Valley Yarns Columbia Basin Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Columbia Basin Knit Blanket

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Columbia Basin is a striped knit blanket designed by Julie Turjoman, offered in two finished sizes: a Baby Playmat measuring 35" wide by 35" long, and a larger Afghan measuring 48" wide by 70" long. This project combines colorful horizontal stripes with textured knit-purl stitch patterns, making it suitable as a housewarming gift, baby gift, or home decor accent. The blanket features a garter stitch border on all sides for a finished, professional appearance.

Techniques Used

The Columbia Basin blanket is worked flat, meaning it is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round. The construction begins with a long-tail cast-on method to establish the foundation stitches. The blanket is worked as one continuous piece, with horizontal stripes created by changing yarn colors throughout the project. A garter stitch border frames the entire piece: the top and bottom borders are knitted directly into the work, while the side borders are created by picking up stitches along the long edges and knitting them. Yarn ends are woven in either as you progress through each color change or after the piece is completed, depending on your preference.

Stitches Used

This beginner-friendly pattern employs simple stitch patterns that are accessible to new knitters while remaining engaging for experienced crafters. The primary stitches include:

• Garter stitch – used for all borders (top, bottom, and sides), created by knitting every row to produce a textured, reversible fabric
• Textured stitch patterns – a combination of knit and purl stitches that create visual interest and dimension in the striped field of the blanket

The gauge for textured stitch patterns is 12 stitches and 16 rows over 4 inches when blocked, while garter stitch gauges at 12 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches when blocked.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Columbia Basin pattern calls for Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Bulky, a yarn composed of 100% Extra Fine Superwash Merino Wool. Each ball yields 109 yards and weighs 100 grams. The yarn is available in three colors for this project:

• Color A (Natural) – 5 balls for the Playmat size or 14 balls for the Afghan size
• Color B (Blue Mist, shade 07) – 4 balls for the Playmat size or 11 balls for the Afghan size
• Color C (Spring Leaf, shade 10) – 3 balls for the Playmat size or 9 balls for the Afghan size

The bulky weight and superwash merino properties make this yarn ideal for blankets and home décor items that require frequent washing and durable, long-lasting texture. Knitting is performed on US 11 (8 mm) needles, or the size required to achieve the specified gauge. Additional materials include stitch markers (optional) for tracking pattern repeats and a large tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Difficulty Level and Suitability

Rated as a Beginner project, the Columbia Basin blanket is designed to be approachable for knitters new to the craft while remaining interesting for more experienced makers. The straightforward construction, simple stitch combinations, and one-piece flat-knit structure make it an excellent choice for building fundamental knitting skills. The generous bulky yarn weight works up quickly, providing satisfying progress and results.