Rowan Knitted with Love Knit Along - Release Two - Downloadable PDF

Rowan Knitted with Love Knit Along - Release Two: Initial Heart Square

What is Being Made

This downloadable PDF pattern from designer Martin Storey presents the Initial Heart Square, a versatile knitted component designed as part of the Rowan Knitted with Love Knit Along series. The square can be used to create multiple finished projects including blankets, throws, and cushions. The modular nature of this design allows crafters to produce coordinated home décor pieces by repeating and combining squares in various colorways.

Project Options

• Large Blanket – An expansive throw-sized project using Island Blend yarn in Lemon 908 (Color A) and White 900 (Color B)
• Medium Blanket – A mid-sized blanket option featuring Marine 905 (Color A) and White 900 (Color B)
• Cushion Projects – Two cushion variations, with one utilizing Routemaster 909 (Color A) and White 900 (Color B)

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for crafters with basic experience. The primary stitch structure is garter stitch, a reversible texture created by knitting every row, which provides a classic, durable fabric.

The square incorporates moss stitch (also called seed stitch in some regions), a textured pattern formed by alternating knit and purl stitches within each row and between rows. This creates a bumpy, woven appearance that frames the edges of the square. The moss stitch border is maintained at 3 stitches on each side throughout the pattern.

The pattern demonstrates increases worked strategically within the moss stitch border sections. These increases shape the square and allow for the integration of the heart motif. The increases are placed symmetrically to maintain balanced shaping on both sides of the work.

The pattern uses standard abbreviations: M for stitch, Ndl for needle, Fbe for color, re for knit, li for purl, Hinr for right-side row, Rückr for wrong-side row, zun for increase, Mst for pattern, and str for work.

Materials Required

This pattern is designed for sport weight yarn, a lightweight yarn category that produces refined, delicate fabric suitable for both blankets and cushion covers. The pattern specifies Rowan Island Blend yarn in multiple colorways depending on the project chosen.

Needles required are size 3¾ mm (US 5), appropriate for the sport weight yarn to achieve proper gauge and fabric drape. The pattern begins with 47 stitches cast on for the initial square foundation.

Color options include warm and cool palettes: Lemon 908 and Marine 905 provide the primary color choices, while White 900 serves as a coordinating neutral for all project variations, allowing for flexible color combinations across multiple squares.

Pattern Structure

The square construction follows a methodical progression beginning with a cast-on of 47 stitches. The first rows establish the moss stitch pattern, which is worked consistently across rows 1 and 2, creating the foundational texture. Increases are introduced at row 4, positioned within the moss stitch borders to shape the square while maintaining pattern integrity. Subsequent rows continue the moss stitch edging while the central area develops, with the pattern carefully placed to ensure the heart motif emerges correctly as specified in the design.