Valley Yarns Peppermint Kiss Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Peppermint Kiss Knitted Baby Blanket and Throw

What is Being Made

The Peppermint Kiss is a versatile knitted blanket designed by Julie Turjoman that transitions beautifully from nursery to home décor. This project offers two finished size options: a 38" x 38" baby stroller blanket perfect for newborns and young infants, or a larger 48" x 72" adult throw blanket suitable for couches and beds. The design prioritizes practicality and longevity, constructed from easy-care, durable materials that maintain their appearance through frequent washing and use. This blanket makes an excellent baby shower gift in the smaller size or a thoughtful housewarming present in the larger throw dimensions.

Techniques and Construction Methods

The Peppermint Kiss blanket is worked flat on circular needles, making it accessible for knitters who prefer traditional back-and-forth construction over circular knitting. The pattern incorporates cable techniques as a primary design element, with cable stitches strategically placed throughout the blanket to create visual interest and textural depth. The pattern uses both right-leaning and left-leaning cable crosses, including 1/1 RC (right cross), 1/1 LC (left cross), 1/1 RPC (right purl cross), and 1/1 LPC (left purl cross) abbreviations, which are worked using a cable needle to create the characteristic twisted rope effect that defines cable knitting.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The blanket features a textured wavy seed stitch pattern that fills the main field of the blanket, providing visual interest and a subtle, sophisticated texture. The wave stitch pattern combines knit and purl stitches in a repeating sequence that creates gentle undulating lines across the fabric. Seed stitch—an alternating knit and purl pattern—forms the foundation of this textured field, creating a bumpy, reversible fabric with excellent drape and flexibility. The borders are kept simple and straightforward, allowing the central cable and wave stitch patterns to be the focal point. The pattern utilizes standard knitting abbreviations including knit (K), purl (P), cable needle (Cn) work, and through-the-back-loop (tbl) stitches for twisted stitch variations that add additional textural dimension.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Peppermint Kiss pattern calls for Valley Yarns Haydenville Bulky weight yarn, a practical choice for quick project completion and substantial fabric. The yarn composition is 60% Superwash Merino and 40% Acrylic Microfiber, combining the softness and breathability of merino wool with the durability and easy-care properties of acrylic microfiber—ideal for baby blankets that require frequent laundering. Each skein contains 100 grams and yields 109 yards. The baby blanket size requires 8 skeins of yarn, while the larger adult throw requires 19 skeins. The pattern specifies US 10 (6mm) circular needles measuring 32" to 40" in length, or whatever needle size is necessary to achieve the correct gauge. Additional materials include locking stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, a cable needle for executing cable crosses, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and finishing.

Gauge and Difficulty Level

The pattern is rated as Intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle cable work and more complex stitch patterns. The gauge is 13 stitches and 19 rows per 4 inches in the wave stitch pattern when blocked, which is typical for bulky weight yarn and contributes to the blanket's quick knitting time. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions and ensuring the blanket drapes appropriately.