1260 Columbia Basin - Blanket Knitting Pattern for Home in Valley Yarns Superwash Bulky by Valley Yarns

Pattern Summary: 1260 Columbia Basin Blanket Knitting Pattern by Valley Yarns

The 1260 Columbia Basin is a beginner-friendly knitting pattern designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns. This colorful striped blanket is worked flat in one piece and is available in two sizes: a Baby Playmat (35" x 35") and a larger Afghan (48" x 70"). The pattern is offered as a downloadable PDF, making it immediately accessible for knitters eager to cast on.

With its combination of vibrant stripes and knit-purl stitch textures, the Columbia Basin blanket is described as a terrific gift for any occasion, from a housewarming to a new baby. Its versatility, approachable construction, and beautiful colorwork make it a standout project for knitters of all experience levels.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a knitted blanket or throw in two size options:

• Baby Playmat: 35 inches wide by 35 inches long — ideal as a baby shower gift or nursery accent
• Afghan: 48 inches wide by 70 inches long — a generous lap or sofa throw suitable for home décor

The sample shown in the pattern is the Baby Playmat size. Both sizes are worked using the same construction method and stitch patterns, simply scaled up for the larger Afghan version.

Construction and Techniques

The Columbia Basin blanket is worked flat (back and forth) in a single piece, making it straightforward to assemble with minimal finishing. Key techniques used in this pattern include:

• Stripes: Three colors are alternated throughout the body of the blanket, creating a bold and cheerful striped effect. Yarn is broken at each color change, with tails woven in either as you go or at the end.
• Garter stitch borders: The top and bottom hems are worked in garter stitch as part of the main piece, while the two long side borders are added by picking up stitches along the edges and knitting them on separately. This technique creates a tidy, professional-looking frame around the entire blanket.
• Textured stitch patterns: The central field of the blanket uses knit-purl combinations to add visual and tactile interest beyond simple stockinette, giving each stripe its own character.
• Long-Tail Cast-On: The pattern specifies the Long-Tail method for casting on, a popular technique that creates a neat, stretchy, and durable foundation row.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch — used for the borders on all four sides, creating a flat, non-curling edge
• Knit-purl textured stitch patterns — used in the striped field of the blanket to add surface texture and visual depth
• Long-Tail Cast-On — the recommended cast-on method for beginning the blanket

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is written specifically for Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Bulky, a 100% Extra Fine Superwash Merino Wool yarn sold in 100g / 109-yard balls. This yarn is noted for its exceptional softness and easy-care properties, making it particularly well-suited for baby items and home décor that will be washed and used frequently over the years. The superwash treatment ensures the finished blanket retains its rich texture through repeated laundering.

Three colors are used in the pattern:

• Color A — Natural (01): 5 balls for the Playmat / 14 balls for the Afghan
• Color B — Blue Mist (07): 4 balls for the Playmat / 11 balls for the Afghan
• Color C — Spring Leaf (10): 3 balls for the Playmat / 9 balls for the Afghan

The recommended needles are US 11 (8 mm), or the size needed to achieve gauge. Additional materials include a large tapestry needle for weaving in ends and optional stitch markers