Valley Yarns Two Tone Blanket Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Two Tone Blanket

Project Overview

The Valley Yarns Two Tone Blanket is a beginner-friendly knitting project designed by Kirsten Hipsky that creates a cozy, minimalist blanket through multi-directional knitting. This seamless design measures 48" x 54" (with larger options available at 54" x 54" and 54" x 60"), combining a central panel with contrasting top and bottom sections for visual interest and structural stability.

Knitting Techniques

This blanket employs multiple knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance and construction:

• Bottom-up knitting: The project begins with casting on stitches and working upward to create the foundation middle block
• Top-down knitting: After completing the central section, stitches are picked up along the edges and worked downward to create the top and bottom blocks
• Multi-directional knitting: By working in multiple directions—vertically for the middle block and horizontally for the accent blocks—the blanket maintains its shape and creates a modular, fun construction process
• Seamless construction: The design eliminates the need for seaming panels together, with only loose ends requiring finishing

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The Valley Yarns Two Tone Blanket is worked entirely in garter stitch, the fundamental knit stitch pattern created by knitting every row. Garter stitch produces a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges that lies flat and is ideal for blankets. The gauge for this project is 3 stitches and 6 rows per 1 inch in garter stitch.

Materials and Yarn

This blanket is constructed using Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Bulky, a premium yarn composed of 100% Extrafine Merino Superwash. The bulky weight yarn (100g per 109 yards per skein) works quickly on larger needles. The project requires two coordinating colors:

• Color A (White): 5 to 7 skeins depending on finished size, used for the central middle block
• Color B (Gold): 10 to 14 skeins depending on finished size, used for the top and bottom accent blocks

Needles and Tools

The Valley Yarns Two Tone Blanket is worked on US size 10.5 (6.50mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches in length. Circular needles accommodate the large number of stitches required for a blanket-sized project and allow for comfortable knitting of flat pieces. Needle size may be adjusted as needed to achieve the specified gauge.

Construction Details

The blanket is constructed in three distinct sections:

• Middle Block: Cast on 54, 54, or 60 stitches (depending on desired finished size) using Color A and knit in garter stitch for 48, 54, or 54 inches respectively, then bind off
• Top and Bottom Blocks: With the right side of the middle block facing, pick up and knit 1 stitch for every 2 rows of garter stitch along one edge. Knit in garter stitch for 18, 18, or 20 inches (depending on size) and bind off. Repeat this process for the opposite edge of the middle block

Finishing

After completing all three sections, finishing involves sewing in loose ends and lightly blocking the blanket to even out the fabric and set the stitches. This minimal finishing approach keeps the project straightforward for beginners.

Skill Level

Rated as a beginner project, the Valley Yarns Two Tone Blanket requires only fundamental knitting knowledge including casting on, the knit stitch, binding off, and picking up stitches. The repetitive garter stitch pattern and straightforward construction make it an excellent project for knitters developing their skills.