Whit's Knits: 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 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!).

The Materials

• 7 skeins of Blue Sky Cotton, 100% Cotton. These colors, from the top, are: Lemongrass, Lemonade, Bone, Tulip, Drift, Sleet, and Graphite.

• A US #11, 24 or 32 inch circular needle.

The Pattern

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 Blue Sky 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.

Begin

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, 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 nine more times***

Change to the Lemonade color and repeat from ** to ***.

Change to the Bone color and repeat from ** to ***.

Continue in this pattern for the next three colors, changing colors at the end of each 20 row section. The next color will be Tulip, followed by Drift, and then Sleet.

For the final color (Graphite), repeat Rows 1 and 2 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!

Comments

[Anom]

Do you have Missoni for Target on the brain?

[Margot]

Ce plaid est absolument délicieux !

[Sara in WI]

The yarn is so beautiful and soft. It and the pattern work to make a lovely baby blanket that I just might have to knit. Thank you!
Sara in WI

[Leigh Anne]

I still have mine from the 70's that my grandmother made. I have been looking for the pattern to make this blanket for my sons. Thanks for giving the multiples. That yarn looks scrumptious.

[Mary]

I love this blanket but I don't knit. Does it adapt to crochet?

[purlbee]

Hi Mary,

There are lots of online sites that explain how to crochet a chevron stripe. One good video I found is right here: http://www.craftmastery.com/how-to-crochet/crochet-lessons/how-to-crochet-chevron-motive .

Thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney

[Christy]

I was also wondering if I could adapt it to crochet. Would you recommend doubling the yarn for crochet as well or would that come out way too bulky? I really love the wide chevron and the ombre effect is perfection! Great job!

[Susan]

Do you have to double the yarn in this pattern? If not how many stitches would you need to cast on?

[Lara]

Ack! I started to make this blanket for a friend's new baby and simple math must be escaping me. I've tried row 2 several times and counted it out and I keep getting 100 stitches instead of 110. Is there perhaps a mistake in the above pattern? Or any idea where/why I'm not hitting the 110 stitches? I'm driving myself mad so thanks in advance!

[purl bee]

Hi Susan-

The yarn is doubled. If you'd like to make it in a different gauge the best thing to do would be to knit a swatch and figure out how many stitches you're getting per inch in the new gauge and then multiply that number by how many inches wide you want your blanket to be. You will need to cast on a multiple of 14 plus 2 stitches for the stitch pattern to work so you might have to round up or down.

Please let us know if you have any more questions. Thank you!- Molly

[susan k]

could you please clarify how to do the bind off row for this blanket?

[Becky]

I had the same issue with row 2 not equaling 110 stitches. I just went with it (86 after row 1, 100 after row 2) and the blanket looks great!

[purl bee]

Hi Lara and Becky and anyone else who has been "driven mad",

I am soooo sorry! Yes, you should have 100 stitches at the end of the second row! It's corrected now, so thank you both for saving future makers of the Chevron Baby Blanket the same headaches you got!

Thank you, thank you!
Whitney

[purl bee]

Hi Susan K,

It may help to know that the bind off row is also an increase row. In other words, you continue to make your kfb's at the same time you bind off. I hope this helps, but if it doesn't, please let me know where you think you might be getting confused and I can be more specific!

Thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney

[susan k]

I think I understand, but it sounds like the bind off is happening in the middle of kfb- knit into front bo, knit into back, bo.
Is that correct?
Thanks so much

[purl bee]

Hi again Susan K,

Yes, that's exactly right! I agree that it's a little unorthodox, but it works!

I hope I've set you on the right path - please let us know if you need further clarification...

Thanks!
Whitney

[Missy]

How many ounces are each of these skeins of yarn? Beautiful afghan!

[purl bee]

Hi Missy-

Each of these skeins is 100 grams which is roughly 3.5 ounces.

Thanks for your question!

- Molly

[Margaret]

Have you had luck machine washing this blanket? I saw in the post you said it could be machine washed but on the tags of the blue sky cotton it says hand wash or dry clean only. I like the possibility of machine washing but would be devastated if anything bad happened to this beautiful blanket!

