you need to complete the next row is right there waiting for you!
MB [Make Bobble]
Knit into the next stitch, leaving it on the left needle, [(yarn over, knit 1) into same stitch] two times. Turn work so wrong side is facing you, k5; turn work so right side is facing you, k2tog; return stitch to left needle, slip remaining three stitches of bobble over the k2tog stitch, knit that stitch, returning it to the right needle.
NOTE: For more help, please visit our 5 Stitch Garter Bobble Tutorial.
Carrying The Contrast Color
When working Rows 3 and 6, on every 4th stitch you will carry the Contrast Color (CC) over the stitch as you knit it. This brings the CC to the opposite end of the piece, where you’ll need it to work the next row! Here’s how to do it…
Bring the Contrast Color (CC) over the tip of the left needle from front to back…
Then use the Main Color (MC) to knit the next stitch as usual, tacking down the CC as you do.
Bring the CC to the front and continue knitting with the MC.
Pattern
Center Panel
With Main Color (MC), cast on 149 (189) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
With MC, knit 3 rows.
Bottom Bobble Border
Row 1 (right side): With Contrast Color (CC), slip 4 (see Notes), *MB (See Notes), slip 3, repeat from * to last 5 stitches, MB, slip 4. Slide work (see Notes). [36 (46) bobbles]
Row 2 (right side): With MC, knit to end of row. Turn work (see Notes).
Row 3 (wrong side): With MC, k6, *k1 carrying CC (see Notes), k3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3. Turn work.
Row 4 (right side): With CC, slip 2, *MB, slip 3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, MB, slip 2. Slide work. [37 (47) bobbles]
Row 5 (right side): Repeat Row 2.
Row 6 (wrong side): With MC, k4, *k1 carrying CC, k3, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Repeat Rows 1-6 three (7) more times, then repeat Row 1 one more time.
Cut CC.
Body
With MC, knit every row until piece measures 37 (49) inches from cast-on edge, or until you have knit 227 (295) garter ridges.
Top Bobble Border
Repeat Rows 1-6 of BOTTOM BOBBLE BORDER section 4 (8) times, then repeat Row 1 one more time.
Cut CC.
With MC, knit 2 rows.
With the right side facing you, bind off knitwise, leaving last bind-off stitch on needle.
NOTE: There should be a total of 252 (344) garter ridges in order to pick up the appropriate number of stitches for the side panels.
Left Side Border
With right side facing you and bind-off edge at top, rotate blanket 90 degrees clockwise. With MC, pick up and knit one stitch between each garter ridge along selvage, which is now the top edge. Be sure to pick up and knit first stitch between Center Panel bind off and first garter ridge and also last stitch between last garter ridge and Center Panel cast on. [253, (345) total stitches]
NOTE: For assistance, please see our tutorial for picking up stitches along a vertical garter stitch edge within our Picking Up Stitches Tutorial.
**Set-Up Row (wrong side): With MC, slip 1 with yarn in front (wyif), knit to end of row.
Row 1 (right side): With CC, slip 2, *MB, slip 3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, MB, slip 2. Slide work. [63 (86) bobbles]
Row 2 (right side): With MC, slip 1 wyif, knit to end of row. Turn work.
Row 3 (wrong side): With MC, slip 1 wyif, k3, *k1 carrying CC over stitch as you knit it, k3, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 4 (right side): With CC, slip 4, *MB, slip 3, repeat from * to last 5 stitches, MB, slip 4. Slide work. [62 (85) bobbles]
Row 5 (right side): With MC, slip 1 wyif, knit to end of row. Turn work.
Row 6 (wrong side): With MC, slip 1 wyif, k5, *k1 carrying CC over stitch as you knit it, k3, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3. Turn work.
Repeat Rows 1-6 three (7) more times, then repeat Row 1 one more time.
With MC, knit 2 rows.
