Checked Blanket in Bernat Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ - Downloadable PDF

Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ Checked Blanket – Free Knitting Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

This free downloadable PDF pattern guides knitters through creating a large, cozy checked blanket using the innovative Bernat® Alize® Blanket-EZ™ yarn system. The finished blanket measures approximately 52 inches (132 cm) square, making it a generous throw suitable for sofas, beds, or as a statement home décor piece. The bold checked design is achieved by alternating color strips worked in sequence, producing a classic, graphic look that suits a wide range of interior styles.

About the Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ System

The Bernat® Alize® Blanket-EZ™ yarn is a uniquely engineered super chunky yarn that comes pre-looped along its length. Rather than wrapping yarn around a needle in the traditional sense, crafters work by pulling pre-formed loops through one another using their fingers or a large crochet hook. This finger-knitting style technique produces a thick, plush fabric very quickly and is especially accessible for those new to the craft. Despite being listed under the knitting craft category, the method is a tactile, hands-on loop-pulling process that blends elements of finger knitting and basic crochet principles.

What Is Being Made

• A large checked throw blanket approximately 52 inches (132 cm) in size
• The checked pattern is created by working individual color strips and joining them to build the overall design
• The blanket is constructed in strips, each strip worked over 11 stitches and 8 rows before a color change is introduced

Techniques Used

• Foundation row setup: Counting out 11 pre-formed loops from the Blanket-EZ yarn to establish the starting row, with the yarn end positioned at the far right and all loops facing upward
• Loop-pull knitting: Pulling the working yarn's next loop up from behind through existing stitches, always working from back to front — this is the core stitch-forming action throughout the pattern
• Directional row working: Rows alternate direction — odd rows are worked from left to right and even rows from right to left — without turning the work at any point, keeping the right side facing at all times
• Strip construction: Each color section is worked as an independent strip of 8 rows before cutting and joining the next color
• Color joining: Yarn tails are created by cutting the thread at the base of a loop; tails from outgoing and incoming colors are tied together and woven in for a neat finish
• Yarn tail management: Ends are secured using large safety pins during construction to keep work tidy

Stitches Used

• Loop-pull knit stitch: The foundational stitch of the Blanket-EZ system — each new loop from the working yarn is pulled up through the loop of the previous row from behind, mimicking the structure of a knit stitch
• No traditional cast-on, bind-off, or needle-based knitting stitches are required; the pre-looped yarn eliminates those steps entirely

Materials Required

• Bernat® Alize® Blanket-EZ™ yarn (6.4 oz / 180 g; 18 yds / 16 m per ball) — a super chunky (weight 6) pre-looped yarn
• Main Color (MC): Cream (37013) — 2 balls
• Contrast A: Dark Gray (37014) — 3 balls
• Contrast B: Black (37015) — 2 balls
• A large crochet hook may be referenced as an optional tool for weaving in ends or assisting with loop manipulation
• Large safety pins for securing yarn tails during construction

Difficulty Level and Ideal Knitter

This pattern is rated as a beginner-friendly project in the product attributes, making it an excellent choice for those who are brand new to the