Criss Cross Afghan in Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ - Downloadable PDF

Criss Cross Afghan in Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ – Free Downloadable Knitting Pattern

This Criss Cross Afghan is a stunning, beginner-friendly knitted blanket or throw designed using the unique Bernat® Alize® Blanket-EZ™ yarn system. The finished piece measures approximately 41" x 54" (104 x 137 cm), making it a generously sized lap blanket or sofa throw. The pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF and is rated Easy, making it an ideal project for those new to this innovative yarn format or to knitting in general.

What Is Being Made

The project is a knitted criss-cross patterned afghan — a large rectangular blanket or throw worked entirely flat. The distinctive visual texture comes from a repeating crossed-stitch technique that creates an interlocking, diagonal lattice or "X" pattern across the surface of the fabric. The right side of the work faces the crafter at all times, so the decorative criss-cross design is visible throughout the construction process. The finished blanket is worked to 64 stitches in width and grows in length through the repetition of two key pattern rows.

Materials Used

Yarn

• Bernat® Alize® Blanket-EZ™ in colorway Mauve (37016) — 7 balls required
• Each ball contains 6.4 oz / 180 g and approximately 18 yards / 16 meters of yarn
• This yarn is classified as a super chunky (weight 7) yarn, which contributes to the fast, satisfying knit-up and the plush, cozy texture of the finished afghan

Tools

• A crochet hook is used to work the loops — the pattern specifies a size appropriate to obtain the correct gauge, consistent with the Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ system
• No traditional knitting needles are required; the Alize Blanket-EZ yarn comes pre-looped and is manipulated using a hook

Techniques Used

The Bernat® Alize® Blanket-EZ™ system is a revolutionary approach to knitting that eliminates the need for conventional needles. The yarn arrives with pre-formed loops along its length, and these loops serve as the "stitches" of the fabric. A crochet hook is used to pull working yarn through these loops, creating rows of interlocked fabric without ever casting on in the traditional sense.

• Foundation Row: The afghan begins by counting out 64 loops from the Alize Blanket-EZ yarn, with the yarn end positioned at the far left and all loops facing upward. This replaces the traditional cast-on.
• Criss-Cross Stitch Technique: The signature technique of this pattern involves crossing adjacent loops or stitches over one another — one loop is brought in front of the next, and then the working yarn is pulled up from behind through each crossed stitch in sequence. This creates the interlocking "X" or criss-cross visual effect.
• Right-to-Left and Left-to-Right Rows: The pattern alternates direction with each row. The 2nd row works from left to right, and the 3rd row works from right to left. These two rows are then repeated throughout to build the length of the blanket.
• No Turning: Unlike conventional knitting, the work is never turned. The right side always faces the crafter, which simplifies the process and keeps the pattern easy to follow and monitor.
• Bind Off: The pattern concludes with a bind-off row to secure all stitches and finish the edge of the blanket neatly.

Stitches Used

• Loop Foundation Row — establishing the base loops from the Alize Blanket-EZ yarn
• Criss-Cross / Crossed Loop Stitch — the primary decorative and structural stitch, worked by crossing one loop in front of another and pulling the working yarn through from back to front
• Bind Off — used to finish and secure the final row of