Quick-Knit Throw in Lion Brand Homespun

Quick-Knit Throw in Lion Brand Homespun

What is Being Made

This is a cozy knitted throw blanket measuring approximately 46 inches wide by 59 inches long. The Quick-Knit Throw is designed as an accessible blanket project using Lion Brand Homespun yarn, making it suitable for crafters seeking a substantial finished piece that works up relatively quickly due to the yarn weight and needle size.

Materials Required

The throw is constructed using Lion Brand Homespun yarn, Article No. 790, which comes in 6-ounce skeins. The pattern calls for:

• 5 skeins in Color No. 309, Deco (Color A)
• 3 skeins in Color No. 301, Shaker (Color B), or colors of your choice
• Size 35 knitting needles, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 5 stitches over 3 inches. Obtaining proper gauge is emphasized as essential to ensure the throw reaches its intended finished dimensions of approximately 46 by 59 inches.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Quick-Knit Throw employs a straightforward yet visually interesting construction method. Two strands of yarn are held together throughout the entire project, which contributes to the quick knitting pace and creates a substantial fabric.

The stitch pattern is built on fundamental knitting techniques:

• Knit stitch (k) – the primary stitch used in most rows
• Slip stitch (sl) – used to create textural variation in alternating rows
• Yarn forward and yarn back positioning (wyif and wyib) – directional yarn placement that affects how slipped stitches sit on the fabric, creating visual texture
• Casting on and binding off – the throw is cast on with 75 stitches and bound off loosely at completion

Pattern Repeat and Construction

The throw follows an 8-row repeating pattern that alternates between solid color rows and slip-stitch texture rows. Rows 1 and 2 are worked in Color A with knit stitches only. Rows 3 and 4 introduce Color B with slip-stitch details, where the slipped stitches are worked with yarn held in front or back to create dimensional texture. Rows 5 and 6 return to Color A with knit stitches. Rows 7 and 8 repeat the slip-stitch pattern from Rows 3 and 4 in Color B, with slight stitch placement variations.

This 8-row sequence is repeated until the throw reaches approximately 58 inches in length or the desired finished size. The pattern concludes with one additional repeat of Rows 1 and 2, followed by a loose bind-off to finish the edges.

Design Benefits

The combination of holding two strands together and using large needles creates a quick-working project that produces a dense, warm fabric ideal for a throw blanket. The slip-stitch pattern adds visual interest and texture without requiring complex stitch techniques, making this an excellent project for knitters of various skill levels who want to create a substantial, finished blanket in a reasonable timeframe.