Erin Afghan Blanket Knitting Pattern

Erin Afghan Blanket Knitting Pattern by Lion Brand

Project Overview

The Erin Afghan is a complex Aran style cable blanket designed for experienced knitters. This impressive throw measures approximately 54 x 72 inches (137 x 183 cm), making it an ideal size for draping over furniture or providing warmth on a bed. The pattern combines traditional cable work with purl and knit textures characteristic of Aran knitting, a technique known for its dimensional, sculptural appearance.

What Is Being Made

This is a substantial knitted blanket or throw constructed using modular block construction. The afghan is built from individual blocks that measure approximately 17 1/2 x 18 1/2 inches (44.5 x 47 cm) each when worked with two strands of yarn held together. The finished piece features intricate cable patterns throughout, creating visual interest and texture across the entire surface.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Erin Afghan employs several advanced knitting techniques suitable for experienced crafters. Cable work is the primary technique, requiring the use of cable needles to create the twisted, rope-like textures that define Aran style knitting. The pattern incorporates both left and right cable crosses, which are worked by slipping stitches onto a cable needle and holding them either in front or in back of the work before knitting or purling them in sequence. This creates the characteristic raised, interlocking patterns.

Purl crosses are also featured, combining knit and purl stitches in cable formations for added visual complexity. Increases are worked throughout the pattern to shape and expand certain sections, while decreases such as single knit together (skp) and knit two together (k2tog) are used to maintain stitch counts and create shaping. The border of the afghan is finished with single crochet, providing a neat, structured edge to the knitted body.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

• 2/1 LPC (2 over 1 left purl cross): Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, purl 1 stitch, then knit 2 stitches from the cable needle
• 2/1 RPC (2 over 1 right purl cross): Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold in back, knit 2 stitches, then purl 1 stitch from the cable needle
• 2/2 LC (2 over 2 left cross): Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from the cable needle
• 2/2 RC (2 over 2 right cross): Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from the cable needle
• M1: Make 1 increase worked as if to purl by lifting the horizontal thread between needles and placing it on the left needle, then purling the new stitch
• skp: Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (a left-leaning decrease)
• k2tog: Knit two stitches together (a right-leaning decrease)
• p2tog: Purl two stitches together (a decrease on purl side)
• p3tog: Purl three stitches together (a double decrease on purl side)

Materials and Tools

This pattern calls for Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool yarn in the Natural colorway, requiring 14 balls total. Fishermen's Wool is a traditional, durable wool yarn well-suited to cable work and blanket projects due to its body and stitch definition.

The required tools include Lion Brand Knitting Needles in Size 10 (6 mm) for the main fabric, worked with two strands of yarn held together. A Lion Brand Crochet Hook in Size J-10 (6 mm) is used to work the single crochet border. Lion Brand Cable Needles (Set of 2) are essential for executing the numerous cable crosses throughout the pattern. Lion Brand Split Ring Stitch Markers help track pattern repeats and important row markers, while a set of 6 Large-Eye