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While browsing the last of the yarn available during the big JoAnn Fabrics shutdown, I managed to snag a couple skeins of Big Twist Menagerie yarn in the hummingbird colorway. This yarn is absolutely gorgeous and I wanted to do it justice, but I knew using it in simple stitches like stockinette or garter would muddle the colors.

So I started looking for stitch patterns that would encourage the colors to pool, effectively separating and concentrating them. That’s when I stumbled across the Lizard Ridge dishcloth pattern by Fogbound Knits. The short rows encourage pooling, while the garter stitch stripes break the waves and provide a visual balance. So I used this pattern as a starting point and made key changes to fit what I had in mind, thus creating the Wavy Whimsy baby blanket.

I should note that Fogbound Knits does have a blanket pattern using the same stitch, which appears to use columns seamed together to create a staggered wave effect. But that wasn’t quite the look I had in mind. Instead, I wanted continuous, unbroken waves of color stretching vertically up the blanket.

So the first change I made was to take the original pattern, rotate it 90°, and extend it horizontally and vertically. This works beautifully for baby blankets, which are relatively light, though I suspect the original designer used seams to support the weight and stretch of an adult-sized blanket.

Second, I cleaned up the edges by adding a garter stitch border. This not only prevents the stockinette stitch sections from rolling, it also neatly conceals the yarn that is carried up the sides of the blanket. Adding a slipped stitch at the beginning and end of each WS row also boosts the crispness of the border.

Finally, I detailed ALL of the instructions. The original designer had a few rows where they instruct you to “knit/purl the wraps as you cross them”. This can probably be understood by experienced knitters, but I thought beginner knitters might struggle to identify wraps and know how to work them. So, the instructions below describe exactly when, where, and how to work your wraps.

Instructions

With color A, cast on 167 stitches

Border row 1 (RS, color A): knit
Border row 2 (WS, color A): sl1wyif, knit to last stitch, sl1wyif
Border row 3 (color A): knit
Border row 4 (color A): repeat row 2

As you continue into the pattern, remember to carry both yarns up the side of the blanket. Adding a twist between the working and non-working strand at the beginning of the RS rows will create a super clean border.

Row 1 (color B): knit
Row 2 (color B): sl1wyif, k2, p11, *w&t, k8, w&t, p7, w&t, k6, w&t, p5, w&t, k4, w&t, p4, pw three times consecutively, p13, continue repeating from the *, stopping abruptly when three stitches remain. Then k2, sl1wyif, turn, k7, w&t, p4, k2, sl1wyif, turn, k6, w&t, p3, k2, sl1wyif, turn, k5, w&t, p2, k2, sl1wyif
Row 3 (color A): k5, *kw three times consecutively, k11, continue repeating from the * until you run out of stitches
Row 4 (color A): repeat row 2
Row 5 (color A): knit
Row 6 (color A): repeat row 2
Row 7 (color B): knit
Row 8 (color B): sl1wyif, k2, p4, w&t, k7, turn, sl1wyif, k2, p3, w&t, k6, turn, sl1wyif, k2, p2, w&t, k5, turn, sl1wyif, k2, p2, pw three times consecutively, p13, *w&t, k8, w&t, p7, w&t, k6, w&t, p5, w&t, k4, w&t, p4, pw three times consecutively, p13, continue repeating from the *, stopping abruptly when 3 stitches remain k2, sl1wyif
Row 9 (color A): k12, *kw three times consecutively, k11, repeat from * until 1 stitch remains, k1
Row 10 (color A): repeat row 2
Row 11 (color A): knit
Row 12 (color A): repeat row 2

Repeat rows 1-12 twelve times more, or until blanket reaches desired width.

Binding off

Bind off row 1 (color A): knit
Bind off row 2 (color A): Loosely bind off using the basic bind off method (k2, pass first stitch over the second stitch and off the needle. Knit another stitch, pass first stitch over second stitch, etc, etc).

• PurlSoho has this great tutorial if you need additional guidance for the bind off.
• If you’re prone to knitting tight, try going up 1-2 needle sizes for this final row!

Finishing

Block the blanket and weave in any loose ends to finish.