Valley Yarns Apus Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Apus Knitted Blanket and Throw

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Apus is a knitted blanket available in two sizes: a baby playmat measuring 34¾" wide by 39" long, or a full-sized afghan measuring 48" wide by 69" long. Designed by Julie Turjoman, this project creates a durable, textured throw that combines simple cable patterns with knit and purl stitches to produce a rich, visually interesting surface. The blanket is constructed as a single piece worked flat in rows, making it an excellent project for intermediate knitters looking to expand their cable skills.

Techniques Used

The Apus blanket employs several fundamental knitting techniques worked flat on straight needles. The project begins with a Long-Tail cast-on method to establish the foundation stitches. The blanket features cable work as its primary decorative technique, with cables positioned in the center of the piece and surrounded by contrasting stitch patterns. Stitch markers are strategically placed throughout the project to help track cable repeats and pattern alignment, with markers requiring repositioning as the cables shift during their crossover rows. The construction includes increases worked into the pattern to expand the stitch count after the initial border setup. Garter stitch borders frame all four sides of the blanket, while reverse stockinette stitch creates a subtle background that allows the cables to stand out prominently.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch: Forms the side borders and initial setup rows, creating a textured, reversible edge
• Stockinette stitch: Used as a gauge reference and background element
• Reverse stockinette stitch: Creates the background surrounding the cables on all four sides
• Cable stitches: The primary decorative element, worked in a repeating pattern across the blanket's width
• Purl stitches: Used in combination with knit stitches to create texture and define the cable pattern
• Make-one increases (m1): Added strategically during the pattern setup to adjust stitch counts

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Apus blanket is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Super Bulky, a yarn composed of 100% Extra Fine Superwash Merino Wool. The yarn is supplied in 100-gram balls with 55 yards per ball. The baby playmat size requires 14 balls of yarn, while the full-sized afghan requires 38 balls. The recommended colorway is 019 White, which provides a clean canvas for the textured cable and stitch patterns to shine. The yarn's superwash treatment ensures the finished blanket is easy to care for and can withstand repeated washing while maintaining its rich texture and appearance over years of use.

Needles and Gauge

This project calls for US 11 (8 mm) needles, though knitters should use the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge. The cable pattern gauge is 13 stitches and 16 rows over 4 inches when blocked, while stockinette stitch gauge is 10 stitches and 16 rows over 4 inches when blocked. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements. Additional materials include stitch markers to track cable repeats, a cable needle for crossing stitches, and a large tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Skill Level and Construction Notes

Rated as an intermediate project, the Apus blanket is suitable for knitters with experience in basic stitches and cable techniques. The entire blanket is worked as a single piece in rows, progressing back and forth on straight needles rather than in the round. The construction begins with an 11-row garter stitch border, followed by a setup row that establishes the cable pattern placement. Stitch markers are essential for tracking the cable repeats, and knitters must be prepared to move markers as the cables shift during their crossover rows, then return them to their original positions for subsequent pattern repeats. The combination of simple cables with straightforward knit and purl textures creates visual richness without requiring advanced techniques, making this an ideal project for intermediate knitters seeking to build confidence with cable work while creating a practical, long-lasting blanket.