Noro Mosaic & Entrelac Blanket Knitting Pattern

Noro Mosaic & Entrelac Blanket

Project Overview

This is an intermediate-level knitting pattern for a square blanket measuring 49 x 49 inches (124.5 x 124.5 centimeters). The blanket combines two distinct knitting techniques—mosaic colorwork and entrelac construction—to create a visually complex and textured finished piece. The project is worked flat on straight needles and finished with seaming.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Noro Silk Garden Lite in two colorways: 17 x 50g balls in #2084 (Color A) and 19 x 50g balls in #2170 (Color B)
• Needles: One pair of size US 6/4mm straight needles
• Additional Tools: Crochet hook and scrap yarn for provisional cast on

Gauge and Tension

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies two different gauges depending on the stitch pattern being worked:

• 21 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch using size US 6/4mm needles
• 20 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in mosaic pattern using size US 6/4mm needles

Techniques Used

Mosaic Knitting: This colorwork technique creates intricate patterns using two colors without working with both colors in the same row. In mosaic knitting, one color is actively knitted while stitches in the contrasting color are slipped. The pattern notes that one row of the mosaic chart represents two rows of actual knitting. Rows are read from right to left on the right side and from left to right on the wrong side. This technique produces bold, geometric designs with minimal color changes per row, making it more manageable than traditional stranded colorwork.

Entrelac: This is a sophisticated knitting technique that creates a woven appearance by working small rectangular blocks of stitches that interlock with one another. Entrelac construction adds textural depth and visual interest to the blanket.

Seaming: The blanket pieces are worked flat and then joined together using seaming techniques. The pattern incorporates selvage stitches along the edges to facilitate clean, professional seaming.

Key Stitches and Techniques

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The foundational stitch used throughout portions of the blanket
• Slip Stitches: Used extensively in mosaic patterns to create color effects without actively working with both yarns
• Yarn Overs (YO): Used to create new stitches and add decorative elements
• Decreases: Slip, slip, knit/purl (ssk/ssp) decreases are used to shape the fabric and create pattern definition
• Pick Up and Knit/Purl: Used to add stitches along edges, particularly important for entrelac construction where new blocks are picked up from previous sections
• Provisional Cast On: Worked using a crochet hook and scrap yarn, allowing for later pick-up of live stitches
• Selvage Stitches: Edge stitches that create clean edges and simplify the seaming process

Pattern Characteristics

The Noro Mosaic & Entrelac Blanket showcases the beautiful colorways of Noro Silk Garden Lite yarn, which features a blend of silk and other fibers creating a lustrous finish. The combination of mosaic and entrelac techniques results in a blanket with both visual complexity and textural variation. The intermediate skill level indicates that knitters should be comfortable with color work, chart reading, and construction techniques beyond basic knitting.

The finished blanket is a substantial project suitable for experienced crafters looking to expand their technical skills while creating a heirloom-quality throw.