Rowan Doodle Blanket Knitting Pattern

Rowan Doodle Knitted Blanket

What is Being Made

The Rowan Doodle is a beginner-friendly knitted blanket and throw designed by Erika Knight. The completed blanket measures approximately 71 cm (28 inches) wide and 90 cm (35½ inches) long, making it an ideal size for a cozy throw or crib blanket. This project is available as a downloadable PDF pattern from Rowan.

Techniques Used

Intarsia knitting is the primary technique employed in this pattern, allowing for the creation of distinct color blocks and geometric designs. The pattern uses the intarsia method to manage multiple yarn colors simultaneously, creating visual interest through strategic color placement. Knitters work with doubled yarn throughout the project, which adds weight and texture to the finished piece. The pattern also incorporates marker placement and movement techniques to track stitch counts as the design evolves, with markers being moved one stitch closer to the end of rows in a systematic progression to create the doodle effect.

Stitches Used

This pattern is constructed primarily using garter stitch (abbreviated as g st), which is created by knitting every row. Garter stitch provides a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges and is an excellent choice for beginners. The pattern uses knit stitches (K) as the foundational stitch throughout. Cast-on and cast-off techniques are also essential, with the pattern specifying knitwise cast-off on the wrong side to finish the blanket securely.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The pattern offers two distinct colorway options, each using Rowan yarn in 50-gram balls:

• First Colorway: Yarn A – Milky 201 (3 x 50gm), Yarn B – Mushy 202 (3 x 50gm), Yarn C – Pickles 208 (2 x 50gm), Yarn D – Naptime 204 (3 x 50gm)
• Second Colorway: Yarn A – Milky 201 (3 x 50gm), Yarn B – Nutkin 209 (3 x 50gm), Yarn C – Piglet 207 (2 x 50gm), Yarn D – Pickles 208 (3 x 50gm)

Knitters work with 1 pair of 6mm (US 10) needles. The pattern specifies a tension of 13 stitches and 26 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over garter stitch using 6mm needles and doubled yarn. Working with doubled yarn creates a thicker, more substantial fabric suitable for a blanket's durability and warmth.

Pattern Structure and Progression

The blanket begins with casting on 92 stitches total—46 stitches using yarn B doubled, followed by 46 stitches using yarn A doubled. The initial section involves alternating rows between the two yarns, creating distinct horizontal color blocks. After approximately 43 centimeters of this two-color section, knitters introduce yarns C and D using the intarsia technique with marker placement. The marker-based system allows the doodle pattern to develop gradually as the marker moves one stitch closer to the end of each row, creating the characteristic geometric design. This progression repeats 18 times, building the visual complexity of the blanket before the final rows are worked and all stitches are cast off knitwise on the wrong side.