How to Knit a Striped Diagonal Baby Blanket [Free Video Tutorial & Written Pattern!]

There is something quietly magical about a handknitted baby blanket. It is soft, it is personal, and it carries with it every stitch of intention you put into it. If you have been searching for a project that looks impressively complex but is secretly very beginner-friendly, the striped diagonal baby blanket is exactly what you need. With its clever corner-to-corner construction and eye-catching stripe sequence, this blanket looks like it took a seasoned knitter months to complete — but we promise, once you understand the rhythm of it, you will not be able to put it down.

In this post, we are walking you through everything: the free written pattern, the video tutorial, yarn and needle recommendations, color tips, sizing guidance, and all the little tricks that make this blanket a joy to knit from cast-on to bind-off. Whether you are making it as a gift for a new baby, a shower present, or simply for the pleasure of the project itself, this diagonal blanket is one you will come back to again and again.

Why You Will Love This Pattern

Before we dive into the pattern itself, let us talk about why diagonal construction is such a wonderful choice for a baby blanket.

Most blankets are knitted either flat (side to side) or top to bottom, following the standard grid of rows and columns. A diagonal blanket, by contrast, starts at one corner and expands outward until it reaches its widest point, then decreases symmetrically back down to the opposite corner. The result is a square or rectangle with a beautiful diagonal line running through the fabric — a simple visual effect that comes entirely from the construction rather than any complicated stitch work.

This matters for a few reasons. First, it means the entire blanket is knitted in a single, consistent method. You never change your stitch pattern, you never pick up stitches along an edge, and you never have to worry about seaming. Second, the diagonal construction distributes the weight of the blanket evenly across your needles as you work, which makes for very comfortable knitting. Third — and perhaps most appealingly — the stripes on a diagonal blanket run at an angle, giving the finished piece a modern, graphic look that feels fresh and contemporary without requiring any extra effort.

Add to this the simplicity of a garter stitch fabric (all knit stitches, no purling) and you have a project that is suitable for beginners while still being satisfying and fast enough for experienced knitters who want a reliable go-to baby gift pattern.

Watch the Free Video Tutorial

We have put together a full video tutorial walking you through every step of this pattern, from how to work the increases and decreases to how to carry your yarn up the side when changing colors. You can find the video embedded below and also on our YouTube channel, where you can watch it at your own pace, pause and rewind as needed, and follow along in real time.

The video covers the cast-on, the increase section, the turning point, the decrease section, and the bind-off. We also include a short segment on weaving in ends and blocking your finished blanket, because those finishing steps really do make a difference to the final result.

If you prefer written instructions, keep scrolling — the full written pattern is below. Many knitters find it helpful to watch the video first to get a feel for the construction, then refer to the written pattern as they actually knit.

Materials & Yarn Recommendations

Yarn: Any DK or worsted weight yarn works beautifully for this blanket. For a soft, washable baby blanket, we recommend a superwash merino, a cotton blend, or an acrylic yarn labeled machine washable. Baby items get washed frequently, so practicality matters as much as softness.

You will need approximately 400–600 yards total depending on the finished size you choose. For the two-color stripe version shown in the photos, plan for roughly 200–300 yards per color. For a three-color version, divide the yardage between your chosen colors accordingly.

Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm) for DK weight, or US size 8 (5.0mm) for worsted weight. You can knit this blanket on straight needles, but circular needles are recommended because the stitch count grows quite large in the middle of the project.

Notions: A tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a few stitch markers if you find them helpful for keeping track of your center stitches.

Gauge: For this pattern, gauge is not critical — your blanket will simply turn out slightly larger or smaller depending on your individual tension. If you want a specific finished size, knit a small gauge swatch first and adjust your needle size accordingly. As a general guide, a gauge of approximately 18–20 stitches per 4 inches in garter stitch on worsted weight yarn will produce a blanket in the range of 30 by 30 inches at the stitch count given below.

Choosing Your Colors

The stripe sequence is what gives this blanket its personality, and the good news is that there are essentially no wrong choices. A few approaches that always look stunning:

A classic two-color combination — think a warm cream paired with a dusty sage, or a pale grey with a soft blush — gives the blanket a timeless, heirloom feel. This is a beautiful choice when you want something that will feel special and giftable for years.

