Merindah

Merindah Knitted Blanket Pattern

What is Being Made

Merindah is a knitted blanket pattern designed by heaventoseven, named after an Australian Aboriginal word meaning 'beautiful.' This versatile blanket works equally well as a baby or toddler blanket or as a lap blanket. The finished dimensions are 30 inches by 42 inches (76 cm by 107 cm), though the pattern allows for easy customization to suit different size preferences.

Design Features and Construction

The Merindah blanket showcases a striking design where diamond-encased cables appear to float against a reverse garter stitch background. This contrast creates visual depth and interest while maintaining a classic, timeless aesthetic suitable for various nurseries and home décor styles. The entire blanket is finished with an I-cord border that is knit as you go along, providing a neat, professional edge that frames the design beautifully.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Cable knitting: Diamond-shaped cable motifs form the primary design element, requiring cable needle work to create the twisted, dimensional effect
• Reverse garter stitch: The background texture is created using reverse garter stitch, which provides a smooth, refined surface that allows the cables to stand out
• I-cord edging: An I-cord border is worked simultaneously with the main blanket, eliminating the need for separate finishing and creating a seamless, durable edge
• Circular needle knitting: The blanket is worked on circular needles, allowing for the management of a large number of stitches across the width

Stitches and Pattern Repeats

The pattern uses a repeating stitch structure that makes customization straightforward. Each width repeat consists of 12 stitches and creates a 5 cm (2 inch) increase in blanket width. Each length repeat requires 36 rows of knitting and adds 15 cm (6 inches) to the blanket's length. This modular approach allows knitters to easily adjust the final dimensions by adding or subtracting complete repeats as needed, provided the yarn yardage is adjusted accordingly.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Merindah pattern calls for worsted weight yarn in the Aran weight category, requiring approximately 450 grams of yarn with a yardage of 180 meters per 100 grams. The pattern specifically recommends Debbie Bliss Falkland Aran yarn, which provides the appropriate weight and drape for the cable and garter stitch design. The total yardage needed is approximately 810 meters for the standard size blanket.

Tools and Equipment

• Knitting needles: 5 mm (US 8) long circular needles, 100 cm (40 inches) in length, to accommodate the full width of the blanket
• Double-pointed needles: Two 5 mm (US 8) DPNs are recommended for working the I-cord edging, though this is optional—the I-cord can alternatively be worked using the circular needle by simply placing stitches back on the left needle

Difficulty Level

Merindah is rated as an intermediate-level knitting project. While the pattern uses fundamental techniques such as garter stitch and cable knitting, the combination of these elements, the management of a large stitch count on circular needles, and the integration of the I-cord edging require intermediate knitting skills and familiarity with cable work.

Pattern Customization

One of the key advantages of the Merindah pattern is its flexibility. Knitters can easily modify the blanket's dimensions by working additional or fewer repeats. To increase or decrease width, add or subtract 12 stitches (one complete repeat) for each 5 cm (2 inches) desired. To adjust length, work 36 additional or fewer rows (one complete repeat) for each 15 cm (6 inches) of change. When modifying the size, it is essential to recalculate and adjust the total yarn requirement to ensure sufficient yardage for the customized dimensions.