Knit Bright Stripes Baby Blanket in Lion Brand Homespun - 10141AD

Knit Bright Stripes Baby Blanket in Lion Brand Homespun – Pattern 10141AD

The Knit Bright Stripes Baby Blanket (Pattern Number 10141AD) is a free, downloadable knitting pattern from Lion Brand that puts a bold, colorful twist on one of the most beloved handmade baby gifts. Rather than working in the traditional rectangular direction, this blanket is knitted diagonally from the bottom right corner to the top left corner, giving the finished piece its signature slanted stripe effect. The result is a cheerful, eye-catching square blanket that makes a wonderful alternative to conventional pink-and-blue baby gifts.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a square baby blanket measuring approximately 38 inches [96.5 cm] on each side — a generous size that works beautifully as a stroller blanket, tummy-time mat, or crib throw. The diagonal construction creates vibrant, angled color stripes across the entire surface, making it visually striking while remaining straightforward to knit.

Skill Level

The pattern is rated Advanced Beginner, making it an ideal next step for knitters who have mastered basic knitting but are ready to explore simple shaping techniques. The diagonal construction is achieved through easy increases and decreases rather than complex colorwork, so the color changes remain manageable even for those newer to multi-color knitting.

Techniques Used

• Diagonal construction: The entire blanket is worked from one corner to the opposite corner, which is what creates the angled stripe pattern without any seaming or complicated color manipulation.
• Increasing: Stitches are added at the edges to build the blanket outward from the starting corner, expanding the width row by row.
• Decreasing: Once the blanket reaches its widest point, stitches are decreased at the edges to taper back down to the finishing corner. The corrected Decrease Row reads: Knit 2, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to end of row.
• Stripe color changes: Two colors are alternated throughout to produce the bold, high-impact striped effect that defines this design.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch — The entire blanket is worked in garter stitch, meaning every single row is knitted. This produces a squishy, reversible fabric with natural stretch and a lovely ridged texture that is especially cozy for babies. Garter stitch is also very beginner-friendly, as there is no need to purl.
• Knit 2 Together (K2tog) — A basic right-leaning decrease used to shape the blanket during the tapering phase.
• Yarn Over (YO) — Used in the decrease row in combination with K2tog to maintain stitch count or create a decorative element at the edge.

Materials

• Lion Brand Homespun® in Spring Green (Color 790-389) — 2 skeins (Color A)
• Lion Brand Homespun® in Cotton Candy (Color 790-392) — 2 skeins (Color B)
• Lion Brand Size 10.5 [6.5 mm] 29-inch [75 cm] Circular Needles — Circular needles are used here not to knit in the round, but simply to accommodate the large number of stitches at the blanket's widest point, which would not fit comfortably on standard straight needles.

Gauge

The recommended gauge is 12 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches [10 cm] in garter stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is strongly advised, as an incorrect gauge will affect the finished dimensions of the blanket.

About Lion Brand Homespun®

Lion Brand Homespun® is a well-known bulky-weight yarn celebrated for its soft, textured feel and rich color palette. Its thick construction works up quickly on larger needles, making it a popular choice for baby blankets and home accessories. The Spring Green and Cotton Candy colorways chosen for this pattern deliver a fresh, modern palette that moves away from traditional pastels while remaining sweet and