WINNER ‘Progress toward circularity’ Marie Claire Sustainability Awards 2023

Knit a cosy striped blanket

A cosy, modern hand-knit blanket? Yes, please!

​If you’re a knitter, then chances are you’ll have a little hoard of leftover bits and pieces of yarn or balls that you’ve bought over time and hidden away. Designer Emma Osmond shows you how to the most of that stash of yarn to create a striped blanket in her signature modern pared-down style.

This blanket has been designed to be a really fun way to bring colour into your home. The yarn has been doubled to create a fabric that is thicker and makes the blanket sturdier. It’s great for being used all over the house, especially during colder months, or outside for a picnic when the weather warms up.

This project is for those who has intermediate knowledge of sewing. If you need a refresher or if you want to learn how to knit as a beginner, pick up a Learn to Knit Masterclass course and kit by Heather Orr, who will walk you through everything you ever wanted to know about knitting, a skill you'll use for a lifetime.

This project was taken from Weekend Makes: Stash Knitting, by Emma Osmond, with the generous permission of GMC Publications. Like the project? Pick up the full book today!

Striped knit blanket folded, next to colourful pencils that match the colours of the stripes

What you'll need

Rowan Summerlite DK or any No.3 Light weight yarn:

(A) 85g / 221m of Fuchsia 455
(B) 85g / 221m of Summer 453
(C) 85g / 221m of Linen 460
(D) 85g / 221m of Silvery Blue 468
(E) 85g / 221m of Favourite Denims 469
(F) 85g / 221m of Sailor Blue 470 

    Needles:
    6mm (no 4) (US 10) needles

    Your finished blanket will be 75cm x 100cm (29½in x 39¼in) in size.

    Tension

    14 stitches and 19 rows to 10cm/4in 
    Measured over garter stitch using 6mm (US 10) needles and yarn held double throughout.

    Editorial shot of knit striped blanket covering a chair

    Yarn A

    Using 6mm (US 10) needles and 2 strands of yarn A, cast on 105 stitches. 

    Work in garter stitch until work measures 14cm/5½in, ending with a wrong side row.

    Yarn B

    Change to yarn B. Work in garter stitch for a further 14cm/5½in, ending with a wrong side row.

    Yarn C

    Change to yarn C. Work in garter stitch for a further 14cm/5½in, ending with a wrong side row.

    Yarn D

    Change to yarn D. Work in garter stitch for a further 14cm/5½in, ending with a wrong side row.

    Yarn E

    Change to yarn E. Work in garter stitch for a further 14cm/5½in, ending with a wrong side row.

    Yarn F

    Change to yarn F.  Work in garter stitch for a further 14cm/5½in, ending with a wrong side row. 

    Cast off.

    Making up

    Block out each piece of knitting and follow the instructions on the ball band to press the project pieces, omitting the ribs.

    Tip: Take special care to press the edges, as this will make sewing up both easier and neater. If the ball band indicates that the fabric is not to be pressed, then covering the blocked out fabric with a damp white cotton cloth and leaving it to stand will have the desired effect. Darn in all ends neatly along the selvage edge or a colour join, as appropriate.

    Knit striped blanket folded on a stool with matching colourful pencils in the foreground

    Congratulations! You've made a striped blanket.

    And it looks divine. Make another and gift it to someone special, or drape it over your favourite chair to add some cosiness to your home.

    For your next project, why not Make a decorative woven basket or have a browse through our other courses, including papercraft, ceramics, drawing and macrame.

    Do share the things you've made with us and our community on Instagram - #yodomomakes - we love to see your creations.

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