Some luxury for the new baby – a sophisticated cabled blanket knit in soft, machine washable wool. Pattern includes links to a three-part tutorial to walk you through the trickier parts. The yarn originally used in this pattern has been discontinued, and a good substitute for that yarn is Knit Picks Biggo.
Size: 36” x 36”
Needles: Size US 9 needles, 24” or 32” circulars
Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Bulky, 6 hanks (That yarn has since been discontinued, a good substitute is Knit Picks Biggo.)
Additional Materials: cable needle, 17 stitch markers
Gauge: 3.5 stitches = 1”
Pattern + links to 3 instructional videos – $4.99 US 
Watch Cabled Baby Afghan videos
*Note – this pattern is also available in the Baby Shower Countdown eBook collection.
If I made this with acrylic yarn, does it still need to be blocked?
Teresa – it depends on the acrylic yarn. Most acrylic yarns aren’t benefited by blocking, but it’s worth a try!
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Why does the border start with row 2? Are even numbers the right side? Thank you!
Lisa – after the CO, you start the cable pattern repeat on Row 2, which is a wrong side row.
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I would like to buy the yarn for the cable baby blanket
Staci, I just finished this blanket. I used the recommended yarn and needle size. It only measures 24 inches wide by 36 inches long. It is not blocked, I’ve never blocked anything before, but I can’t imagine it would stretch it to 36 inches. Did I do something wrong? I have the correct number of stitches. I love the yarn and the pattern was easy to follow. I would like to do it again. I would like to adapt the pattern for a full size afghan. Thanks
Judy – you might be surprised! The recommended yarn will not only give a ton once you wash it, but your stitches are going to look really beautiful and even after the wash.
But moving forward – you really need to check your gauge to make sure it matches the gauge in the pattern, and wash and block your swatch, so that there are no surprises at the end! It doesn’t make a huge difference in a baby blanket, but your size needs to be spot on if you’re knitting a garment that needs to fit.
🙂
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hi staci, how do i block the baby blanket? i used the superwash merino wool. thanks!! lisa
Lisa – you can just follow the washing instructions printed on the yarn label, or, if you’re presenting it as a gift (and you want it to look it’s absolute best) you can use wool soap and set it out flat to dry as I demonstrate here: https://verypink.com/2010/07/27/blocking-not-a-video/
Good luck!
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Hi Staci, thanks for the tutorial video. I’m a beginner in knitting. I did crochet at first, but because of the tension in crochet, my project never in straight line. A friend of mine taught me how to knit. From that on, I enjoy knitting very much. Then I found your website & learned from your tutorial video. So now I actually learn from you.
I’m making a cable scarf but I don’t know why it’s curled up on both side, perhaps the tension on every side?
Thanks & Regards,
Valerie
From Indonesia
If I wanted to make this blanket into a regular blanket size what should I do?
Amber – you would just want to repeat the charts to desired width.
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hello staci
i have only knit by written pattern. i was wondering if this is only charted?
by the way i LOOOOOOVE your youtube videos.
thank you
suz
Hi Suz – the pattern for this blanket is both charted and written. The written part explains each section in the chart, row-by-row. But you still need to refer to the chart to see the arrangement of the sections in the blanket, even of you choose to follow the written instead of the charted instructions.
That said, if you choose to follow the written instructions, you would only need to refer to the chart for the first few rows. Then each section will be visible and clear in the blanket.
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This site was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something which helped me.
Kudos!
Hi Staci,
I am enlarging the blanket by using larger needles and by holding two strands of yarn together. I hope it works out correctly.
My blanket is finished. Measures 54 by 54. Used needle size 11 and held two worsted weight yarns together.
Hi Staci,
I purchased this beautiful pattern and I have made a 38 stitch swatch. I have completed the cable row 5 a few times with no problem, but for some reason I am occasionally ending up with an extra stitch in this 10 stitch cable section, which is realized on the next row after the cable row. This has happened a few times and I am hoping you have an idea what I am doing to cause this before I move on to making the blanket. Thank you! 🙂
Hi Julie – without seeing your work, I can’t tell you what might be happening. You might be able to identify the problem by counting through each chart in your work and seeing where the extra stitch appears. This video might also help:
https://verypink.com/2010/03/13/video-accidental-increases/
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I’m using Plymouth Encore Bulky for the Cabled Baby Afghan and is seems sort of stiff, not soft for a baby. I couldn’t find the yarn you suggested, just a white color at knitpicks. Do you have any other suggestions? Also the pattern doesn’t seem to stand out-maybe because I’m using a heather color. The pattern is beautiful and I’d like to complete it. Thank you
Hi Patricia – yes, Knit Picks has cancelled the yarn I used in the pattern. But they have another, very similar yarn called Biggo. I’ve used this yarn, and it is a perfect substitute for the one they cancelled. You can find it here: http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Biggo_Yarn__D5420217.html
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The way I’m counting it, when I get to row 5 the second time in chart c, I’m on the wrong side. So am I working the cable in reverse? The pattern is beautiful, bTW.
Mary – Row 5 (the cable twist row) should always be a right-side row. It is an 8-row repeat, so Row 5 should always appear on the RS.
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Hello Staci, How much yarn does this pattern require? I’m trying to plan before I buy a pattern. Also, do you think the blanket would work as well in cotton? Thank you!
Katie – here is more info on the pattern, including yarn amounts: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cabled-baby-afghan
I personally wouldn’t knit any pattern with cables with cotton. Since cotton has far less “give” than other fibers, if there are any tension issues with the cable, they will be amplified with cotton. If you’re looking for wash-ability, there are plenty of washable wool blend yarns out there that I would recommend.
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Thank you, that is really great advice, I am still learning how to pair yarns with patterns!
Hi, Staci
Is the gauge 3.5 stitches per inch before of after washing. I am having a hard time getting this gauge before washing. I am already on size 11 needles and my gauge is 3.75 stitches per inch.
Viktoria
Viktoria – ultimately, gauge isn’t super important on a blanket pattern. You are close enough with that gauge.
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