Free Rainbow Waves Baby Blanket knitting pattern featuring broad cable waves in Lemon, Mint, White, Soft Lilac, Pink and Pale Blue.

Free Rainbow Waves Cable Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern

Turn soft pastel yarn into flowing waves of colour and texture with this free Rainbow Waves Baby Blanket knitting pattern.

The design uses a wide ribbed cable to create graceful waves across the blanket. Choose the colourful Intarsia version for six softly contrasting panels, or knit the complete blanket in one colour for a timeless textured finish.

Both versions are worked flat in one piece. The Seed Stitch border is knitted at the same time as the main blanket, so there is no separate edging to sew on and no stitches to pick up afterwards.

Rainbow Waves baby blanket knitting pattern showing the one-colour and pastel Intarsia designs included

Is the Rainbow Waves Pattern Right for Me?

Rainbow Waves is an Intermediate knitting pattern for knitters who are comfortable with Knit and Purl Stitches and have some previous cable experience.

This is a rewarding project if you would like to:

  • Develop your cable-knitting confidence.
  • Practise a substantial 16-stitch cable.
  • Choose between one-colour and Intarsia versions.
  • Work a structured 28-row repeat.
  • Knit a one-piece blanket with an integrated border.
  • Create a colourful baby-shower gift or treasured nursery keepsake.

The Cable Front Rib 16 movement can feel firm because eight stitches are held on the cable needle. Work calmly without pulling the yarn too tightly and allow the stitches to sit naturally on the cable needle.

Download the Free Printable Pattern

The complete Rainbow Waves pattern is available to follow online below. If you would prefer a printer-friendly copy containing both designs and the step-by-step multi-colour cast-on photographs, download the free PDF.

Download the Free Rainbow Waves PDF Pattern

Complete checkout to receive the PDF by email. When your order total is £0.00, no payment details are required—only your name and the email address where you would like the pattern sent.

Finished Blanket Size

Approximately 30 × 30 inches (76 × 76cm).

Gauge

22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 × 4 inches (10 × 10cm) in Stockinette Stitch.

Change your needle size if necessary to achieve the correct gauge. Cable knitting can draw the fabric inward, so checking your gauge will help the finished blanket reach the intended size.

Materials for the One-Colour Blanket

  • DK weight yarn.
  • Approximately 520g used.
  • The original blanket used four 140g balls of Bernat Softee Baby DK in White #02000.
  • 4mm knitting needles (US 6 / UK 8), at least 35cm long.
  • 4mm cable needle.
  • Tapestry or yarn needle.
  • Scissors.
  • Stitch markers are optional.

Materials for the Intarsia Blanket

  • One 140g ball of White #02000—approximately 93g used.
  • One 140g ball of Mint #02004—approximately 93g used.
  • One 140g ball of Pink #02001—approximately 93g used.
  • One 140g ball of Lemon #02003—approximately 93g used.
  • One 140g ball of Soft Lilac #30185—approximately 93g used.
  • One 140g ball of Pale Blue #02002—approximately 93g used.
  • 4mm knitting needles (US 6 / UK 8), at least 35cm long.
  • 4mm cable needle.
  • Tapestry or yarn needle.
  • Scissors.
  • Stitch markers are optional.

The original samples used Bernat Softee Baby DK. Another smooth DK yarn may be substituted when the correct gauge is achieved.

View the Recommended DK YarnView the Recommended 4mm Needles

Affiliate disclosure: These links open an external retailer that supplies Peach Unicorn Designs and delivers worldwide. We may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Abbreviations

  • k – Knit.
  • p – Purl.
  • cfr16 – Cable Front Rib 16.
  • RS – Right side.
  • sts – Stitches.
  • () – Repeat the instructions inside the brackets the stated number of times.
  • * to # – Repeat the instructions between the markers as directed.

Helpful Stitch Tutorials

Watch the Knit Stitch TutorialWatch the Purl Stitch Tutorial

How to Work cfr16

Slip the next eight stitches onto a cable needle and hold them at the front of your work.

Work p2, k2, p2, k2 from the main needle, then work p2, k2, p2, k2 from the cable needle.

The sixteen ribbed stitches cross while maintaining the Knit and Purl sequence, creating the broad raised wave.

Helpful Pattern Notes

  • The blanket is worked flat.
  • Cast on 298 stitches.
  • The first and last five stitches form the Seed Stitch side borders.
  • The border and main blanket are knitted together in one piece.
  • Rows 6–33 form the 28-row main pattern repeat.
  • Work the 28-row repeat seven times in total.
  • After the seventh repeat, work Rows 6–12 once more.
  • Finish with Rows 1–5 to complete the top border.
  • The one-colour and Intarsia versions use the same cable placement.
  • The Intarsia version uses six attached yarn sections.
  • Twist the yarns together at every colour change to help prevent holes.
  • The width can be adjusted by adding or removing complete 48-stitch sections while retaining the ten border stitches.
  • The length can be adjusted by working more or fewer complete 28-row repeats.

Preparing the Intarsia Version

Arrange the six yarn balls in colour order before casting on:

  • CA – Lemon.
  • CB – Mint.
  • CC – White.
  • CD – Soft Lilac.
  • CE – Pink.
  • CF – Pale Blue.

The first and last colour sections contain 53 stitches because they include the five-stitch side borders. Each of the four central sections contains 48 stitches.

Multi-Colour Cast-On

  1. Cast on the required stitches with the first colour, then allow both the yarn strand and tail to hang down.
  2. Tie on the next colour and allow its yarn strand and tail to hang down.
  3. Take the yarn tail of the first colour and wrap it around both strands of the second colour.
  4. Hold the wrapped strands in place while continuing to cast on with the second colour.
  5. Repeat Steps 2–4 at every colour change.

