Keep babies comfy and cosy in this gorgeous blanket with intarsia elephants - perfect for boys and girls alike.

Elephant Parade is a baby blanket inspired by a book I had as a child that featured a ribbon running through it printed with a mummy elephant and her two baby elephants trailing behind. The blanket is created using intarsia for the main elephant bodies, with embroidered chain stitch to add definition to the legs, Swiss-darned pupils and the ears are knitted separately (in the round so they are double sided and lie flat) and stitched in place. The ear flaps add extra interest and texture, and are perfect for chewing!

The blanket measures 90 x 70 cm (35 ½ × 27 ½ in), sized to fit a pram, stroller, Moses basket or crib, and can also be rolled out on the floor and used as a playmat, and features a 2.5 cm (1 in) moss stitch border to prevent curling; this border is knitted simultaneous to the blanket, minimising the amount of finishing that is needed.

The sample blanket is knitted in King Cole Merino Blend Aran aran weight; 100% pure new wool; 80 m (87 yds) per 50 g (1.8 oz) ball in the following colours: Scarlet 009 (MC), Stone 904 (CC1), Aran 776 (CC2) and Black 775 (CC3).

If preferred, buttons can be used for the elephants’ pupils.

Tools: 5 mm (US 8) circular needle at least 80 cm (31 in) in length – the blanket is knitted flat, but the circular needle is required for length; 5 mm (US 8) DPNs; Bobbins and chart row marker; 6 stitch markers; Tapestry needle; Darning needle

Materials: Aran weight yarn in the following colours: Red (MC): 625 m/680 yds; Grey (CC1): 130 m/140 yds; Cream (CC2): oddment, 5m/5 yds; Black (CC3): oddment, 5 m/5 yds; Dark grey embroidery thread

Difficulty: Intermediate (knit, purl, simple intarsia, knitting in the round, selection of increases and decreases)

Pattern Style: Blanket instructions are written out, while the colourwork sections are charted

This pattern was first published in Knit Now issue 29.