Valley Yarns Gloucester Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Gloucester Knit Blanket and Playmat

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Gloucester is a versatile knit blanket available in two sizes: a Baby Activity Playmat measuring 38¼" x 39" or a larger Adult Throw Blanket measuring 52" x 72". Designed by Julie Turjoman, this project combines neutral tones with a pop of cheerful color to create a functional and decorative piece suitable for home decor or as a gift. The blanket works equally well as a cozy throw for adults or a soft play surface for babies.

Techniques Used

The Gloucester blanket employs several key knitting techniques that make it accessible to advanced beginners while remaining engaging for experienced crafters:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The blanket is worked from the bottom up in rows, using a straightforward directional approach that allows knitters to easily track progress and make adjustments as needed.
• Worked Flat: Rather than working in the round, this project is created flat on circular needles, making it ideal for knitters who prefer traditional back-and-forth knitting.
• Seamless Design: The blanket is constructed without seams, with borders integrated directly into the knitting process. Short-end borders are worked during the main knitting, while long-side borders are picked up and worked during finishing.
• Slip Stitch Patterning: A three-color slip stitch pattern forms the main field of the blanket, creating beautiful stitch definition and visual interest while remaining manageable for intermediate knitters.
• Border Integration: The design features a solid contrast color rib stitch border that frames the slip stitch pattern, with strategic color carries hidden by the side borders during finishing.

Stitches Used

The Gloucester blanket utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined to create visual depth and texture:

• Knit Stitch: Used throughout the project, including setup rows and border sections.
• Purl Stitch: Incorporated into the K2/P2 Rib stitch used for the bottom and side borders.
• Ribbed Stitch (K2/P2): Forms the 12-row bottom border and the picked-up side borders, creating an elastic edge that frames the blanket.
• Slip Stitch Pattern: The primary stitch pattern used in the blanket field, worked over multiple rows in a three-color rotation using colors Gold (MC), Light Grey (CC1), and White (CC2).

Materials and Yarn

The Gloucester blanket is designed to showcase Valley Yarns Haydenville Bulky, a practical and durable yarn choice:

• Yarn Fiber Content: Valley Yarns Haydenville Bulky is composed of 60% Superwash Merino and 40% Acrylic Microfiber, offering both softness and easy-care properties ideal for blankets that require regular washing.
• Yarn Weight and Yardage: Each skein contains 100 grams and 109 yards, allowing for quick project completion due to the bulky weight.
• Yarn Quantities by Size: The Baby Playmat requires 7 skeins in Gold (MC), 3 skeins in Light Grey (CC1), and 6 skeins in White (CC2). The Adult Throw Blanket requires 17 skeins in Gold (MC), 8 skeins in Light Grey (CC1), and 15 skeins in White (CC2).
• Color Palette: The design uses three coordinated colors—Gold for warmth, Light Grey for sophistication, and White for brightness—creating a balanced aesthetic that works in various home settings.

Needles and Additional Materials

• Needles: US 10 (6mm) circular needles in 30" to 40" length, chosen to accommodate the blanket's width and provide comfortable working length.
• Gauge: 14 stitches and 20 rows equal 4 inches in the slip stitch pattern when blocked, establishing the foundation for accurate sizing.
• Additional Materials: Locking stitch markers assist with pattern tracking and border pickup, while a tapestry needle facilitates finishing and weaving in yarn ends.

Skill Level and Project Characteristics