A bold contrast palette, like a deep navy against a bright white or a rich terracotta against ivory, leans into the graphic quality of the diagonal construction and looks striking on a photo or in a nursery setting.

A gradient sequence using three or four colors that move from light to dark (or through a range of related hues, like shades of blue from sky to ocean) creates a beautiful ombre effect when the stripes are worked in equal intervals.

For the pattern below, we are using two colors: Color A and Color B. The stripe sequence repeats every four rows. You can adjust the width of your stripes by changing how many rows you work in each color — wider stripes (eight to twelve rows) create a bolder, more modern look, while narrower stripes (two rows) create a fine tweed-like effect.

A Note on Carrying Yarn

When working stripes in garter stitch, you have the option of either cutting your yarn at each color change (which means more ends to weave in) or carrying the unused color up the side of your work. Carrying the yarn is generally the tidier and more efficient method for a project like this, as long as your stripes are not too wide.

To carry yarn up the side: when you are ready to pick up the new color, simply bring the carried strand up along the edge and begin knitting with it. Do not pull it too tightly or leave it too loose — you want a neat, even float along the selvedge. Every few rows, twist the two strands together at the edge to keep the carried yarn tidy and prevent long loops.

If your stripes are eight rows or wider, it may be cleaner to cut and rejoin rather than carry, as long floats can look messy and catch on things.

Free Written Pattern: Striped Diagonal Baby Blanket

Abbreviations

CO — cast on
k — knit
kfb — knit into the front and back of the stitch (increase)
k2tog — knit two stitches together (decrease)
rep — repeat
sts — stitches
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
CA — Color A
CB — Color B

Notes

This blanket is worked entirely in garter stitch (knit every row). The blanket begins at one corner, increases one stitch at each end of every right-side row until the desired width is reached, then decreases one stitch at each end of every right-side row back down to one stitch. The stripe sequence is worked throughout.

Because you are working in garter stitch, the right side and wrong side of the fabric look identical. The RS and WS designations here are simply for tracking your row count and knowing when to increase or decrease.

Stripe Sequence

Rows 1–4: Color A
Rows 5–8: Color B
Repeat these 8 rows throughout.

You can adjust the stripe width as described in the color section above.

Pattern Instructions

Getting Started

With Color A, CO 2 sts.

Increase Section

Row 1 (RS): kfb, k to last st, kfb. (4 sts)
Row 2 (WS): k across.
Row 3 (RS): kfb, k to last st, kfb. (6 sts)
Row 4 (WS): k across.

Change to Color B.

Row 5 (RS): kfb, k to last st, kfb.
Row 6 (WS): k across.
Row 7 (RS): kfb, k to last st, kfb.
Row 8 (WS): k across.

Change to Color A.

Continue working the 8-row stripe sequence, increasing one stitch at each end of every RS row, until you have approximately 120–140 stitches on your needles (or until the blanket has reached your desired width). The number of stitches at the widest point determines the final size of the blanket. 120 stitches will give you a blanket approximately 28–30 inches wide; 140 stitches will give you approximately 32–34 inches.

End having just completed a WS row so that you are ready to begin a RS row.

Turning Point

On the next RS row, do not increase. Simply knit across. This is the row where the blanket transitions from growing to shrinking, and it is a satisfying moment in the knitting. You will feel the change immediately — the needle starts to feel lighter.

Decrease Section

Row 1 (RS): k2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 2 (WS): k across.

Repeat these two rows, continuing the established stripe sequence, until you have 4 stitches remaining on your needle.

Final row: k2tog, k2tog. (2 sts)

Bind Off

Bind off the remaining 2 stitches. Cut yarn, leaving a tail of at least 6 inches.

Finishing Your Blanket

Weaving in Ends

This is the part that many knitters dread, but a diagonal blanket with carried yarn is actually quite tidy compared to other striped projects. You will have ends at the cast-on and bind-off, plus any ends from where you joined new yarn (if you cut between colors rather than carrying). Thread each end onto your tapestry needle and weave it in diagonally through the back of the garter stitch ridges, changing direction once to secure it. Trim close to the fabric once you are satisfied it is secure.

