The Forbidden Forest Throw

The Forbidden Forest Throw

Project Overview

The Forbidden Forest Throw is a beginner-friendly knitted blanket designed by Antiquesledcouture. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a finished throw measuring approximately 45 inches by 50 inches, making it an ideal size for draping over furniture or using as a cozy lap blanket. The project combines multiple yarn weights and fiber types to create visual interest and texture throughout the piece.

Knitting Techniques

This throw employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners, including casting on, binding off, and basic stitch manipulation. The pattern utilizes ribbed knit construction, which involves alternating knit and purl stitches to create vertical texture and elasticity. The ribbing pattern shifts throughout the throw, creating visual dimension while remaining accessible to knitters new to the craft.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) – the fundamental stitch creating the base fabric
• Purl stitch (P) – the reverse of the knit stitch, used to create ribbed texture
• Ribbed knit patterns – alternating sequences of K3, P3 repeats that create vertical ridges and provide stretch
• Seed stitch elements – alternating K1, P1 sequences used as border details

Materials Required

The Forbidden Forest Throw calls for circular knitting needles in US size 17, which accommodate the project's width and volume. The yarn palette combines multiple weights and fiber compositions:

• Caron Brand One Pound yarn in Lilac – 2 skeins totaling 1,624 yards (aran weight) used as the primary yarn, worked with two strands held together for the initial cast-on and foundation rows
• Noro Kureyon Air – 1 hank in color #377, 109 yards of 100% wool (worsted weight), introducing a single-strand accent section
• Schaefer yarn in Catherine the Great – 1 hank of 225 yards in a cotton and rayon blend, split into two separate balls for versatile color placement
• Schachenmayr Boston Style yarn – 4 skeins in Partie color, 66 yards each (approximately 264 yards total), adding textural variety
• Schachenmayr Lova yarn – 4 skeins in color #8413, 55 yards each (approximately 220 yards total), completing the multicolor composition

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of approximately 4 stitches and 2 rows per 4 inches when measured over the ribbed stitch pattern. This gauge information is essential for achieving the intended finished dimensions of 45 inches by 50 inches. Knitters should swatch before beginning the full project to ensure their tension matches the pattern specifications.

Construction Details

The throw begins with casting on 90 stitches using two strands of the Caron Brand One Pound lilac yarn held together on US size 17 circular needles. The first row consists entirely of purl stitches, establishing a smooth foundation edge. The pattern then progresses through alternating blocks of ribbing: rows 1-5 feature a K3, P3 repeat, rows 6-10 shift to P3, K3 repeat, and rows 11-15 return to the K3, P3 sequence. This shifting ribbed pattern creates visual interest while the knitter gains confidence with basic stitch work. The Noro yarn is then introduced as a single strand, with seed stitch borders worked at each end of the throw before continuing with stockinette or additional textured sections. The remaining Schaefer and Schachenmayr yarns are incorporated throughout the remaining rows to complete the multicolored design.

Yarn Weight Considerations

This project combines aran and worsted weight yarns, which creates varied texture and drape. The use of two strands of the heavier Caron yarn at the beginning provides stability and structure, while the introduction of single-strand sections with lighter-weight specialty yarns adds delicate detail and visual complexity to the finished throw.