With the right side facing you, bind off knitwise.***
Right Side Border
With right side facing you and Center Panel bind off-edge at top, rotate blanket 90 degrees counter-clockwise. With MC, pick up and knit one stitch between each garter ridge along selvage, which is now the top edge, starting at Center Panel cast-on edge corner. Be sure to pick up and knit first stitch between Center Panel cast on and first garter ridge and also last stitch between last garter ridge and Center Panel bind off. [253 (345) total stitches]
Repeat between ** and *** of LEFT SIDE PANEL section.
Weave in the ends and wet block.
I’m confused a little on the amount of yarn to purchase here. It says 5 skeins with a (10) after. This usually indicates that it depends on the size you want to make, but I only see one size on here. Could someone clarify this so I may order yarn? Thank you!
Hi Chelsea,
Thanks for reaching out! This pattern does come in two sizes, a crib blanket or a throw blanket, so the first amount of skeins would be for the crib size and the second would be for the throw. You can see the exact dimensions a little below this in the section titled “Sizes!”
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Do you have other color suggestion?
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for writing in! It’s hard to go wrong when combining colors of Posy, but we do have a few favorites! We would love to see this blanket in Lilac Mist as the main color with Chili Pepper bobbles, or Maple Wood bobbles against a background of Mourning Dove garter stitch. If there is a particular color or theme you are interested in, I would be happy to make more recommendations!
Best,
Julianna
Do the bobbles have much texture? I’m curious what the blanket would look like without using a contrast color for the border. Thank you kindly in advance for taking the time to answer my question.
Hi Caitlin,
Great question! Yes, the bobbles do stand out and are highly textured, as you can see in the closeup of the border above. However, since the bobbles are worked every third row, you will have to still use a second ball of the same color to follow the instructions as written. You could try working the bobble row every other row or every fourth row in a swatch to see if that simplifies the pattern for single color knitting and to see if you are still happy with the texture.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I think you left off the last instruction for the left and right borders, which would be to bind off. Obvious to any experienced knitter, but your instructions are usually so detailed and precise (much appreciated) – not mentioning it might confuse some.
Hi, and thank you so much for pointing this out! We have now added the bind off instructions for the side panels. Thank you again for catching this so quickly!
All the best,
Julianna
Is it possible to convert this pattern using crochet? It’s beautiful blanket.
Hopeful in Missouri
Hi Carolyn,
Thank you so much for the kind words! We don’t currently have a crocheted version of this pattern, but I’ll certainly pass your request along to the design team!
Best,
Julianna
I love this blanket for a baby but is there a yarn that is less expensive and still machine washable?
Hi Camille,
Thank you so much for asking! We completely understand that sometimes our yarn suggestions are more of an inspiration than a reality for many people, and we are always happy to recommend less expensive (but still beautiful!) alternatives. In this case, I would suggest using Cotton Pure! It will still be a good idea to knit a gauge swatch, but it knits up to almost the exact same gauge as Posy on US 3 needles. You will need 6 (12) skeins of the main color and 2 (3) skeins of the contrast color.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi Julianna, I previously asked if you could suggest a substitute and you did. Cotton Pure. But every color I want is out of stock. Can you suggest something else or will you be getting the cotton pure in soon? I need to get going on the blanket. I want it done before baby arrives.
Thank you
Camille Hansen
PS: I love your products so much and they are the only ones I want to use. I’ve tried others and have always been disappointing.
Hi Camille,
We’re hoping to have quite a few colors in Cotton Pure back in stock soon. I’d give it another week or two to show up in the shop. In the meantime, I’d recommend signing up to be notified when it returns by going to the product page (https://www.purlsoho.com/cotton-pure.html), selecting the color you want, and entering your email address. You can repeat this step for each color you’re interested in. This way, you’ll be the first to know!
All the best,
Zha Zha
Hi, this is a lovely blanket but wondering what it looks like on the reverse side when finished. Does the edge get folded over?
Hi Amy,
Great question! The edges of this blanket are not folded over or finished, so you can see the wrong side of the bobble pattern on the borders. You can catch a glimpse of this in the picture above that shows the border up close with a slight flip to the wrong side!
Best,
Julianna
Is there a trick to making the lines between the bobble (on the back) straight? I’ve been practicing while awaiting my yarn, but mine slant downward. Any tips or tricks? I like the look when it makes the design show above.
