Color Rich Afghan in Lion Brand Vanna's Choice and Vanna's Tapestry

Color Rich Afghan in Lion Brand Vanna's Choice and Vanna's Tapestry

Project Overview

This Color Rich Afghan is a modern throw blanket designed to add contemporary style to any room. The finished piece measures approximately 39 x 50 1/2 inches (99 x 128.5 cm), making it an ideal size for draping over furniture or using as a decorative accent. The afghan is constructed using a strip-based construction method, with individual strips knitted separately and then sewn together to create the final design.

Skill Level and Construction Technique

Rated as Beginner (Easy Level 2), this project is accessible to knitters with basic experience. The strip construction method is particularly beginner-friendly, as it breaks the large blanket into manageable smaller pieces. This approach allows crafters to work on portable sections and makes it easier to maintain consistent tension throughout the project. Once all strips are completed, they are sewn together using a blunt needle to create the finished throw.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The afghan features Seed Stitch as the primary pattern stitch. Seed Stitch is worked over an odd number of stitches with a simple alternating pattern: knit one, purl one across the row, shifting the pattern on alternating rows to create the characteristic bumpy, textured appearance. This stitch creates excellent drape and visual interest while remaining straightforward enough for beginner knitters to execute successfully.

The pattern also incorporates Stockinette Stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side), which serves as the foundation stitch for gauge measurement and overall construction.

Yarn and Materials

This afghan combines two complementary Lion Brand yarn lines for rich color variation:

• Lion Brand Vanna's Tapestry: A 100% acrylic yarn available in three colorways used in this pattern—Iceland (Color 205), Scandinavia (Color 202), and Brazil (Color 201). Each colorway requires 2 balls. Vanna's Tapestry comes in 3-ounce (85-gram) pull skeins with 145 yards (133 meters) per skein.
• Lion Brand Vanna's Choice: A premium acrylic blend yarn used for accent colors. The yarn composition varies by colorway: Black shades (400, 401, 403) contain 92% acrylic and 8% rayon, while shade 402 contains 96% acrylic and 4% rayon. Solids come in 3.5-ounce (100-gram) packages with 170 yards (156 meters), while Prints, Tweeds, and Heathers come in 3-ounce (85-gram) packages with 145 yards (133 meters). Twists are packaged at 2.5 ounces (70 grams) with 121 yards (111 meters). This pattern uses Linen (Color 099) requiring 1 ball.

The combination of these acrylic-based yarns creates a durable, easy-care blanket suitable for regular use and washing.

Tools and Equipment

The pattern calls for Boye Aluminum Circular Knitting Needles in Size 08, 36 inches long. Circular needles of this length are ideal for managing the width of strips and allow for easy distribution of stitches. Additionally, a Lion Brand Large-Eye Blunt Needle Set (Set of 6) is required for seaming the strips together with yarn, ensuring secure and neat joins.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 22 rows equals approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) worked in Stockinette Stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side). Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the afghan to reach its intended finished dimensions and for the yardage requirements to be accurate. Knitters should always create a gauge swatch before beginning the project, adjusting needle size up or down as needed to match the specified gauge.

Design and Appeal

The use of multiple coordinating colors from both Vanna's Tapestry and Vanna's Choice yarns creates a rich, multi-colored effect that appeals to contemporary home décor sensibilities. The combination of different colorways—from the cool Iceland and Scandinavia tones to the warm Brazil shade, accented with Linen—produces a sophisticated, layered appearance. This color-rich approach transforms a simple blanket into a statement piece suitable for modern interiors.