Easy Knit Cable Baby Afghan Patterns Using Bulky Yarn

An avid knitter for over 10 years, Donna enjoys sharing her free patterns and knitting experience with other fiber fans and yarn lovers.

Sweet cables baby blanket pattern

(c) purl3agony 2013

This cozy baby blanket is a quick knit using bulky or chunky weight yarn. Designed with seven alternating cables and with just a hint of lace, this blanket will be a charming addition to any nursery. I've knit a few blankets using this pattern and they've always been a big hit with new parents!

This baby blanket is knit flat, back and forth on a 24-inch cable needle. There are two charts for this pattern, one for each of the cables. This pattern includes separate diagrams below for each of the cable charts. To make them easier to see, I've posted both of these charts as one jpeg on my blog (see link in my profile). You should be able to click on this image, resize it so you can read the charts, and print it out on one sheet of paper.

This blanket is always a hit with new parents!

(c) purl3agony 2013

Yarn Suggestions

I like to make baby things out of acrylic or cotton yarn. Both of these fibers are machine washable and can be sent through the dryer. This makes things much easier for new parents. Some people do use animal fibers (wool, alpaca, rabbit, etc.) for baby items, but there is a risk of problems if the baby or a family member has allergies.

Materials

• About 400 yards of bulky or chunky weight yarn. I used Bernat Chunky (400g/642 yards) in Seagreen.
• Size #10 cable needle (or size to obtain gauge) at least 24 inches in length
• Cable needle
• Tapestry needle to weave in ends
• Stitch markers (optional)

Gauge and Size Info

• Gauge: 14 to 16 sts by 18 rows = 4 inch square in Stst
• Finished Size: 22 inches wide x 30 inches long

Finished size is 22 inches wide x 30 inches long

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Abbreviations Used

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit 2 stitches together
• ssk = slip 2 stitches (knitwise) separately, then knit the two stitches together
• yo = yarnover

**CABLE* = (over 8 sts) slide 4 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit next 4 sts, then knit 4 sts from cable needle.

For help and a video demonstration of how to knit the double yarnover, visit my blog (link in my profile).

Pattern

To start: Cast on 92 sts on a #10 cable needle. Do not join in the round. Begin 4 row bottom border as follows:

Row 1 (RS): K3, *p2, k2*, repeat between ** to last 5 sts, then p2, k3.

Row 2: P3, *k2, p2* repeat between ** to last 5 sts, then k2, p3.

Row 3: K3, *p2, k2*, repeat between ** to last 5 sts, then p2, k3.

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Row 4: P3, *k2, p2* repeat between ** to last 5 sts, then k2, p3.

Chart for Cable A

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Chart for Cable B

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Then begin the main body of blanket. It may be helpful to place stitch markers on each side of the cable panels. I used two different colors or styles of stitch markers while knitting this blanket: one color for Cable A, another for Cable B. This placement helped me keep track of which cable I was working on.

The pattern includes a three stitch border on each side. These three stitches alternate as you knit to create a three row ribbing along the side border.

The rows on the cable charts coordinate with the rows of the body pattern below:

Row 1 (RS): P3, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, p3.

Row 2: K5, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k5.

Row 3: P3, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, p3.

Row 4: P3, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p3.

Row 5: K5, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k5.

Row 6: P3, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p3.

Row 7: P3, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, p3.

Row 8: K5, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k5.

Row 9: P3, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, p3.

Row 10: P3, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p3.

Row 11: K5, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k5.

Row 12: P3, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p3.

Row 13: P3, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, p3.

Row 14: K5, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k5.

Row 15: P3, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, p3.

Row 16: P3, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p3.

Row 17: K5, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k5.

Row 18: P3, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p3.

Row 19: P3, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, p3.

Row 20: K5, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k5.

Row 21: P3, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, p3.

Row 22: P3, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p3.

Row 23: K5, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k2, Cable B, k2, Cable A, k5.

Row 24: P3, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p10, k2, p3.

Knit Rows 1-24 of main body pattern six times (to about 29 inches) or to desired length. Then switch to three finishing rows of pattern as follows:

Row 1 (RS): P3, knit to last 3 sts, p3.

