Noro Block Afghan Blanket Knitting Pattern

Noro Block Afghan

What is Being Made

The Noro Block Afghan is a seamless knitted blanket and throw designed for intermediate-level knitters. This finished piece measures approximately 48 x 36 inches (122 x 91.5 centimeters), making it an ideal size for draping over furniture or using as a lap blanket. The afghan features a striking block pattern created through color changes and stitch variations, combining multiple Noro yarn colors into a cohesive, visually interesting textile.

Techniques Used

This project employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished design:

• Seamless Construction: The afghan is worked seamlessly, meaning it is created as one continuous piece without requiring seaming at the end. This technique eliminates the need for finishing seams and creates a more polished final product.
• Worked Flat: Despite using a circular needle, the piece is worked flat rather than in the round. The circular needle is used simply to accommodate the large number of stitches required for the 48-stitch cast-on width, not to join the work into a tube.
• Stripe Pattern: The afghan is constructed in distinct color blocks or stripes. Knitters work 10 inches (25.5 centimeters) in one color, then cut the yarn and join a new color to continue the pattern. This creates bold, horizontal sections of color that define the afghan's visual character.
• Stitch Transitions: The pattern incorporates both Stockinette stitch and Seed stitch sections, providing textural variation throughout the piece.

Stitches Used

Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used throughout most of the afghan, Stockinette stitch creates a smooth, classic knitted fabric with a distinctive V-pattern on the right side. This stitch is created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, resulting in the characteristic appearance most people associate with knitted garments.

Seed Stitch: This textured stitch is incorporated into the pattern to add visual and tactile interest. Seed stitch is created by alternating knit and purl stitches within each row, and then knitting the purl stitches and purling the knit stitches on subsequent rows. This creates a bumpy, textured surface that contrasts beautifully with the smooth Stockinette sections.

Materials

The Noro Block Afghan uses premium yarns in a carefully coordinated color palette:

• Yarn A: 3 skeins of Noro Silk Garden Solo in colorway #17, each skein weighing 100 grams
• Yarn B: 5 skeins of Noro Silk Garden in colorway #471, each skein weighing 50 grams
• Yarn C: 4 skeins of Noro Silk Garden Solo in colorway #31, each skein weighing 100 grams
• Needles: One US 10/6mm circular needle measuring 32 inches (80 centimeters) in length, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge

Gauge: The pattern requires achieving 16 stitches and 20 rows to 4 inches (10 centimeters) over Stockinette stitch using US 10/6mm needles. Checking gauge before beginning the project is essential to ensure the finished afghan meets the specified measurements.

Pattern Structure

The Noro Block Afghan begins with casting on 48 stitches using yarn A. Knitters then work in Stockinette stitch for 10 inches (25.5 centimeters), equivalent to 50 rows. After completing this first color block, yarn A is cut and yarn B is joined to continue the pattern for another 10-inch section. The pattern continues with alternating colors and sections, creating the distinctive block design that gives this afghan its name. This modular approach makes the pattern straightforward to follow while producing an impressive final result.