Rowan Lark Blanket Knitting Pattern

Rowan Lark Knitted Blanket and Throw

What is Being Made

The Rowan Lark is a knitted shawl designed as a blanket or throw, created by Erika Knight. This is a large, versatile piece measuring 213 cm (84 inches) wide and 88.5 cm (34¾ inches) long at its deepest point, making it suitable for draping over furniture, shoulders, or using as a decorative throw blanket.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project classified at beginner skill level, making it accessible to those new to knitting while producing a sophisticated finished piece. The shawl is constructed using a combination of two primary stitch patterns that create visual interest and texture throughout the garment.

The construction begins with a small cast-on of just 2 stitches, which are then increased systematically to build the triangular shawl shape. The pattern employs strategic increases along the left side edge during the initial ridge pattern section, followed by a transition into a ribbed pattern section where increases continue in a controlled manner. Once the shawl reaches its deepest point (marked during the pattern), the left side edge transitions to decreases, gradually reducing the stitch count as the piece is completed. This shaping technique creates the characteristic asymmetrical shawl silhouette.

Stitches Used

• Ridge Pattern: A simple textured stitch created by alternating knit and purl rows, producing a ridged fabric surface
• Rib Pattern: A classic knit-purl combination (K2, P2 repeat) that creates vertical lines and elasticity in the fabric
• Increase Stitches: Both knitwise increases (knitting into the front and back of a stitch) and purlwise increases (purling into the back then front of a stitch) are used to shape the piece
• Decrease Stitches: Knit two together (K2tog) and purl two together (P2tog) decreases are employed to shape the edges
• Make One Increases: M1 (make one) and M1P (make one purlwise) increases are used for seamless shaping

Materials and Tools

This project uses Baby Cashsoft Merino yarn by Rowan, requiring 14 x 50-gram balls (700 grams total). The yarn is worked on 3½mm (US size 4) needles in a single pair.

The pattern specifies precise tension measurements: 23 stitches and 44 rows over 10 centimeters when measured over the ridge pattern, and 28 stitches and 30 rows over 10 centimeters when measured over the rib pattern. Both measurements are achieved using 3½mm needles. The example photographed in the pattern was made in the colorway Pickles 123.

This beginner-friendly design from Rowan and Erika Knight demonstrates how fundamental knitting techniques and basic stitch patterns can be combined to create an elegant, wearable finished piece suitable for any skill level seeking to expand their knitting repertoire.