Josef Albers’ classic book on color theory, Interaction of Color celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013. Take a look at some of his work, and see if you don’t agree with these two things: the work is still fresh and compelling, and they are great inspirational starting points for blankets. Flat knitting is art, too. Right?

The first photo was the visual starting point for this afghan design. I divided the yarn into warm and cool color groups, and guessed and/or weighed the yarn to estimate about how far it would go. I started with one strip, knitted away, and placed the stitches on a holder. Continuing in this way, I added the next strip, attaching to the original strip with a left-hand join.

Gauge = 15 sts x 26 rows in 4”, although gauge in not critical for blankets. (Use what you have on hand.)

Knit with a primary yarn (creamy white boucle from one of mother’s UFOs from who knows when, 1965?) carried with one of many Perle cotton yarns in primary and secondary colors from one of my UFOs.

Finish up with an Idiot Cord border. Feel free to add other pane(s)l to the width, or a border all the way around, for a larger blanket.