Butterfly Blanket in Caron One Pound - Downloadable PDF

Butterfly Blanket in Caron One Pound – Knitting Pattern by Lorna Miser

The Butterfly Blanket is a charming, cozy knitted baby blanket designed by Lorna Miser and worked in Caron One Pound yarn. This intermediate-level knitting pattern produces a finished square blanket measuring 45 inches by 45 inches (114.5 cm x 114.5 cm), making it a generous and snuggly size perfect for a baby or toddler. The design is made even more delightful by the addition of separately knitted butterfly appliqués that can be attached to the blanket, giving it a sweet, whimsical character. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is offered free of charge.

Materials and Yarn

The pattern calls for Caron One Pound, an aran-weight yarn, in three contrasting colors:

• Contrast A – Lilac (0577): 1 skein (454 g / 16 oz; 742 m / 812 yds)
• Contrast B – Jonquil (0586): 1 skein
• Contrast C – Soft Pink (0513): 1 skein

Caron One Pound is a popular choice for baby blankets because of its generous yardage, soft texture, and easy-care properties. The three-color palette of lilac, yellow, and soft pink creates a pastel, nursery-friendly aesthetic that suits the butterfly theme beautifully. Stitch markers are also required, as the construction method relies on a central marker for shaping.

Gauge

The gauge for this pattern is 16 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is important for reaching the intended finished dimensions of the blanket.

The Blanket – Construction and Techniques

The blanket is constructed using a clever mitered or bias-knitting technique, worked from a central cast-on outward — or more precisely, from a large cast-on that decreases toward the center point. This method creates a diagonal, mitered square shape, a technique beloved by knitters for the way it produces interesting visual lines and a structured fabric without seaming.

• Cast-on: 180 stitches are cast on, a marker is placed, and another 180 stitches are cast on, giving a total of 360 stitches on the needle.
• Central double decrease: On every right-side row, two stitches are decreased — one on either side of the central marker using k2tog (knit two together) — reducing the stitch count by 2 on each RS row. This is the core shaping technique that draws the blanket into its square form.
• Garter stitch fabric: The entire blanket body is worked in garter stitch (knitting every row on both right side and wrong side), which creates a dense, reversible, and slightly stretchy fabric with excellent drape and warmth — ideal for a baby blanket.
• Stripe sequence: The color work is achieved through simple horizontal stripes. The blanket begins with several rows of Contrast A (Lilac), then transitions to alternating 4-row stripes of Contrast B (Jonquil) and Contrast C (Soft Pink), continuing until only 4 stitches remain. The final 4 stitches are closed with a k4tog (knit 4 together) decrease, neatly finishing the point.

Edging

Once the main blanket body is complete, a garter stitch border is added along the two side edges (not the cast-on edge) using Contrast A (Lilac). Stitches are picked up along each side edge — 180 stitches per side — and 8 rows of garter stitch are worked before binding off. This edging frames the blanket neatly and reinforces the edges, giving the finished piece a polished, professional look.

The Butterfly Appliqués – Construction and Techniques

The butterflies are knitted separately as