Free Rainbow Waves Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern

One-Colour Version

Cast on 298 sts.

Rows 1, 3 and 5 – *p1, k1# repeat from * to # to the end of the row. (RS)

Rows 2 and 4 – *k1, p1# repeat from * to # to the end of the row.

Row 6 – k1, (p1, k1) 2 times, *p2, k2# repeat from * to # to the last 5 sts, p1,

(k1, p1) 2 times.

Row 7 – p1, (k1, p1) 2 times, *p2, k2# - repeat from * to # to the last 5 sts, k1, (p1, k1) 2 times.

Row 8 – Repeat Row 6.

Row 9 – p1, (k1, p1) 2 times, *(p2, k2) 4 times, cfr16# - repeat from * to # to the last 5 sts, k1, (p1, k1) 2 times.

Rows 10–21 – Repeat Rows 6 and 7 in order six times.

Row 22 – Repeat Row 6.

Row 23 – p1, (k1, p1) 2 times, *cfr16, (p2, k2) 4 times - repeat from * to # the last 5 sts, k1, (p1, k1) 2 times.

Rows 24–33 – Repeat Rows 6 and 7 in order five times.

Rows 6–33 form the 28-row pattern repeat.

Repeat Rows 6–33 another six times, giving seven complete repeats in total. Then work Rows 6–12 once more.

Top Border

Repeat Rows 1–5 once more.

Cast off in Seed Stitch and sew in the yarn ends.

Intarsia Version

Cast on with CA 53 sts, with CB 48 sts, with CC 48 sts, with CD 48 sts, with CE 48 sts and with CF 53 sts. (298 sts)

Row 1 – with CF, (p1, k1) 26 times, p1; with CE, (k1, p1) 24 times;
          with CD, (k1, p1) 24 times; with CC, (k1, p1) 24 times;
          with CB, (k1, p1) 24 times; with CA, (k1, p1) 26 times, k1. (RS)

Row 2 – with CA, (k1, p1) 26 times, k1; with CB, (p1, k1) 24 times;
          with CC, (p1, k1) 24 times; with CD, (p1, k1) 24 times;
          with CE, (p1, k1) 24 times; with CF, (p1, k1) 26 times, p1.

Row 3 – Repeat Row 1.

Row 4 – Repeat Row 2.

Row 5 – Repeat Row 1.

Row 6 – with CA, k1, (p1, k1) 2 times, (p2, k2) 12 times;
          with CB, (p2, k2) 12 times; with CC, (p2, k2) 12 times;
          with CD, (p2, k2) 12 times; with CE, (p2, k2) 12 times;
          with CF, (p2, k2) 12 times, p1, (k1, p1) 2 times.

Row 7 – with CF, p1, (k1, p1) 2 times, (p2, k2) 12 times;
          with CE, (p2, k2) 12 times; with CD, (p2, k2) 12 times;
          with CC, (p2, k2) 12 times; with CB, (p2, k2) 12 times;
          with CA, (p2, k2) 12 times, k1, (p1, k1) 2 times.

Row 8 – Repeat Row 6.

Row 9 – with CF, p1, (k1, p1) 2 times, (p2, k2) 4 times, cfr16, (p2, k2) 4 times;
          with CE, cfr16, (p2, k2) 4 times, cfr16;
          with CD, (p2, k2) 4 times, cfr16, (p2, k2) 4 times;
          with CC, cfr16, (p2, k2) 4 times, cfr16;
          with CB, (p2, k2) 4 times, cfr16, (p2, k2) 4 times;
          with CA, cfr16, (p2, k2) 4 times, cfr16, k1, (p1, k1) 2 times.

Rows 10–21 – Repeat Rows 6 and 7 in order six times.

Row 22 – Repeat Row 6.

Row 23 – with CF, p1, (k1, p1) 2 times, cfr16, (p2, k2) 4 times, cfr16;
          with CE, (p2, k2) 4 times, cfr16, (p2, k2) 4 times;
          with CD, cfr16, (p2, k2) 4 times, cfr16;
          with CC, (p2, k2) 4 times, cfr16, (p2, k2) 4 times;
          with CB, cfr16, (p2, k2) 4 times, cfr16;
          with CA, (p2, k2) 4 times, cfr16, (p2, k2) 4 times, k1, (p1, k1) 2 times.

Rows 24–33 – Repeat Rows 6 and 7 in order five times.

Rows 6–33 form the 28-row pattern repeat.

Repeat Rows 6–33 another six times, giving seven complete repeats in total. Then work Rows 6–12 once more.

Top Border

Repeat Rows 1–5 once more.

Cast off in Seed Stitch and sew in all yarn ends.

Close-up of a white Rainbow Waves baby blanket showing the raised ribbed cable pattern and knitted texture

Finishing Your Rainbow Waves Blanket

Lay the blanket flat and gently arrange it into shape. If your chosen yarn permits, lightly block the blanket to even the ribbed sections while protecting the raised cable definition.

Check that every yarn end is securely sewn in, particularly at the Intarsia colour changes.

What to Make Next

If you enjoyed creating the flowing cables but would like a gentler colourwork project next, the Granite Cable Baby Blanket uses smaller cables and a shorter eight-row repeat.

Explore the Free Granite Cable Pattern

Take your time with each cable movement, enjoy the rhythm of the repeat and watch the waves grow across your blanket.

Let’s make something beautiful together.

Pattern Use

This free knitting pattern is for personal use. You may sell finished blankets made from the pattern when Peach Unicorn Designs is credited as the designer.

The written instructions, photographs and PDF pattern may not be copied, republished, translated, sold or redistributed.

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