Knitted Leafy Border Afghan in Lion Brand Homespun - 974A

Knitted Leafy Border Afghan in Lion Brand Homespun – Pattern 974A

This free downloadable knitting pattern from Lion Brand produces a generously sized 54" x 64" blanket or throw featuring a classic Stockinette stitch body framed by an ornate leafy lace border along the top and bottom edges. The design is part of the Lion Brand pattern collection and is worked using Lion Brand Homespun yarn, a beloved bulky-weight yarn known for its soft, textured, chenille-like feel. The combination of a smooth central field and intricate leaf-shaped edging gives this afghan a timeless, heirloom quality that suits both traditional and contemporary home décor.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a large knitted blanket or throw measuring 54 inches wide by 64 inches long. The body of the afghan is worked in straightforward Stockinette stitch, while the top and bottom edges are each finished with a 20-row leafy lace border that is picked up and knitted directly onto the main fabric after the body is complete. The result is a cohesive, polished piece with decorative leaf motifs growing organically from both ends of the throw.

Materials Used

• Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun, Art. No. 790, in #335 Prairie (or color of your choice) — 7 skeins of the 6 oz. size are required. Homespun is a thick, textured yarn with a soft, voluminous hand that works up quickly on larger needles and adds warmth and coziness to blanket projects.
• Needles: One pair of straight knitting needles in size 10½ U.S. (6.50 mm), or a 29-inch circular knitting needle in the same size. The pattern specifically recommends the circular needle option for ease in handling the large number of stitches across the width of the afghan. Use whatever needle size is needed to achieve the correct gauge.

Gauge

The pattern calls for a gauge of 10 stitches and 16 rows equal 4 inches in Stockinette stitch on a size 10½ needle. Checking gauge before beginning is strongly recommended to ensure the finished afghan reaches the intended dimensions of 54" x 64".

Techniques Used

• Casting on — The afghan begins with 121 stitches cast onto the needle.
• Stockinette stitch (St st) — The main body of the blanket is worked in Stockinette stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side) until the piece measures 58 inches, then bound off.
• Picking up stitches — With the right side facing, 121 stitches are picked up and knitted across the top edge of the finished body to begin the border. The same process is repeated on the bottom edge.
• Working the leafy lace border — A structured 20-row border is worked onto each picked-up edge. This border uses a combination of increases and decreases to create the illusion of growing and tapering leaf shapes. The leaf motifs are repeated across the width of the border in a consistent pattern.
• Binding off — The border is completed by knitting and binding off across the final row.
• Working back and forth on a circular needle — The pattern notes that for ease in handling the large stitch count, the entire afghan can be worked back and forth (flat) on a circular needle rather than straight needles.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) and Purl (p) — The foundational stitches used throughout both the body and the border.
• Stockinette stitch — Alternating knit and purl rows to create the smooth, classic fabric of the main body.
• Yarn over (yo) — Used in the leafy border to create decorative eyelets and to form the widening shape of each leaf motif.
• M1 (Make 1) — An increase stitch worked by lifting the horizontal thread lying between the needles and knitting into it. Used