Knitting a Cable Blanket
by Megan Goodacre, author of Idiot’s Guides: Knitting
From idiotsguides.com
Some of the best patterns are published with information to a related book. This site is one of the best examples. Here I find not only patterns, but general knitting information as well. Be warned, this is a HAND knitting site, but the free patterns are easily transferred to the Knitting Machine. To become confident in translating patterns from hand to machine, take a look at How to read a Knitting Chart conveniently located on the IdiotsGuides website. (Click Link) A collection of patterns at a very low price also appear at this site.
Skills Needed
Combining knits and purls, cables
Finished Measurements
Approximately 28 inches (71 cm) wide and 31 inches (79 cm) long after blocking
Yarn
6 balls medium weight (worsted or aran) weight yarn, 50 grams/110 yards/100m each
Shown in Knit Picks Swish Worsted, 100% superwash merino
Working in stripes is a great way to use leftover yarn. If you choose to work in stripes like the blanket in the photo, you will need just under 2 balls of Color A, and just over 2 balls each of Colors B and C.
Gauge
17 stitches and 25 rows = 4″/10cm in Stockinette Stitch after blocking
Needles
1 pair US 9 (5.5mm/UK 5) circular needles, about 24 inches (60cm) long
Other Supplies
Cable needle
Blunt yarn needle
2 stitch markers (optional)
Abbreviations
k, K: knit
p, P: purl
C6B cable 6 back: slip 3 stitches to cable needle, hold in back. Knit 3, knit 3 from cable needle.
C6F cable 6 front: slip 3 stitches to cable needle, hold in front. Knit 3, knit 3 from cable needle.
WS: wrong side
RS: right side
sm: slip marker
Blanket
Cast on 119 stitches.
Tip: if you want to make a bigger blanket by increasing the width of the middle section, increase the cast on in multiples of 6.
Ribbing
Rib row 1 (RS): K7, *p3, k3; repeat from * until 4 sts remain, k4.
Rib row 2 (WS): K4, *p3, k3; repeat from * until 4 sts remain, end with k4 instead of k3.
Rib rows 3–6: Work as established by Rows 1 and 2.
Cable Pattern
Row 1 (RS): K7, p3, [k9, p3] twice, k3, p3, pm, k39, pm, p3, k3, p3, [k9, p3] twice, k7.
Tip: if you added to your cast on for a bigger blanket, add your extra stitches to the “k39” section.
Row 2 (WS): K4, p3, k3, [p9, k3] twice, p3, k3, sm, purl to marker, sm, k3, p3, k3, [p9, k3] twice, p3, k4. The markers are optional, but I find they are helpful.
Rows 3–6: Work as established by Rows 1 and 2.
*
Row 7 (cable row, braid to the right): K7, p3, [C6B, k3, p3] twice, k3, p3, k39, p3, k3, p3, [C6B, k3, p3] twice, k7.
Row 8: Follow the instructions for Row 2
Row 9 (cable row, braid to the left): K7, p3, [k3, C6F, p3] twice, k3, p3, k 39, p3, k3, p3, [k3, C6F, p3] twice, k7.
Row 10: Follow the instructions for Row 2
Row 11: Repeat Row 7.
Row 12: Follow the instructions for Row 2
Row 13: Repeat Row 9.
Rows 14–24: Work as established by Rows 1 and 2.
Tip: To duplicate the stripes of the sample blanket, cast on with A and work 22 rows. Then work in B for 18 rows, C for 18 rows, B for 18 rows, C for 36 rows, B for 18 rows, C for 18 rows, B for 18 rows, and A for remaining 22 rows.
Repeat the 18 rows from * until the blanket measures about 30 inches, stopping on Row 18 of Cable Pattern.
Ribbing
Work 6 rows of Ribbing. Bind (cast) off.
Finishing
Before blocking, the cables will be somewhat contracted. I recommend wet blocking your blanket to flatten it out. Soak the blanket in tepid water with a few drops of detergent. Rinse and squeeze out the water and lay the blanket flat on clean towels to dry.
Weave in ends.
Now that you know how to make a knit blanket you’ll never be at a loss for a gift—although once it’s finished you might not want to give it away! Happy knitting!
