Knit a Blanket with a Ton of Texture

This blanket knitting pattern is listed as being an easy pattern for beginners, but I’m not sure it’s something I would have taken on as a beginner.

True, all of the patterns in this blanket from Lily Lake Knits are knit and purl patterns, but the great combination of them across the work probably would have given me pause.

If you’re a beginner and this looks like something you want to try, you definitely can handle it with a little time and stitch markers. And you’ll learn a lot of fun stitch patterns and designs along the way.

For those who feel comfortable knitting lots of different stitch patterns, if not lots of different stitches, in the same project, this one would definitely be fun to do. And the pattern includes both written instructions and charts, so you could use it as a way to practice reading charts when there are mostly just knits and purls involved.

The pattern uses medium/worsted weight yarn (specifically Lion Brand Pound of Love, but you can use whatever you like) and it offers and range of six sizes, so with this pattern you can knit anything from a little security blanket to a stroller blanket, a crib blanket, or a small, medium or large throw. You can also just make one of the chosen widths longer if you like.

It’s worked in one piece so you’ll need a long cable needle even though it’s worked flat, which should help make the weight of the project more manageable, too. This is also why I mention stitch markers, because you’re working what looks like about seven different panels of pattern across the width of the project, so it will help you to remember to change patterns if you have markers there to slow you down.

This does look like a fun project that’s sure to keep you or your favorite little one cozy through the cold months.

You can grab a copy of the pattern from Lily Lake Knits on Etsy.

[Photo: Lily Lake Knits]

Next Pattern:

Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

Next Pattern:

Have you read?