Here is my completed Icarus blanket, with pattern for you to enjoy! You already had a fairly good idea of what it was based on my previous posts, but that’s ok! I have been busy taking photos and curling up with it on the terrace and I like it more and more each time I use it. It has also made me really think about doing more designs with the Soft Fun line! I really think that I will do a sweater design with this yarn as I think it would be really comfortable. First thing’s first, though. I need to get this design out into the world, then I can think about future projects.
The blanket turned out exactly as I wanted, especially after I resized it. At 130cm x 110cm it is now the perfect size for a lap blanket and not something too big to carry around. The colours are gorgeous, if I do say so myself! This is one of the few times I can remember where I didn’t have at least a moment of second guessing my colours. I knew right from the start that they were absolute perfection for this project.
It’s getting colder here in France, but we are still able to sit out on the terrace and enjoy the outdoors. On sunny days and cool days like the one in the above photo, I’ve felt so cozy and happy under my blanket. I just stare out at the view, daydreaming our future here in France and all the happy days I hope to spend here with my husband and our little dog. Life is so good in those moments.
As I mentioned in my previous post I really wanted this to be something I’d love, but also something that was a good beginner project. This is very beginner friendly, made with easy stitches and in a pattern that is easily memorised after just a few rows. The only thing that may feel foreign is knitting double stranded, which isn’t difficult, you’ll find that you get used to it quickly and it’s just like knitting with thicker yarn.
Anyway, on with the show, I hope you decide to give it a go! Ha, poet.
Icarus Blanket Pattern
Materials
Scheepjes Soft Fun Denim 60% Cotton x 40% Acrylic (Worked double stranded – see notes)
Yarn A: 3x Dark Grey (502)
Yarn B: 4x Red (505)
Yarn C: 4x Peach (507)
Yarn D: 4x Light Blue (509)
Yarn E: 3x Dark Blue (501)
5mm needles
Stitch markers
Darning needle for weaving in ends
Gauge / Tension
14 st x 26 rows over 10cm x 10cm in pattern using 5mm
Measurements
130cm x 110cm (blocked)
Abbreviations
k knit
p purl
pm place marker
sl1 wyif slip one stitch with yarn in front
sm slip marker
st(s) stitch(es)
Pattern Notes
Choosing colours is very easy! Just choose five colours you really like together, choose your order and start knitting! You can create your own gradient using any colours you like. Bright and bold, subtle and calm or go for a fade, the gradient world is yours to create!
Knitting Double Stranded is just like knitting with a thicker yarn. You use two balls, working one strand from each at the same time. Hold your strands together and knit like normal, and that’s all there is to it. Try not to think about it too much and don’t obsess about if your yarn is twisting, it will just add to the marled look you are trying to achieve for your gradient. If you find your yarn is twisting to the point of getting annoying, you can try to cut down on it a bit by turning your work to and fro in the same directions every time. For example, clockwise when going from right to wrong side, counterclockwise when going from wrong to right. This way you are turning your work over and back and not all the way around.
Colour Instructions are given based on the colours of the two strands you are using for each section. AA is two strands of Yarn A, AB is one strand each of Yarns A and B, etc. So, as explained above, for each section you are working two strands from separate balls together at once.
Measurements given were based on my tension, which used two balls per colour section. If you are working your repeats and come up short (or have extra, which may happen if your tension is slightly different than mine) you can always change your colours in another row. Just be sure to continue working the stitch pattern as indicated. This may affect the size of your blanket slightly but should not be too much of a problem. It’s better to change your colours at the start of a row than in the middle. If you want to make your blanket wider, add multiples of two. Your stitch count should always be multiples of 2+1.
Instructions
With Yarn AA and using 5mm needles, cast on 147 sts.
Border
Row 1 (Setup RS) k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, PM, (p1, k1) to 6 sts left, p1, PM, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
Rows 2-9 Slipping markers at you get to them, (k1, p1) to 1 st left, k1.
Row 10: k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, SM, p to 5 sts left, SM, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
Main Pattern Repeat
Row 1 k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, sm, k1, (sl1 wyif, k1) to 5 sts left, sm, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
Row 2 k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, sm, p to 5 sts left, sm, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
Row 3 k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, sm, (sl1 wyif, k1) to 6 sts left, sl1 wyif, sm, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
Row 4 as row 2.
Work the four row main pattern repeat five times more with Yarn AA, for a total of six repeats.
Following the order below, work seven colour sections of nine main pattern repeats.
AB, BB, BC, CC, CD, DD, DE
Working double stranded with Yarn EE work six main pattern repeats.
Border
Continuing with Yarn EE work the final 10 border rows.
Row 1 (Setup RS) k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, PM, (p1, k1) to 6 sts left, p1, PM, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
Rows 2-9 Slipping markers at you get to them, (k1, p1) to 1 st left, k1.
Row 10: k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, SM, p to 5 sts left, SM, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
Bind off all stitches, weave in ends and block.
