1320 Monoceros - Blanket Knitting Pattern for Babies and Home in Valley Yarns Montague

1320 Monoceros - Blanket Knitting Pattern

What is Being Made

The 1320 Monoceros is a versatile blanket design by Julie Turjoman, available in two sizes to suit different needs. The Baby Blanket measures 35¾" x 39¼", making it ideal for infants and smaller spaces, while the Throw size expands to 55¼" x 73", providing generous coverage for larger furniture or as an extra layer for relaxing at home. This pattern is crafted from Valley Yarns' Montague, a 100% organic cotton yarn that combines a soft hand with a distinctive boucle texture, making it both comfortable and practical for everyday use.

Techniques Used

This blanket is worked using several key construction techniques that make it accessible to advancing knitters:

• Bottom-up construction: The blanket is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing you to monitor finished size as you work and easily adjust length if needed.
• Seamless, worked flat: The entire piece is created on circular needles without requiring seaming, eliminating the need to join separate sections. Working flat means you knit back and forth in rows rather than in the round, simplifying stitch management.
• Garter stitch borders: Practical garter stitch edging frames the side edges, providing a clean, stable finish that prevents curling and adds structural integrity to the blanket.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is a Leaf Motif stitch, which creates an elegant, textured surface with botanical interest. This stitch pattern is repeated throughout the blanket body and requires attention to detail but is well-suited for adventurous beginners willing to follow a chart or written instructions. A single leaf motif measures 22 stitches by 22 rows and blocks to approximately 4¾" x 3⅓". The garter stitch borders, created by knitting every row, provide visual and structural contrast to the more complex motif work.

Materials and Specifications

This pattern calls for Valley Yarns Montague, a worsted-weight yarn composed of 100% organic cotton. The yarn is available in color 013 - Fog, a neutral tone suitable for various décor styles. Yardage requirements are 1,100 yards for the Baby Blanket size (10 hanks of 110 yards each) and 2,860 yards for the Throw size (26 hanks). Needles required are US size 7 (4.50 mm) circular needles measuring 32" to 40" in length, chosen to accommodate the blanket's width while working flat. Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and optionally a locking stitch marker for securing stitches if needed during breaks.

Gauge and Difficulty

The pattern is rated at Adventurous Beginner skill level, indicating it is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle stitch patterns and shaping. The gauge for the Leaf Motif stitch pattern is 18 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches when blocked, which is important for achieving accurate finished measurements. Blocking the completed blanket helps even out the boucle texture and ensures the leaf motifs display their full beauty.