The Chasing Butterflies Free Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern
Make a baby blanket that is knit in one piece with wide stripes. The middle section has butterflies created by knits and purls. Each section is separated by holding the yarn double, which I like to call the boondoggle stitch. Knit the front, purl the back. Watch TV, knit with friends… this is an easy mindless pattern except for the middle section with the chart where you may have to pay more attention.
This Chasing Butterflies free baby blanket pattern shown is 28″ x 36″. Scroll down for the pattern!
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Learn to Knit the Chasing Butterflies Free Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern
Skill Level → Beginner
Skills to know ↓
Need help? Check out this great book
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Yarn
Project shown with 700 yards of Hobby Lobby’s Aran Weight I Love This yarn in Lemon Ice, Ocean and Soft Pink.
More Yarn Suggestions
More Yarn Suggestions
Still have questions? Read this from Knitpicks about choosing the right yarn
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Needles
Knitpicks Nickel Options Circular Interchangeable Needles
Size 8 with a 24″ or 32″ cord with a gauge of 18 stitches per 4 inches
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The Chasing Butterflies Free Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern
Choose 3 colors which we will call Colors A, B and C.
In this project Color A is Ocean, Color B is Soft Pink and Color C is Lemon Ice.
Border:
With Size 8 circular needles and Color A:
Cast on 100
Knit 10 rows
Place stitch markers after the first 8 stitches and before the last 8 stitches in the row.
Note: PM means Place Marker
Section 1
Drop Color A and pick up Color B
With Color B:
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: K8, Purl to the last 8 stitches, K8
Continue until you have 30 rows. This is called the Stockinette Stitch.
Pick up Color C. Do NOT drop Color B
Holding 2 strands together (1 Color B and 1 Color C), Knit 2 rows.
Drop Color B. This is the boondoggle effect.
Section 2
With Color C only:
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: K8, Purl to the last 8 stitches, K8
Continue until you have 30 rows.
Pick up Color A. Do NOT drop Color C.
Holding 2 strands together (1 Color C and 1 Color A), Knit 2 rows.
Drop Color C.
Section 3 – Butterflies Section (4 butterflies)
With Color A:
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: K8, Purl to the last 8 stitches, K8
Now begin the butterfly chart:
Knit 8 for the border, PM. Knit the chart, PM. Knit the chart. PM. Knit the chart. PM. Knit the chart. Knit 8
Continue until the chart is finished.
Tips on knitting the chart:
The right side on the chart: Knit the white squares and purl the red squares.
Wrong side of the chart: (even rows): K8, Purl all the stitches, K8
For help please read this: Knitpicks Chart Reading Tutorial
Holding 2 strands together (1 Color B and 1 Color A), Knit 2 rows.
Drop Color A.
Section 4
With Color C only:
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: K8, Purl to the last 8 stitches, K8
Continue until you have 30 rows.
Pick up Color A. Do NOT drop Color C.
Holding 2 strands together (1 Color C and 1 Color A), Knit 2 rows.
Drop Color C.
Section 5
Drop Color A and pick up Color B
With Color B:
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: K8, Purl to the last 8 stitches, K8
Continue until you have 30 rows.
Outside Border
Pick up Color A and drop Color B
Knit 10 rows
Bind off and weave in ends
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