Thimbleberry Blanket in Berroco North Star - 381-4 - Downloadable PDF

Thimbleberry Blanket by Emily Nora O'Neil – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Thimbleberry Blanket is a beautifully designed knitted throw created by designer Emily Nora O'Neil and published by Berroco as part of Booklet #381. This downloadable PDF pattern produces a generous, approximately 42-inch square blanket — a versatile, cozy finished piece well-suited for home décor, gifting, or personal use. The pattern is rated Intermediate in skill level, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore more textured stitch patterns.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a chunky knitted blanket or throw, worked in a single size to approximately 42 inches square. Its substantial dimensions make it a true lap or throw blanket, ideal for draping over a sofa or bed. The design is characterized by its rich stitch texture, which gives the fabric visual depth and a tactile, handcrafted quality.

Materials Used

• Yarn: Berroco North Star, a chunky-weight yarn, used in colorway #3015 Narwhal. The pattern calls for 10 balls at 50 grams each.
• Needles: A 29-inch circular knitting needle, size 13 (9.00 mm), or the size needed to obtain gauge. The circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches required for a 42-inch blanket, though the piece is worked flat.
• Notions: 2 stitch markers are required to help track pattern sections during knitting.

Yarn Details – Berroco North Star

Berroco North Star is a chunky-weight yarn known for its soft, cozy texture and excellent stitch definition. Its weight category makes it ideal for large-scale projects like blankets, as it works up quickly on larger needles while still producing a fabric with warmth and body. The colorway #3015 Narwhal is a sophisticated, neutral tone that suits a wide range of home interiors and personal styles.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This pattern is classified as Intermediate, meaning knitters should be familiar with foundational knitting skills before beginning. Key techniques and elements involved include:

• Pattern Stitch (Pat St): The blanket is worked primarily in a designated pattern stitch, which gives the Thimbleberry its distinctive textured surface. The gauge is measured in this pattern stitch at 13 stitches and 16 rows to 4 inches.
• Circular needle used flat: The long 29-inch circular needle is used to hold the large stitch count comfortably, while the blanket itself is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round.
• Stitch markers: Markers are placed to delineate sections of the pattern, helping knitters maintain accuracy across the wide fabric.
• Gauge swatching: As with all textured pattern stitches, achieving the correct gauge is emphasized — knitters are strongly encouraged to swatch and adjust needle size as needed before casting on.

Skill Level and Pattern Notes

Rated Intermediate, the Thimbleberry Blanket is best suited for knitters who have moved beyond beginner projects and are comfortable reading multi-row stitch patterns and working with stitch markers. The repetitive nature of the pattern stitch makes it engaging without being overly complex, offering a satisfying rhythm once the repeat is established. The large scale of the project — 10 balls of chunky yarn on size 13 needles — means it works up relatively quickly compared to finer-weight blanket patterns.

The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is kept up to date by Berroco, with corrections applied as needed. Knitters are advised to always download the most current version of the file to ensure they are working from accurate instructions.