Peppermint Stripes Baby Blanket

Welcome baby into the world with a knit blanket pattern that is just as sweet as your little one. With the Peppermint Stripes Baby Blanket you get a precious knit your child will cherish for the rest of his or her life. You don't even have to be a professional knitter to cast this darling knitted blanket onto your needles. Knit entirely in garter stitch, the Peppermint Stripes Baby Blanket is the perfect knitting project for both beginner knitters who simply want to learn how to knit a blanket and more skilled knitters looking for a stress-free knit between projects. Babies are only small for so long, but this cozy little knit is sure to last them for years to come.

Beginner

Knitting Needle Size9 or 5.5 mm, Circular Knitting Needles

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Gauge1 stitches, 2 rows, 3 inches. stockinette stitch

Blanket measures 33” x 33"

Materials:
RED HEART® “Super Saver®” (Art. E300 available in solid color 7 oz (198 g), 364 yd (333 m); multicolor, heather and print 5 oz (141 g), 244 yd (223 m), flecks 5 oz (141g), 260 yds (238 m) skeins): 2 skeins 316 Soft White A and 1 skein 722 Pretty ‘N Pink B
Knitting Needles: 5.5mm [US 9] circular, 24” long.
Crochet Hook: 5.5mm [US I-9].
Yarn needle

GAUGE: 14 sts = 4”; 22 rows = 4” in garter stitch. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the gauge.

Abbreviations:
A, B, etc = color A, B, etc
mm = millimeters
sc = single crochet
st(s) = stitch(es)

Special Abbreviations:
M1 (increase) = Lift strand between needles to left-hand needle and work strand through the back loop, twisting it to prevent a hole.
K2tog (decrease) = Knit the next two stitches on the left hand needle together.

Note: Blanket is worked back and forth in rows. Circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches. Carry color not in use loosely along side of work.

Instructions:
BLANKET
With B, cast on 3 sts.
Working in garter st, M1 each side every other row for 6 rows.
Change to A and knit 6 rows, increasing 1 st each side every other row.
Continue to work in garter st, changing colors every 6 rows, increasing 1 st each side every other row 73 more times – 161 sts.
Continue to work in stripe pattern and garter st as established, k2tog each side every other row 79 times – 3 sts.
Bind off.

FINISHING
With crochet hook, join A in any stitch and work sc evenly spaced around all edges of Blanket, working 3 sc in each corner, slip st to first st to join.
Next Round: Sc in each sc around, slip st in first st to join.
Fasten off.
Weave in ends