Baby Blanket Chevron

Baby Blanket Chevron by Joan Laws

What is Being Made

The Baby Blanket Chevron is a knitted blanket featuring a striking chevron pattern created through color work and slip-stitch techniques. This downloadable PDF pattern from designer Joan Laws offers four size options to suit different needs: a Preemie blanket measuring 18" x 18", a Full Term blanket at 25" x 25", a Stroller blanket sized 32" x 35", and a Crib blanket measuring 35" x 43". The blanket uses a two-color design alternating between Teal and Baby Blue, creating a dynamic geometric chevron effect across the finished piece.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project suitable for beginners, making it an excellent introduction to colorwork and slip-stitch patterning. The blanket employs slip-stitch colorwork, a technique that creates color patterns without carrying yarn across large sections. Rather than traditional stranded colorwork, slip stitches are used to create the chevron design, which simplifies the process and reduces bulk in the finished fabric. The pattern uses circular needles worked flat, which provides stability and comfort when working larger pieces. The blanket incorporates a Chevron Cable Border, adding a decorative finished edge that complements the main pattern.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – the fundamental stitch creating the base fabric
• Purl stitch (p) – used on wrong-side rows and within the pattern structure
• Slip stitch (sl) – the key technique for creating the chevron colorwork effect, worked with yarn in back (wyib) on right-side rows and yarn in front (wyif) on wrong-side rows
• Cable stitches – incorporated into the border for added visual interest and texture

Pattern Details

The pattern uses a 16-stitch repeat plus 3 extra stitches, creating a balanced and symmetrical design. The main pattern alternates between rows worked in color A and color B, with slip stitches strategically placed to form the chevron motif. The pattern includes specific row-by-row instructions, with right-side (RS) and wrong-side (WS) designations to ensure proper stitch placement. Cast-on counts vary by size: 83 stitches for Preemie, 115 for Full Term, 147 for Stroller, and 163 for Crib.

Materials and Yarn

The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, specifically Berroco Touche, which is a luxurious blend of 50% cotton and 50% rayon. This fiber content creates a soft, breathable blanket ideal for babies. The yardage requirements are modest and scale with size: 2 skeins each of colors A (Teal #7961) and B (Baby Blue #7997) for the Preemie size, increasing to 3 skeins each for Full Term, 5 skeins each for Stroller, and 6 skeins each for Crib. Each skein contains 89 yards of yarn, weighing 1.75 ounces.

Tools and Gauge

The pattern requires US size 7 (4.5mm) circular needles in a 24-inch length, though any size needed to achieve proper gauge may be substituted. The gauge is 18 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in the stitch pattern, which is important to verify before beginning to ensure the finished blanket reaches the desired dimensions. Optional fabric backing (100% cotton) is available in quantities ranging from 1 to 1.5 yards depending on size, allowing crafters to add a finished backing if desired.

Skill Level and Construction

Rated as a beginner project, this blanket is accessible to knitters new to colorwork. The slip-stitch technique is more forgiving than traditional stranded colorwork, as it eliminates the need to manage multiple yarn colors simultaneously across rows. The use of circular needles provides comfortable handling for the growing fabric, and the straightforward stitch pattern allows beginners to develop rhythm and consistency while creating a beautiful, functional heirloom piece.