Studio Afghan Blanket Knitting Pattern

Studio Afghan Blanket Knitting Pattern by Lion Brand

Project Overview

The Studio Afghan Blanket is an experienced-level knitting project that creates a richly textured throw blanket measuring approximately 35 x 51 inches (89 x 129.5 cm). This downloadable PDF pattern, designated as Lion Brand Pattern Number L32046, combines multiple cable techniques to produce a sophisticated, dimensional finished piece suitable for advanced knitters seeking a substantial home accessory project.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a cable-knit throw blanket designed as a decorative home accent. The finished afghan features a complex arrangement of cables that create visual depth and texture across the entire surface, making it an ideal project for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to work with intricate stitch patterns.

Techniques Used

The Studio Afghan employs several advanced cable-knitting techniques to achieve its textured appearance:

• Cable Crosses: The pattern utilizes multiple cable crossing variations, including 4/2 left cross (4/2 LC), 3/3 left cross (3/3 LC), 4/2 right cross (4/2 RC), 3/3 right cross (3/3 RC), and 4/3 left cross (4/3 LC). Each cable cross involves slipping stitches onto a cable needle, holding it in the appropriate position (front or back of work), and then knitting stitches in a specific sequence to create the crossed cable effect.
• Faux Cables: The pattern incorporates faux cable techniques created by working stockinette stitch over picked-up stitches to form stockinette bands. These bands are then wrapped at spaced intervals to simulate the appearance of cables with less complexity than traditional cables.
• Traveling Cable Pattern: The primary stitch pattern used throughout the blanket is referred to as the Traveling Cable pattern, which serves as the basis for the gauge measurement.

Stitches Used

The pattern relies on fundamental knitting stitches combined with advanced cable work:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): Worked as knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side, stockinette stitch forms the base fabric and is used in the faux cable sections.
• Cable Stitches: Multiple variations of cable crosses create the primary textural interest, with left crosses and right crosses worked at different stitch counts to produce varied cable widths and visual effects.

Materials and Tools

The pattern specifies Lion Brand Homespun Yarn in the Pearls colorway for construction. The yarn is composed of 98% acrylic and 2% polyester, providing durability and easy care. The project requires nine balls of Homespun yarn, with each ball weighing 6 ounces (170 grams) and containing 185 yards (169 meters) of yardage, for a total of approximately 1,665 yards of yarn needed.

Essential tools include a circular knitting needle in size 10 (6 mm) measuring 60 inches (152.5 cm) in length, which accommodates the width of the blanket while in progress. Additional supplies include Lion Brand cable needles (set of 2) for managing cable crosses, Lion Brand split ring stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, and Lion Brand large-eye blunt needles (set of 6) for weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 14 stitches equaling 4 inches (10 centimeters) when measured over the Traveling Cable pattern. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for ensuring the finished blanket reaches the intended dimensions and that the yardage provided is sufficient. Knitters should adjust needle size accordingly if their gauge differs from the pattern specification.