I like to knit, and one of the easiest things for me to work on is a baby blanket. They are a bit of a commitment (it takes me several weeks to finish one if I work every evening-which I usually don’t. Then it can take months) but it is pretty mindless-which I like. I’m a tv watching knitter, so I don’t want to have to think too hard about what my hands are doing!
Now knitting can turn into a very expensive hobby-there are plenty of beautiful yarns and nifty gizmos. But it can also be pretty frugal if you keep yourself in check. Needles are a reusuable resource, and there are some nice and inexpensive yarns out there. I’ve found some great yarn at my local dollar store, and you can frequently pick up unused yarn at thrift shops and yard sales. Many knitters have a thing against acrylic yarn, but for baby blankets it is the way to go. Long lasting and easy to wash-with a baby both of those things are important.
One note on buying yarn-always buy more than you need in the same dye lot (look for the number stamped on the label to make sure your yarn matches EXACTLY). Stores usually will take back unused yarn-and running out part way through and then ending up with another skein that almost, but not quite matches can be frustrating. Just make sure you keep your receipt!
So here goes the baby blanket pattern. It is so simple that I almost hate to call it a pattern. This is my first attempt of writing anything like this down, so please be kind! And let me know if anything is confusing.
Basketweave Baby Blanket
Materials:
Worsted Weight Yarn in your choice of color
Size 10 Knitting Needles (I prefer circular-less crowding)
Cast On 130 stitches
Rows 1-10: Knit (this is your border)
Row 11: Knit 5, Place Marker*, Knit 10, Purl 10 until you have only 5 stitches left. Place marker and Knit last 5 stitches.
Row 12: Knit 5 (this is your garter stitch border) then Knit 10, Purl 10 all the way across to the marker. Knit the last 5 stitches (again, garter stitch border).
Rows 13-20 repeat rows 11 & 12
Row 21: Knit 5, Purl 10, Knit 10, Purl 10 etc till maker. Knit last 5 stitches
Row 22: Knit 5, Purl 10, Knit 10 etc till marker. Knit last 5 stitches
Rows 33-40 repeat rows 21 & 22
Rows 41 and on: repeat the pattern from row 11-40
Continue this pattern until the blanket is as long as you like-then Knit every stitch for the last 10 rows.
To break this down for you-you are basically doing a 10 row garter stitch border, then you are always keeping a 5 stitch garter stitch border on both sides of each row. Inside the border you are doing blocks of 10 stitches in stockinette (all knits when you look at it) and 10 in reverse stockinette (all purls when you look at it). Every 10 rows you switch.
Once you get this started, it really is easy to do. You just look at the row below. If it looks like a knit on the side you are on, then knit. If it looks like a purl, then purl. If this causes you problems you could actually place a marker every 10 stitches-but I find that too cumbersome.
When you finish your 10th row, you just have to remember for a single row to do the opposite of what you see beneath (so if you see a purl, you knit etc) then you are back to the same pattern.
This is an easy pattern to adjust. To make it wider just increase the stitches you cast on in multiples of 10. Or you could do bigger rectangles-maybe 20 by 20 for a different look (or 5 by 5 for smaller). Changing the needles sizes up or down one size, or having a slightly different size yarn won’t affect it too much. I like worsted and size 10 because it goes faster. Don’t even try babyweight on size 6’s or something-you’ll either wind up with a tiny blanket or you’ll have to increase the cast on and knit forever!
If all of this seems too intimidating to start with-just pick up some crochet cotton and cast on about 30 stitches on a size 6 or so needle and follow the basic pattern to make yourself a washcloth and see how that goes.
As a bonus-Basketweave dishcloth idea: Use smaller needles (7 or 8) and cotton yarn (the kitchen cotton they sell at wally world works fine) Cast on about 30 stitches, then follow the basic idea above. Knit 5 rows or so, then knit 5, place a marker, knit 5, purl 5 till the last 5 stitches, place marker, knit 5. Continue the pattern, swapping around the knits and purls after 5 rows. When it looks dishcloth sized, knit a final 5 rows and bind off. Tada! Washcloth.
Or even simpler, just do a solid basketweave with no border and call it good.
