Shibui Knits Courant Blanket Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Courant Blanket Pattern

What is Being Made

The Courant is a seamless knit blanket available in two sizes: a Receiving Blanket measuring 28" × 29" and a larger Crib Blanket measuring 34" × 36". This is a beginner-friendly knitting project designed to create a soft, lightweight throw perfect for babies and small children. The blanket features an elegant striped colorway created by alternating between two coordinating yarns throughout the construction.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished design. The blanket is worked flat on circular needles, meaning it is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round. The construction is seamless, eliminating the need for seaming pieces together after completion. The pattern incorporates stripes created by alternating between Color A and Color B throughout the project. Rather than cutting the yarn when switching colors, knitters drop the unused strand and pick it up again when needed, a technique that maintains yarn continuity and reduces finishing work. A smooth selvage edge is created using a slip-stitch technique with specific yarn positioning to ensure neat side edges.

Stitches Used

The Courant features two primary stitch patterns that work together to create visual interest. The Lace Ripple Pattern appears in the border sections and uses yarn overs (yo) combined with decreases to create an openwork, flowing design. The pattern repeat is based on a multiple of 14 stitches and alternates between a lace row featuring knit stitches, slip-slip-knit decreases (ssk), yarn overs, and knit-2-together decreases (k2tog), followed by a knit row. The Ripple Pattern used in the center section replaces the yarn overs with make-one-left increases (M1L), creating a textured, dimensional effect while maintaining the same 14-stitch repeat structure. Both patterns are worked over two rows, with the first row containing the pattern detail and the second row worked entirely in knit stitches for simplicity.

Materials and Specifications

The Courant is designed to be knit with Shibui Staccato, a premium yarn composed of 70% superwash merino wool and 30% silk. This fiber blend provides softness, durability, and a subtle sheen appropriate for a baby blanket. The yardage requirement is 191 yards per 50-gram skein, with 3 skeins needed for the Receiving Blanket size or 4 skeins for the larger Crib Blanket size. The pattern calls for both Color A and Color B in equal quantities. The example shown uses Rain for Color A and 50s Kitchen for Color B. Knitting is worked on Size 6 (4 mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches or longer, which accommodates the increasing stitch count as the blanket grows. The recommended gauge is 28 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches when worked in the Ripple Pattern, ensuring proper blanket dimensions and drape. A tapestry needle is required for weaving in yarn ends during finishing.

Skill Level and Construction Overview

Rated as a beginner-friendly project at skill level 1-2, the Courant is accessible to knitters new to garment construction. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 198 stitches for the Receiving Blanket or 240 stitches for the Crib Blanket. Construction starts with a border section worked in the Lace Ripple Pattern using alternating colors, establishing the decorative edge. The pattern then transitions to the center section, which is worked in the standard Ripple Pattern for greater length. The blanket is completed by binding off all stitches using Color A, creating a finished edge. The entire blanket is worked seamlessly from cast-on to bind-off without requiring any seaming, making it an ideal first project for learning fundamental knitting skills while producing a beautiful, functional finished piece.