Pattern description from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts: “I’ve always loved looking at the way the natural colors of this alpaca yarn blend into one another on the shelves at Purl. To highlight that effect, I decided to knit this blanket with two strands of yarn in different colors held together, and make a gradual transition between the stripes by changing only one color at a time. The stitch pattern I chose has a lot of depth without being too dense, and the textured surface creates ‘pockets’ that trap warm air. This is a luxurious project that is sure to be treasured.”

Finished Measurements: 48” (122 cm) wide, and 60.5” (153.5 cm) long.

Update on yarn requirements:
The yardage for the yarn used in this pattern has changed, from 120 yards per skein to 110. As a result, you will likely need one more skein (8 instead of 7) for each color.

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Sportweight (100% alpaca; 120 yards [130 meters] / 2 ounces [57 grams]): #008 natural streaky brown (A), and #000 natural white (F), 5 skeins each; #002 natural copper (B), #003 natural medium tan (C), #004 natural light tan (D), and #005 natural taupe (E), 7 skeins each. Yarn is used doubled throughout.

Needles: One 40” (100-cm) circular needle size US 11 (8 mm). Change needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: Yarn needle, scissors.

Helpful Hint from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts: “Count your cast-on stitches at least two times before you start knitting, and pay very close attention to your stitch pattern on the first few rows. It is very easy to get out of sync with this pattern until it has become established. Once you have worked an inch or so, the pattern will start to take shape, and you’ll be able to see what you’re doing; then the work will become much easier.”

This blanket is knit with two strands of two different colors held together. The stitch pattern gives the resulting fabric a lot of depth without being too dense.