Rye

Rye Square Blanket by Ayano Tanaka

What Is Being Made

Rye is a square knitted blanket designed by Ayano Tanaka, worked flat back and forth on circular needles. The finished blanket measures 26¾ inches (68 cm) square, making it an ideal size for a cozy throw or lap blanket. The pattern is adaptable, allowing crafters to adjust the finished dimensions by casting on additional or fewer sets of stitches for width and working additional or fewer pattern repeats in length.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level pattern incorporates several essential knitting techniques that add visual interest and texture to the finished piece:

• Long-tail cast-on: Used to begin the blanket with a sturdy, elastic foundation edge
• Twisted stitches and cables: The Rye pattern features right and left twist stitches worked without a cable needle, which creates a neater appearance and speeds up the knitting process compared to traditional cable techniques
• Knitted cast-on: Applied during pattern construction for seamless stitch creation
• Attached I-cord: An I-cord border is knitted and attached directly to the main blanket body after the central square is completed, providing a finished, professional edge

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The Rye pattern is built on twisted stitches and cable-like elements that create textured, dimensional fabric. The pattern uses right and left twist stitches as its primary decorative elements. These twisted stitches are worked without a cable needle, making them faster and producing a cleaner finish than traditional cable stitches. The blanket is worked in the Rye stitch pattern throughout the main body, with a gauge of 20 stitches and 22.5 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) when blocked.

Yarn and Materials

The Rye pattern calls for Aran weight yarn, with approximately 400 grams or more required to complete the blanket. The sample shown in the pattern was knitted using farm yarn from Muhu Island in Estonia, which is 100% wool with a yardage of approximately 191 yards (175 meters) per 100 grams. Knitters should select an Aran weight yarn that matches the specified gauge to achieve the intended finished measurements.

Needles and Notions

This pattern requires US 8 (5 mm) circular needles and double-pointed needles (DPNs), or needles sized to obtain the correct gauge. A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in ends and finishing the blanket after the I-cord border is attached.

Difficulty Level

Rye is rated as an intermediate-level pattern, suitable for knitters with experience in basic techniques who are ready to tackle twisted stitches, cables, and attached I-cord finishing. The cable-like elements worked without a cable needle add a layer of skill-building without requiring advanced techniques.