Rowan Lavender Blanket Knitting Pattern

Rowan Lavender Blanket by Georgia Farrell

Project Overview

The Rowan Lavender Blanket is an intermediate-level knitting project designed to create a finished blanket measuring 73 cm (28¾ inches) wide by 93 cm (36½ inches) long. This downloadable PDF pattern from Rowan combines classic knitting techniques with a charted stitch pattern to produce an elegant throw suitable for home décor or gifting.

Craft and Techniques

This project is executed using knitting, a fundamental fiber craft that interlocks yarn loops using two needles to create fabric. The Rowan Lavender Blanket employs several key techniques to achieve its finished design:

• Garter Stitch Borders: The blanket begins and ends with 6 rows of garter stitch, a foundational knit stitch that creates a textured, reversible fabric. This technique frames the patterned center and provides structural stability to the edges.
• Chart-Based Patterning: The main body of the blanket is worked from a 56-row charted pattern that repeats across the width. This chart-reading method allows knitters to follow visual instructions for creating the lavender-inspired design.
• Stitch Repetition: The pattern uses a 10-stitch repeat worked 14 times across the width, with 3 stitches of garter stitch maintained at each edge for selvage stability.
• Multiple Pattern Repeats: The 56-row chart is worked 4 complete times, then partially repeated (rows 1–28) to achieve the desired blanket length, demonstrating how charted patterns can be scaled for larger projects.

Stitches Used

The Rowan Lavender Blanket utilizes fundamental knitting stitches to create texture and visual interest:

• Knit Stitch (K): The primary stitch worked on right-side rows to create the base fabric structure.
• Purl Stitch (P): Worked on wrong-side rows to reverse the knit stitch appearance, creating dimensional texture when combined with knit stitches in the charted pattern.
• Garter Stitch: Created by knitting every row, producing a bumpy, textured fabric that frames the patterned center and provides visual contrast.
• Cast-On and Cast-Off: The pattern requires casting on 146 stitches and casting off all stitches at completion, fundamental techniques that secure yarn loops at the beginning and end of the project.

Materials and Specifications

The Rowan Lavender Blanket is worked using Rowan Cotton Wool yarn (photographed in the colorway Tiny 203), a blend fiber that combines the breathability of cotton with the elasticity of wool. The yarn is provided in 50-gram balls, allowing knitters to calculate yardage requirements based on the number of balls needed for the finished blanket.

Needles: The pattern calls for one pair of 4mm (US size 6) needles, a mid-range needle size that produces a balanced fabric weight suitable for blanket-weight projects.

Tension: The pattern specifies a tension of 20 stitches and 28 rows to 10 centimeters (approximately 4 inches) measured over the charted pattern using 4mm needles. Achieving correct tension is essential for obtaining the finished blanket dimensions and ensuring proper drape and fabric hand.

Construction Method

The blanket is constructed as a single flat piece worked from cast-on to cast-off. After casting on 146 stitches, knitters work 6 rows of garter stitch, then transition to the charted pattern while maintaining garter stitch selvages. The pattern is repeated multiple times vertically to achieve length, then finished with 6 additional rows of garter stitch before casting off. Finishing involves pressing the completed blanket according to standard knitting practices to even out stitches and enhance the final appearance.