Rowan Striped Blanket Knitting Pattern

Rowan Striped Blanket

Project Overview

The Rowan Striped Blanket is a knitted throw designed by Quail Studio, offering a modern approach to creating a cozy home accessory. This blanket combines classic garter stitch construction with a carefully planned color-blocking technique, resulting in a finished piece measuring approximately 70cm by 90cm (27½ inches by 35½ inches). The design is suitable for knitters with intermediate skill levels and uses a straightforward bottom-up construction method worked flat on circular needles.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a rectangular blanket or throw featuring horizontal stripes in four coordinating colorways. The blanket progresses through distinct color sections, each separated by transitional rows in the base color. The finished dimensions make this piece ideal as a lap throw, bed accent, or decorative blanket for sofas and chairs.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction: The blanket is cast on and worked from the bottom edge upward to the top edge, allowing you to monitor the length as you progress
• Flat knitting: Despite using circular needles, the work is knitted flat in rows rather than in the round, with turning at the end of each row
• Stripe patterning: Multiple color changes create horizontal stripes throughout the blanket, with yarn colors carried up the sides of the work between color changes to minimize weaving in ends
• Color blocking: The blanket is divided into three main color-blocked sections, each featuring two-row stripes in alternating colors before transitioning to the next color family

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

Garter stitch is the primary stitch used throughout this entire blanket. Garter stitch is created by knitting every row, which produces a reversible fabric with horizontal ridges on both sides. This stitch is ideal for blankets because it lies flat, provides excellent drape, and creates a classic, timeless appearance. The blanket begins and ends with 14 rows of garter stitch in the base color, creating neat selvage edges and a defined border effect.

The stripe pattern follows a consistent two-row repeat in alternating colors within each color section. For example, the first color section alternates between two rows of yarn B and two rows of yarn A until reaching the specified length. This regular rhythm makes the pattern easy to follow and creates visually balanced horizontal stripes.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The pattern calls for Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK, a lightweight double-knit weight yarn that combines merino wool with silk for softness and subtle sheen. The color palette includes four distinct shades:

• Yarn A – Straw (color 671): 4 balls of 50g each, used as the primary color throughout
• Yarn B – Iceberg (color 699): 2 balls of 50g each, the first contrast color
• Yarn C – Leaf (color 692): 2 balls of 50g each, the second contrast color
• Yarn D – Teal (color 677): 2 balls of 50g each, the third contrast color

Needles: The pattern requires 4mm (US size 6) circular needles measuring at least 60cm (24 inches) in length. Circular needles are used here not for working in the round, but rather to accommodate the large number of stitches (154 cast-on stitches) comfortably while working flat.

Gauge and Tension

The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 46 rows to 10cm (4 inches) measured over garter stitch using 4mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements stated in the pattern. Knitters should work a gauge swatch in garter stitch before beginning the blanket to ensure their tension matches the pattern requirements.

Construction Details

The blanket is constructed in a single piece from cast-on to cast-off. After casting on 154 stitches, knitters work 14 rows in garter stitch using yarn A to establish the bottom border. The main body then progresses through three color-blocked sections, each introducing a new contrast yarn while maintaining the two-row stripe pattern. Yarn is carried up the sides of the work between color changes rather than being broken off, which reduces finishing work and creates a neat selvage edge. The blanket concludes with 14 rows of garter stitch in yarn A, mirroring the beginning and creating a balanced,