Valley Yarns Leaves and Lines Afghan Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Leaves and Lines Afghan

What Is Being Made

The Leaves and Lines Afghan is a sophisticated blanket designed by Kirsten Hipsky that combines decorative lace elements with textured construction. This afghan features embossed leaf motifs, eyelets, and textured ridges throughout its design. The finished piece measures 36" x 54" (with larger options available at 54" x 54" and 54" x 72"), making it an ideal size for draping over furniture or providing warmth during cooler months. The blanket is cleverly constructed from individual bias-knit counterpane squares, each measuring approximately 9" square after blocking, which are then seamed together. A unique feature of this design is the flexibility it offers—crafters can arrange the squares in different configurations to create entirely different visual effects and personalize their finished blanket.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several advanced techniques that add visual interest and complexity to the finished piece:

• Lace knitting: The afghan incorporates eyelet details created through yarn overs and decreases, which form decorative holes and contribute to the delicate aesthetic of the design
• Bias knitting: The counterpane squares are worked on the bias, meaning they are knit at a diagonal angle, which creates unique fabric properties and visual effects
• Leaf motif construction: Separate charted leaf motifs are worked within the main fabric using increases and decreases to shape the embossed leaf design
• Seaming: Individual completed squares are sewn together to form the final blanket, with the pattern noting that Line sections are sewn to Leaf sections to create the complete 4 x 6 grid arrangement
• Flat knitting: The afghan is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier manipulation of the lace and leaf elements
• Blocking: All squares are blocked to desired measurements before seaming, which is essential for achieving proper gauge and ensuring the squares fit together correctly

Stitches Used

The Leaves and Lines Afghan employs a variety of fundamental and decorative knitting stitches to create its textured and lacy appearance:

• Garter stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the counterpane squares, created by knitting every row, which produces a dense, textured fabric with horizontal ridges
• Stockinette stitch elements: Purl rows are incorporated to create contrasting texture and help define the leaf motifs
• Yarn overs (yo): Used to create the eyelet details and lace elements that add visual interest and openness to the design
• Decreases: Knit two together (k2tog) and slip-slip-knit (ssk) decreases are used to shape the leaf motifs and maintain stitch count while creating the lace pattern
• Slip-knit-psso (sl1-k2tog-psso): A centered double decrease used to finish off the leaf motifs with a polished appearance

Materials

The Leaves and Lines Afghan is designed to be worked with specific materials that contribute to its finished quality and drape:

• Yarn: Valley Yarns Haydenville in color 18 Sage is the featured yarn for this project. This yarn is composed of 60% Superwash Merino and 40% Acrylic Microfiber, offering a blend of natural fiber warmth and synthetic durability. Each skein provides 220 yards and weighs 100 grams. The project requires 9 skeins for the smallest size (36" x 54"), 13 skeins for the medium size (54" x 54"), and 17 skeins for the largest size (54" x 72")
• Needles: US size 7 (4.50mm) straight needles are required for working the counterpane squares. The pattern notes that crafters should use the size needed to achieve the specified gauge
• Additional notions: Six stitch markers are needed to track the leaf motif sections within each square. A US size 7 (4.50mm) crochet hook is listed as optional for finishing purposes
• Gauge: The pattern specifies a gauge of 5 stitches and 10 rows equals 1 inch when worked in garter stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions

Design Considerations