*I buy those little plastic rings and use them as markers. This way even if I am zoning out I don’t forget to switch from the 10 stitch knit purl pattern to knitting the last 5 stitches. When I don’t use a marker, sometimes I forget.
L@SpillingBuckets says
Ooo, that’s beautiful!
I love knitting. (still haven’t finished the sweater I started last summer though… I keep putting it off, no more excuses now – I will knit at least 1/2 an hour tonight.)
dreamy1 says
Such a beautiful blankie! I’m a knitter too….you should join Ravelry, an online knitting community. It’s where I found my local Stitch & Bit*h. Great people…..
Are you still interested in meeting for coffee when I’m on my way through there in a couple weeks?
E
Amy says
That is SO pretty, Jenn! I am bookmarking this for my notebook so I can tackle this project. It looks so great and I can’t wait to try it!! I just got yarn for a giant project, but I will definitely be trying this for the next baby blanket I make!!
Thanks a bunch!!
TJ says
Thanks for sharing! I have so much trouble following patterns, but the way you explain it in English really makes it manageable! I’ll add this to my list of “to make for baby showers.” Also I have received so much yarn free! My aunt works at a craft store and people will bring her bags of leftovers and yardsales are great too. When a non-knitter inherits a bunch of yarn, they just want to get rid of it. I got a free skein of Montana hand dyed wool that still had a price tag of $34.95. I cannot imagine spending that much on one skein.
Also I referenced you on my blog for your great Grilled Pizza suggestion! THanks a bunch.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
1@Spillingbuckets-Hope your sweater turns out well. I love having a fairly brainless knitting project on hand. I can tote it along to dr. appts, the playground, into the backyard when watching kiddos etc.
Dreamy1-I don’t know if I really need another internet time sucker in my life LOL. I’d love to meet you for coffee-email me!
Amy-You are welcome 🙂 Thanks for the mention in your notebook, it always bosts traffic, and therefore my mood 🙂
TJ-I’m glad my explaination made sense to you. I’ve never written a pattern down before, so I was a bit nervous about posting it. And I’m so glad the pizza worked out well for you-it’s such a nice change from burger, hotdogs and chicken when camping out!
Anonymous says
Ravelry.com is an awesome quicksand of internet time sucking, and it has a “Thrifty Knitters” group.
Thank you for the instructions. I love patterns that don’t require a lot of concentration and hence allow for multitasking.
-Mac
Anonymous says
what do you do for rows 21-30?
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Anon-Whoops, the directions should just continue on with 21, not 31. . .
Emma says
Hi, I don’t see the yardage requirements for this pattern. Can anyone post what is needed? thanks.
Carol says
I’ve only made dish cloths. So what do you mean place marker? Very new at this. 🙂 Please help. Thanks
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Carol-a stitch marker is just something to let you know when to change the pattern but that does not become part of the finished piece of knitting. They sell fancy ones, or you can buy little plastic rings-but you can really use anything that you have on hand-I frequently use a little loop of a contrasting color yarn tied in a circle, or even a safety pin. This video shows you how to use them and is really short (this is not me) http://bit.ly/9TDRVl It’s just one of those things that is easier to see than to explain in words. 🙂 Good luck-I hope you enjoy the blanket.
Verna says
I have been looking for a basketweave pattern and I love this one! I’m venturing out a little to knit something other than just knit stitch scarves. I have a question about the pattern – are rows 20 & 21 the same – Knit 5, Purl 10, Knit 10, etc., Knit last 5? And are rows 30 & 31 the same – Knit 5, Knit 10, Purl 10, etc., Knit last 5? Just want to be sure before I start to knit this. Thanks a bunch.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Verna-I edited the pattern-I think it should be more clear now. Trust me, it’s easier than it sounds.
Kat says
What are the dimensions of this baby blanket? I want to make it larger than for a baby.
Dianne Douglas says
Jenn:
Love this pattern and have gotten to row 21 and now I am lost!! Can you please explain how to contine with the rest of the pattern? Guess I am confused mostly with the rows 33-40 as this is only 7 rows not 10. I am new to knitting so please be patient if I have asked a really “dumb” question! Sure hope to hear from you soon. Thanks so much.
