Palmetto Baby Blanket in Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic - Downloadable PDF

Palmetto Baby Blanket in Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic – Knitting Pattern Summary

About This Pattern

The Palmetto Baby Blanket is an original design by Susan Baron, available as a downloadable PDF from Tahki Stacy Charles. Rated Easy and suitable for beginner knitters, this project produces a generously sized baby blanket measuring 38 x 28 inches (96.5 x 71 cm) — large enough to serve as a stroller blanket, crib blanket, or a thoughtful handmade gift for a new arrival. The pattern is knitted in a single size and worked flat on a circular needle.

Materials and Yarn

The blanket is worked in Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic, a 100% mercerized cotton yarn in the DK weight category. Each hank contains 1.75 oz (50g) and approximately 108 yards (100m). Two colors are used:

• Color A: #3722 Light Spring Green — 4 hanks required
• Color B: #5100 Spring Flowers — 6 hanks required

Mercerized cotton is a popular choice for baby knitting because the mercerization process gives the fiber a smooth, lustrous finish while improving its strength and ability to absorb dye evenly. It is also naturally breathable and easy to care for, making it practical for baby items that require frequent washing.

Additional materials include a size 6 (4mm) circular needle, 32 inches (80 cm) long, stitch markers, and a yarn needle for finishing. A circular needle is used here to accommodate the wide stitch count of the blanket, though the piece is worked flat rather than in the round.

Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is important for matching the finished dimensions. The pattern specifies 21 stitches and 40 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in the Slipped Stitch pattern. Knitters are advised to take time to check gauge before beginning.

Techniques Used

This blanket is worked flat, meaning all rows are knitted back and forth rather than in the round. The construction is straightforward and accessible to beginners, making it an excellent project for those building confidence with colorwork and textured stitch patterns. The pattern is organized into multiple sections, each contributing to the overall striped and textured effect.

Stitches Used

Three main stitch patterns are featured throughout the blanket:

• Garter Stitch: All rows are knitted, creating a ridged, reversible fabric. Garter stitch sections are worked in Color A and appear at the beginning, between sections, and at the end of the blanket. This stitch lies flat naturally, which is especially useful for blanket borders and edgings.
• Stockinette Stitch: Right side rows are knitted and wrong side rows are purled, producing the classic smooth fabric on the right side. Stockinette sections contribute to the color contrast and visual rhythm of the design.
• Slipped Stitch Pattern: This is the primary textured stitch used across the main body sections of the blanket. Slipped stitch patterns involve passing stitches from one needle to the other without knitting them, which creates subtle texture and can produce elegant two-color effects without the complexity of traditional stranded colorwork. The pattern is worked over a 16-row repeat, with specific rows repeated across three distinct sections of the blanket.

Construction and Structure

The blanket is divided into clearly defined sections. The Slipped Stitch pattern is worked in a structured repeat — for example, in one section, Rows 9–16 are worked first, followed by four full repeats of Rows 1–16, and then Rows 1–8 once more before transitioning. This methodical approach makes it easy for knitters to track their progress. Color B is cut at the end of certain sections, and Color A is used to work the closing Garter stitch rows before binding off knitwise.

After the main body is complete, side edgings are added by picking up stitches along the edges — approximately 2 stitches for every 3 rows in Stockinette stitch sections and