MCM Throw (Knit) by Janine Myska

MCM Throw (Knit)

Knitting
November 2023
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
16 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette
US 10 - 6.0 mm
1720 yards (1573 m)
One Size
English
This pattern is available for C$7.50 CAD
buy it now or visit pattern website

ABOUT
Inspired by geometric mid-century wall art, this MCM (mid-century modern) throw blanket will keep you engaged from start-to-finish since nearly every row involves changing colors. Perfect for any knitter looking for an easy project that requires a little bit of counting and a lot of color!

Find the Lion Brand knit kit here.

Each square is worked the same way using intarsia color changes. Once you’ve knit one square, you can knit them all! I even made a YouTube tutorial video for you so I can show you exactly how to knit this blanket. While the colorwork looks intense, don’t worry - you are only ever working one square at a time, so the colorwork is manageable, I promise!

This is a knit version of one of my most popular designs, the MCM Throw (crochet). I attempted to make them look as similar as I could and, while the fabric of each blanket differs simply due to the nature of the individual crafts, I am pretty proud of how close I got to the original!

MATERIALS

  • Yarn: Worsted—Lion Brand Pound of Love in 2 colorways: Antique White (Main Color – MC) and Pumpkin Spice (Accent Color – AC)
  • 100% Acrylic
  • 1020 yds (932 m) per 16 oz (454 g) skein
  • Find this yarn on lionbrand.com or visit yarnsub.com for a list of substitutes

Yardage: 1 skein or 750 yds (686 m) of MC (Antique White), 1 skein or 970 yds (887 m) of AC (Pumpkin Spice)

If substituting Pound of Love, choose any similar, category #4 worsted weight yarn that matches gauge. Always swatch before beginning to ensure you are happy with the resulting fabric.

Needle: Size U.S. 10 (6 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge. You will need a cord length that can accommodate the entire width of your blanket to knit the border; this length can also be achieved by connecting multiple smaller cords together.

Notions: Tapestry needle, several (at least 5) locking stitch markers to help with seaming and picking up stitches along a vertical edge

MEASUREMENTS

All measurements given are after blocking.
Finished blanket measures approximately 48” (122 cm) square.
Each square measures approximately 15” (38 cm) square.
Each panel (comprised of 3 squares) measures approximately 15” (38 cm) in width and 45” (114 cm) in length.

GAUGE

4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = 16 sts and 26 rows in stockinette, measured after blocking.

ABBREVIATIONS
AC:
accent color (shown as Pumpkin Spice)
k: knit
MC: main color (shown as Antique White)
p: purl
rep: repeat
RS: right side (the knit side of your stockinette)
st(s): stitch(es)

VIDEO TUTORIAL

There is a tutorial-style YouTube video for this pattern to guide you through each step of this blanket. Watch the accompanying video tutorial here.

PATTERN NOTES

Skill Level
Intermediate

Intarsia Color Chart
A full intarsia color chart is included on the next page. Each square follows this same color chart.

Each square is worked the same way, following the Color Chart included in the pattern. Each cell represents 1 stitch. The only difference between each square is where your first row will be worked; Some squares will begin with a long-tail cast-on, while other squares will be worked directly onto the vertical edge of your previous square.

Construction (See Illustration in Ravelry Photos)
This blanket is comprised of three panels that get seamed together. Panel 1 and 2 are identical (the outer panels), while Panel 3 (the center panel) is offset from the others. The numbers on the squares correspond to the order in which they are knit. After the panels are seamed together, a border is worked around the perimeter of the blanket.

Video Tutorial
There is an entire video tutorial for this blanket which includes how to begin your square, change colors using the intarsia method, pick up stitches along a vertical edge, seam your squares together, knit the border, as well as bind off using the Icelandic bind-off. If you have any questions about the written instructions, please reference the video linked here!

Bobbins
For each of your 9 squares, you will need to create 2 bobbins of MC, each weighing 4 g. A bobbin simply refers to a second source of yarn that is used when multiple colors are worked in the same row. In this pattern, you will only work from a bobbin in the two areas shown in blue on the diagram (added to Ravelry in the photos section for you).

CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS TO TRY

  • If you have random skeins you want to use up, you could use one main color as the unifying background, and use a different color for each half-circle.
  • For a baby blanket, you could try working 4 squares instead of 9 and then following instructions for the border as-written.
  • To adjust for other yarns weights, simply knit a square with your chosen yarn and needle combination, then measure your square to determine how many total squares you need for your desired blanket size.

Shop my book, Modern Crochet Sweaters, here! It’s also available on Amazon and wherever you get your books.