Rose and Moss Blanket

Rose and Moss Stitch Blanket by Sian Brown

Project Overview

The Rose and Moss Stitch Blanket is an intermediate-level knitting project designed by Sian Brown. This finished blanket measures 97 cm wide by 115 cm deep, making it an ideal size for a cozy throw or lap blanket. The design combines classic stitch techniques with colorwork elements to create a visually interesting textile suitable for home décor or gifting.

What Is Being Made

This is a knitted blanket constructed from four separate strips that are joined together to form the complete piece. The blanket features a combination of moss stitch as the primary textured background with decorative rose motifs incorporated throughout the design. The finished dimensions of 97 cm x 115 cm provide substantial coverage while remaining manageable for intermediate knitters.

Construction Technique

The blanket is made using a strip construction method, with each strip knitted separately before being assembled. This approach makes the project more portable and easier to manage compared to knitting a large piece in one go. The pattern involves working multiple strips that are later joined together to create the full blanket width and length.

Stitches and Colorwork Methods Used

• Moss Stitch: This fundamental textured stitch forms the primary fabric of the blanket. Moss stitch is created by alternating knit and purl stitches within rows, creating a dense, bumpy texture that is both visually appealing and durable.
• Intarsia: Used for the rose square motif and leaf elements, intarsia is a colorwork technique where different colored yarns are used to create distinct design areas. This method involves using separate lengths of yarn for each color section, preventing long floats across the back of the work.
• Fair Isle: Applied specifically to the rose petal sections, Fair Isle is a stranded colorwork technique where two colors are worked simultaneously, with the unused color carried across the back of the stitches. This creates a slightly thicker, more insulated fabric in the patterned areas.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The blanket is knitted using Cascade Pacific yarn, a blend of 60% acrylic and 40% merino wool. This fiber composition provides a balance of durability, softness, and easy care, making the finished blanket practical for regular use. The yarn is worked at aran weight, which is a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating fabric with good drape and structure.

Yarn quantities by color:

• Yarn A (Cream, 01): 3 x 100 gm balls, with 228 gms used
• Yarn B (Geranium, 52): 5 x 100 gm balls, with 408 gms used
• Yarn C (Carmine Pink, 106): 1 x 100 gm ball, with 36 gms used
• Yarn D (Lime Green, 95): 1 x 100 gm ball, with 24 gms used

The pattern notes that yarn quantities are flexible depending on edging preferences. If the edging is worked in Yarn C instead of the original plan, knitters would need 4 balls of Yarn B and can use the full 1 ball of Yarn C for the border instead.

Needles and Tools

The project requires a pair of 5mm straight needles for the main strip construction and a 4mm circular needle measuring 100 cm long. The circular needle is likely used for the final edging or joining process, allowing for easy management of stitches across the blanket's perimeter.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of 18 stitches by 23 rows over a 10 cm x 10 cm swatch worked in stocking stitch. Achieving the correct tension is essential for the blanket to reach its intended finished dimensions and for the colorwork sections to display properly.

Skill Level and Techniques

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this blanket requires knitters to be comfortable with fundamental techniques including cast-on and cast-off methods, basic stitches (knit and purl), and the ability to read and follow a written pattern. Additionally, knitters should have experience with or be willing to learn intarsia and Fair Isle colorwork techniques, as these are integral to the rose motif design. The strip construction method provides a structured approach that breaks the project into manageable sections.