Blocking

Blocking transforms a handknitted piece from something that looks homemade into something that looks handcrafted. For a baby blanket, blocking is especially worthwhile because it evens out the stitches, opens up the texture of the fabric, and gives the finished piece a soft, relaxed drape.

To wet block: soak your blanket in cool water for 20 minutes, gently squeeze out the excess water (do not wring), roll it in a clean towel to remove more moisture, then lay it flat and pin or pat it into shape. Allow it to dry fully before moving it — this can take 24 to 48 hours depending on the fiber content and your climate.

For an acrylic yarn, you can use steam blocking instead of wet blocking. Hold a damp cloth or steam iron a few inches above the surface of the blanket and allow the steam to penetrate the fiber. Pat the blanket into shape and allow it to cool completely before moving it.

Sizing Options and Adjustments

The pattern as written produces a standard baby blanket that works beautifully in a crib, stroller, or car seat. If you want to adjust the size, it is very easy to do so:

For a smaller receiving blanket or lovey, stop the increase section at around 80–90 stitches. This will give you a smaller, lighter blanket that is perfect for swaddling or tucking into a diaper bag.

For a larger lap blanket or toddler blanket, continue increasing until you have 160–180 stitches. This will give you a blanket large enough to use well into a child’s early years, and it makes an especially thoughtful gift because it will not be outgrown quickly.

For a square blanket, the diagonal construction naturally produces a square shape, so no adjustments are needed beyond the stitch count. If you want a rectangular blanket, you can work a section of even rows at the widest point (instead of the single turning-point row) to extend the length before beginning the decrease section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different stitch pattern instead of garter stitch?

Absolutely. Seed stitch, moss stitch, and basketweave all work beautifully with diagonal construction. Keep in mind that stitch patterns with different row heights or stitch widths may affect your gauge and therefore your finished size. Stockinette stitch is less ideal for this construction because the edges tend to curl, though a border of garter stitch can counteract this.

My stripes do not line up — what happened?

The most common reason for this is an accidental extra increase or decrease row. Because you only increase on RS rows, it helps to mark your RS at the very beginning of the project with a small piece of scrap yarn or a locking stitch marker. If your stitch count seems off, count carefully: you should be adding exactly 2 stitches on every RS row and working even (no change in stitch count) on every WS row.

Can I knit this in the round?

This particular construction is designed for flat knitting, so no, it does not translate directly to knitting in the round. However, there are circular versions of diagonal blankets that use a different construction method — if that is something you are interested in, let us know in the comments and we can share a tutorial for that version.

What do I do if I run out of one color before finishing?

If you are carrying your yarn, simply tie on a new ball of that color at the beginning of a RS row, leaving a tail to weave in. If your stripe sequence is mid-repeat, just continue from where you left off — the blanket will look seamless.

Gift Wrapping and Presenting Your Blanket

A handknitted baby blanket deserves a beautiful presentation. Once your blanket is blocked and dry, fold it into a neat square and tie it with a length of ribbon in a coordinating color. Tuck a small card inside noting the fiber content and washing instructions — new parents will thank you for this, because they will want to know exactly how to care for something so special.

You might also consider pairing your blanket with a matching knitted item, like a simple hat or a pair of booties, to create a coordinated gift set. The Snufflebean archives have several free patterns that coordinate beautifully with this blanket — browse the baby section to find your favorites.

Final Thoughts

The striped diagonal baby blanket is one of those patterns that earns a permanent place in your project repertoire. It is endlessly adaptable, genuinely satisfying to knit, and produces a result that feels both modern and timeless. Whether you are a beginner picking up your needles for the first time or a seasoned knitter looking for a reliable, giftable project, this blanket delivers every time.

We would love to see your finished blankets! Share your photos in the Snufflebean community group or tag us on Instagram — there is nothing we love more than seeing the colors and combinations that you choose, because every single one tells its own story.

Happy knitting, and as always — keep it snuggly.