Two of my good college friends used to tell everyone that they each wanted to have 10 kids. During a weekend retreat at Princeton, I promised that I would knit them baby blankets and send them jars of Nutella for each baby they had.
This blanket is the fulfillment of the promise for my friend Quirk (nickname), who is having her second baby boy this fall. I made Quirk’s first blanket exactly two years ago and it was the very first post I wrote for this blog! That first blog post still receives some of the most traffic both here and on Ravelry. (This is the 4th blanket I made to fulfill my promise…you can find the 3rd here. Fortunately for me, I don’t think either of my friends will actually have 10 kids each.)
Quirk has the most difficult pregnancies of anyone I know. They are “so-sick-I-lose-weight-and-can’t-get-out-of-bed” bad. So by the time Quirk gets to the end of her pregnancy, she has definitely earned a jar of Nutella.
I sent Quirk a jumbo jar of Nutella with this blanket. You see, Quirk is getting ready to move to Papua New Guinea with her family. And Nutella will be hard to come by there. Quirk has been busy over the last few months preparing to move to a new country, raising support money for the work she and her husband will do there, and taking care of an almost-two-year-old little boy. All while feeling really sick. So the jumbo jar of Nutella is her reward.
About the pattern: This blanket is an adaptation of the Reveresable Basketweave Blanket. I used Cotton Ease to knit it because I wanted to make something durable and easy to wash. This blanket is going to travel all over with Quirk and her family, so it needed to be made of something that would last.
The pattern is quite easy to knit and a nice change from the complicated Twin Leaf Pattern. You can find my notes for the Basketweave Blanket on Ravelry (note: the pattern is free).
Stay tuned for another custom pattern I designed that will be available soon. I’m in the process of knitting it right now. If you’re signed up for my newsletter, you’ll be the first to find out when the pattern is available and will have the chance to buy it at an absurdly low price! Sign up now and you’ll receive the free Twin Leaf Baby Blanket Pattern (if you haven’t already!)
Also stay tuned for some exciting changes on the blog. I mentioned earlier that I’m quickly approaching the 2 year anniversary of PaintingLilies and as a birthday present, the site is getting a re-designed look! When I launch the new look, we’ll have some give-aways and contests to celebrate the 2 year birthday.
—Note—
There has been some confusion about how to access the pattern. If you’re a member of Ravelry, you can access my project and notes (Basketweave Blanket on Ravelry) or the original pattern (Reveresable Basketweave Blanket) .
I didn’t make a formal PDF write-up for this pattern since I didn’t create it, but the basic instructions are below.
Using size 7 circular needles and CottonEase yarn, CO 180
Seed stitch for 6 rows
(The blanket has a border of seed stitch)
Rows 1-6: 6 seed stitch (knit 6, purl 6)* to last six stitches, 6 seed stitch
Rows 7-12: 6 seed stitch (purl 6, knit 6)* to last six stitches, 6 seed stitch
Repeat 22 times
Six rows of seed stitch
Bind off
I loved the color and look of the basket weave blanket. I’m wondering if a beginner could make it.
Tasted Nutella in London in May & wondered how I missed it here. Enjoyed your sentiments.
Linda,
This blanket is perfect for beginners! It’s uses a simple pattern without any advanced techniques. You only need to know how to knit and purl!
I love blankets as gifts! My friend just got engaged so I have until March to whip up a blanket for her! I have no patience for knitting such a huge piece, though, I’ll have to crochet mine!
I totally wish you were my friend…I might get preggers just for the blankie and nutella…wait NO…
Lola, I’m all about knitting the baby blankets because I don’t have patience for larger ones! Maybe I’ll need to try crocheting if I make something bigger.
Amy, Your comment made me laugh. The friend I sent the Nutella to told me that it’s such a treat since she never buys it for herself. I think of Nutella as a special treat, too…even though I love it, I rarely buy it since I have no willpower to resist eating the entire jar!
Wow that blanket is so cute and that jar of Nutella is so big I might have to get pregnant again! Except…not really. I am going to enjoy sleeping through the night for a few years before we have another one. And lucky for you I don’t think either Quirk or I will hit 10 either.
Well, I’ve been pretty good at sticking to my promise so far, but I’m glad you’re not planning to have 10 children.
I might be knitting baby blankets for the rest of my life (although, I kind of feel like I already am!)
Maybe I should have a special surprise for whomever makes it 5 first.
That blanket is so cute and that jar of Nutella looks so good I might just have to get pregnant again! Just kidding…I think we will wait a while before #3. Lucky for you I don’t think Michelle or I will get to 10 but it sure is great to have such a fun promised gift with each one!
Your blanket is absolutely gorgeous!! Would love the pattern!!!
Thanks Donna! If you click on the Ravelry link, you can find the pattern. If you’re not a part of Ravelry, email me and I’ll send you the pattern.
Love the blanket. The only problem is that i have to look up the meaning of some of the words from your American way to English.Have been asked to knit one and i am thinking of trying it. I will have to knit it in white with a blue edge.
Thanks Brenda! If you have any questions as you translate, let me know. I’d love to see a picture of your finished blanket!
Where is the pattern? I can’t find it!
I would very much love the pattern of your beautiful basketweave baby blanket.
I am not a member of Revelry.
Thank you
Signing up for Ravelry is free. You will love to take a look at that site! They have a lot of great things there:
patterns, people who love to knit, support etc.. check it out.
