How to Knit a Blanket With Color Blocks

Many a knitter has envied crocheted granny squares—made from the center out in cheerful colors, those squares are hard to resist—and that was the inspiration behind these bold knit blocks. The squares are knit from the center out so they can easily be adapted to be knit at any gauge to make any size, and the special bind off makes them simple to sew together. Make a bunch of smaller blocks to use up scrap yarn, or knit twelve blocks in bulky yarn to make the cuddly lap blanket shown here.

Supplies

• Six skeins of Cascade 128 in contrasting colors
• Four skeins of Cascade 128 in a neutral color
• 6.5 mm DPNs (double-pointed needles), or size needed to get 13 stitches per 10 cm (4 inches)
• 6.5 mm circular needles or size needed to get 13 stitches per 10 cm (4 inches)
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

1. Knit the First Chart

Using one of the contrasting colors, cast on eight stitches on the DPNs and join in the round.

Knit rows 1–28 of Chart 1, repeating the chart four times every round.

When your DPNs become crowded, transfer the stitches to the circular needles.

2. Knit the Second Chart

Using the neutral color, knit rows 1–8 of Chart 2, repeating the chart four times every round.

3. Bind Off the Square

*K2, pass second stitch on right needle over first, K1, pass second stitch on right needle over first, sl st to left needle; rep from * until all sts are bound off.

4. Finish the Square

Weave in the ends and block the square to measure 36 cm by 36 cm (14 inches by 14 inches).

5. Make More Squares

Repeat steps 1–4 to make more squares. I used 12 squares to make the lap blanket shown here, but you can customize the blanket size by making more squares.

6. Join the Squares

Lay out your squares to form a 3 by 4 rectangle. Using the neutral color, whip stitch the squares together by stitching through the gaps created by the special bind off. Weave in any remaining ends.

Snuggle Up

Use your lap blanket to keep cozy on the couch while you work on your next knitting project!