Dianne
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
See, this is why I don’t write patterns for a living-I’m obviously not that good at it. Basically, after you’ve done the border (the garter stitch)you do ten rows of the blocks-which are knit then purl then knit then purl. . . when you hit 10 rows you just reverse it-garter stitch (ie knit every row) on the edges, then where you had a block of stockinette before (ie it looks all like v’s on the one side) you do purls, and vice versa. Does that make more sense?
Dianne Douglas says
I believe I have it now!! Row 21 will start my P10, K10 for 10 rows and then K10,P10 for 10 rows (of course I have my K5 stitches at the beginning and end of each row) and continue until I reach the length I want…….PLEASE tell me I have it correct now…LOL….I think it is more “me” not understanding than your written patterns Jenn….and your blankie is just beautiful….can’t wait to complete mine!
Karen says
Love this pattern!!!! I have made one blanket and starting another one. This blanket was a easy one and looks great!!!!!
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
I know–I feel almost guilty when folks are impressed 🙂 Glad you enjoy it. When you get bored with blankets you can buy some of the cotton yarn and make little ones as dishcloths. That’s all I use for washing dishes–homemade basket weave dishcloths.
Elizabeth says
Hi, Jenn,
I, too, am new to knitting and when I entered “knitting+basketweave” into Google, bam! Your baby blanket showed up in the results. Yippee! I have a 7 mo. old grandson and I’m itching to make your blanket. Could you give me a ballpark idea of how many ounces or yards of yarn are needed to make this jewel?
Thanks in advance,
Elizabeth
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Elizabeth–Sorry, but I really don’t know. It’s sort of a “knit till you think it’s big enough” type deal. I would guess at least two skeins. Most stores that sell yarn will let you buy more than you need (in order to ensure the dye lot) and then return (with receipt of course) whatever you don’t use. So maybe pick up 3 skeins and then you can return the 3rd if you don’t wind up using it?
Elizabeth says
Okay. I like that. Sort of like my cooking. 🙂 Will do, and you’re right. I might have that left over third skein in my hand and think, ‘ohhh, I like this color so much, I should use it on something else.’
Thanks again!
Sheila says
Love this pattern. Thank you for sharing it. I did get confused at first then realized u do ten rows one way and then opposite for ten rows. Love the way it is turning out.
Donna Pyburn says
Ok so I just stumbled across this pattern and I have a hard time with instructions, but it seemed simple enough to do. I did all the way to row 20 and then I did 21 and 22, but it doesn’t say what to do between row 23 and 33 so I did rows 21 and 22 and when I got to 33 I saw that I was supposed to do 21 and 22 again…was I supposed to continue rows 11 and 12? I’m confused!! This is the basketweave baby blanket I’m talking about.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Donna, You just keep repeating the pattern of doing 10 rows one way, then flip flopping it and doing 10 rows the other way… you should visually be able to see the squares forming. . .
Alison says
Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for adding the border to it! I’m starting a blanket for the Linus Project and I wanted a basket weave with a basic border and here it is! I’m still pretty new to knitting, and I’m trying my hand at double yarn, where you have two different yarns on the needles at the same time.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Good luck with it! I’m not an expert pattern writer by any means, but it should be pretty easy to follow.
Heather Mackay says
Ok, maybe this is a crazy question, but don’t you reverse the stitches for each row when you get to the part where you are knitting the blocks because you are turning the blanket around. For instance, row 11, knit 5, then knit 10, purl 10 etc., row 12 knit 5, then purl 10, knit 10, etc…, when you get to row 21, knit 5, then purl 10, knit 10 etc…, row 22 knit 5 knit 10, purl 10. Maybe I am confusing this because I am trying to knit it on circular needles.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Heather-but remember, you aren’t starting back at the beginning of the row, you are turning your work, so whatever the last block you knit (minus the border of course) you are doing the opposite stitch (if you knit the last block then you are purling now) in order to keep it as “garter stitch”. . . honestly when I use this I just do whatever is reverse till the block is deep enough and then I switch. . . but some peoples brains don’t work that way so I tried to write out the pattern for exactly how you do it stitch wise. . . does that make sense.