Sierpinski

Sierpinski Knitted Blanket by Alasdair Post-Quinn

What is Being Made

The Sierpinski is a knitted blanket or throw based on the mathematical concept of the Sierpinski Carpet, a fractal pattern. A fractal is a shape composed of smaller copies of itself repeated infinitely, which can be simplified and charted for knitting projects. This design translates the geometric fractal structure into a wearable textile by dividing a square into a 3x3 grid and removing the center square, with further iterations creating the characteristic nested pattern.

Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level knitting project employs charted colorwork techniques to render the fractal geometry. The pattern uses a two-color knitting approach, allowing knitters to follow a chart that maps out where each color appears in the design. The blanket is worked on circular needles, which accommodate the larger dimensions required for a throw-sized piece while distributing weight evenly during knitting.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash, 100% Peruvian Highland Wool with superwash treatment. This yarn is available in DK and worsted weights, offering flexibility for different gauge preferences.

• Color A (#877): 4 skeins (220 yards per 100g skein)
• Color B (#1947): 4 skeins (220 yards per 100g skein)

Needles: US 6 / 4 mm circular needle, 36 inches long, or the needle size required to achieve your desired gauge. Circular needles are essential for managing the blanket's width and weight as you work.

Design Complexity

Rated as an intermediate difficulty project, the Sierpinski blanket requires knitters to be comfortable reading charts and managing two-color knitting. The fractal concept, while mathematically sophisticated, translates into a manageable knitting pattern when simplified to a specific iteration level, making it accessible to experienced knitters seeking a visually striking geometric project.