Precious Little Cables Baby Blanket

This beautiful baby blanket showcases a wonderful cable pattern. Although the cables span the entirety of the blanket, this blanket is straightforward to make and is perfect for intermediate knitters.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: 34” x 34”

Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking

Materials

Yarn:

 Red Heart Comfort Sport (100% acrylic; 1144 yards [1050 meters]/350 grams): #N399-4315 Denim (1 ball)
Needles: US size 8 (5.0 mm) straight or 24” circular needles
Notions: Markers, cable needle

Abbreviations

CN: Cable needle
2/2 RC: Place 2 sts on CN (cable Needle) and hold in back, knit next 2 sts, knit 2 sts on CN.
2/2 LC: Place 2 sts on CN (cable Needle) and hold in front, knit next 2 sts, knit 2 sts on CN.
2/2 RPC: Place 2 sts on CN (cable Needle) and hold in back, purl next 2 sts, knit 2 sts on CN.
2/2 LPC: Place 2 sts on CN (cable Needle) and hold in back, knit next 2 sts, purl 2 sts on CN.

Special Stitches

Cable pattern (Multiple of 16 sts)

Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (WS): * K4, p8, k4; repeat from *.
Rows 2, 6, 10: * P4, 2/2 RC, 2/2LC, p4; repeat from *.
Rows 4, 8: * P4, k8, p4; repeat from *.
Row 11: * K4, (p2, k4) twice; repeat from *.
Row 12: * P2, 2/2RPC, p4, 2/2LPC, p2, repeat from *.
Rows 13, 15, 17, 19, 21: * P4, k8, p4; repeat from *.
Row 14, 18, 22: * 2/2LC, p8, 2/2RC; repeat from *.
Row 16, 20: * K4, p8, k4; repeat from *.
Row 23: * K2, p2, k8, p2, k2; repeat from *.
Row 24: * P2, 2/2 LPC, p4, 2/2RPC, p2; repeat from *.
Repeat rows 1-24 for pattern.

Pattern Notes

Normally when you work cables, the sts will be pulled in because of the twist. Therefore, the edge of the knitting piece will be flared out. To compensate for that, I have started the afghan with fewer sts than required. After working the edge in garter stitch, I have increased the sts to the required number. At the last row of cables, I have decreased the number of sts to match the beginning sts then bound them off. This way, there will be no flaring out. 

Pattern

Cast on 162 sts.
Rows 1-6: K4, PM, k154, PM, k4.
Row 7: K4, * k4, p2, (p in front and back of the same st) twice, p2, k4; repeat from * to last 4 sts. K4. (184 sts)
Rows 8-220: K4, work as Cable Pattern between markers starting with row 2, k4.
Note: For the last repeat work only to end of row 22.
Row 221: K4, p2, p2tog, * k4, p2, (p2tog) twice, p2, k4; repeat from * to last 12 sts. K4, p2, p2tog, k4. (162 sts)
Rows 222-227: Knit.
Bind off all sts loosely. 

Finishing

Weave in all ends. Block blanket to size.