Falling Leaves Throw

Falling Leaves Throw by Sian Brown

What is Being Made

The Falling Leaves Throw is a knitted blanket designed by independent designer Sian Brown. This finished throw measures 98 cm wide by 115 cm deep, making it an ideal size for draping over furniture or using as a cozy lap blanket. The project creates a decorative textile piece suitable for home décor applications.

Craft and Technique Overview

This is a knitting project classified at an intermediate difficulty level. The throw is constructed using circular needles in the round or flat, depending on knitter preference, and features a sophisticated lace pattern that creates the falling leaves motif throughout the fabric. The design combines stockinette stitch as the base fabric with strategic lace decreases and yarn overs to form the decorative leaf shapes.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs several fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette stitch – the primary base fabric, created by alternating knit and purl rows
• Garter stitch – used for the cast-on border and edge stitches to frame the lace pattern
• Yarn overs (yf) – creates the open holes that form the leaf pattern and adds lace elements
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used to shape the leaf motifs
• Slip, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, k2tog, psso) – a centered double decrease that forms the central vein of each leaf
• Slip, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, k1, psso) – a left-leaning decrease used at pattern edges

Pattern Structure

The throw begins with casting on 121 stitches and working 4 rows of garter stitch to establish a stable edge. The main pattern then begins and repeats across multiple rows, creating the falling leaves effect through the strategic placement of decreases and yarn overs. The pattern uses a combination of right-side rows (where the lace pattern is worked) and wrong-side rows (where stitches are purled with garter stitch edges maintained). The repeating motif creates a cohesive all-over leaf design across the entire throw.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This project is worked in chunky weight yarn, specifically Cascade Pacific Chunky. The yarn composition is 60% acrylic and 40% wool, providing a blend of durability and warmth. The project requires 9 balls of yarn in the Platinum colorway, with each ball containing 100 grams and 110 meters of yardage.

Needles and Tension

The throw is worked on 7mm circular needles measuring 100 cm in length. The specified tension is 12 stitches by 14 rows to measure 10 cm by 10 cm when worked in stockinette stitch using the 7mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential for the finished throw to reach the intended dimensions of 98 cm wide by 115 cm deep.