BALM Blanket

BALM Blanket by balm. knitwear

What is Being Made

The BALM Blanket is a cozy knitted throw blanket measuring approximately 80 cm x 120 cm. This project is designed as a beginner-friendly knitting pattern, making it an ideal introduction to blanket construction for knitters new to larger projects. The finished blanket provides a substantial, comfortable piece suitable for home use.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern offers flexibility in yarn selection to suit different budgets and preferences:

• Budget-Friendly Option: 10 balls of Amazon yarn by James C. Brett (80% acrylic, 20% wool blend; 81 meters per 100 grams; needle size 10)
• Premium Option: 12 balls of Fire yarn by Wooladdicts (98% wool; 75 meters per 100 grams; needle size 9 mm) or comparable yarn in 10 mm needle size

The super chunky yarn weight creates quick progress and a luxuriously thick, tactile fabric perfect for a cozy blanket aesthetic.

Equipment Required

• Circular knitting needles in 10 mm size, approximately 100–120 cm in length
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends
• Scissors

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Primary Stitch Pattern: Garter stitch (Kraus rechts), created by knitting every row in the flat direction. This fundamental stitch produces a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges on both sides, making it ideal for blankets.

Specialized Techniques:

• Twisted Cast-On Edge: The first stitch of each row is worked as a twisted knit stitch (drawing yarn through the back loop), creating a neat, finished selvage edge
• Slip Stitch Edge: The final stitch of each row is slipped purlwise with yarn held in front, further refining the side edges
• Cast-On: Standard cast-on method to establish the initial stitches
• Bind-Off: Standard bind-off technique to secure stitches at project completion

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 9 stitches x 16 rows over 10 cm x 10 cm in garter stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished blanket reaches the intended dimensions of approximately 80 cm x 120 cm.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner project, this blanket uses only basic knitting fundamentals. The pattern requires only knit stitches and simple edge techniques, making it accessible to knitters developing foundational skills. The straightforward garter stitch pattern allows for meditative, repetitive knitting without complex stitch variations.

Pattern Notes

The instructions recommend reading the entire pattern before purchasing yarn and beginning the project. The chain edge (Kettrand) technique described offers variations in execution, allowing knitters to customize the finished appearance of the blanket edges according to personal preference.