Throw & Cushion Covers Blanket Knitting Pattern

Throw & Cushion Covers Knitted in King Cole Forest Aran

What is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern from King Cole provides instructions for creating two coordinating home décor items: a throw blanket and matching cushion covers. The throw measures 134 to 152 centimetres (52¾ to 60 inches) in length, making it an ideal size for draping over sofas or beds. The cushion covers are square, measuring 46 by 46 centimetres (18 by 18 inches), and can be made to complement the throw as a coordinated set or individually as standalone pieces.

Craft and Difficulty Level

This is an intermediate-level knitting project, suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle more complex stitch patterns and techniques. The pattern requires familiarity with basic knitting operations and the ability to follow detailed instructions involving multiple cable variations.

Techniques Used

The primary technique throughout this pattern is cable knitting, which creates the textured, dimensional appearance characteristic of Aran knitting. Cable work involves using a cable needle to temporarily hold stitches while others are worked, then returning to the held stitches to create twisted, rope-like effects. This pattern features numerous cable variations of different scales and directions, providing visual interest and professional-looking results.

Additional techniques include make one stitch (m1) for increasing stitches during shaping, and careful tension management to ensure pieces are the correct finished size. Knitters must be comfortable reading complex stitch abbreviations and following pattern repeats across multiple rows.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes a comprehensive range of cable stitches and foundational knit stitches:

• Basic stitches: Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches form the foundation, worked in stocking stitch as the base fabric
• Cable stitches (12-stitch cables): C12B and C12F create large, dramatic twists by crossing 6 stitches over 6 stitches
• Cable stitches (8-stitch cables): C8F and C8B produce substantial cable effects by crossing 4 stitches over 4 stitches
• Cable stitches (4-stitch cables): C4B and C4F create smaller, tighter cable twists crossing 2 stitches over 2 stitches
• Twisted cable stitches (5-stitch): C5B combines knit and cable techniques for varied texture
• Twisted stitches (T-stitches): T3B, T3F, T4B, and T4F create twisted effects by crossing knit stitches over purl stitches or vice versa, adding visual complexity and dimension
• Smaller cable stitches (3-stitch cables): C3B and C3F provide finer cable details
• Increase stitches: Make 1 (m1) for shaping increases worked by picking up the horizontal strand between stitches and knitting into the back loop

Materials and Tools

This pattern is worked in King Cole Forest Aran, a medium-weight yarn specifically chosen for its suitability to Aran knitting and cable work. The yarn weight and fiber content of King Cole Forest Aran are optimized to showcase the textured stitches and maintain the finished dimensions of both the throw and cushion covers.

Knitting is worked on 5mm needles, though the pattern notes that needle size may need adjustment based on individual tension. Knitters who work tightly should use thicker needles, while those who work loosely should use thinner needles to achieve the correct tension of 18 stitches and 25 rows per 10 centimetres in stocking stitch.

A cable needle (CN) is essential for managing the numerous cable stitches throughout the pattern. The cable needle temporarily holds stitches while others are worked, enabling the creation of the twisted, overlapping effects that define Aran knitting.

Pattern Specifications

The pattern provides clear tension guidelines: 18 stitches and 25 rows should measure 10 centimetres (4 inches) over stocking stitch on 5mm needles. Checking tension before beginning is emphasized as critical for achieving the correct finished dimensions. The pattern includes comprehensive abbreviations and special cable abbreviation instructions, allowing intermediate knitters to follow the complex stitch sequences with