Hi Chelsea,
Thanks for writing in! It sounds like you probably just need to block your sample to see the lines straighten out. This can happen when carrying yarn across several stitches, especially if your floats are loose (which they should be!), but it usually looks nice and tidy after blocking.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Do you think the border would work well with a “confetti” look – so using 3 or 4 colors instead of just one? Or would the back then be a little too messy? Thanks for another great pattern!
Hi Sarah,
What an exciting and fun idea! It would be quite a bit of weaving and a challenge to keep things tidy if you were to change colors for every bobble, but I think you could get a lovely effect by changing colors for each row of bobbles or perhaps by alternating two colors in each row of bobbles! Please do let us know how it turns out if you t y it!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
I think there’s a typo? I just completed the first row of bobbles and I have only 36 bobbles for the crib size instead of 38. I’ve counted my stitches 3 times, did I mess up?
Hi Joanne,
Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention! You are correct that, after the first row, you will end up with 36 bobbles. We have updated the number of bobbles throughout the border instructions. Great catch!
All the best,
Julianna
I am really enjoying knitting this pattern so far (Day 2!), and love the Posy yarn! I went with the lilac mist + chili pepper combination for a friend who is expecting in January, and it is absolutely lovely.
Hi,
I would love to knit this blanket but I can’t use circular needle. Can I do it with straight needles?????
Hi Grazia,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately this pattern can’t be knit on straight needles, as the bobble border requires working from both ends of the circular needles. I’m so sorry about that!
Best,
Julianna
Hi there!
I’m a new knitter so I’m confused at the introduction of the contrast color. The pattern says to slip contrast color stitches at the beginning of a row but how do I get my contrast color on in the first place?
Thank you in advance for your assistance!
Hi Cristina,
Great question! In this pattern, since Row 1 starts with slipping four stitches, you can’t actually join the contrast color until after you slip those four stitches. Once you have moved these stitches over to the right hand needle, you will insert your needle into the next stitch to start the first bobble, and simply loop your contrast color over the needle to join it and start working the bobble instructions. This first stitch and bobble will feel a little loose and loopy at first, but once you’re done with the blanket, you can give the yarn a little tug to tighten things up before weaving in the end!
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Thank you for the lovely explanation!!
Hi. Is there a live tutorial on doing the bobbles or just written? As a beginner I’m very confused.
Hi Christa,
Thanks for reaching out! Here is our tutorial for 5 Stitch Garter Bobble !
I Hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Thank you.
Hi Are there 3 or 4 stitches between the bobbles?
Hi Christa,
Thanks for reaching out! There are 3 stitches between the bobbles!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
I love this blanket and am knitting it for my new grandchild. I am having trouble carrying the contrast color – it seems that there will be a little dot of the CC on the front of the work. I am on row 3, knitting with the wrong side facing me.
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for reaching out! I am so glad to hear that you like this pattern! When carrying the CC there will be spots on the front where you can see the color coming through where you bring the CC to the front of the work, but that will all be disguised when you begin making the bobbles!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Thank you!
Hi there! I’ve just started this lovely pattern and am already learning a lot. I’m on row 3, currently, and am finding that the carried contrast yarn is showing through on the front side. Do I need to pull it more tightly as I carry it through? I tried that and the carried yarn became less visible, but it seemed to warp the shape of the fabric.
Thanks!
Hi Tatum,
Thanks for reaching out! When carrying the CC there will be spots on the front where you can see the color coming through where you bring the CC to the front of the work. That is totally normal and will all be disguised when you begin making the bobbles! You don’t want to pull the contrasting color too hard since you don’t want to smash the stitches or warp the fabric.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Thanks so much! Sorry, I just noticed someone else had asked the same question. 🙂
Hi,
I love this pattern for my baby, but on size 3 needles, I know I wouldn’t be able to complete it in time. Would this pattern transfer easily to another yarn/needle size? Any thicker baby-friendly recommendations for yarn?
Thanks!
