Circle-circle Blanket

Circle-Circle Blanket by Nancy Hand

What is Being Made

The Circle-Circle Blanket is a knitted throw blanket featuring a distinctive circular motif design. This project creates a finished square blanket that can be made in two different sizes depending on yarn weight and needle choice. The design showcases colorwork elements with multiple yarn colors creating visual interest through the circular pattern repeat.

Blanket Specifications

Size Options:

• 26-inch square (66cm) when worked with fingering weight yarn and US 3 needles
• 31-inch square (79cm) when worked with DK weight yarn and US 7 needles

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques. The blanket is constructed using the stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base, which creates a smooth, classic knitted surface. Colorwork techniques are incorporated throughout the design to create the circle motif pattern. The pattern requires careful stitch counting and row tracking to maintain the circular design elements across the blanket surface. Stitch markers are recommended as optional tools to help track pattern repeats and maintain consistency throughout the project.

Stitches and Construction

Primary Stitch: Stockinette stitch forms the foundation of this blanket, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. This classic stitch produces the smooth, flat fabric characteristic of traditional blankets.

Pattern Elements: The circular design is achieved through strategic color changes and stitch placement rather than complex stitch variations, making it accessible to intermediate knitters while creating sophisticated visual results.

Materials and Yarn Options

The Circle-Circle Blanket can be created using two different yarn weight options, each producing distinct finished dimensions and fabric characteristics.

Option 1 - Fingering Weight Version:

• Yarn: CottonFine fingering weight, approximately 800 yards (730 meters) total yardage
• Color Palette: MyBlue Heaven #560 (3 balls at 222 yards/203 meters per ball), Celery Leaves #844 (1 ball), CottonBall white #100 (partial ball, approximately one-third), and Sunflower Gold #343 (partial ball, approximately one-third)
• Needles: US 3 (3.25mm)
• Gauge: 31 stitches and 42 rows equals 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch
• Cast-on: 181 stitches

Option 2 - DK Weight Version:

• Yarn: Dreambaby DK weight, approximately 1,000 yards (914 meters) total yardage
• Color Palette: Cream #101 (4 balls at 183 yards/167 meters per ball), Yellow #118 (1 ball), and partial balls (approximately 20 yards/18 meters each) of Blue #124, Green #143, Purple #134, and Unisex print #304
• Needles: US 7 (4.5mm)
• Gauge: 24 stitches and 32 rows equals 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch

Additional Materials

The pattern suggests optional use of 6 stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and maintain consistency throughout the project. A cable needle is also listed as optional, though the primary construction does not appear to require cable techniques based on the pattern foundation.

Difficulty Level

This blanket is rated as an intermediate knitting project, suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle colorwork and larger projects. The straightforward stockinette stitch base combined with color changes makes this an excellent project for developing color work skills while creating a substantial, practical finished piece.