Valley Yarns Soft Cables Afghan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Soft Cables Afghan

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Soft Cables Afghan is a knitted blanket throw designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This project creates a cozy, textured square or rectangular afghan available in three finished sizes: 36" x 36", 36" x 48", or 48" x 60". The afghan features an elegant cable pattern that repeats throughout, making it suitable for adding warmth and visual interest to any room.

Materials Required

This afghan is crafted using Valley Yarns Amherst, a 100% Merino wool yarn in the color Jungle Green. The yardage requirements vary by size: 11 skeins (approximately 1,199 yards) for the smallest 36" x 36" size, 14 skeins (approximately 1,526 yards) for the 36" x 48" size, and 19 skeins (approximately 2,071 yards) for the largest 48" x 60" size. Each skein contains 109 yards and weighs 50 grams. Knitting is worked on US size 8 needles or whatever needle size is necessary to achieve the correct gauge.

Techniques Used

The Soft Cables Afghan employs several key knitting techniques that create its distinctive appearance and texture. The project is worked flat, meaning it is knitted back and forth in rows on straight needles rather than in the round, making it accessible for knitters of all skill levels. The construction is seamless, as the entire afghan is created as one continuous piece without requiring seaming or assembly after completion. This seamless approach eliminates the need for finishing work and ensures a polished final product.

Stitches and Stitch Pattern Details

The afghan features a repeating 32-row pattern that incorporates several essential knitting stitches and techniques:

• Knit (k) and Purl (p) stitches: These fundamental stitches form the base of the pattern, creating the textured fabric and ribbed sections throughout the design.
• Cable stitch (C2-3L): The signature element of this afghan, abbreviated as C2-3L (cable 2 over 3 left), is worked by slipping 2 stitches to a cable needle and holding them to the front, knitting the next 3 stitches, then knitting the 2 stitches from the cable needle. This technique creates the twisted, rope-like texture that gives the afghan its visual appeal and name.
• Knit below (kbw): This stitch involves knitting into the row below the current stitch on the needle, rather than into the stitch itself. This technique adds depth and creates a subtle textural variation within the pattern repeats.

Gauge and Construction Details

The pattern specifies a gauge of approximately 4.5 stitches and 8 rows per 1 inch when worked in the stitch pattern. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the afghan to reach its intended finished dimensions. The cast-on varies by size: 159 stitches for the two smaller sizes and 219 stitches for the largest size. The pattern is repeated vertically until the blanket reaches the desired length of 36", 48", or 60", depending on which size variation is being made. Once the desired length is achieved, all stitches are bound off to complete the project.

Difficulty Level

This afghan is rated as a beginner level project, making it an excellent choice for knitters who are new to cable work or blanket construction. While the pattern includes cable stitches, which might seem advanced, the repeating 32-row pattern is straightforward to follow, and the techniques are clearly explained through standard knitting abbreviations. The flat, seamless construction eliminates complex shaping or assembly, allowing beginners to focus on mastering the cable technique in a forgiving, large-scale project.