Valley Yarns Lacewing Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Lacewing Knit Blanket

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Lacewing is a cozy knit blanket designed by Susan Baron, perfect for relaxing and curling up. This finished blanket measures 45 inches wide by 56 inches long, making it an ideal throw size for sofas, chairs, or beds. The pattern is customizable through color selection, allowing knitters to coordinate the blanket with their favorite spaces and décor preferences.

Craft and Skill Level

This is a knitting project classified as beginner difficulty, making it suitable for all levels of knitters from complete beginners to experienced crafters. The straightforward construction and use of fundamental stitches ensure accessibility while still creating a visually interesting finished piece.

Techniques Used

The Lacewing blanket employs several key knitting techniques:

• Worked Flat: The blanket is constructed using flat knitting rather than in-the-round, worked on a circular needle but in rows back and forth
• Seamed Construction: The blanket is assembled from three separate strips that are sewn together, allowing for modular construction and easier handling during the knitting process
• Stripe Patterning: Multiple color changes create striped sections throughout the design, adding visual interest and allowing for creative color customization
• Stitch Variety: The pattern incorporates multiple stitch techniques including stockinette stitch, embossed rib, and seed stitch squares, providing texture and dimension
• Picked-Up Stitches: After completing the three strips, stitches are picked up and worked in vertical stockinette stripes, creating a sophisticated design element
• Border Work: An all-around seed stitch border is added to finish the blanket edges professionally

Stitches Used

The Valley Yarns Lacewing incorporates a variety of stitches to create texture and visual appeal:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout multiple sections, creating smooth, classic knit fabric
• Embossed Rib Pattern: Used for 56-row sections to add textural interest and subtle dimension
• Seed Stitch: Applied both in the decorative seed stitch squares pattern (worked in 14-row repeats) and for the finishing border around all edges
• Seed Stitch Squares Pattern: A specialized pattern repeat combining seed stitch in a square configuration for visual texture

Materials and Yarn

The Lacewing blanket is designed to be knit in Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Bulky, a premium yarn made from 100% Extra Fine Superwash Merino Wool. This yarn features 100 grams and 109 yards per ball, providing excellent warmth and durability while being easy-care and machine-washable due to the superwash treatment.

The pattern calls for a total of 16 balls across four coordinating colors:

• Color A (6 balls): 17-Steel Gray, serving as the primary color
• Color B (4 balls): 20-Light Grey, providing a lighter neutral tone
• Color C (3 balls): 24-Turquoise, adding a cool accent color
• Color D (3 balls): 01-Natural, contributing a warm neutral element

Needles and Tools

Construction requires a US size 10 (6.0 mm) circular needle measuring 40 inches in length, or the size needed to achieve proper gauge. Additional materials include locking stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for seaming the three strips together and weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 14 stitches and 20 rows equals 4 inches in stockinette stitch when blocked. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the blanket to finish at the intended measurements of 45 inches wide by 56 inches long. The blanket is worked in three separate strips that are rotated 90 degrees and seamed together, creating the final rectangular throw dimensions.