Valley Yarns Thaw Cabled Blanket Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Thaw Cabled Blanket

What is Being Made

The Thaw Cabled Blanket is a luxurious knit blanket designed by Kirsten Hipsky, available in three finished sizes: 42" x 42", 48" x 42", and 48" x 52". This project showcases advanced cable work while creating a substantial, heavy blanket ideal for warmth and comfort. The blanket features intricate cabled panels worked throughout, making it an excellent showcase piece for demonstrating cabling expertise.

Techniques Used

This blanket is worked using several key knitting techniques that define the project:

• Cable Knitting: The primary technique throughout, featuring multiple cable panel types that create visual interest and texture
• Seamless Construction: The blanket is worked as one continuous piece without seaming, using circular needles to accommodate the large dimensions
• Flat Working: Despite using circular needles, the blanket is worked flat in rows rather than in the round, allowing for the structured cable patterns
• Moss Stitch: Used as the border and background stitch, providing a textured frame for the cable panels
• Cable Manipulation: Requires the use of a cable needle to create crossed stitches that form the decorative cable patterns

Stitches Used

The Thaw Cabled Blanket employs a variety of specialized stitches to create its distinctive appearance:

• Moss Stitch: An alternating knit and purl pattern worked over four rows (K1, P1 alternating, then P1, K1 alternating) that creates a bumpy, textured fabric suitable for borders
• Little Twist Cable: A six-stitch panel featuring F4C (cable 2 over 2 left) and B4C (cable 2 over 2 right) crosses that repeat every four rows
• Left Braid Cable: A twelve-stitch panel incorporating FC (cable 2 over 1 left purl) and BC (cable 2 over 1 right purl) stitches for a braided effect
• Center Cable: A twenty-four-stitch panel combining multiple cable crosses including F4C and B4C stitches, creating the most complex pattern element
• Basic Stitches: Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches form the foundation, with slip stitches (sl) used in cable work

Materials and Specifications

The Thaw Cabled Blanket requires specific materials to achieve its intended appearance and performance:

• Yarn: Valley Yarns Superwash in 100% Extrafine Merino, with yardage requirements of 28 skeins (smallest size), 32 skeins (medium size), or 38 skeins (largest size). Each skein contains 50 grams and 97 yards. The yarn is held with two strands together throughout the entire project, creating the bulky weight necessary for the heavy blanket effect. The featured colorway is Ice Blue (color 563). The Superwash treatment ensures the finished blanket is machine washable for easy care.
• Needles: US size 10.5 (6.50mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches in length, or the size needed to achieve proper gauge
• Additional Tools: A cable needle (cn) is essential for manipulating stitches during cable crosses

Gauge and Difficulty

The project is rated at intermediate difficulty, suitable for knitters with solid foundational skills and cable experience. Proper gauge is critical for achieving the intended finished dimensions. The blanket should measure approximately 16 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches in the cable pattern after blocking, and approximately 14 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches in the moss stitch sections after blocking. Achieving and maintaining consistent gauge throughout the project ensures the blanket reaches the desired finished size and drape.