Row 2: K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Row 3: P3, knit to last 3 sts, p3.

Then begin top border:

Row 1 (WS): P3, *k2, p2* repeat between ** to last 5 sts, then k2, p3.

Row 2: K3, *p2, k2*, repeat between ** to last 5 sts, then p2, k3.

Row 3: P3, *k2, p2* repeat between ** to last 5 sts, then k2, p3.

Bind off in pattern and weave in your ends. For blocking, I would suggest pinning down your blanket while it is still dry, then just spraying the ribbed border to prevent any curling and let dry. This will maintain the texture of the cables.

I hope you love your finished blanket!

This blanket makes a lovely baby gift

(c) purl3agony 2013

Questions & Answers

Question: When I knit row 1 of the body of the blanket (not the border) I keep ending up with 7 extra stitches - what am I doing wrong?

Answer: It's been a while since I knitted this pattern, so it's not fresh in my head. I wonder if you are omitting the garter stitch border on the sides of the blanket? This blanket has a border on the top and bottom, and both sides. If you are knitting the center pattern of the blanket without knitting the border stitches, that might account for your extra stitches.

Row 1 of the body of the blanket should be just knit and purl stitches, with no increases or decreases, so your number of stitches shouldn't change. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

© 2013 Donna Herron

Donna Herron (author) from USA on January 10, 2019:

Hi Susan - Under "abbreviations used" at the top of the pattern directions, I've explained that for the cable notation you should slide 4 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit next 4 sts, then knit 4 sts from cable needle. I hope this clarifies any confusion.

Susan H. on January 10, 2019:

I am on row 7 and at the point where it says **CABLE* and am not sure what to do there. Please help :)

Donna Herron (author) from USA on January 22, 2014:

Hi Audrey and Rebecca! Thanks so much! I'm glad that so many people like this pattern. I love the color too, and knew I wanted to create a pattern for babies when I saw this yarn in the store. Thanks again for stopping by and commenting!!

Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on January 21, 2014:

So soft and pretty, I LOVE the color.

Audrey Howitt from California on January 21, 2014:

This is lovely!

Donna Herron (author) from USA on January 02, 2014:

Thanks Glimmer Twin Fan!! Someone on Ravelry is using this pattern to make a throw/lap blanket by increasing the cables to 11 across. I think it's a great idea and would make a lovely small afghan. Using heavier weight yarn would also increase the size.

Thanks, as always, for your comments!

Claudia Mitchell on January 01, 2014:

This is beautiful and I love the color. I think I could actually do this too. Now if I just knew someone who was having a baby! Pinning for a future project.

Donna Herron (author) from USA on December 04, 2013:

Hi MPG Narratives - So glad you like this pattern. Always great to meet another knitter and I hope you have a chance to get back to knitting soon! Thanks for your comments, vote up and pin!!

Donna Herron (author) from USA on December 04, 2013:

Hi kidscrafts - Always wonderful to hear from you :) Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words! I hope you have a great week!!

Maria Giunta from Sydney, Australia on December 04, 2013:

What a beautiful pattern and colour. I love cabling and this pattern seems quite easy to follow, thanks for sharing it with us. This will make a lovely present when I have time to knit again. Pinned, voted up and useful.

kidscrafts from Ottawa, Canada on December 04, 2013:

What a lovely blanket! I love the color (neutral for a boy or a girl)! What a beautiful gift to receive as a parent!

Great yarn suggestions! I think also that it's better to stick with acrylic or cotton yarn, first because it's easier to wash it and also because of the allergy factor with the animal fibers. I remember that my brother reacted quite strongly to wool and he had pants with some wool in it. My mother had to have a seamstress put some lining inside of his pants.

Thank you for sharing another of your great work:-)

Have a great day!

Donna Herron (author) from USA on December 03, 2013:

Hi Heather! Thanks so much for your comments, share, and pin! I appreciate it :)

Heather from Arizona on December 03, 2013:

This blanket is so precious and I love the color you chose! Sharing and pinning :)

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Source: https://feltmagnet.com/textiles-sewing/Free-Afghan-Knitting-Pattern-Sweet-Cables-Baby-Blanket

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