Afghan Blanket Knitting Pattern

Afghan in Plymouth Yarn De Aire

Project Overview

This knitted afghan is a substantial blanket throw measuring approximately 46½" x 58", designed to showcase the elegant drape and texture of Plymouth Yarn's De Aire fiber. The project combines straightforward garter stitch borders with an intricate lace pattern stitch center, creating a sophisticated finished piece suitable for home décor or as a generous gift.

What Is Being Made

A rectangular afghan or throw blanket constructed from a single continuous knitted piece. The finished dimensions are 46½ inches wide by 58 inches long, providing ample coverage for draping over furniture or use as a decorative blanket. The design features a structured approach with garter stitch selvage edges framing a central lace pattern section.

Knitting Techniques Used

This project employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques:

• Garter Stitch: The foundational stitch used for the top and bottom borders (2 inches each), created by knitting every row. This produces a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges.
• Stockinette Stitch: Referenced for gauge measurement, indicating the base structure under the pattern stitch.
• Lace Patterning: The central 85 stitches feature an 11-repeat sequence of a 14-stitch multiple pattern that creates openwork and decorative texture through strategic yarn overs and decreases.
• Yarn Overs (yo): Used throughout the pattern stitch to create the lace openings and add visual interest.
• Decreases: Purl three together (p3tog) decreases are used to balance yarn overs and create the lace design's characteristic diamond and geometric shapes.
• Shaping: Strategic decrease and increase rows transition between the garter stitch borders and the pattern stitch section, maintaining stitch count while changing the fabric structure.
• Marker Placement: Stitch markers are used to clearly delineate the 6-stitch garter borders from the 85-stitch central pattern section, aiding in pattern accuracy.
• Blocking: The finished piece is blocked to final measurements, with special attention to pinning out the wavy cast-on and bind-off edges for a polished appearance.

Stitches Used

The pattern stitch is a 14-stitch multiple plus 1 stitch repeat, worked over 12 rows before repeating. The pattern combines knit and purl stitches with yarn overs and decreases:

• Knit (k): Basic knit stitch forming the foundation and structural elements.
• Purl (p): Creates textured contrast and is used extensively in the pattern stitch rows.
• Yarn Over (yo): Increases a stitch while creating an eyelet or decorative hole, essential to the lace design.
• Knit Two Together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used during shaping transitions.
• Purl Three Together (p3tog): A centered decrease that removes two stitches, creating the lace pattern's distinctive diamond motifs.
• Knit Front and Back (kf&b): An increase stitch used during the increase row to return to the original stitch count.
• Purl Two Together (p2tog): A left-leaning decrease used within the pattern stitch rows.
• Slip Marker (sl m): Moves markers from one needle to the next without working them, maintaining pattern boundaries.

Materials and Gauge

This afghan is worked in Plymouth Yarn De Aire, a luxury yarn requiring 9 skeins of 100 grams each in color 705 Green. De Aire is known for its soft, breathable qualities, making it ideal for a blanket that drapes beautifully.

Gauge: The project is worked on US Size 15 needles with a gauge of 9 stitches and 13 rows equaling 4 inches in stockinette stitch. At the widest point of the pattern stitch, the gauge measures 15 stitches to 7 inches after blocking, reflecting the lace pattern's expansion.

Needles and Notions: A US Size 15 circular knitting needle, 32 inches in length, is used