Baby Blankets Knitting Pattern

Baby Blankets in Plymouth Yarn Encore Boucle Colorspun

What is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern from Plymouth Yarn Design Studio features two coordinated baby blanket block designs, each measuring approximately 22 x 28 inches when finished. The pattern offers gender-specific colorways: a girl's version and a boy's version, both constructed using Plymouth Yarn's Encore Boucle and Poppin yarns. These blankets are designed as decorative throws suitable for nurseries, baby gifts, or heirloom keepsakes.

Girl's Feather and Fan Blanket

Design and Stitch Pattern: The girl's blanket features an elegant Feather and Fan stitch pattern, a classic lace-like design that creates an openwork, flowing aesthetic. This traditional stitch combines yarn overs and decreases to produce a distinctive scalloped or wave-like appearance across the fabric.

Pattern Stitch Construction: The Feather and Fan pattern repeat consists of four rows worked over a 56-stitch foundation. Row 1 is worked entirely in knit stitches. Row 2 maintains edge stitches in knit while purling the interior. Row 3, the pattern row, features the signature motif: three knit-two-together decreases followed by six yarn overs alternated with knit stitches, then three additional knit-two-together decreases, repeated across the row. Row 4 returns to knit stitches. This four-row sequence creates one complete pattern repeat.

Construction Method: The blanket is built using a color-blocking technique. Poppin yarn forms the foundation with a two-row garter stitch border (knit every row). Encore Boucle is then introduced for three complete pattern repeats (12 rows total), followed by a two-row Poppin border. This sequence repeats six times throughout the blanket, creating horizontal stripes of textured Boucle alternating with smooth Poppin sections. The Encore Boucle yarn is carried up the side of the work between color blocks rather than being cut, reducing ends to weave.

Finishing Detail: For enhanced texture and visual interest, tufts can be pushed from the wrong side to the right side of the work using fingers or a crochet hook, creating a three-dimensional embellished surface.

Boy's Block Blanket

Design and Stitch Pattern: The boy's blanket showcases a bold Block stitch pattern that creates a checkerboard or gingham-like texture through contrasting knit and purl stitches. This geometric design offers a more structured, modern aesthetic compared to the flowing Feather and Fan.

Pattern Stitch Construction: The Block pattern operates on a 12-row repeat. Rows 1 through 6 alternate between knitting 6 stitches and purling 6 stitches across the row, creating the first phase of the checkerboard. Rows 7 through 12 reverse this sequence, purling 6 stitches followed by knitting 6 stitches, which shifts the pattern and completes the interlocking block effect. Each row begins and ends with a knit stitch to maintain clean edges.

Construction Method: Like the girl's version, the boy's blanket uses a color-blocking construction. Poppin yarn is cast on loosely for 56 stitches and worked in garter stitch for two rows. Encore Boucle is then introduced for one complete 12-row Block pattern repeat, followed by a two-row Poppin border. This sequence repeats throughout the blanket, with Encore Boucle carried up the side between color sections to minimize yarn waste.

Techniques and Stitches Used

• Knit Stitch (k): The fundamental stitch forming the base of both patterns
• Purl Stitch: Used in the Feather and Fan pattern for edge definition and in the Boy's Block pattern for textural contrast
• Yarn Over (yo): Creates the openwork eyelets characteristic of the Feather and Fan lace pattern
• Knit Two Together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used in the Feather and Fan pattern to balance yarn overs and shape the scalloped motif
• Garter Stitch: Knitting every row to create the smooth border sections in Poppin yarn
• Loose Casting On: Ensures flexibility at the blanket's edges
• Loose Binding Off: Maintains elasticity and prevents tight, restrictive edges