[purl bee]

Hi Margaret-

While we haven't washed this particular blanket I have washed baby blankets made out of this yarn with great success. My six year old niece has one I made for her before she was born and it's been washed many many times and still looks great!

Thanks for the question!- Molly

[Mandy]

Can you recommend any videos for knitting with a double strand and a video that does the kfb- knit into front bo, knit into back, bo? I've tried looking online to find help with this and cannot find anything that makes it make sense. Thanks!

[Courtney]

Thanks so much for the pattern. This is a great neutral blanket for my friends who are not finding out the baby's sex before she delivers! :)
This is my 4th baby blanket of the year and I definitely appreciate how the doubled yarn makes it move along a little quicker!

I did find the Lemongrass to be a lot brighter in person than it appears in the photos... a little too bright for my taste, but I think the other colors will tone it down a bit when I am done.

For Mandy: Here is the link I used to learn how to do the kfb... very helpful! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILcTB5hc0XM

[purlbee]

Hi Mandy,

There's really no trick to knitting with two strands. It is really much easier than it may sound! You don't have to think about whether the strands are crisscrossing or twisting; the only thing to really make sure of is that you always get your right needle under both strands when you're making a stitch.

And I checked out Courtney's recommended kfb video and thought it was very straightforward and helpful! So I agree!

Thanks for your questions and good luck!
Whitney

[andrea]

regarding the "kfb two times" - do you mean you are doing that all in one stitch? so one stitch is becoming four stitches? or are you knitting front and back on two consecutive stitches? thanks.

[purlbee]

Hi Andrea,

The "kfb two times" is into the next two stitches, so that 2 stitches become 4.

Great question! I'm sorry for the confusion and good luck!

Whitney

[THEYVANAI]

Hi
This blanket looks beautiful. My mother in law is going to kindly knit it for our baby due in mid December. I have two questions:

1. How would you suggest changing the colours slightly for a little girl??

2. Can this cotton yarn be bought in England anywhere?

Thanks so much

T x

[Erin]

I love this blanket and am hoping to start on it soon for my little nugget on the way! When it comes to casting on, do you have a particular co style that you use? I've seen so many different ways to cast on and I just never seem to know which one to do. I have a tendency to do the long tail cast on, but I'm afraid of leaving too long of a tail and losing rows for the first section. Any suggestions on what you did?

[purl bee]

Hi Theyvanai,

I think, for a baby girl, it would be lovely to use Thistle, Orchid and Shell instead of Lemongrass, Lemonade and Bone!

I'm not sure where in England you can buy Blue Sky Cotton, but we have lots and lots of overseas customers and would be happy to ship to you!

Thanks for your questions and congratulations on your impending birth!
Whitney

[purl bee]

Hi Erin,

I also have a tendency to use the long tail cast on, and still, after lots and lots of practice, I often cast on several times before I'm comfortable with the amount of yarn I'm wasting!

There is an alternative method that doesn't require guessing, called the Knitting On Method. Here's a link to a video (scroll down the page a little bit): http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/cast-on .

But somehow, I still always return to the long tail - you decide!

Thanks for your question and congrats on the nugget!
Whitney

[Merleelah]

I just completed my blanket and it looks amazing! I found the bind off row to be tricky, but finally got the hang of it. Thanks for another great pattern!

[Silke]

This blanket is so wonderful - it was really worth ordering the original yarn from you to Germany. The yarn and the colors are brilliant and soft and the pattern turns out very nicely.
I have to say that I really adore your shop and blog and I wish to see it in reality one day. If I only had more money I could order something once a week.
I'm doing your owl right now and your tutorials are great with all the pictures. You are doing a great job. Even in English it's no problem at all for me.
Thanks

Silke

[Carrie]

I love this blanket! This is my first attempt at knitting a baby blanket, and I have loved learning the stitches & seeing the beautiful progress. And this yarn is incredibly soft - I can't wait to wrap up our little one come Feb!

I also found the Lemongrass to be a bit bright for my taste - could you please recommend some other colors with which to finish the blanket, keeping it gender-neutral? My idea of gender neutral is very broad, just so that it doesn't scream boy or girl. Unfortunately, we don't have a store that carries the Blue Sky yarns, and it's hard to tell online.