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for reaching out! I think it would be fairly easy to adjust the pattern to accommodate a heavier yarn! I would recommend our yarn Cotton Pure, it is a great yarn for baby blankets and it works on a US 4-6 needle (and its machine washable!) It should knit up pretty quick compared to Posy, especially is you go with the US 6 needle size. I would recommend working up a gauge swatch to determine how to adjust the pattern from there!
I hope this helps and please feel free to reach out with any more questions you may have going forward!
All the best,
Gianna
Lovely blanket! I’m just working on mine now. I’m knitting the crib sized blanket. I’m a little confused because it states that after completing the main body of the blanket there should be 227 garter ridges, and once the top border is done there should be 252 (ie 25 more ridges in total). However I only count 12 or 13 more ridges on top of the 227 ridges for the crib size. Is this correct?
Hi Meera,
Thanks for reaching out! Since the 252 stitches is in reference to the amount of stitches necessary to pick up along the side edge, you do need 252 and after completing the bobble edge (rows 1-6 4 times = 24 rows + the two addictions knit rows) you should have 252 ridges total!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I wonder if you could add an equal length of garter to the edging to it could be folded over and sewn to create a border while hiding the carries?
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for reaching out! I think you could certainly add a garter stitch boarder to fold over to cover the floats! Please let us know how this turns out!
All the best,
Gianna
I am almost finished with the crib blanket body. I have 225 garter ridges and the length is 51″. Do you think I am counting the ridges incorrectly? I know that 2 rows equals one garter ridge. Or maybe my knitting is just loose and it’s stretched out? Thank you for your help.
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for reaching out! To me it sounds like your gauge may be off and causing you to have fewer rows but more length. If you don’t mind how it looks there is no need to worry! For future reference, I always recommend working a gauge swatch prior to starting any project to insure you are consistent with the pattern! I also recommend checking out our tutorial All About Gauge, it is an excellent resource to use!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any other questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
Thank you!
In counting garter ridges, do you count just the ridges on one side, so that for example 20 rows equals 10 garter ridges, or do you count both sides, so that 20 rows equals 20 garter ridges?
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for reaching out! When counting garter ridges you will count them on one side; so 10 garter ridges would equal 20 rows!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
This pattern has been so much fun to make. I’m already getting so much faster at making the bobbles! I am almost done with the bottom border and it does take me a while to complete the bobble rows. I was wondering what your thoughts would be on not doing the side borders in an effort to complete the project a bit quicker in time for a baby. Would it just be smaller or do you think it would look unfinished?
Thanks!
Hi Valerie,
Thanks for reaching out! I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying this pattern! I think you could omit the side boarders and the overall blanket would still look great, I don’t think it would look unfinished having the bobble boarder only at the top and bottom!
Please let us know how this turns out!
Warmly,
Gianna
I would like to knit this baby blanket. I only want two bobble borders on the top and bottom. I tried practicing different multiples of the 4 +5 stitches so I could be sure when I start the actual blanket and attempt to extent the pattern, I get it right. I have yet to get the multiples correct to make a smaller practice swath. How many stitches would you suggest I cast on to extend the pattern in the absence of a right and left boarder? I’d like to have the same dimensions of the completed crib throw.
BTW- my current thinking is if 149 are casted on and the 24 are added to each side for the two boarders, the casting on 197 would work? 192 (for multiple of 4) +5 stitches?
Hi Sidney,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, so the stitch multiple works over 4 + 5 stitches, and the blanket as is has a 3″ bobble boarder. Without the bobble boarder you would want to cast on an addition 6″ worth of stitches. So if your gauge is consistent with the pattern You could actually cast on 189 stitches for approximately a 30″ wide blanket like the crib size!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
Thank you!
I’d love to knit this blanket, but there isn’t much posy yarn left to choose from. Is there another yarn you’d suggest for this blanket?
Hi Megan!
Thanks for reaching out! I’d recommend taking a look at our Line Weight or Koigu’s KPM as alternatives to the Posy. Both are similar weights, though I would recommend knitting up a gauge swatch before you begin to ensure you’re working at the same gauge called for in the pattern.
