Smith Blanket Knitting Pattern

Smith Blanket in Juniper Moon Moonshine & Moonshine Trios

What is Being Made

The Smith blanket is a faux log-cabin design knit as a 50" x 50" (127 x 127 cm) square throw blanket. Rather than constructing the traditional log-cabin pattern from 64 separate squares, this design uses an efficient strip-based construction method. Eight long knitted strips are sewn together to create the finished blanket, with seven strips measuring 6" (15 cm) wide by 50" (127 cm) long, and a final strip measuring 8" (20.5 cm) wide. This blanket is part of the Viroqua Collection and serves as a companion piece to the Whistler pillow.

Techniques Used

The Smith blanket employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive faux log-cabin appearance. The primary construction method involves working long vertical strips rather than individual squares, which streamlines the knitting process and reduces the number of pieces requiring assembly. Each strip combines two fundamental stitch patterns: garter stitch borders and stockinette stitch color blocks. The design uses a rotating colorway system where each strip begins with a different contrasting color and proceeds through the remaining colors consecutively, creating a rainbow pattern across the blanket. This systematic color progression ensures balanced color distribution throughout the finished piece. The blanket incorporates a garter stitch border along the long edges of each strip, providing structural definition and a finished appearance. Final assembly involves picking up stitches along the second long edge of the final strip to knit a matching garter stitch border, ensuring consistency across all edges.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch: Used for the borders on the long edges of each strip, worked in 20-row sections (10 ridges) using the main color. Garter stitch creates a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges that frame the stockinette color blocks.
• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch for the color blocks within each strip, worked over 28 rows (4 inches / 10 cm) in each contrasting color. Stockinette stitch creates a smooth, flat surface that showcases the yarn colors clearly.
• Cast On and Bind Off: Standard techniques used to begin and complete each strip, with 22 stitches cast on for each blanket strip.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The Smith blanket uses Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine and Moonshine Trios yarns in a carefully coordinated palette. The main color (MC) is 9 hanks of Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine in color #25 Iced Coffee, which provides the neutral foundation for the garter stitch borders and frames the colorwork. Eight contrasting colors (CC) are used, with 1 hank of Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine Trios in each of the following colors: CC1 #105 Sea Shell, CC2 #107 Cherry Blossom, CC3 #106 Pink Champagne, CC4 #109 Meadow, CC5 #102 Undergrowth, CC6 #108 Caribbean, CC7 #103 Waves, and CC8 #104 Berry Cobbler. These eight colorways work together to create the rainbow pattern that moves across the blanket strips.

Needles: The pattern calls for US 7 (4.5 mm) needles in two configurations: a 24-inch (60 cm) circular needle for the main strip construction and US 7 (4.5 mm) double-point needles for additional techniques as needed. Circular needles accommodate the width of the strips while allowing for the long length required for each piece.

Gauge and Construction Details

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this blanket to reach its finished measurements. The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows equaling 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, and 20 stitches and 40 rows equaling 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch. These different row counts reflect the distinct characteristics of each stitch pattern. A tapestry needle is required for finishing, including seaming the strips together and weaving in yarn ends. The pattern was designed by Pamela Wynne and is part of the Viroqua Collection from Juniper Moon Farm.