Thank you!

[Angela]

I went to buy some Blue Sky Cotton for a baby blanket today and the label says not to machine wash. I wonder why this is? I understand that you might not want to machine dry a garment, but why not machine wash cotton?

I ended up getting some Rowan handknit cotton, but now Im wondering if I should have just bought the Blue Sky.

[purl bee]

Hi Angela-

It is definitely machine washable. I'm not sure why the label says that it isn't, perhaps the manufacturer is just being extra cautious.

I made a blanket out of Blue Sky Cotton for my niece 6 years ago and it's been washed many times and it still looks great!

Thanks for the question!

Molly

[Kim]

I am trying to make this blanket a little bigger so I cast on 128 (14x9+2) but it doesn't seem to be working. Do you have any suggestions?

[Kim]

Oops! I just figured out my mistake. I wasn't decreasing correctly on one of the rows. It was messing everything up! I think I got it now. :)

[purlbee]

Hi Kim,

I double checked the math and the pattern and 128 stitches should definitely work! One place of confusion may be with the kfb's. You should be making them into the next 2 stitches. Perhaps you interpreted the pattern as making kfb's twice into the same stitch?

Please let me know if it's still not working, and we'll figure it out!

Thanks for you question!

Whitney

[debbie]

I would like to make this pattern into an adult size afghan 48x72 as a wedding gift. How many stitches would you recommend casting on? I was thinking about 184 cast on stitches and would appreciate your opinion.

[purlbee]

Hi Debbie,

One hundred and eighty four is exactly the number I calculate also! Sounds like you're good to go!

What a thoughtful wedding present - congratulations to the lucky couple!

Whitney

[Elizabeth]

Hi there!

Could you recommend a good instructional video for double knitting the yarn? I have never attempted this technique, nor do I know anyone who could show me the correct way!

Thank you for any help you may be able to offer me!

[purl bee]

Hi Elizabeth-

There is no trick to knitting with doubled yarn. You just treat the two strands as one. You might want to practice with some scrap yarn before you get started with this project just to get comfortable.

Also, knitting with two strands of yarn at the same time is not the same thing as "double knitting" which is a technique for knitting a double sided fabric. I just don't want to get confused if you google the term.

Thanks!- Molly

[Kelly]

This is the best baby blanket EVER! Thank you for always having inspiring ideas for mw to create at home. I love the Blue Sky worsted and can't wait to make more of these.

Happy New Year!

[Janice]

If it crochet this blanket (like the traditional crochet chevron pattern), do you think I'd be ok using the same amount of yarn as the knit pattern? I actually want to make this into a full sized blanket as opposed to the baby blanket and am wondering if I can still get away with using 1 skein of each since I wouldn't use 2 strands of yarn. Any thoughts??

[Barbara]

What does ssk stand for?

[purl bee]

Hi Barbara-

Here is an explanation of SSK : http://www.purlbee.com/decrease-tutorial/

It's also linked in this story in row 1 of the pattern.

Thank you for your question.

Molly

[purl bee]

Hi Janice,

A general rule of thumb is that crochet uses about 1/3 more yarn than knitting. We should also take into account that a single strand will not create nearly as big an area as a doubled strand.

All that bring said, I'm guessing that 7 skeins really wouldn't be enough for a full size blanket. I'd think you need at least twice that amount. Crocheting really eats up yarn!

Thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney

[Dana]

I can't afford to buy and order yarn, I'm usually a craft store yarn user (don't hate me. :) ) but I was wondering if you could let me know what weight the cotton you use it... so I could get some of an equal weight...

[purl bee]

Hi Dana,

This yarn is worsted weight... and we certainly don't hate you : )

Thanks for your question.

- Molly

[Janice]

Well in that case I think I'll knit it!! Just thought it might be fast to crochet. LOVE these colors!! And I LOVE your blog. Found it on Pinterest...my other obsession.

[Katherine]

Is there any way you could show us a video of the bind off? I'm finished with knitting the blanket but it's of no use if I can't get it off! ;) I keep getting confused at the knit to front, leave the stitch on the left needle, and then bind of one, knit to back, and bind off one...

Please help?