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

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

Lilly is a slightly more adventurous pattern repeat than some of my previous blankets. For quite a while, I had a vision in my head of a blanket that used purl bumps to create a triangular pattern on the front of the work.

I knew that I didn’t want it to be using garter stitch, but separating the texture out meant that I ended up with a longer repeat than I normally like to have. For that reason, I sat on the idea for a while, as I’ve been trying to stick to blankets that are accessible to less confident, or new knitters.

However, a couple of months ago I decided to push ahead and get the idea out of my head and onto some needles. To keep the repeat a little shorter, I ended up making the triangle design slightly smaller than my original idea.

This pattern is a 22 row repeat, and it involves a little more counting than some of my other designs. For this reason, I would suggest it’s perhaps a pattern for someone who already has a few knits under their belt and is confident counting stitches and rows. It would be quite easy to get into a muddle with this one if it’s your very first blanket – perhaps give something like Emma or Milo a go first if this is the case for you.

yarn and sizing tips & tricks

The Lilly 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 12+5 for the middle textured panel, and an additional 18 stitches (9 for each side) for the garter stitch edging.

Materials Needed

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

written pattern

Stitches Used

• k – knit
• p – purl
• sly1pwyf – slip one purlwise with yarn in front
• pm – place marker
• sm – slip marker
• RS – Right Side
• WS – Wrong Side

Bottom Edge

Foundation Row: Cast on 131 stitches. (I like to use the Long-Tail method)

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

Main Pattern Repeat

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

Row 2 (WS): k9, sm, p until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 3: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 4: k9, sm, p2, k1, p2, *k7,p2,k1,p2* Repeat from *to* until 2nd Marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 5: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 6: k9, sm, p until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 7: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 8: k9, sm, p2, k2, p2, k5, p2 *k3, p2, k5, p2* Repeat from *to* until 4 stitches before 2nd Marker, k2, p2, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 9: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 10: k9, sm, p until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 11: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 12: k9, sm, p2, k3, p2, k3, p2, *k5,p2,k3,p2* Repeat from *to* until 5 stitches before 2nd Marker, k3, p2, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 13: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 14: k9, sm, p until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 15: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Row 16: k9, sm, p2, k4, p2, k1, p2 *k7, p2, k1, p2* repeat from *to* until 6 stitches before 2nd marker, k4, p2, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 17: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Row 18: k9, sm, p until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf

Rows 19-22: k9, sm, k until next marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyf.

Repeat Rows 1 – 22 10 times in total (slipping markers on Row 1 instead of placing them), and then work rows 1-19 once more before moving on to top border.

Top Edge

Knit 15 rows as follows: K until final stitch, sl1pwyf. (On your first row – remove your stitch markers)

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

I hope you love Lilly 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!