purlJam

# Susie's Rainbow Baby Blanket

A cheerful garter stitch baby blanket worked in rainbow stripes. This beginner-friendly pattern is a perfect first blanket project — just knit every row and change colors to create vibrant rainbow bands of color. Finished blanket measures a generous 30" × 36", ideal for stroller, crib, or playmat use.

---

## Skill Level
**Beginner** — if you can cast on, knit, bind off, and weave in ends, you can make this blanket.

---

## Finished Measurements
- **Width:** 30 inches (76 cm)
- **Length:** 36 inches (91 cm)

---

## Materials

### Yarn
Worsted weight (CYC #4 / Medium) yarn, approximately 1,200 yards (1,100 m) total, divided across 6 rainbow colors.
- **Color A (Red):** ~200 yds (185 m)
- **Color B (Orange):** ~200 yds (185 m)
- **Color C (Yellow):** ~200 yds (185 m)
- **Color D (Green):** ~200 yds (185 m)
- **Color E (Blue):** ~200 yds (185 m)
- **Color F (Purple):** ~200 yds (185 m)

**Suggested yarns:** Cascade 220 Superwash, Berroco Vintage, Lion Brand Heartland, or any soft, machine-washable worsted weight yarn suitable for babies.

### Needles
- US 8 (5 mm) straight or 32"/80 cm circular needles (circular recommended to comfortably hold all stitches; work back and forth)

### Notions
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Tape measure

---

## Gauge
**18 stitches × 36 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)** in garter stitch (knit every row), after blocking.

> ⚠️ **Always make a gauge swatch.** Cast on 22 sts and work in garter stitch for about 5". Block and measure. Adjust needle size up or down to match gauge.

---

## Abbreviations (US Terminology)
- **CO** — cast on
- **BO** — bind off
- **k** — knit
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **RS** — right side
- **WS** — wrong side

---

## Stitch Pattern
**Garter Stitch:** Knit every row.

> *Note: This is a simple garter stitch pattern. For complex stitch patterns (cables, lace, Honeycomb, Overlapping Leaves, etc.), request an intermediate or advanced difficulty blanket for full stitch pattern support with charts and detailed instructions.*

---

## Stripe Sequence

The blanket is worked in 6 equal rainbow stripes, each approximately 6" tall:

| Stripe | Color | Approx. Rows | Approx. Height |
|--------|-------|--------------|----------------|
| 1 | A — Red | 54 rows | 6" |
| 2 | B — Orange | 54 rows | 6" |
| 3 | C — Yellow | 54 rows | 6" |
| 4 | D — Green | 54 rows | 6" |
| 5 | E — Blue | 54 rows | 6" |
| 6 | F — Purple | 54 rows | 6" |
| **Total** | | **324 rows** | **36"** |

*Math check: 6 stripes × 6" = 36" length ✓ | 324 rows ÷ 36 rows per 4" = 36" ✓*

---

## Instructions

### Cast On
With **Color A (Red)**, cast on **135 stitches**.

*Math check: 135 sts ÷ 18 sts per 4" = 30" wide ✓*

### Stripe 1 — Red
Knit every row until piece measures 6" (15 cm) from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row. (Approximately 54 rows.)

On the next row, change to **Color B (Orange)** by simply beginning to knit with the new color at the start of the row. Cut Color A, leaving a 6" tail.

> 💡 **Tip:** To reduce ends to weave in, you may carry unused colors loosely up the side edge if you plan to reuse them later. For a 6-color rainbow, cutting at each change is simplest.

### Stripe 2 — Orange
With **Color B**, knit every row until this stripe measures 6" (15 cm), ending after a WS row. Cut Color B.

### Stripe 3 — Yellow
With **Color C**, knit every row until this stripe measures 6" (15 cm), ending after a WS row. Cut Color C.

### Stripe 4 — Green
With **Color D**, knit every row until this stripe measures 6" (15 cm), ending after a WS row. Cut Color D.

### Stripe 5 — Blue
With **Color E**, knit every row until this stripe measures 6" (15 cm), ending after a WS row. Cut Color E.

### Stripe 6 — Purple
With **Color F**, knit every row until this stripe measures 6" (15 cm), ending after a WS row.

### Bind Off
With Color F, bind off all 135 stitches knitwise loosely. Cut yarn, leaving a 6" tail, and pull through the last loop.

---

## Finishing

1. **Weave in ends:** Using a tapestry needle, weave each yarn tail into the back of the matching color stripe for at least 2 inches. Trim excess.
2. **Wash and block:** Hand wash gently in cool water with mild soap (or follow yarn label instructions). Press out excess water in a towel — do not wring. Lay flat on a blocking mat or clean towel, gently shaping to 30" × 36". Pin corners square. Allow to dry completely.

Blocking will even out your stitches and give the blanket a soft, professional drape.

---

## Helpful Tips for Beginners

- **Count your stitches** at the end of each row for the first few rows to make sure you still have 135 sts. It's easy to accidentally add or drop a stitch.
- **Edge stitches:** Garter stitch naturally creates tidy edges. Knit firmly at the start and end of each row to keep edges neat.
- **Joining new colors:** Simply drop the old yarn and start knitting with the new yarn, leaving a 6" tail of each. Snug up the first stitch of the new color, but not too tight.
- **Take breaks:** A blanket is a long project. Set a goal of one stripe per session and you'll finish in 6 sittings!

---

## Care Instructions
Machine wash cold on gentle cycle (if yarn permits) or hand wash. Lay flat to dry. Always check yarn label for specific care.

---

**Enjoy your rainbow! 🌈** This blanket makes a beautiful gift for a new baby, baby shower, or as a treasured handmade keepsake.