Lover's Knot Afghan Blanket Knitting Pattern

Lover's Knot Afghan Blanket Knitting Pattern

Project Overview

The Lover's Knot Afghan is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed to create a finished blanket measuring 48 x 60 inches (122 x 152.5 cm). This downloadable PDF pattern from Lion Brand Yarn features a sophisticated cable knit design suitable for knitters with some experience in working with cable stitches and shaping techniques.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a rectangular afghan blanket that combines decorative cable work with textured stitch patterns. The finished piece is large enough to serve as a throw blanket or lap blanket, making it an ideal project for both personal use and gift-giving.

Techniques Used

The Lover's Knot Afghan employs several key knitting techniques that define its intermediate skill level. Cable crossing is central to the design, requiring knitters to use cable needles to create the distinctive twisted rope-like patterns that give the blanket its visual interest. The pattern incorporates both left cross and right cross cable maneuvers, which are worked across the fabric to create the lover's knot motif. Additionally, the pattern uses twisted knit sections that involve knitting through the back loop to create a subtle textured background.

Stitches Used

• Twisted Knit: A two-row repeat combining purl rows with knit-through-back-loop rows to create texture
• 2/2 LC (2 over 2 Left Cross): Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle
• 2/2 RC (2 over 2 Right Cross): Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle
• 2/1 LC (2 over 1 Left Cross): Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, purl 1, then knit 2 from cable needle
• 2/1 RC (2 over 1 Right Cross): Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold in back, knit 2, then purl 1 from cable needle
• OXOX Cable Pattern: A 12-stitch panel repeat that alternates between rows of stockinette stitch and cable crossing rows, creating the signature lover's knot design

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 24 rows equaling 4 inches (10 cm) when measured in the OXOX Cable pattern with slight stretching. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for ensuring the finished blanket reaches the intended 48 x 60-inch dimensions and that the yardage provided is sufficient for completion.

Materials and Tools

This afghan requires Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool yarn in the Natural colorway, with 4 balls needed for the project. The yarn is a durable, traditional wool choice suitable for blankets. Knitters will need a circular knitting needle in size 10 (6 mm) measuring 36 inches or longer to accommodate the width of the blanket. A set of 2 cable needles is required for executing the cable crosses throughout the pattern, and a set of 6 large-eye blunt needles is recommended for weaving in ends and finishing.

Pattern Details

The pattern (Number 60704AD) features corrections applied as of January 14, 2008, ensuring accuracy in the twisted knit stitch instructions. The design combines the textured twisted knit sections with the more complex OXOX cable panels, creating visual contrast and depth. The cable pattern repeats in an eight-row sequence, with alternating left and right crosses that form the characteristic lover's knot appearance when viewed across the finished blanket.