XOXO Hugs and Kisses Cable Baby Blanket Pattern
Since buses, motion sickness, and knitting wasn’t my cup of tea, I only got to click needles while visiting with a dear friend near Washington, DC. She is a new knitter, doing great, and wanted a challenge. I got her going with a simple XO cabled scarf for her daughter. I liked the hugs and kisses theme so much, that once I was back at home, I expanded my pattern to make a small baby/doll blanket.
Hand Knit Instructions
Yarn: Bulky boucle from the stash
Needles: Size 13
Gauge: Not important
Cast on 82 stitches provisionally with waste yarn. Change to main yarn and begin Pattern 1 starting at the bottom right hand corner, reading right to left. End each right side row with a purl stitch and each wrong side row with a knit stitch.
When you finish the 8th row, proceed to Pattern 2 and complete as many repeat as length you desire, again ending each right side row with a purl stitch, each wrong side row with a knit stitch.
The last repeat is Pattern 3, knitted once, so the top of the blanket will match the cast on row. Again end each right side row with a purl stitch, each wrong side row with a knit stitch.
To cast off, use a crochet hook to latch the free stitches from the end opposite where the yarn is still attached. This way, when you get to the end of the row, you can pull the yarn through and weave in the end to secure.
Repeat cast off on the cast on end, so they’ll match.
You’ll notice that my baby blanket has 4 1/2 chart repeats. I prefer the symmetry of both vertical sides being identical.
Machine Knit Instructions
Machine with ribber – I used a Brother 260 Bulky
T7-9 depending on yarn. You need it looser than a yarn knits stockinette to accommodate the cabling.
Set ribber to half pitch. With waste yarn and ribber raised, cast on a multiple of 9 +1 end stitch in full needle rib (every needle on both beds). I cast on 82 stitches for my hand knit blanket pictured above. Hang comb, and knit several rows.
Rearrange needles per diagram, doubling up stitches where needed and knit a few more rows with waste yarn. End with carriage on left.
RC000
Switch to main yarn. Following Pattern 1 once, K 2 rows, transfer stitches by hand for row 3 and K, K4 more rows. If crosses are too tight, you will need to bring up one to two ribber needle(s) into work position per group of cabled stitches one row before crossed row. Drop yarn off ribber needle(s) and return needle(s) to out of work position. With this added ease, cross stitches per diagram.
RC008
Cross stitches by hand per Pattern 2, knitting 6 rows after each transfer (includes crossed row). Repeat Pattern 2 for desired length of blanket/shawl.
When blanket is long enough, cross stitches by hand per Pattern 3 once. Knit cross row plus two more rows to complete Pattern 3.
Switch to waste yarn. Knit several rows and remove blanket from machine. Starting at end opposite where main yarn is still attached, use a crochet hook or latch tool to latch the last row loops in chain. Draw the main yarn tail through to secure. Repeat this cast off on the cast on end so the two ends are identical. This simple cast off will follow the flow of the cables and give a slightly ruffled look.
Since I find it easier to cross cables when they are located on the main bed, read the chart as follows:
If you prefer to cross cables on the front bed, simply follow the directions for the opposite cable (ie. a Cable 2 Left uses the Cable 2 Right directions when it comes to which hand’s stitches get put back in the hooks first. A knit stitch is on ribber or front bed and a purl stitch is on the back bed)
Update
A few have asked for more info on the yarn used. I actually found my original sample swatch with yarn label attached.
I doubt the yarn, or even the yarn company, is still around. The label says Fancy Folklore made in Italy. The 50g ball is 100% acrylic and had 54 yards. I bought the yarn at a thrift shop so I have no idea how vintage it is.
Hope this helps.
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July 30, 2007
10 comments
I am a beginning machine knitter and am interested in intarsia knitting. I have done 1 using a punch cards provided.
Do you have any directions for creating your own punch card.
“Bulky boucle from the stash”
What in the heck is this??? What is the name of the yarn and where do I purchase it???
Hello there!
My daughter is in love with this specific yarn.
I have been trying very hard to find it on my own, but I
have had no luck. =o(
Would you be able to tell be the exact name of this yarn?
Thank you so much for your time!! =o)
Marie
I love the xoxo hugs and kisses blanket- would it be too much trouble for you to write out the pattern? I have a hard time with the charts.
thank you!
I notice you have to cast on 84 stitches but chart is 18 stitches. Do you just repeat pattern as I don’t understand how this works?
I too am having a hard time understanding the chart. Could you write out the pattern?
I don’t know the author of this post, but I’m working on this blanket so I thought I’d help out.
Heather McNay: You cast on 82, not 84. Repeat the 18 stitches in the chart until you reach the end and you will have 1 stitch remaining. The last stitch should the same as the line-through box on the pattern (as opposed to the hollow box).
PS: If you want your blanket longer (wider?) than 82 stitches, you can cast on more, just make sure you you cast on 18 more at a time. That is, number of cast-ons should be a multiple of 18, plus 1.
Those of you who need the written out pattern, here’s my effort at that. I hope it’s accurate:
PATTERN 1
Row 1: (RS) P1, K8, repeat to end of row, P1
Row 2: (WS) K1, P8, repeat to end of row, K1
Row 3: P1, C4B, C4F, repeat to end of row, P1
Rows 4-8: Repeat with even rows as WS and odd rows as RS
**
PATTERN 2:
Row 1: P1, C4B, C4F, P1, C4F, C4B, repeat to end of row, P1
Row 2: (WS) K1, P8, repeat to end of row, K1
Row 3: (RS) P1, K8, repeat to end of row, P1
Rows 4-24, except cable rows (below): Repeat with even rows as WS and odd rows as RS
Row 7: P1, C4F, C4B, P1, C4B, C4F, repeat to end of row, P1
Row 13: P1, C4F, C4B, P1, C4B, C4F, repeat to end of row, P1
Row 19: P1, C4B, C4F, P1, C4F, C4B, repeat to end of row, P1
Repeat Pattern 2 as many times as desired. Make sure you have enough yarn for all 24 rows.
**
PATTERN 3:
Row 1: P1, C4F, C4B, repeat to end of row, P1
Row 2: K1, P8, repeat to end of row, K1
Row 3: P1, K8, repeat to end of row, P1
C4F= put two stiches on cable needle, hang off front, knit 2 off main needle, knit 2 off cable needle
C4B = put to stiches on cable needle, hang off back, knit 2 off main needle, knit 2 off cable needle
Happy knitting.
This is a topic that is near to my heart..
. Cheers! Exactly where are your contact details though?
To cast off, use a crochet hook to latch the free stitches from the end opposite where the yarn is still attached. This way, when you get to the end of the row, you can pull the yarn through and weave in the end to secure.
I have no idea how to do the above! Help!
I love the blanket; have a couple of friends who are expecting and would love to make this for them!
Thank you I cannot do charts and cables well it my first time. So as a cable virgin thanks doe writing it out. I was trying to do the xoxo baby blanket but couldn’t figure it out at all. Again thanks Jodi