Don’t forget to use the hashtag #IcarusBlanket and tag me on Instagram or Facebook to be sure I don’t miss your updates! You can also click here to add the Icarus Blanket to your favourites or queue on Ravelry!
Below is a handy photo for if you want to save the pattern to your Pinterest boards or on other social media.
Where To Buy
This pattern can be made to size as written with Scheepjes Soft Fun, Soft Fun Denim or Soft Fun Aquarel.
UK and International buyers can find Soft Fun yarn lines at Woolwarehouse, Black Sheep Wools and Deramores.
Canadian and International buyers have a great option with Knotty House.
Those of you in the Netherlands can find all you need at Caro’s Atelier.
You can also ask your preferred Scheepjes retailer or find a shop near you!
This post contains affiliate links. This is a way for you to support Canadutch and me as a designer. It is no extra cost to you, but if you shop via one of these links, I get a small percentage of the sale!
Copyright 2018, Tammy Canavan-Soldaat. This pattern and pictures are the property of Tammy Canavan-Soldaat. All rights reserved. Pattern is available for personal use only. No unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part, or distribution of this pattern or content, including text or pictures is allowed. You may sell items made from this pattern but no commercial mass reproduction from this pattern is allowed without prior permission from the designer. Please give credit by linking back to www.canadutch.nl.
I just bought my pattern and as a newer knitter, can I ask what the stitch markers are used for?
Hi Jackie, the markers are used in the pattern to separate the border stitches and the main body of the blanket. It’s just an easy way to mark a point in the pattern when writing it, and so that you can just work in the stitch pattern for the body without having to count. :)
Hi! I’ve looked into your pattern and it look amazing! Really would love to try it but was wondering if it would be exaggerated to kind of double it? And what would you suggest to do so?
Thx!
Hi Tomy :) If you want to double the blanket in both width and length, you need to buy 3x extra of each colour (so 12 balls of the colours that call for 3 balls and 16 balls for the ones that call for 4 balls). Cast on 293 stitches and knit as instructed in the pattern doubling the amount of repeats for each section. :) Hope that helps!
Wow! Really excited to try this one. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thx a lot!
I am confused with the row 10 at the end. The beginning border is the same. Should row 10 be row 1?
And binding of in pattern?
Hi there, I’m normally a crocheter, but I’d like to get my head around knitting, and a ive seen this recommended as an easy pattern. However, I’m a bit confused my needles – my friend suggested circulars as easier than wielding traditional needles, but I’m not sure on length of cable – or if you thought traditional needles might be easier. I can cast on and off and do a knit stitch, it’s just the rest that’d be new to me. Thank you!
Hi Penelope! I think you could MAYBE squish the blanket onto longer traditional needles, but I’m 100% with your friend on this one. I knit absolutely everything on circular needles. Even if I’m knitting a small square. They are much more convenient for on the go and you are at a lot less risk of your work coming off your needles when you can just push it to the center of the cable before putting it down. I knitting my Icarus 5mm needles with an 80cm cord. Working with circulars works exactly the same as with traditional needles when it comes to the actual knitting, it may just take a bit of getting used to the lighter and more flexible needles in your hands. Once you get used to it though, you’ll love it. :) Have fun with your blanket and let me know if you need any further help with it! :)
Hi. I purchased your pattern from ravelry and I’m making the blanket for my daughter at her request. I have one question. In one of your beginner tips you say that you “work the four row main colostomy repeat nine times”. In the instructions earlier however it said to “work the four row main pattern repeat for a total of six repeats”. Which is it?
Hi Ellen, please ignore any previous replies you got (which I’ve since deleted now AFTER having had my morning coffee!haha). Yes I do see what you mean now, it should be six times. I must have had nine times in my head as that is the amount of colour repeats. Thank you for the heads up, I will be sure to update it in the pattern. Sorry for the inconvenience!
i saw your pattern on the newleaf podcast. it’s so beautiful i crochet and don’t knit but this pattern makes me want to! thanks for putting this beauty out in the world and for sharing it with us!
Thanks so much, Jodie! If you do decide to try knitting, I’d be happy to help in any way I can. There have been a few newer knitters working on this pattern, it’s not that hard once you dig into it. :)
Hi,
If you haven’t tried a “top down” cardigan give it a try. So easy and no stitching together all the parts afterwards.
When you’re done you’re done with maybe a few stitches to close under armpit.
Try it & you’ll never look back. Top down are the only cardigan & pullover patterns I collect.
Peg
Hello
I’m desperately looking for a pattern for a simple raglan sleeves cardigan.
Have been searching online, in local Hobbycraft stores, Aberkhans and anywhere haberdashers, but without success.
I wondered if you could help me out.
Your help would be greatly appreciated
Regards
Hemmy
Hi Hemmy! Have you had a look on Ravelry? There are many, many raglan patterns available on there. I did a search for easy raglan and found the following results:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#view=captioned_thumbs&page=1&craft=knitting&sort=popularity&query=easy%20raglan&pc=sweater
Ravelry is always a great resource if you are looking for a particular type of pattern. I use it all the time. :) Hope it helps!