I found the patter above all the comments.
It is an adorable pattern. I make baby afghans all the time!
Thanks for sharing your pattern with all of us!
I love the blanket and am going to make this for my sister-in-law. I’m new to knitting and wanted to know why you used circular needles instead of straight ones.
Thanks!
Welcome to the world of knitting, Sophia!
I typically use circular needles for blankets because you can keep more stitches on circular needles, so it makes knitting larger pieces quite a bit easier. If you have really long needles, then those might work. But I find that I use my circular needles far more than straight needles (probably because I’m always making blankets!)
Loving your blog and Ravelry as well! I have a family member expecting a baby girl in a few months, so I’m heading out to buy some Cotton Ease tomorrow. (And some Nutella for myself). Thanks to StumbleUpon for bringing me here… can’t wait to get started on this awesome basketweave blankie for my new cousin! I’m so impressed that you learned to crochet just to make a baby blanket to fulfill your promise. I’m inspired and will learn to crochet this winter. I’ve been knitting since I was about 5 years old so it’s time for something new!
THANKS!!
Hi Paige,
I’m glad you discovered my blog via StumbleUpon–welcome!
Cotton Ease is one of my favorite basic yarns to knit with since it’s so easy to use and has great colors.
Enjoy your knitting project!
PS. Crochet is so easy if you know how to knit…and you’ll find it’s much faster, too!
Well what a nice story! It really means alot to stay close with our friends. I am sure Quirk will always cherish your blankets as well as her babies. I am a new knitter and this is easy enough for me. I am going to start knitting now for my grandson!!!
Thanks, June!
This pattern is perfect for new knitters since the pattern is easy and only involves knit and purl. Sometimes the simple, yet beautiful patterns are my favorites!
Happy knitting!
Do you know the size of the basket weave blanket?
It was about 30 x 30 inches
[...] Knit Baby Blanket Pattern [...]
Does CO mean cast on It is pretty I know i can do it I want to make it for my 1st great grandchild.How Does the border come, you don”t do any thing after you are done with the 22 rows. Yhank you
Yes, CO means cast on.
The border comes through doing the seed stitch for the first 6 rows and then the first 6 stitches and last stitches of every row are knit in seed, which makes the border. You’ll start to see it once you begin the rows with alternating knit and purl.
Happy knitting!
I have a very basic question. What is seed stitch?
Is that k1, p1 (repeat until the end)?
No problem. Seed stitch is worked as follows:
Row one: *Knit 1, purl 1. Repeat from * across.
Row two: *Purl 1, knit 1. Repeat from * across.
Repeat these two rows for pattern.
Basically, you knit the purl stitches and purl the knit stitches on each row.
Hope that helps!
I think this afghan would night up fast and also be a great little baby blanklet for a little boy to have for a everyday one to keep w/him as he grows up. Think it will really look good maybe in three didderent color stripes that I am going to try to knit for a new little grandson.
It does knit very fast, Judy. I’d love to see pictures of your multi-color blanket when you finish. Send me an email or post the pictures on the Painting Lilies Facebook page.
Happy knitting!
I am expecting my first baby in november and am now starting to get all my knitting projects for the weather. I LOVE this blanket & was wondering how long a baby blanket would be? I am not sure how long to cast on for…how long do you normally make yours? Thanks so much!
Ashleigh
oh silly me I just saw the CO 180…..
nvm can’t wait to get started!! 
I hope you enjoy knitting it Ashleigh! I love this pattern because it’s so easy, but beautiful. The blanket is a pretty good size…I think it ends up being about 40 inches.
This blanket is so lovely
I have a new neice/nephew (it’s a surprise!) on the way so am going to attempt to knit this for him/her. However, I am a VERY novice knitter! So I already have a question, I have found a yarn i’d love to use however it’s a ‘chunky premium’ wool which apparently requires 7mm needles (it’s called ‘Luz’ in toffee crumble).
Would the blanket still work out alright if I knitted in this wool? And will I need to buy less wool as it’s thicker….as you can see, I’m a real beginner!
Thanks
This is so lovely!!!How many balls of yarn did you use for this blanket? Also, what is the color yarn? It is beautiful!!!
I used 5 Skeins of Lion Brand Cotton-Ease. I don’t remember the exact color, but it was the only shade of grey available at the time. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much for the quick response! I just want to say that this site is so amazing and comprehensive. You do really great work. I can’t wait to share with my knitting crew this weekend!!!
Hello! I love this simple, beautiful pattern! I was thinking of making it a little bit bigger. Do you have the dimensions of the finished blanket? I’m sure I could expand it, but perhaps I don’t have to!
Thanks!
The blanket was about 40 inches by 42 inches. Hope that helps!
That does! Thanks! Looking forward to trying out this pattern.
Love your pattern and planning to make it fr my first baby! A quick question – I’ve knitted a little before but never with circular needles. I have 2 different lengths – 80cm (31.5 on) and 200cm (78.7 in). Which should I use? Also what casto on method do you use? (This might be a silly question, sorry! I only just found out there was more than one method!) thank you!
Ps sorry for the typos! Am using ipad keyboard…
You should be just fine with the smaller circular needle. The size doesn’t matter quite as much when you’re knitting something flat and not in the round. It’s mainly used in place of straight needles because you can hold more stitches on the cable than with straight needles.
And as for cast on, feel free to use any method for this blanket! They all make a nice beginning and this blanket is flexible enough to handle any cast on.