The Square Within Blanket Square for Stocking in Caron United - Downloadable PDF

The Square Within Blanket Square for Stocking in Caron United

Project Overview

The Square Within Blanket Square for Stocking is an intermediate-level knitted blanket square designed by Ann McDonald Kelly. This downloadable PDF pattern creates an approximately 36-inch (91.5 cm) square block, making it ideal for blanket projects, throws, or stocking purposes. The pattern is worked using Caron United yarn in an aran weight, offering a versatile and accessible project for knitters with intermediate skills.

Construction Technique

This blanket square employs a two-phase construction method. The main body of the block is worked back and forth in rows using a charted mosaic pattern. Once the body is complete, stitches are picked up around all four sides of the finished block and worked in the round to create the edging. This approach allows for clean finishing and dimensional detail around the perimeter of the square.

Mosaic Knitting Technique

The pattern features mosaic knitting, a colorwork technique that creates intricate patterned effects without the complexity of traditional stranded colorwork. In mosaic knitting, the unused color is carried loosely along the side edge of the work rather than being cut at color changes. This technique relies on slipping stitches without working them to create the pattern.

When working mosaic rows, stitches are slipped as if to purl with specific yarn positioning: on knit rows worked with color B, color A stitches are slipped with the yarn held in back; on purl rows worked with color B, color A stitches are slipped with the yarn held in front. When slipping three consecutive stitches in a single row, the yarn must be carried loosely behind the slipped stitches to maintain even tension and prevent puckering.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

• Slip Stitches: Core to the mosaic pattern, executed with careful yarn positioning to create dimensional colorwork effects
• K1fb&f (Knit into Front, Back, and Front): An increase stitch that creates two additional stitches from a single stitch, used for shaping and detail work within the pattern
• Knit and Purl Stitches: Fundamental stitches forming the base structure of the blanket square

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 15 stitches and 24 rows equaling 4 inches (10 centimeters) in the charted mosaic pattern. This gauge specification is essential for achieving the intended finished dimensions of approximately 36 inches square. Knitters should swatch and measure carefully to ensure their gauge matches the pattern requirements before beginning the full project.

Materials

This pattern calls for Caron United yarn in an aran weight, a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating fabric with good drape and definition. Appropriate needles for aran-weight yarn are required, though specific needle sizes are detailed in the complete pattern instructions. The mosaic technique works particularly well with solid-colored yarns in contrasting colors to highlight the slip-stitch patterning.

Pattern Format

This is a free downloadable PDF pattern, making it accessible for immediate use. The pattern includes a charted mosaic design shown on page 2 of the PDF, providing a visual reference for the colorwork sequence throughout the project.