Debbie Bliss Contrast Border Blanket Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Contrast Border Blanket

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Contrast Border Blanket is a knitted throw designed as a cozy homeware piece measuring approximately 76cm x 50cm (30in x 19¾in). This blanket features a sophisticated construction combining a textured central panel with decorative contrast-colored borders on all sides, creating a finished piece suitable for draping over furniture or use as a lap throw.

Techniques Used

This blanket is worked using the bottom-up construction method, meaning the knitter begins at the cast-on edge and works upward toward the bind-off. The design employs horizontal stripes created through strategic color changes throughout the pattern. The blanket is worked flat on straight needles or a circular needle, rather than in the round, allowing for straightforward row-by-row construction. The pattern incorporates picked-up stitches along the side edges to add the decorative borders, and diagonal seams are joined at each corner during finishing to create neat, professional-looking edges.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout this blanket is moss stitch, a fundamental textured stitch that alternates knit and purl stitches in a specific pattern to create a bumpy, woven appearance. Moss stitch is worked over 4 rows using the pattern: Row 1 K1, [p1, k1] to end; Row 2 P2tog, [k1, p1] to last 3 stitches, k1, p2tog; Row 3 P1, [k1, p1] to end; Row 4 K2tog, [p1, k1] to last 3 stitches, p1, k2tog. The side borders feature variations of moss stitch with increases and decreases that create shaping. Additional techniques include k2tog (knit two together) and p2tog (purl two together) decreases, as well as increases worked by knitting or purling into the first and last stitches of rows to add width to the border sections.

Materials

This pattern calls for Debbie Bliss Cashmerino yarn, a blend offering softness and warmth. The main piece requires five 50g balls (1¾oz each) in Moss 19 as the main color. The contrast borders are created using one 50g ball each in four coordinating shades: Sage 18, Carnation 15, Lemon 17, and Apricot 22. The pattern is worked on 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles or a 3.25mm circular needle, with a recommended tension of 26 stitches and 44 rows over 10cm (4in) in moss stitch using the specified needle size.

Pattern Construction Details

The blanket begins with the main piece, where 117 stitches are cast on and worked in moss stitch until the piece measures 70cm (27½in) from the cast-on edge. The side borders are then added by picking up 151 stitches evenly along each side edge using contrast colors. Each border is worked in a modified moss stitch pattern with strategic increases and decreases that shape the border while adding visual interest. The pattern specifies that the first side border uses color C, while the remaining side border uses color D. After all borders are complete, diagonal seams are joined at each corner to finish the blanket, creating a polished, professional appearance.