Simply Stripes Baby/Lap Blanket

Simply Stripes Baby/Lap Blanket by Elizabeth Smith

Project Overview

The Simply Stripes Baby/Lap Blanket is a beginner-friendly knitting project designed by Elizabeth Smith. This blanket features a classic striped pattern and measures approximately 27 inches by 27 inches (68.5 cm x 68.5 cm), making it an ideal size for a baby blanket or lap throw. The project uses chunky-weight yarn in six coordinating colors, creating a visually striking striped design that is both modern and timeless.

What Is Being Made

This is a square blanket constructed using simple knitting techniques. The finished piece is a cozy, portable blanket suitable for babies, toddlers, or as a lap throw for adults. The striped colorwork creates visual interest while remaining accessible to knitters of all skill levels, particularly beginners.

Techniques Used

• Long Tail Cast On: The pattern recommends using the thumb method variation of the long tail cast-on technique to begin the project.
• Changing Colors: Knitters will learn to change yarn colors throughout the project to create the striped effect, a fundamental technique in colorwork knitting.
• Weaving in Ends: The pattern specifies using the duplicate stitch technique for weaving in yarn ends, which creates a neat, professional finish.

Stitches Used

Garter Stitch is the primary stitch used throughout this blanket. Garter stitch is created by knitting every row, producing a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. This stitch is ideal for beginners because it requires only one basic knitting technique repeated consistently, making it forgiving and meditative to work.

Yarn and Materials

The blanket requires approximately 600 yards of bulky-weight yarn total, distributed across six different colors at approximately 100 yards per color. The pattern is shown worked in Berroco Vintage Chunky, a bulky-weight yarn composed of 50% acrylic and 40% wool (with the remaining percentage unspecified). Each 100-gram skein yields approximately 130 yards.

The six colors used in the shown example are:

• Color A: Bilberry (color code 61104)
• Color B: Sunny (color code 6121)
• Color C: Breezeway (color code 6194)
• Color D: Tang (color code 6164)
• Color E: Clary (color code 61103)
• Color F: (color information not provided in available content)

Knitters will need needles appropriate for bulky-weight yarn. The pattern specifies a gauge of 14 stitches and 32 rows equaling 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch, which helps determine the correct needle size.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner-level, making it an excellent choice for knitters just starting their fiber arts journey. The use of a single, simple stitch combined with straightforward color changes makes this project accessible while still producing a beautiful, finished blanket.