Blue Velvet Fade Knit Blanket in Bernat Velvet - BRK0502-011931M - Downloadable PDF

Blue Velvet Fade Knit Blanket in Bernat Velvet – Pattern Summary

This Blue Velvet Fade Knit Blanket is a cozy, large-format knitted throw designed to showcase a beautiful gradient color transition across its length. The finished blanket measures approximately 48" x 56" [122 x 142 cm], making it a generous lap blanket or bed throw. The pattern is rated Easy, making it an excellent project for beginner knitters who want to build confidence while producing a visually impressive, heirloom-quality piece. It is available as a free downloadable PDF from Bernat.

What Is Being Made

The project is a large knitted blanket with a fade effect — a gradual color transition achieved by blending and swapping strands of yarn at specific intervals throughout the work. The color story moves from rich, deep tones into softer, cooler hues, creating a sophisticated ombre-style gradient. Decorative tassels are added as a finishing detail, giving the blanket a polished, boutique look. Six tassels are made in each of two colors, for a total of twelve tassels.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Bernat® Velvet™, a super-soft chunky-weight yarn (10.5 oz / 300 g per ball; 315 yds / 288 m per ball)
• Main Color (MC): Rich Blue (32019) — 4 balls
• Contrast A: Vapor Gray (32001) — 2 balls
• Contrast B: Smoky Blue (32026) — 2 balls
• Needles: U.S. Size 11 (8 mm) circular knitting needle, 36" [91.5 cm] long, or size needed to obtain gauge
• A piece of cardboard approximately 6" [15 cm] wide is used for making the tassels

Bernat® Velvet™ is a velvety, chenille-style yarn known for its plush, ultra-soft texture and subtle sheen. Its chunky weight means the blanket works up quickly on larger needles, which is especially encouraging for beginner knitters. The yarn's smooth, dense fiber structure gives the finished fabric a luxurious, velvet-like drape.

Techniques Used

• Holding two strands together: Throughout the pattern, two strands of yarn are held together as one to create a denser, warmer fabric. The fade effect is achieved by strategically swapping one strand at a time — for example, beginning with two strands of MC, then replacing one strand of MC with one strand of Contrast A, and so on.
• Color fading / gradient knitting: The blanket transitions through several carefully timed color stages. Working with one strand of each adjacent color simultaneously creates a natural, blended midpoint between each solid color section, producing a smooth visual fade rather than a harsh stripe.
• Flat knitting on a circular needle: Although a circular needle is used, the work is knitted back and forth in rows (not joined in the round). Using a circular needle accommodates the wide stitch count of 108 stitches comfortably.
• Casting on and casting off: The blanket begins with a standard cast-on of 108 stitches using two strands of MC held together. It is finished with a knitwise cast-off.
• Tassel making: Tassels are hand-crafted by winding yarn around a 6" cardboard template 70 times, securing the loops at the top, wrapping tightly 1" below the fold, and cutting through the bottom loops to create an even fringe.

Stitches Used

• Seed Stitch (Seed St Pat): The entire blanket is worked in seed stitch, which alternates knit and purl stitches across every row. The pattern row reads: *K1, P1; repeat from * to last stitch, K1. Because every row is worked the same way, seed stitch creates a textured, reversible fabric with a subtle pebbly surface — ideal for a blanket that will be seen from both sides. Seed stitch also lies flat naturally, eliminating the curling edges common in stockin