Connect Blanket

Connect Blanket by Knitwit Designs

Project Overview

The Connect Blanket is a small rectangular knitted throw measuring 46" x 58.5" (117 x 149 cm) that features interconnecting whirling disks in subdued colors. The design creates a striking visual illusion of motion through the strategic placement of geometric shapes and a carefully curated color palette. This intermediate-level knitting project is ideal for knitters looking to expand their technical skills while creating a functional and visually engaging home accessory.

What is Being Made

This is a knitted blanket composed of multiple strips that are constructed from triangular and rectangular geometric sections. The finished piece is a small rectangular throw blanket designed to showcase color interplay and dimensional shaping techniques. The interconnected disk pattern creates visual depth and movement across the surface of the blanket.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Pick up and knit (pu&k): This technique allows new stitches to be created by picking up loops from existing edges, enabling seamless connections between geometric sections and strips without requiring separate seaming in all areas.
• Short rows (wrap and turn): Also known as short-row shaping, this technique involves turning the work before completing a full row. This creates the curved and angled edges necessary for the triangular and rectangular sections that form the whirling disk pattern.
• Strip construction: The blanket is worked in individual strips composed of multiple geometric shapes, which can either be sewn together or joined as they are knitted, offering flexibility in the construction method.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the Connect Blanket is garter stitch, worked back and forth on straight needles. Garter stitch is created by knitting every row, producing a reversible fabric with horizontal ridges on both sides. This fundamental stitch provides an excellent canvas for showcasing the color work and geometric shaping, while also offering a stable, durable fabric suitable for a blanket. The gauge for this project is 15 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The Connect Blanket uses Erika Knight Wild Wool in aran weight. This yarn is composed of 85% wool and 15% nettle, offering a blend of natural fibers that provides warmth and durability. Each hank yields 186 yards (170 meters) and weighs 1 ounce (100 grams). The project requires seven coordinating colors in subdued tones:

• A: 4 hanks in Mooch (purple)
• B: 3 hanks in Pootle (gold)
• C: 2 hanks in Traipse (gray)
• D: 2 hanks in Wander (blue)
• E: 2 hanks in Brisk (green)
• F: 2 hanks in Dawdle (pink)
• G: 2 hanks in Meander (light blue)

Needles: The pattern calls for US Size 8 (5mm) needles, or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge. Knitters should also have a yarn or circular needle available to use as a stitch holder for managing stitches during construction. The pattern notes that a tail 4 times the length of the edge stitch should be left for seaming purposes on all pattern stitches except in Strip 16.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to explore more advanced shaping techniques. The combination of pick up and knit methods and short-row shaping requires attention to detail and understanding of how these techniques interact with the overall design.