Valley Yarns Borasco Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Borasco Knit Blanket and Playmat

What Is Being Made

The Borasco is a beginner-friendly knit blanket and playmat designed by Susan Baron. This project creates a soft, colorful square measuring approximately 36 inches by 36 inches, making it an ideal size for a baby playmat, nursery blanket, or shower gift. The finished piece is both functional and decorative, suitable for everyday use on the floor or as a cozy throw.

Yarn and Materials

This project uses Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Super Bulky yarn, which is composed of 100% Extra Fine Superwash Merino Wool. The yarn is machine washable, making it practical for baby items that require frequent cleaning. The blanket requires 16 balls total (4 balls each of four colors): Castaway Coral (200), Natural (01), Moontower Mustard (202), and Aqua Oasis (201). Each ball contains 100 grams and yields 55 yards. The project is worked on US size 13 (9 mm) circular needles measuring 40 to 60 inches in length. Additional materials include stitch markers, a tapestry needle for finishing, and an optional removable marker for tracking progress.

Knitting Techniques

The Borasco employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners. The blanket is worked flat rather than in the round, despite using circular needles, which provides stability for the large square format. The primary stitch pattern is diagonal garter stitch, which creates a textured, reversible fabric that works up quickly due to the super bulky yarn weight. The design features stripes created by changing yarn colors throughout the project, adding visual interest and allowing crafters to showcase the four coordinating colors. A hem single technique is incorporated, likely at the edges or borders to create a finished appearance.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern utilizes essential knitting stitches and techniques:

• Knit (K): The fundamental stitch that forms the garter stitch texture throughout the blanket
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to shape the diagonal pattern and reduce stitch counts during construction
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease that pairs with K2tog to create symmetrical shaping on both sides of rows
• Knit into the front and back (Kfb): An increase stitch that adds stitches to expand the fabric
• Knit into the front, back, and front again (Kfbf): A specialized increase that adds two stitches in a single stitch

The pattern includes decrease rows worked on the right side that reduce two stitches per row, creating the diagonal shaping characteristic of the design. Stitch markers are used to track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the project.

Gauge and Construction

The project is designed to achieve a gauge of 10 stitches and 21 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch when blocked. This relatively loose gauge is typical for super bulky yarn and contributes to the fast knitting speed. The blanket works up quickly despite its finished size, making it an achievable project for new knitters or those seeking a relatively fast completion time.

Skill Level

Rated as a beginner project, the Borasco is accessible to knitters new to the craft. The straightforward garter stitch, basic shaping with simple decreases and increases, and color changes make this an excellent introduction to blanket construction. The pattern's simplicity allows new mothers and busy crafters to work on it during short periods, such as naptime, without requiring intense concentration or complex stitch sequences.