Free Gingham Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern – One-Piece Intarsia

 

 

There is something timeless about a gingham baby blanket. The soft checks look smart enough for a modern nursery while still carrying the warmth and familiarity of a traditional handmade gift.

This free Gingham Baby Blanket knitting pattern is worked flat in one piece, so there are no separate squares or panels to sew together. The design uses only the Knit Stitch, allowing you to concentrate on learning how to manage the colour changes and create the classic checked pattern.

If you can knit confidently and are ready to try your first colourwork project, this Advanced Beginner pattern is a gentle introduction to Intarsia knitting.

Download the Free Printable PDF Pattern

About the Gingham Baby Blanket

The blanket is made from five coloured squares across and five squares high. Each colour section has its own small ball of yarn, and the yarns are twisted together where the colours meet. The yarn is not carried across the back of the work.

The finished blanket measures approximately 30 × 30 inches (76 × 76cm). The pattern notes also explain how to change the width or length if you would like to make a larger lap blanket, throw or bedspread.

Skills You Will Use

• Knit Stitch
• Casting on with more than one colour
• Intarsia colour changes
• Changing colour at the beginning of a new square
• Casting off and sewing in yarn ends

New to colourwork? The Intarsia video tutorial shows how to join and twist the yarns neatly, while the Knit Stitch tutorial is available if you would like a quick refresher.

Materials

• Bernat Softee Baby DK yarn
• 4mm knitting needles (UK 8 / US 6)
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (optional)

Affiliate disclosure: The yarn and knitting-needle links above are affiliate links. Peach Unicorn Designs may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you.

Yarn for the Pink Blanket Shown

• CW: 1 × 140g ball of White #02000
• CM: 2 × 140g balls of Baby Pink Marl #30301
• CP: 1 × 140g ball of Prettiest Pink #30205

Alternative Colourways

Blue: White #02000, Baby Denim Marl #30300 and Pale Blue #02002.

Grey: White #02000, Grey Marl #30045 and Flannel #30044.

Brown: White #02000, Little Mouse Marl #30011 and Little Mouse #30010.

Abbreviations and Yarn Colours

• st(s): stitch(es)
• CW: White
• CM: Marl
• CP: Main solid colour

Pattern Notes

• Tension: 22 sts × 36 rows = 4 × 4 inches (10 × 10cm) in Garter Stitch. Change needle size if needed to obtain this tension.
• Finished size: Approximately 30 × 30 inches (76 × 76cm).
• The pattern is written for five coloured squares across by five squares high.
• The blanket width can be increased or decreased in multiples of 33 sts.
• For balanced colour placement, it is best to change the width in multiples of 66 sts. For example, cast on 231 sts: CM – 33 sts, CP – 33 sts, CM – 33 sts, CP – 33 sts, CM – 33 sts, CP – 33 sts, CM – 33 sts.
• The blanket length can be increased by 54 rows.
• Odd-numbered rows are the front side of the blanket.
• This pattern uses Intarsia knitting. Do not carry the yarn across the back. Each colour section has its own yarn ball, using approximately 15g of yarn per section.

Free Gingham Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern

Prepare Your Yarn Before You Begin

For the pink blanket, divide the yarn as follows:

• Make 1 ball of White into 2 smaller balls of White.
• Make 1 ball of Prettiest Pink into 3 smaller balls of Prettiest Pink.
• Make 2 balls of Baby Pink Marl into 3 smaller balls of Baby Pink Marl.

Do not worry about making the smaller balls exactly equal; approximate amounts are fine.

Main Pattern

Cast on using the multicoloured cast-on instructions below:

CP – 33 sts, CM – 33 sts, CP – 33 sts, CM – 33 sts, CP – 33 sts. 165 sts in total.

Work the next 54 rows in Garter Stitch, keeping the colour order above.

Row 55: Change the colour order to:

CM – 33 sts, CW – 33 sts, CM – 33 sts, CW – 33 sts, CM – 33 sts.

Work the next 54 rows in Garter Stitch, keeping the colour order above.

Row 109: Change the colour order to:

CP – 33 sts, CM – 33 sts, CP – 33 sts, CM – 33 sts, CP – 33 sts.

Work the next 54 rows in Garter Stitch, keeping the colour order above.

Row 163: Change the colour order to:

CM – 33 sts, CW – 33 sts, CM – 33 sts, CW – 33 sts, CM – 33 sts.

Work the next 54 rows in Garter Stitch, keeping the colour order above.

Row 217: Change the colour order to:

CP – 33 sts, CM – 33 sts, CP – 33 sts, CM – 33 sts, CP – 33 sts.

Work the next 54 rows in Garter Stitch, keeping the colour order above.

Cast off and sew in all yarn ends.

How to Cast On with Multiple Colours

These steps keep the colour sections in the correct order from the cast-on edge.

Step 1: Cast on as normal with the first colour and complete the number of stitches needed. Let both the yarn tail and working yarn hang down.

Step 2: Tie on the next colour and let both its yarn tail and working yarn hang down.

Step 3: Take the yarn tail of the first colour and wrap it around the two strands of the second colour.

Step 4: Hold the join in place while you continue to cast on with the second colour.

Step 5: Repeat Steps 2–4 for every colour change across the cast-on edge.

Download the Free Printable Pattern

Would you prefer to keep the pattern beside you while you knit? The free printable PDF includes the complete instructions, yarn preparation guidance and step-by-step multicoloured cast-on photographs.

Download the Free Gingham Baby Blanket Pattern

More Easy Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns

If you enjoyed this one-piece blanket, explore more free knitting patterns or browse my guide to easy baby blanket knitting patterns for your next project.

Let’s make something beautiful together.

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Copyright © Peach Unicorn Designs. This pattern is for personal use. You may sell finished items made from it, provided that Peach Unicorn Designs is credited as the pattern designer. The pattern itself may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed, translated or resold in any form.