Xander Blanket Knitting Pattern

Xander Blanket in Berroco Vintage

What is Being Made

The Xander Blanket is a beginner-friendly knitted throw blanket designed by Nadia Glaser. This finished blanket measures approximately 42 inches wide by 54 inches long, making it an ideal size for a cozy lap throw or decorative bed accent. The blanket is constructed from individual squares that are worked separately and then sewn together to create the finished piece.

Construction Technique

The Xander Blanket uses a modular square construction method, where each square is worked on the diagonal from corner to corner. This technique involves casting on a small number of stitches and then increasing on every row until reaching the maximum width, followed by decreasing on every row back down to a bind-off point. This diagonal approach creates visually interesting geometric squares that, when assembled, form an intentional grid pattern.

The blanket is composed of 16 total squares: 4 squares of one type (Square 1) and 12 squares of another type (Square 2). Each square features a center stripe worked in a consistent color that aligns with adjacent squares when sewn together, creating a cohesive striped grid across the entire blanket.

Stitches Used

This beginner-level pattern primarily utilizes fundamental knitting stitches:

• Garter Stitch — the main stitch throughout the blanket, created by knitting every row for a textured, reversible fabric
• Kfb (Knit Front and Back) — an increase technique used during the expanding phase of each square
• K2tog (Knit Two Together) — a decrease technique used during the contracting phase of each square
• Cast On and Bind Off — basic techniques for starting and finishing the squares

Yarn and Materials

The Xander Blanket is designed to be worked in Berroco Vintage, a yarn that provides excellent stitch definition and drape. The pattern calls for a total of 10 hanks of yarn distributed across six coordinating colors:

• 4 hanks of #5101 Mochi (C1) — used for the center stripes of all squares
• 1 hank of #5121 Sunny (C2) — used for Square 1
• 2 hanks each of #5136 Bird's Egg (C3), #5194 Breezeway (C4), #5176 Pumpkin (C5), and #5103 Mocha (C6) — distributed among the remaining squares

The color palette combines warm and cool tones, with Mochi serving as a neutral anchor that unifies the design. Each color hank weighs 100 grams.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires size 8 (5 mm) knitting needles. A 60-inch circular needle in size 8 is specified, though straight needles of the same size would also work for the individual squares. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for seaming the completed squares together.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches in Garter Stitch, measured after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished blanket dimensions. The pattern instructions emphasize checking gauge before beginning to ensure accuracy and save time during construction.

Skill Level and Finishing

Rated as an Easy skill level, the Xander Blanket is well-suited for beginners who have mastered basic knitting techniques. After all squares are completed, they are blocked and then sewn together using a tapestry needle, with the center stripes aligning to form the distinctive grid pattern that characterizes the finished blanket.