How to Knit the “Heather” Baby Blanket [Free Video Tutorial & Written Pattern!]

***You can purchase an INEXPENSIVE AD-FREE PDF of this pattern on Ravelry HERE or Etsy HERE***

A lot of my blankets use modern geometric patterns for the textured panel, but sometimes I get the urge to knit something a little more traditional. Heather is worked using a super chunky basketweave pattern, which gives her bags of texture and a more traditional feel.

I’ve knitted in a lovely muted purple colour, but I think it would work in any number of colours, or you could even knit it in a variegated yarn as the texture is so prominent it won’t be hidden by the colour changes.

Heather is not a reversible pattern, it does have a very definite right and wrong side thanks to the stockinette and reverse stockinette patterns used to achieve the basketweave pattern on the front.

That being said, the reverse does have a charm all of its own – so definitely no ugliness if the wrong side is facing outwards.

yarn and sizing tips & tricks

The Heather baby blanket pattern is knitted all in one piece, from bottom to top. In order to accommodate all your stitches, I recommend using a set of circular needles (at least 100cm long) as straight needles just won’t be long enough to fit your stitches on comfortably.

I’ve chosen DK (aka Double Knitting, Light Worsted, 3 Weight) yarn for this project, but don’t let that stop you from knitting it in your own preferred weight of yarn.

My instructions produce a baby blanket approximately 60cm x 80cm, perfect for using as a cot, pram or travel blanket. But don’t let that stop you from knitting this blanket in any size you want! I think it would look great scaled up as a Sofa Throw, Quilt or Bedspread!

I’ve deliberately designed this knitting pattern to be super easy for you to adjust the size of your blanket to whatever size you want/need.

To make the blanket longer, you’ll need to work more repeats of the Middle Section (the top and bottom border are worked the same regardless of the size of blanket you knit).

To adjust the width of your blanket you’ll need to cast on more (or indeed less) stitches, it can easily be done using the pattern multiple of 16+4 for the middle textured panel, and an additional 18 stitches (9 for each side) for the garter stitch edging.

pin for later

Not ready to knit Heather just yet? Why not pin this image to your Pinterest so you can find it easily when you’re ready to sit down and cast on!

Materials Needed

• 4mm Circular Needs (to recreate this blanket 100cm is a perfect length)
• 400g of DK Yarn – I used King Cole Cherished in Mulberry
• Scissors & Tapestry Needle for sewing in ends
• 2 Stitch Markers

Written Pattern

Stiches Used

• k – knit
• p – purl
• sl1pwyf – slip one purlwise with yarn in front.
• Pm – place marker
• Sm – slip marker
• RS – Right Side
• WS – Wrong Side

Bottom Garter Border

Foundation Row: Cast on 134 stitches. (I like to use the Long-Tail method)

Knit 15 Rows as Follows: k until one stitch remains, sl1pwyf.

Main Pattern Repeat

Row 1 (RS): k9, pm, k until 9 stitches remain, pm, k8 sl1pwyf.

Row 2 (WS): k9, sm, p until 2nd Marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 3: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8 sl1pwyf.

Row 4: k9, sm, k8, p4, *k12, p4* repeat from *to* until 8 stitches before second marker, k8, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 5: k9, sm, p8, k4, *p12, k4* repeat from *to* until 8 stitches before second marker, p8, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 6: k9, sm, k8, p4, *k12, p4* repeat from *to* until 8 stitches before second marker, k8, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 7: k9, sm, p8, k4, *p12, k4* repeat from *to* until 8 stitches before second marker, p8, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 8: k9, sm, k8, p4, *k12, p4* repeat from *to* until 8 stitches before second marker, k8, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 9: k9, sm, p8, k4, *p12, k4* repeat from *to* until 8 stitches before second marker, p8, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 10: k9, sm, k8, p4, *k12, p4* repeat from *to* until 8 stitches before second marker, k8, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 11: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8 sl1pwyf.

Row 12: k9, sm, p until 2nd Marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 13: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8 sl1pwyf.

Row 14: k9, sm, p4, *k12, p4* repeat from *to* until second marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 15: k9, sm, k4, *p12, k4* repeat from *to* until second marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 16: k9, sm, p4, *k12, p4* repeat from *to* until second marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 17: k9, sm, k4, *p12, k4* repeat from *to* until second marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 18: k9, sm, p4, *k12, p4* repeat from *to* until second marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 19: k9, sm, k4, *p12, k4* repeat from *to* until second marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 20: k9, sm, p4, *k12, p4* repeat from *to* until second marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Repeat Rows 1 – 20 12 times in total (slipping markers on Row 1 instead of placing them), and then work Rows 1-13 once more before moving on to top border.

Top Garter Border

Knit 15 rows as follows: K until final stitch, sl1pwyf.

Final row (Row 16): Cast off knit wise with right side facing.

I hope you love Heather just as much as I do! If you’re looking for more knitted baby blanket inspiration then why not take a look at Finley, Taylor or Noah.

video tutorial

Want to browse all of my free knitted baby blanket patterns and more? See them HERE!