Knitting the Boondoggle
Baby Blanket Beginner Knitting Pattern
Knitting a baby blanket beginner knitting pattern
Do you remember boondoggle at camp when you were young? I sure do. We’d take these long pieces of plastic and braid them into bracelets and lanyards and necklaces.
It sort of reminds me of how I like to take yarn and twist it into something someone can use or wear. I find that so fascinating!
This blanket reminds me of the twisted boondoggle for those long ago camp days.
The boondoggle affect comes from holding 2 strands of different colored yarns and knitting them together. This is how I switched from one block of colors to the next. It makes a fun transition don’t you think?
This free boondoggle pattern shown above is 22 x 26″ for a stroller baby blanket. Scroll down for the pattern!
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Boondoggle Baby Blanket Beginner Knitting Pattern
Skill Level → Beginner
Skills to know ↓
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Yarn
Project shown with 400 yards of Hobby Lobby’s Aran Weight I Love This yarn in Soft Blue, Buttercup and Ocean
How much yarn should I buy?
Using worsted or aran weight yarn and assuming a gauge of 4.5 stitches to the inch:
- Stroller: 400 yards for 22 x 28
- Baby: 700 yards for 28 x 36
- Small: 1000 yards for 34 x 40
- Medium: 1300 yards for 36 x 46
- Large: 1600 yards 42 x 50
More Yarn Suggestions
Still have questions? Read this from Knitpicks about choosing the right yarn
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Needles
Sunstruck Options Interchangeable Circular Set: Green Cables
Size 8 with a 24″ or 32″ cord with a gauge of 18 stitches per 4 inches
Knitpicks says it best: The Sunstruck Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set is the ultimate in knitting versatility! Mix and match knitting needle tips with cables to easily create the circular needle that you need for your next project.
Featuring smooth joins, perfectly tapered tips and flexible cables, this set includes 9 of our bestselling needle tips and 2 sizes of green cables – all of which are stored in a handy vinyl case. The smooth, burnished surface of Sunstruck needles is perfectly balanced with just the right amount of grip.
Knitpicks: What Needles are right for you?
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The Boondoggle Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern
Choose 3 colors which we will call Colors A, B and C.
In this project Color A is green, Color B is gray and Color C is yellow.
Border:
With Size 8 circular needles and Color A:
For stroller (baby, small, medium, large)
Cast on 100 (130, 150, 170, 190) stitches.
Knit 10 rows
Place stitch markers after the first 5 stitches and before the last 5 stitches in the row.
Section 1
Drop Color A and pick up Color B
With Color B:
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: K5, Purl to the last 5 stitches, K5
Continue until you have 20 (26, 32, 38, 44, 50) 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: K5, Purl to the last 5 stitches, K5
Continue until you have 20 (26, 32, 38, 44, 50) 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
With Color A:
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: K5, Purl to the last 5 stitches, K5
Continue until you have 20 (26, 32, 38, 44, 50) rows.
Pick up Color B. Do NOT drop Color A.
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: K5, Purl to the last 5 stitches, K5
Continue until you have 20 (26, 32, 38, 44, 50) 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: K5, Purl to the last 5 stitches, K5
Continue until you have 20 (26, 32, 38, 44, 50) rows.
Outside Border
Pick up Color A and drop Color B
Knit 10 rows
Bind off and weave in ends
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