Baby Afghan Squares in Plymouth Dreambaby DK - F013

Baby Afghan Squares Knitting Pattern – Plymouth Yarn Dreambaby DK (F013)

This free downloadable knitting pattern from Plymouth Yarn Design Studio produces a charming baby afghan worked in a classic square motif design using Plymouth Dreambaby DK yarn. The pattern is designated F013 and is available free with yarn purchase. Four finished size options make this a remarkably versatile project, scaling from a tiny doll blanket all the way up to a full crib-sized afghan — perfect for gift knitting, baby showers, or stocking a nursery.

Finished Sizes

• Size A – Doll Size: 16" x 19" (shown in sample photography)
• Size B – Cradle, Car Seat, or Stroller Size: 21.5" x 25"
• Size C – Portable Crib Size: 27" x 31"
• Size D – Crib Size: 33" x 37"

Each size is achieved simply by adjusting the cast-on stitch count and the number of square repeats across the row, making the pattern easy to follow regardless of which size you choose.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Plymouth Dreambaby DK — 2 (4, 6, 8) skeins depending on size selected
• Needles: 24-inch circular needle, US Size 7, or size needed to achieve gauge

Plymouth Dreambaby DK is a popular choice for baby knitting projects, known for its soft, gentle hand feel that is kind to delicate infant skin. Its DK weight provides excellent stitch definition, which allows the geometric square pattern and textural seed stitch borders in this afghan to show up beautifully without being too heavy or bulky for a baby blanket.

Gauge

20 stitches = 4 inches over the pattern stitch. Achieving correct gauge is important for hitting the intended finished dimensions, particularly if you are knitting the larger crib or portable crib sizes where even a small gauge discrepancy can result in a significantly different finished measurement.

Techniques and Construction

The afghan is knitted flat in one piece on a 24-inch circular needle. Using a circular needle for a flat project like this is a practical technique choice — it accommodates the large number of stitches required for the bigger sizes without the strain of a straight needle, and allows the knitter to work back and forth in rows as normal. The construction is straightforward and well-suited to confident beginner and intermediate knitters alike.

The pattern begins with a loose cast-on of 83 (113, 143, 173) stitches depending on size, followed immediately by an 8-row seed stitch border before the main square pattern begins. This border grounds the design and prevents the edges from curling — a common challenge with stockinette-based fabrics.

Stitches Used

• Seed Stitch: The border and edge stitches throughout the entire blanket are worked in seed stitch. The seed stitch pattern alternates knit and purl stitches across the row — specifically (P1, K1) repeat to last stitch, end P1 — creating a bumpy, reversible texture that lies flat and adds a tidy, finished look to all four edges of the afghan.
• Square Pattern (Knit and Purl Combination): The body of the blanket is worked in a repeating square motif. The square pattern is worked over a 16-row repeat, with the first and last 5 stitches of every row maintained in seed stitch as a running side border. Within the body, knit and purl stitches are arranged to create distinct geometric squares across the fabric — a classic technique in baby blanket design that produces visual interest without requiring complex colorwork or cable needles.
• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches are the only two stitch types required, making this an ideal project for knitters who have mastered the basics and are ready to use those two fundamental stitches to create structured, textural patterns.

Pattern Structure

The square motif is built across a defined row sequence. Rows 1 and 2