Debbie Bliss Zebra Rug Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Zebra Rug

What Is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Zebra Rug is a knitted accessory rug featuring a striking zebra stripe pattern. This intermediate-level project produces a finished rug measuring approximately 51 x 72cm (20 x 28¼ inches), designed to add visual impact to any room while showcasing classic stranded colorwork techniques.

Craft and Techniques

This project uses knitting as the primary craft, employing stranded colorwork to create the zebra pattern. The rug is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, making it accessible for knitters comfortable with two-color pattern work. The stranded technique involves carrying yarn not in use across the wrong side of the work, with careful weaving to maintain fabric elasticity throughout the piece.

Stitches Used

The rug is constructed primarily in stocking stitch (also called stockinette stitch), which creates a smooth, flat fabric ideal for displaying colorwork patterns. The pattern is worked from a chart spanning 126 rows, with stitches cast on and worked in stockinette stitch throughout the entire piece.

Materials and Specifications

• Yarn: Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran, used double throughout the project. Six 50g balls in Black 1 (A) and five balls in Ecru 2 (B) are required.
• Needles: One pair of 6.50mm (US 10½) knitting needles
• Backing Fabric: A 55 x 76cm (21¾ x 30 inch) piece of non-fray fabric for backing. Black felt was used in the original design, though washable alternatives may be substituted.
• Tension: 15.5 stitches and 17 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over patterned stocking stitch using 6.50mm needles with yarn used double

Pattern Construction

The rug begins with casting on 100 stitches using two balls of yarn A held together. Starting with a knit row, the knitter works in stocking stitch from a provided chart until all 126 chart rows are completed. Once the knitted piece is finished, yarn ends are neatened and the fabric is pressed according to yarn ball band instructions. The finished knitted rug is then centered onto the backing fabric, with excess fabric folded over the right side and corners neatened before stitching around the entire edge to secure the backing.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with experience in basic techniques who are ready to tackle two-color stranded colorwork and pattern reading from a chart.