Catch the Wave Afghan Blanket Knitting Pattern

Catch the Wave Afghan Blanket Knitting Pattern

Project Overview

The Catch the Wave Afghan is an easy-level knitting pattern from Lion Brand that creates a finished blanket measuring 45 x 65 inches (114.5 x 165 cm). This downloadable PDF pattern is designed for knitters of all skill levels and produces a striking textured throw perfect for home décor or gifting.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a large rectangular afghan blanket featuring a distinctive wave texture throughout. The finished piece measures 45 by 65 inches, making it an ideal size for draping over furniture or using as a cozy throw blanket. The design incorporates color blocking with three coordinating yarn colors that create visual interest while maintaining the wave stitch pattern across the entire blanket.

Techniques and Construction

The Catch the Wave Afghan employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners and intermediate knitters. The blanket is worked flat from a cast-on edge using straightforward row-by-row construction. Color changes are strategically incorporated throughout the pattern to add dimension without requiring complex colorwork techniques. The pattern uses a repeating 48-row sequence that is worked five times to achieve the blanket's full length.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is the Wave Stitch, which creates the textured, undulating surface characteristic of this design. The Wave Stitch is based on a multiple of 11 stitches plus 4 edge stitches and consists of the following techniques:

• Knit stitches (k): The foundation stitch used throughout rows 1-5 and in portions of the pattern rows
• Knit two together (k2tog): A decrease stitch that reduces stitch count and creates the wave's contours
• Increases (inc 1): Increases worked in consecutive stitches that build up the wave peaks
• Purl stitches (p): Used on wrong-side rows between the knit edge stitches to create texture variation

The Wave Stitch pattern alternates between plain knit rows (rows 1-5) and textured pattern rows (rows 6-12) that incorporate the decreases and increases. This creates a rhythmic wave effect that repeats across the width and length of the blanket.

Materials and Gauge

The pattern calls for Lion Brand Homespun yarn, a uniquely-textured bulky weight yarn composed of 98% acrylic and 2% polyester. This fiber content allows the yarn to work up quickly and easily, making it ideal for larger projects like afghans. The specific yarn colors and quantities required are:

• Russet (Color A): 3 balls
• Barley (Color B): 2 balls
• Antique (Color C): 2 balls

The pattern requires US Size 9 (5.5 mm) knitting needles for the main fabric. A set of large-eye blunt needles is needed for weaving in the yarn ends during finishing.

The recommended gauge is 12 stitches and 16 rows equal 4 inches (10 cm) when worked in the Wave Stitch pattern. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished blanket achieves the intended dimensions.

Pattern Structure

The afghan begins with casting on 136 stitches using color A. The main pattern section consists of a 48-row repeat that cycles through the three yarn colors in a specific sequence: color A, then B, then A, then C, then back to A. This 48-row sequence is repeated five times total, with color changes occurring at strategic points to create horizontal color blocks. The pattern concludes with 4 knit rows worked in color C followed by binding off.

Finishing

The finishing process is straightforward, requiring only weaving in all yarn ends using the large-eye blunt needles to create a polished, professional appearance.