Valley Yarns Saturn Circular Lap Blanket Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Saturn Circular Lap Blanket

Project Overview

The Saturn Circular Lap Blanket is a 48-inch diameter knitted lap blanket designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This project features a distinctive circular construction method that builds outward in concentric rings, creating a modern geometric design with strategic color placement and textural interest.

Construction Technique

This blanket is worked flat using circular needles, despite its circular final shape. The construction begins with wedge sections that are picked up and worked in expanding rings. Rather than being joined in the round, the blanket is worked in rows, allowing the crafter to manage the increasing stitch count as each new ring is added. The seamed construction incorporates radial seams that are sewn together as the work progresses, providing structural integrity and helping manage the large number of stitches involved in this expanding circular design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Saturn Circular Lap Blanket is primarily constructed in garter stitch, which creates a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges. This fundamental stitch choice provides visual interest and drape suitable for a lap blanket. The pattern incorporates strategic increases using kfb (knit front and back) stitches to shape the expanding rings. Additionally, the pattern features decorative color spots created through a specialized technique involving multiple yarn overs and passes that introduce pops of contrasting color within the design.

Striping and Color Work

The blanket employs a striped color sequence that progresses through multiple rings. The color palette includes five distinct shades of Valley Yarns Stockbridge: yellow (Color A), camel (Color B), wild rose (Color C), stone blue (Color D), and chocolate (Color E). These colors are strategically distributed across the rings, with color spots in wild rose providing additional visual punctuation throughout the blanket.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This project uses Valley Yarns Stockbridge, a blend of 50% alpaca and 50% wool. The yardage requirements total approximately 10 skeins distributed as follows: 3 skeins of Color E (chocolate), 2 skeins each of Colors A (yellow), B (camel), C (wild rose), and D (stone blue). Each skein contains 109 yards and weighs 50 grams. The yarn weight and fiber blend create a soft, warm blanket suitable for lap use.

Needles and Gauge

US size 7 circular needles are required to achieve the specified gauge of 4 stitches per inch in garter stitch. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure proper gauge, as this directly affects the finished diameter of 48 inches.

Pattern Structure

The blanket is constructed in multiple rings that build progressively outward. The first ring begins by picking up 12 stitches along the outer edge of each wedge, creating 168 stitches total. Subsequent rings are added using a long-tail cast-on method for 9 stitches, which are then worked and integrated with the previous ring through strategic decreases. This methodical expansion continues until the desired 48-inch diameter is achieved, with the crafter advised to sew radial seams and weave in ends between rings to manage the project scope.