1142 Gloucester - Blanket Knitting Pattern for Babies and Home in Valley Yarns Haydenville Bulky

Pattern Summary: 1142 Gloucester Baby Playmat and Throw Blanket Knitting Pattern by Julie Turjoman

About This Pattern

The 1142 Gloucester is an original knitting pattern designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns. It produces a cheerful, cozy blanket suitable for two purposes and two size options: a Baby Activity Playmat measuring approximately 38¼" x 39", and a larger Adult Throw Blanket measuring a generous 52" x 72". The pattern is rated Advanced Beginner, making it an excellent project for newer knitters who are ready to move beyond basic stockinette, as well as a satisfying and relatively quick knit for more experienced crafters. The finished blanket makes a thoughtful handmade gift for a new baby or a welcoming addition to any home décor.

Design and Aesthetic

The Gloucester blanket features a three-color slip stitch pattern as its central design element, framed on all four sides by a structured K2/P2 ribbed border. The combination of a neutral palette with a pop of warm color gives the blanket broad appeal — it works equally well as a modern home accessory or a bright, stimulating play surface for babies. The pattern was shown in the Playmat size in the original publication.

Colors and Yarn

The design calls for three colors of Valley Yarns Haydenville Bulky, each playing a distinct role in the slip stitch colorwork:

• Main Color (MC): Color 27 Gold — 7 skeins for the Playmat, 17 skeins for the Throw
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1): Color 04 Light Grey — 3 skeins for the Playmat, 8 skeins for the Throw
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2): Color 01 White — 6 skeins for the Playmat, 15 skeins for the Throw

Valley Yarns Haydenville Bulky is a chunky weight yarn composed of 60% Superwash Merino / 40% Acrylic Microfiber, sold in 100g skeins with approximately 109 yards each. This fiber blend offers excellent stitch definition, easy machine-care washability, and a soft, warm hand — all highly practical qualities for a baby blanket or frequently used home throw. The superwash treatment means the finished blanket can be laundered without fear of felting or shrinkage.

Needles and Additional Materials

The pattern requires a US 10 (6mm) circular needle, in a cord length of 30" to 40", or whatever size is needed to achieve the correct gauge. Circular needles are used here not for knitting in the round, but to accommodate the large number of stitches across the width of the blanket when working flat. Additional materials include locking stitch markers and a tapestry needle for finishing.

Gauge

Gauge is measured in the slip stitch pattern after blocking: 14 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches. Achieving accurate gauge is important for hitting the intended finished dimensions, particularly for the larger Throw size.

Construction and Techniques

The Gloucester blanket is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat method — meaning it is knitted back and forth in rows from the cast-on edge to the bind-off, rather than in the round. This is a seamless construction in the sense that no seaming is required to join major blanket panels. The build process includes several distinct phases:

• Cast-On: Stitches are cast on using the Cable Cast-On method, which creates a firm, tidy foundation edge well-suited to a ribbed border.
• Bottom Border: A K2/P2 Rib border is worked over 12 rows in the Main Color to anchor the lower edge of the blanket with structure and elasticity.
• Blanket Field: