How to Needle Knit Grandma’s Rectangle Blanket (C2C)

Inside: Learn to needle knit Grandma’s Rectangle Blanket with this free pattern. This corner to corner (C2C) blanket features a double eyelet edge, stockinette center and has instructions for 2 sizes, baby crib and twin size blanket. Includes fully captioned tutorial videos!

You know what I love about the Zoom calls with my YouTube VIPs? The brilliant ideas my VIPs come up with!

During one of our knit chats someone asked if you could needle or loom knit a corner to corner rectangle. That got me thinking about the best way to make that happen. Since I’d been working on Grandma’s Eyelet Blanket, I decided to use that as the base pattern.

After some trial and error I figured out a very easy way to take the square and simply add a section in the middle to create a rectangle.

The best part is that you can knit ANY size rectangle using this pattern!

Need a couch throw that just a little longer than it is wide? No problem.

What about a wrap for those chilly fall evenings? Yes, same pattern.

Table runner? Yup, even a table runner.

So, how do I needle knit Grandma’s Rectangle Blanket?

Grandma’s Rectangle Blanket is worked corner to corner (C2C) in sections.  (See schematic below.) 

Section 1 begins at the cast on corner and is worked as a triangle by increasing on both sides.  You knit this section until you reach the desired width of the short edge of your blanket. 

Then you work Section 2, the middle of the blanket, on the bias.  When you knit on the bias you increase on one edge while decreasing on the opposite edge. Your rows stay the same length, but they shift over as you knit. Work this section until your blanket is the desired length on the long edge. 

Finally, Section 3 is the decrease section that works back down to your bind off corner. You work decreases on both edges of your knitting until you reach 4 stitches. Then simply bind off at the corner.

If you work only Sections 1 and 3 you will end with a square! These two sections are identical to Grandma’s Eyelet Blanket. It’s the middle sections that turns it into a rectangle.

Needle Knit Grandma’s Rectangle Blanket

By Kristen Mangus

A downloadable PDF of this pattern is available in my Etsy store or from Ravelry at the links below:

Grandma’s Rectangle Blanket lets you make a simple corner to corner blanket as a rectangle.  The double eyelet edge creates a beautiful border for the smooth stockinette center of this easy blanket pattern.  I included 2 common sizes, crib and twin size, but you can easily follow this pattern to make ANY size rectangle.

Pattern contains written instructions for 2 sizes and links to fully-captioned tutorial videos for both right and left handed knitters.

MATERIALS

(Materials list may contain affiliate links to products I used to make this project. Using these links costs you nothing, but helps support GKK.) 

Yarn
Bulky (#5) weight yarn
Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek Chunky (211 yds/5 oz., 193 m/142 g) in color Sage used in sample. 

Needles 
US-11 (8.00 mm) – circular needle.
Knitter’s Pride Dreamz Interchangeable used in sample.

Tapestry needle

ABBREVIATIONS
K = Knit
K2tog = Knit 2 stitches together
Kfb = Knit into the front and back of the stitch
P = Purl
Pat = Pattern
Rep = Repeat
RS= Right Side
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS= Wrong Side
YO = Yarnover

GAUGE
12 sts x 17.5 rows in 4” (10 cm) in stockinette stitch

SKILL LEVEL Easy+

MEASUREMENTS
Crib: 45” x 60” (114 x 152 cm)
Twin: 66” x 90” (168 x 227 cm)

NOTES 

Use this pattern to make a rectangle blanket with any weight yarn and an appropriate needle size. All measurements and stitch counts for the listed sizes are specific to the yarn listed above.  

To make a custom size:

1. Work Section 1 until your blanket is the width you want for the short edge. Measure from the cast on corner to your live stitches on one edge.
2. Work Section 2 until your blanket is the length you want for the long edge. Measure from the cast on corner to your live stitch on the long edge.
3. Work Section 3 as written.

INSTRUCTIONS

Cast on 4 sts.

Row 1: Knit 4. [4 sts]

Row 2 (RS): K1, Kfb, k1, kfb. [6 sts]

Row 3: Knit all.

Row 4: K1, Kfb, k1, kfb, k2. [8 sts]

Row 5: Knit all.

Row 6: K2, yo, k2, yo, knit to end of row. [10 sts]

Row 7: Knit all. 

Row 8: K2, yo, k2, yo, knit to end of row. [12 sts]

Row 9: K2, yo, k2, yo, knit to end of row. [14 sts]

Row 10: Knit all. 

Row 11: K6. Purl to last 6 sts. K6.

Section 1: Increases

Row 12: K2, yo, k2, yo, knit to end of row.
Row 13: K2, yo, k2, yo, k2. Purl to last 6 sts. K6.
Row 14: Knit all.
Row 15: K6. Purl to last 6 sts. K6.

Repeat Rows 12-15 until you reach 158 (230) stitches or until desired length of short edge, ending after a Row 15.

Section 2: Middle (knit on the bias)

Row 16: K2, yo, k2, yo, k2tog, knit to end of row. 
Row 17: K1, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog. Purl to last 6 sts. K6.
Row 18: K1, kfb, knit to end of row.
Row 19: K1, k2tog, k4. Purl to last 6 sts. K6. 

Repeat Rows 16-19 until long edge measures 60” (90”) or until desired length ending after a Row 19.

Section 3: Decreases

Row 20: K1, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo. Knit to end of row. 
Row 21: K1, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k2. Purl to last 6 sts. K6.
Row 22: K1, k2tog, k1, k2tog. Knit to end of row. 
Row 23: K1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2. Purl to last 6 sts. K6.

Repeat Rows 20-23 until 14 sts remain. 

Row 24: K1, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo. Knit to end of row. 

Row 25: K1, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k2. Knit to end of row.

Row 26: K1, k2tog, k1, k2tog. Knit to end of row. [12 sts]

Row 27: K1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2. Knit to end of row. [10 sts] 

Row 28: K1, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo. Knit to end of row. 

Row 29: K1, k2tog, k1, k2tog. Knit to end of row. [8 sts] 

Row 30: K1, K2tog, k1, k2tog. Knit to end of row. [6 sts] 

Row 31: K1, k2tog, k1, k2tog. Knit to end of row. [4 sts] 

Bind off remaining sts. Cut yarn and pull tail through. Weave in ends and block.

PIN IT!