Arboria features a tree bursting forth with lacy leaves, making an unusual and organic-looking cabled blanket. Borders feature a simple classic cable punctuated by a pretty leaf detail at each corner. It is the ideal baby blanket, wedding gift, or heirloom treasure that will be passed down for generations.

Arboria was my first commissioned design many years ago when I first discovered how much I love making my own charted motifs. Charting this design was quite an undertaking. I originally drafted the whole thing by hand before I had charting software! I am proud to finally share this creation with you.

Instructions are designed to make reading such a large chart easy. With cabling on the front and back, there is no doubt that this branch design will keep you on your toes, but the stitch count per row is only 143 stitches, so the pattern goes faster than one might think for a challenging project. In addition, the chart has been colored for easy reading and border cable twist rows are indicated. The project requires the finishing application of the top and bottom cable borders as well as the corner leaves.

Knit in your favorite cozy chunky yarn, Arboria will be a joy to curl up under on a cold winter day! It will remind you of the blossoming spring to come!

Ravelry download also includes an additional document containing a DOUBLE size version of the Center Panel Chart, divided over several pages. Print and assemble to make a GIANT, easy-to-read chart.

Materials:
1100 yards of chunky weight alpaca yarn such as Americo Alpaca Worsted, Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky, Misti Alpaca Chunky (109 yards per skein, approximately 10 skeins) OR 1100 yards of any chunky weight yarn
6 mm (US10) 80cm circular needle or size to obtain gauge
Note: Circular needle is suggested to accommodate a large stitch count. Project can be knitted on a standard needle if desired.
Cable needle
Wool needle
2 stitch marker

Skills Used: Cable knitting (on right and wrong side of work), seaming, chart reading

Finished Measurements:
Length- 50 inches, Width- 40 inches

Gauge:
14 sts/ 19 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch using 6mm (US10) needle or size to obtain gauge.

Feb 13th, 2014- There were small changes made on chart 2 (panel C on giant chart): Row 124 (15/16) and Row 106 (40/41). Chart 3 (Panel E and F on giant chart): row 172 was replaced.

Questions or comments? Please contact Ash Kearns directly or join my Ravelry group, Ash Kearns Handknitting!