Plates blanket

Plates Blanket by Dieuwke Schack-Mulligen

Project Overview

The Plates Blanket is a knitted throw designed to showcase the unique qualities of Plötulopi, an unspun Icelandic wool yarn. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a substantial, textured blanket by working with either single or double strands of yarn, allowing crafters to achieve a sophisticated color gradient effect across the finished piece.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a full-sized blanket or throw blanket using traditional knitting techniques. The design emphasizes color work through a subtle gradient created by strategically switching between different colored yarn plates as you progress through the project. The blanket is constructed to be thicker and more durable than typical knitted throws, making it ideal for both decorative display and functional warmth.

Yarn and Materials

Primary Yarn: Ístex Plötulopi, an unspun Icelandic wool composed of 100% wool. This yarn is supplied in distinctive flat rolls called plates, which is where the blanket design takes its name. The yarn yields approximately 300 meters or 328 yards per 100 grams, with the pattern requiring approximately 5 skeins total.

Colorway Options: The pattern accommodates multiple color selections, including "1038 Ivory Beige," "0003 Light Beige Heather," "1030 Oatmeal Heather," "1032 Chocolate Heather," and "0009 Brown" (among others). These neutral, heathered tones work together to create a harmonious gradient transition across the blanket.

Yarn Characteristics and Handling

Plötulopi, also known as pencil roving or "Pladegarn" in Danish, is an unspun yarn that requires special consideration during knitting. Because the fibers are not twisted together as tightly as traditional spun yarns, Plötulopi is more susceptible to breakage during the knitting process. However, this characteristic is easily managed: if the yarn breaks, simply lay the two broken strands next to each other and continue knitting with both strands together for a few stitches until the yarn is secure again.

Knitting Techniques

This pattern employs a straightforward knitting approach with an emphasis on color management and yarn joining. The primary technique involves working with yarn sourced from opposite ends of each plate, allowing for seamless color transitions. When approximately 25 grams of yarn remain on the first color plate, you switch one working strand to a new color plate, creating a gradual gradient effect throughout the blanket.

Stitch and Construction Methods

The pattern offers flexibility through two distinct construction options:

• Two-Strand Version: Working with two strands of Plötulopi held together creates a thicker, more substantial blanket while enabling even more subtle color gradations. This approach takes advantage of the yarn's unique texture and unspun quality.
• Single-Strand Version: For a lighter-weight blanket, the pattern includes complete instructions for working with a single strand of yarn. Stitch counts and yardage requirements for the single-strand version are provided in parentheses throughout the pattern.

Design Features

The Plates Blanket design celebrates the visual and tactile qualities of Plötulopi yarn. By working with yarn sourced from the distinctive flat plates and strategically changing colors, the blanket develops a natural, flowing gradient that showcases the subtle variations in the heathered colorways. The use of unspun Icelandic wool adds texture and visual interest while providing excellent insulating properties characteristic of traditional Icelandic knitwear.