Motley Entrelac Blanket

Motley Entrelac Blanket by Holli Yeoh

Project Overview

The Motley Entrelac Blanket is a knitted throw or blanket project designed by Holli Yeoh that showcases the entrelac technique in an accessible, visually striking format. This intermediate-level knitting pattern combines two contrasting colours to create a dynamic, woven appearance that looks far more complex than the actual construction requires. The design celebrates bold colour contrast and playful pattern work, making it an ideal project for knitters looking to master an impressive technique without excessive difficulty.

What Is Being Made

This pattern offers six finished size options to suit different needs and spaces: a Baby blanket measuring 25 ½ x 33 ½ inches (65 x 85 cm), a Stroller size at 30 ¾ x 40 ¼ inches (78 x 102 cm), a Lap blanket measuring 35 ¾ x 47 ¼ inches (91 x 120 cm), a Throw size at 44 ¼ x 58 ¾ inches (112.5 x 149 cm), a Twin blanket measuring 57 ½ x 81 ½ inches (146 x 207 cm), and a Full/Queen size at 81 ¼ x 90 inches. The pattern shown in the sample uses the Throw size, providing a versatile blanket suitable for draping over furniture or using as a decorative throw.

Techniques Used

The primary technique featured in this pattern is entrelac, a knitting method that creates an interwoven, basket-weave appearance through strategic increases and decreases. Entrelac involves working blocks of stitches in alternating directions, which produces the characteristic woven look. The Motley Entrelac Blanket simplifies this technique by using a two-colour approach where only one colour is worked at a time, eliminating the complexity of managing multiple colours within a single row. This methodical approach makes the technique more approachable for intermediate knitters while still delivering visually impressive results.

Stitches and Stitch Work

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the provided pattern information, entrelac construction typically relies on fundamental knitting stitches including knit and purl stitches, along with strategic increases and decreases to form the geometric blocks that characterize the technique. The two-colour working method means knitters will alternate between main and contrasting colours across different sections, building the interlocking block pattern row by row. This structured approach allows knitters to focus on mastering the directional changes and block construction that define entrelac without the added challenge of colour management within individual rows.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern calls for chunky weight yarn in two colours. The yardage requirements vary by size: the Baby size requires 475 yards (435 metres) of main colour and 350 yards (320 metres) of contrasting colour, while the Full/Queen size demands 4365 yards (3990 metres) of main colour and 3970 yards (3630 metres) of contrasting colour. The sample blanket shown in Throw size uses Knit Picks Chroma Twist Bulky, a bulky weight yarn composed of 70% Superwash Wool and 30% Nylon, offered at 127 yards per 100 grams. This fibre blend provides durability, easy care through superwash treatment, and the structure needed to showcase entrelac definition. Knitters are encouraged to select their own favourite colour combinations to personalize this project and make the most of the visually interesting entrelac technique.

Design Characteristics

The Motley Entrelac Blanket celebrates bold, contrasting colour work and the playful visual impact of the entrelac pattern. The design philosophy encourages knitters to embrace colour experimentation, allowing them to use multiple favourite colours throughout the project to enhance the dynamic, jester-like quality of the finished piece. The intermediate difficulty level makes this pattern accessible to knitters with foundational skills who are ready to expand their technical repertoire without undertaking an overly challenging project.