Egg Harbour Afghan in Lion Brand Mandala Thick & Quick - L80198 - Downloadable PDF

Egg Harbor Afghan in Lion Brand Mandala Thick & Quick – Free Knitting Pattern L80198

The Egg Harbor Afghan is a free beginner knitting pattern (Pattern Number L80198) from Lion Brand Yarn Company, designed to produce a cozy, generously sized blanket measuring approximately 36 x 45½ inches (91.5 x 115.5 cm). Worked in one continuous piece using five coordinating colorways of Lion Brand Mandala Thick & Quick super bulky yarn, this throw is an ideal project for new knitters looking to build confidence while creating a striking, multi-colored finished object.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a large knitted afghan or throw blanket in the classic blanket-and-throw category. The finished dimensions make it suitable as a lap blanket, a decorative sofa throw, or a cozy bed accent. The color-block striping effect — achieved naturally by working through each cake of yarn in sequence — gives the piece a bold, modern aesthetic without requiring complex colorwork techniques.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls exclusively for Lion Brand Mandala Thick & Quick (Art. #528), a super bulky weight (weight 6) yarn sold in self-striping cakes. Five colorways are used across six total cakes:

• 215 Garden Maze – 2 cakes (Color A, the primary and border color)
• 209 Thumbprint – 2 cakes (Color B)
• 208 Turbine – 1 cake (Color C)
• 214 Begonia – 1 cake (Color D)
• 211 Pocket Watch – 1 cake (Color E)

Each cake of yarn contributes approximately 6½ inches (15 cm) to the length of the afghan, making the color progression easy to plan and predict. A Lion Brand large-eyed blunt needle is required for weaving in ends upon finishing.

Needles and Gauge

Because the afghan is worked in one piece across a wide number of stitches, the pattern requires a circular knitting needle, size 13 (9 mm), 36 inches (91.5 cm) long. Importantly, the circular needle is used purely to accommodate the stitch count — the knitter works back and forth as if using straight needles, not in the round. The recommended gauge is 8½ stitches over 4 inches (10 cm) measured over the two-row stitch pattern, and checking gauge before beginning is strongly advised to ensure the finished blanket reaches its intended dimensions.

Techniques and Construction

The Egg Harbor Afghan is constructed entirely in one piece from cast-on to bind-off, eliminating the need for seaming. The construction method is straightforward and well-suited to beginners:

• Cast-on: 75 stitches with Color A using a standard cast-on method.
• Garter stitch border: The afghan begins with 6 rows of knit-every-row garter stitch in Color A, establishing a neat bottom edge.
• Side borders: Throughout the entire blanket, the first and last 4 stitches of every row are knitted, creating a continuous garter stitch side border that keeps the edges from curling and gives the piece a tidy, finished appearance.
• Body pattern: The main fabric alternates between two simple rows — Row 1: knit 4, purl to last 4 stitches, knit 4; Row 2: knit all stitches. This creates a reverse stockinette texture in the body panels, which contrasts beautifully with the garter stitch borders.
• Color changes: Colors are changed organically each time a cake of yarn is nearly exhausted. A helpful tip in the pattern instructs knitters to work the first 4 stitches with the old color before switching to the new color, keeping color joins neatly hidden within the side border area. Yarn tails of 4–6 inches are left on both old and new yarn, then woven in along the border edge after completion.

Stitches Used