Striped Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern

This striped baby blanket knitting pattern is just what you need to make a quick and adorable gift for your loved one. This is a simple project, perfect for a beginner knitter.

Is there anything cuter than a newborn baby all swaddled up in a handmade baby blanket?

This striped baby blanket is fully customizable, you decide which colors to use and how you want to finish the edge, and I’ll take care of the rest. Because this is knit with chunky yarn, this baby blanket is quick to knit, you could finish it in a weekend! It’s the perfect baby shower gift for someone you love.

I used only two colors for the stripes on this blanket, but it could easily make a good stash buster project if you wanted to do more than one color!

The best part about this pattern? It’s free! Keep reading for step by step instructions and you’ll be on your way to knitting this blanket in no time.

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Materials for the Knitted Striped Baby Blanket:

40-inch Circular Knitting Needle; Size US 11
2 skeins chunky/bulky yarn in color 1
2 skeins chunky/bulky yarn in color 2
Crochet Hook (if you choose to add fringe)

Knitting Techniques Used for the Knitted Striped Baby Blanket:

Cast on
Knit
Purl
kfb: Knit into the front and back of the stitch
k2tog: Knit two stitches together

Check out the tutorials on Blueprint for a refresher.

Directions for the Striped Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern

CAST ON:

Starting with whichever color you prefer for color 1, cast on 4 stitches onto your circular needles.

COLOR ONE:

Row 1. Knit into the front and back of the first stitch (kfb), knit across the row.

Row 2. Repeat

Row 3. Repeat

Row 4. Repeat

Time to change to your second color yarn. You can leave the first color dangling on the edge, no need to cut and tie the yarn. You’ll be carrying this strand of yarn up the side of the blanket while you work color 2, then you’ll return to it when you’re finished.

COLOR TWO:

Row 5. With color two knit into the front and back of the first stitch, then knit across the row.

Row 6. Kfb of the stitch, knit across, and return to your strand from color one. Carry that first strand up the edge of the blanket by looping it tightly around color two, then…

Row 7. Continuing with color two, Kfb of the stitch and knit across.

Row 8. Kfb of the stitch and knit across

Return back to knitting with color one, this time leaving color two to dangle on the edge and carrying it up the side of the blanket.

Repeat these 8 rows over and over again until the long side of the blanket measures 35 inches, or however long you’d like for the blanket to be.

START DECREASE ROWS:

When you reach the halfway point and your blanket is as wide as you’d like for it to be, you’re ready to start decreasing. You’ll be taking away one stitch for every row until the blanket only has four stitches left.

To decrease simply…

Knit two stitches together (k2tog), knit to the end of the row.

Repeat this step over and over again, making sure to switch colors every four rows and carry the unused color up the side of the blanket.

This baby blanket makes the best quick handmade gift for the little one in your life! This striped baby blanket knitting pattern is totally free and super easy, even for beginners!

BIND OFF:

Next you’re going to bind off purlwise.

Step 1: Purl one

Step 2: Purl the next stitch

Step 3: Use your knitting needle to lift the first purled stitch up and over the second and slide it off the needle.

Repeat steps two and three until only one stitch remains, cut the yarn, thread it through the loop and pull.

TO FINISH:

To finish the blanket you have two options. You can leave it as is, and it does look great this way, or if you want to finish it like I did, you can add tassels/fringe to the sides.