I hope this helps, and please let me know if you have any other questions!
Take care,
Kelsey
I finished this blanket and loved knitting it. However the side borders ended up being bowed, instead of straight. I’m not sure whether my gauge is incorrect or I picked up too many or too few stitches. I’m about to pick up stitches for the color block blanket. What do you think I did wrong? Thanks
Hi Mary,
Thanks for reaching out! You can send our team some photos of your blanket to our email suctomerservice@purlsoho.com and we can troubleshoot further from there!
Warmly,
Gianna
I’m confused about the amount of yarn needed now that the size of Posy has changed. I see it says 10 skeins of the MC are necessary, but it seems the old amount of yardage is indicated, not the 159 the new Posy has. If 1590 yards a required, that would be 10 of Posy in the new size, right? 10 of over 300 yards is a lot more than 1590. If 10 are needed, that’s the exact yardage, so do you recommend buying an extra hank? Thank you!
Hi Catherine,
Thanks for writing in! Sorry for any confusion, that was a typo since we just update the pattern from the previous Posy size! Each skein is 159 yards and for the crib size you will be 1,590 yards so 10 skeins is the perfect amount! If you would like to purchase an extra skein to be safe you certainly can, and if you don’t end up using it, as long as it is in original condition you can return it to us for store credit within 6 months.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Hello! Looking forward to knitting this. I noticed that the label on Posy suggests alternating skeins to avoid color pooling. Is that recommended for this project as well?
Thanks!
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for asking! Yes, it is possible that when you knit the Bobble Border Blanket, the darks and lights of Posy’s dye could arrange themselves into a moire-type pattern. If you want to avoid this, alternating skeins is a good solution, but if you don’t mind possible color pooling, then you can skip this precaution. By the way, this is fairly standard for hand-dyed yarns, so if you have knit with them before, you have maybe already seen color pooling or have had to make this decision! Whatever you decide, I hope you love your Bobble Border Blanket… It’s such a cutie!
Best,
Whitney
I’d love to get a little bit of help for shortening the length of the blanket. I’ve been at it for awhile and am happy with the length but still have another 7″ to go (my gauge is correct). Even in the pics, the proportion is quite tall and I’d rather not go as far. I’m a little confused on how to interpret that the bobble border is 4 + 5 and how many less garter rows I’d want if I want the blanket to be say 6″ less. If I use the gauge as a guide would I be correct in guessing I might want 187 garter ridges instead of 227?
Hi Erin,
Thanks for reaching out. You’re absolutely correct–187 garter ridges will work for the stitch multiple of the bobble pattern! After you work just 187 ridges in the BODY section, you’ll reach 212 ridges after working the TOP BOBBLE BORDER. Then, you’ll treat the final stitch after binding off as your first stitch, pick up one stitch in each garter ridge along the side of the blanket, and that will total to 213 stitches. 213 is a multiple of 4 + 5, so it will work out perfectly!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you! So helpful.
Hi! I’m thinking of making this for a friend’s baby due in March! 2 questions- have I left myself enough time? And could you make this with a different stitch in the middle that isn’t garter stitch? I love how squishy some of the patterns with slipped stitch designs feel- it makes them so thick and cozy for babies!
Hi Lili,
Thanks for reaching out! It’s always difficult to gauge how long a project might take since everyone knits at different speeds and has varying amounts of time that they can devote to knitting each day! Additionally, your comfort with and knowledge of the techniques used can add effect the amount of time that a project takes. If you want to get a rough estimate though, I’d recommend timing yourself knitting a gauge swatch in pattern. Once you have the time and dimensions of the swatch, you can figure out about how long it would take you to knit a blanket’s-worth of that stitch pattern using ratios!
But you can absolutely use a different stitch pattern for the main body of the blanket. A slipped stitch design would certainly be very cozy and plush! The one thing to keep in mind is making sure that you pick up the stitches for the bobble border evenly along the selvedges. The stitch you end up using may have a slightly different row gauge!
All the best,
Lili
P.S. It’s nice to meet another “Lili with an i”!