Garter Stripe Throw Blanket Knitting Pattern

Garter Stripe Throw Blanket Knitting Pattern

Project Overview

The Garter Stripe Throw is a knitted blanket designed by Plymouth Yarn, created as a free pattern with yarn purchase. This throw blanket measures approximately 48 inches wide by 56 inches long, making it an ideal size for draping over furniture or providing warmth during relaxation.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a striped throw blanket using a simple yet visually striking color-blocking technique. The finished piece features seven distinct horizontal stripes in varying color combinations, progressing through a symmetrical sequence that creates visual interest while maintaining ease of construction for knitters of various skill levels.

Techniques Used

The primary technique employed throughout this pattern is garter stitch, which is created by knitting every row. This fundamental stitch creates a textured, bumpy fabric with excellent drape and elasticity, making it ideal for blankets and throws. The pattern also incorporates holding multiple strands of yarn together during knitting, which increases yarn weight and creates thicker, more substantial fabric without requiring heavier individual yarns. This multi-strand approach allows crafters to control fabric density and create color blending effects by combining main color and contrast color strands.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k): The only stitch required throughout the entire pattern, worked in every row to create garter stitch fabric
• Cast on (CO): Used at the beginning to create 120 stitches on the needle
• Bind off (BO): Used at the end to secure all stitches and finish the edges

Stripe Sequence and Color Work

The blanket features a symmetrical seven-stripe design that progresses through the following color combinations, each stripe measuring 8 inches in height:

• 8 inches of Cream (MC) using 2 strands held together
• 8 inches of Cream (MC) with Brown (CC1) held together
• 8 inches of Cream (MC) with Orange (CC2) held together
• 8 inches of Cream (MC) with Blue (CC3) held together
• 8 inches of Cream (MC) with Orange (CC2) held together
• 8 inches of Cream (MC) with Brown (CC1) held together
• 8 inches of Cream (MC) using 2 strands held together

This symmetrical arrangement creates a balanced visual composition with the cream color anchoring the top and bottom edges while jewel-tone and warm accent colors create interest in the center sections.

Materials and Yarn

The pattern calls for Plymouth Yarn Coffee Beenz yarn in the following quantities and colors:

• 7 balls (100g each) of color 9202 Cream for the main color (MC)
• 2 balls (100g each) of color 9204 Brown for contrast color 1 (CC1)
• 2 balls (100g each) of color 9456 Orange for contrast color 2 (CC2)
• 2 balls (100g each) of color 9598 Blue for contrast color 3 (CC3)

The total yardage required is approximately 1,300 yards of yarn across all colors.

Needles and Gauge

This pattern uses US Size 13 (9mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches in length. The gauge is 10 stitches equals 4 inches when working in stockinette stitch with yarn held double. Circular needles are used despite the garter stitch construction, allowing for the accommodation of 120 stitches without requiring excessively long straight needles.

Construction Details

The blanket begins with a cast on of 120 stitches using 2 strands of cream yarn held together. Knitters work continuously in garter stitch throughout the entire project, changing yarn color combinations at each 8-inch interval according to the stripe sequence. The pattern concludes with a loose bind off to maintain elasticity at the finished edge, followed by weaving in all yarn ends to complete the blanket.