Allsorts Blanket

Allsorts Blanket by Martin Storey

What Is Being Made

The Allsorts Blanket is a knitted baby blanket designed by Martin Storey, featured in his collection Easy Knits for Babies. This project creates a finished blanket measuring 76cm (30 inches) by 102cm (40 inches), making it an ideal size for newborns through babies up to 18 months old. The blanket uses a colorblock design with three distinct yarn colors worked together to create visual interest and variety in the finished piece.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project classified at an intermediate difficulty level, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond absolute beginners. The blanket is constructed using flat knitting on straight needles, allowing crafters to build the piece in a manageable rectangular format. The colorblock technique employed in this design involves working with multiple yarn colors throughout the project to create distinct sections and visual patterns without requiring complex color-work skills like stranding or intarsia.

Yarn and Materials

The Allsorts Blanket is designed to work with 4 ply yarn weight, offering flexibility in fiber choice. Martin Storey provides three yarn options:

• Rowan Wool Cotton 4 Ply: 4 x 50g balls in Inky 497 (Color A), 4 x 50g balls in Cloudy 505 (Color B), and 2 x 50g balls in Flower 485 (Color C)
• Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply: 4 x 50g balls in Navy Ink 429 (Color A), 4 x 50g balls in Washed Linen 418 (Color B), and 2 x 50g balls in Pinched Pink 426 (Color C)
• Patons 100% Cotton 4 Ply: 3 x 100g balls in Navy 01124 (Color A), 3 x 100g balls in Limestone 01716 (Color B), and 1 x 100g ball in Pomegranate 01724 (Color C)

These yarn options provide both natural fiber blends and pure cotton alternatives, allowing makers to choose based on desired drape, softness, and care requirements for a baby blanket.

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires a pair of 3.25mm (US 3) needles for use with Rowan Wool Cotton 4 Ply or Patons 100% Cotton 4 Ply. For those using Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply, 3mm (US 2-3) needles are recommended due to the yarn's different characteristics. The pattern also calls for stitch holders to manage stitches during construction.

Pattern Source

This downloadable pattern is part of Martin Storey's Easy Knits for Babies collection from Rowan, a well-established yarn company based in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. The pattern represents an accessible approach to baby blanket knitting, combining ease of construction with attractive colorwork results suitable for gift-giving or personal projects.