Valley Yarns Mitchella Blanket Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Mitchella Blanket

Project Overview

The Mitchella Blanket is a knitted lace counterpane design created by Kirsten Hipsky that combines traditional lace techniques with modern colorwork. This blanket features classic counterpane squares worked individually and then seamed together, finished with a simple crocheted border to keep edges flat and even. The design offers a fresh, contemporary aesthetic through the use of a bright, solid color yarn.

What Is Being Made

This is a blanket or throw composed of multiple lace counterpane squares that are sewn together and finished with a crocheted border. The finished blanket is available in three size options: 36" x 48", 48" x 48", or 48" x 60". Each counterpane square blocks to 12" square, allowing crafters to customize the final dimensions by adjusting the number of squares used.

Techniques Used

Lace Knitting: The blanket employs traditional counterpane lace techniques, which create openwork patterns through strategic yarn overs and decreases. This generates the characteristic airy, delicate appearance of lace counterpane designs.

Circular Knitting: Each counterpane square is worked in the round from a small cast-on, increasing evenly on every even-numbered round. The pattern begins with 8 stitches cast onto double pointed needles and increases 8 stitches total per even round, with 2 stitches added on each of the 4 needles.

Seaming: Individual squares are sewn together at the edges after blocking. The pattern notes that squares could alternatively be joined as you go using a 3-needle bind off method, though blocking squares individually before seaming is recommended for better results.

Crocheted Border: A simple double crochet border is worked around the perimeter of the assembled blanket to finish edges and keep them flat and even.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k): Basic knit stitch forming the foundation of the lace pattern
• Yarn Over (yo): Creates the openwork holes characteristic of lace, increasing stitches while maintaining stitch count through paired decreases
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog): Right-leaning decrease used to balance yarn overs
• Slip, Slip, Knit (ssk): Left-leaning decrease that creates paired decreases with yarn overs for symmetrical lace patterning
• Slip 1, Knit 2 Together, Pass Slipped Stitch Over (sl1-k2tog-psso): A centered double decrease used in lace patterns
• Double Crochet (dc): Used for the finishing border worked with a crochet hook
• Chain (ch): Foundation stitch for the crocheted border

Materials

Yarn: Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky in color 37 Mistletoe. This yarn is composed of 85% wool and 15% alpaca, with each skein weighing 100g and providing 108 yards of yardage. The pattern requires 10, 13, or 16 skeins depending on the finished blanket size selected.

Needles: US size 10.5 (6.50mm) double pointed needles for working the counterpane squares in the round, and a 24" US size 10.5 (6.50mm) circular needle. Crafters may switch to circular needles once stitches become too crowded on the double pointed needles during the increasing rounds.

Crochet Hook: US size J/10 (6.50mm) crochet hook for working the finishing border.

Additional Materials: Four stitch markers (optional) to help separate pattern repeats on each needle during the circular knitting process.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it accessible to knitters new to lace techniques. The counterpane square construction is straightforward, with consistent increases and a repeating lace pattern that becomes intuitive with practice.

Gauge and Finishing

The blanket is worked to a gauge of approximately 3 stitches per 1 inch in stockinette stitch. Each counterpane square reaches 33 stitches on each side and blocks to a 12" square. The pattern provides