Diamonds in a row. Bulky Baby Blanket.

Diamonds in a Row Bulky Baby Blanket by NEVA

Project Overview

This knitted baby blanket features a beautiful diamond stitch pattern that creates visual interest while maintaining a soft, comfy, and warm construction. Designed by NEVA, the Diamonds in a Row blanket is an intermediate-level knitting project perfect for crafters looking to expand their stitch repertoire with textured pattern work.

Blanket Specifications

The pattern offers two size options to suit different needs:

• Large blanket: Approximately 31 ½" x 35 ½" (80 cm x 90 cm), including seed stitch borders on all sides
• Small blanket: Approximately 25 ½" x 30" (63.5 x 76 cm)
• Border details: Seed stitch borders measure approximately 1 ¾" (4.5 cm) wide on the sides and 1 ¾" (4.5 cm) in length on the bottom and top bands

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This project utilizes seed stitch for the decorative borders, which creates a textured, bumpy appearance that frames the main design. The central pattern features a diamond stitch motif that forms repeating geometric shapes across the blanket surface. The stitch pattern operates on a multiple of 8 stitches plus 1, allowing for customizable sizing through pattern repeats.

Pattern repeat information: One complete repeat consists of 8 rows. Each 8-row repeat adds approximately 1 ½" (about 4 cm) to the blanket length, while each 8-stitch repeat in width adds approximately 2 ¼" (about 5.8 cm) to the width. This modular approach enables knitters to adjust the final dimensions to their preferences.

Materials Required

Yarn: Red Heart Yarn Soft Essentials Bulky #5 in the color Biscuit. Each skein contains 141 g / 5 oz and measures 120 m / 131 yds.

• Large blanket: 5 skeins (approximately 655 yds / 600 m total)
• Small blanket: 4 skeins (approximately 524 yds / 480 m total)

Needles: Circular knitting needles in US size 9 (5.5 mm) or needles sized to obtain proper gauge.

Gauge and Finishing Details

Gauge: 14 stitches x 21-22 rows equals 4" / 10 cm when measured in the pattern stitch. Taking time to knit and measure a gauge swatch before beginning the project is essential for achieving the intended finished dimensions.

The chunky yarn weight combined with the intermediate difficulty level makes this an accessible project for knitters with basic skills who are ready to tackle patterned work. The bulky yarn creates quick progress, allowing the blanket to be completed in a reasonable timeframe while maintaining the softness and warmth necessary for a baby blanket.