Pinwheel Blankets (sometimes known as Spiral Blankets) can be knitted in a variety of ways to make each item unique.
Pinwheel Blanket Rules
The basic knitted pinwheel blanket works on two simple principles
- Use the needle size specified by the ballband for the yarn. For example, for double knitting or worsted weight yarn, use 4 or 4.5mm needles. This is the needle size that will give an even texture to your work, without your final knitted fabric being either too stiff or too lacy.
- Increase five stitches per round. This is the number of stitches you need to keep your blanket lying flat. As can be seen from the variations below, however, adaptations can be made, which give an average of five stitches per row.
Pattern for a Five Point Pinwheel Blanket.
You will need:
Yarn
The amount depends on the size of blanket you wish to make. These are great items for using up oddments and odd balls of yarn; it’s possible to keep going until you run out.
Needles
Some knitters prefer to start on a set of double pointed needles, until the size of the blanket makes this impractical. Others prefer to work on a circular needle from the beginning, using the magic loop method of working rounds (scroll down to find the link)
Stitch Marker
This is handy for marking the end of the round.
Method
Cast on 5 stitches.
Row 1: Work into the front and back of each stitch to increase (10 stitches) Join into a round.
Row 2: K1, *yarn forward (yf), K2; rep from * to last st, yf, K1. (15 stitches) Place Marker.
Row 3: K2, *yf, K3; rep from * to last st, yf, K1 (20 stitches)
The blanket continues to grow in this way. On each round, you knit into the stitch created by the previous row’s yarn forward, and then bring the yarn forward to create a new stitch on the current row. This method of increase gives the blanket an attractive “spiral” pattern
When you have reached the size that you want, simply cast off loosely and block or press your blanket.
Variations
There are many ways to add your individual ideas to the basic blanket.
Edgings
It is possible to work the last few rows in moss (seed) stitch, or alternating knit and purl rows to give a garter stitch effect.
Alternatively, a cast off using a contrasting colour of yarn can give a lovely edge to your blanket.
Number of sections
It is important to keep in mind the basic principle of increasing five stitches per round. However, it is possible to have more sections in the blanket, by including some non-increasing rounds. For example, a simple change to the pattern as below, would give you a ten section blanket, which would still lay flat.
Cast on 5 stitches.
Row 1: Work into the front and back of each stitch to increase (10 stitches) Join into a round.
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: *K1, yf; rep to end (20 stitches)
Row 4: Knit
Continue in this way, increasing on every other row.
Stitch patterns and coloursExtra interest can be added to the blanket through the use of stitch patterns, such as moss stitch diamonds and stripes of colour. Variegated yarns work very well in pinwheel blankets, as the way that the colours blend together changes as the blanket grows.
The basic pinwheel blanket patterns are simple, adaptable and quick to work, enabling you to make a personalised gift that will be treasured for years.
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