The Patchwork Sky Throw: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Color-Blocked Cloud Blanket

Introducing the Patchwork Sky Throw

Wrap yourself in the ever-changing sky with this uniquely textured, modular knitted blanket. Each patch is a different stitch pattern, creating a cozy, tactile landscape of clouds and sky. This free knitting pattern is perfect for adventurous beginners who want to learn multiple stitch techniques while creating a stunning, color-blocked throw. The finished blanket measures approximately 36 inches by 36 inches, making it an ideal lap blanket or decorative throw.

Materials Needed

Yarn

Worsted weight yarn in 5 colors:

• Color A (Sky Blue): 400g
• Color B (Soft White): 400g
• Color C (Light Grey): 200g
• Color D (Pale Pink): 200g
• Color E (Deep Blue): 200g

Tools

• US Size 8 (5mm) knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry needle for weaving ends and sewing squares together
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (optional, for counting rows)

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch. Always check your gauge before beginning.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Understanding the Construction

This blanket is made of 9 individual squares, each measuring 12 inches x 12 inches, sewn together in a 3x3 grid. Each square uses a different stitch pattern and color combination. Work each square separately, then assemble at the end.

Square 1: Garter Stitch Sky (Colors A & B)

1. Cast on 54 stitches with Color A (Sky Blue).
2. Rows 1-6: Knit all stitches (garter stitch). This creates a solid border.
3. Row 7: With Color B (Soft White), knit all stitches.
4. Row 8: With Color B, purl all stitches.
5. Repeat Rows 7-8 (stockinette stitch with Color B) until square measures 11.5 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a purl row (wrong side).
6. Knit 6 rows with Color A (garter stitch border).
7. Bind off loosely. Tip: Use a needle one size larger for binding off to maintain elasticity.

Square 2: Seed Stitch Clouds (Colors B & C)

1. Cast on 54 stitches with Color B (Soft White).
2. Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1; repeat from * to end.
3. Row 2 (WS): *P1, K1; repeat from * to end.
4. Repeat Rows 1-2 for 2 inches (approximately 24 rows).
5. Switch to Color C (Light Grey) and continue in Seed Stitch for 2 inches.
6. Continue alternating colors every 2 inches until square measures 12 inches. You should have 3 stripes of each color (6 total stripes).
7. Bind off in pattern (maintaining the K1, P1 rhythm).

Square 3: Ribbed Sunset (Colors D & A)

1. Cast on 54 stitches with Color D (Pale Pink).
2. Row 1 (RS): *K2, P2; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.
3. Row 2 (WS): *P2, K2; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, P2.
4. Repeat Rows 1-2 for 4 inches (approximately 48 rows).
5. Switch to Color A (Sky Blue) and continue in Rib stitch for 4 inches.
6. Switch to Color D (Pale Pink) and continue for 4 inches.
7. Bind off in pattern.

Square 4: Moss Stitch Dusk (Colors C & D)

1. Cast on 54 stitches with Color C (Light Grey).
2. Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1; repeat from * to end.
3. Row 2 (WS): *K1, P1; repeat from * to end. Note: This is the same as Row 1, creating the moss stitch pattern.
4. Repeat Rows 1-2 for 6 inches (approximately 72 rows).
5. Switch to Color D (Pale Pink) and continue for 6 inches.
6. Bind off in pattern.

Square 5: Stockinette Storm (Colors E & A)

1. Cast on 54 stitches with Color E (Deep Blue).
2. Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
3. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
4. Repeat Rows 1-2 for 4 inches (approximately 48 rows).
5. Switch to Color A (Sky Blue) and continue for 4 inches.
6. Switch to Color E (Deep Blue) and continue for 4 inches.
7. Bind off loosely.

Square 6: Diagonal Stripes (Colors B & D)

1. Cast on 54 stitches with Color B (Soft White).
2. Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
3. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
4. Row 3: With Color D (Pale Pink), *K2, P2; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.
5. Row 4: With Color D, *P2, K2; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, P2.
6. Repeat Rows 1-4, alternating colors every 2 rows (2 rows Color B, 2 rows Color D), until square measures 12 inches.
7. Bind off in pattern.

Square 7: Lace Clouds (Colors A & C)

1. Cast on 54 stitches with Color A (Sky Blue).
2. Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
3. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
4. Row 3: *K2tog (knit two together), YO (yarn over), K1; repeat from * to end.
5. Row 4: Purl all stitches.
6. Repeat Rows 1-4 for 4 inches (approximately 48 rows).
7. Switch to Color C (Light Grey) and continue for 4 inches.
8. Switch to Color A (Sky Blue) and continue for 4 inches.
9. Bind off loosely.

Square 8: Basketweave (Colors E & B)

1. Cast on 54 stitches with Color E (Deep Blue).
2. Row 1 (RS): *K4, P4; repeat from * to last 6 stitches, K4, P2.
3. Row 2 (WS): *K4, P4; repeat from * to last 6 stitches, K4, P2. Note: This creates a basketweave texture.
4. Repeat Rows 1-2 for 4 inches (approximately 48 rows).
5. Switch to Color B (Soft White) and continue for 4 inches.
6. Switch to Color E (Deep Blue) and continue for 4 inches.
7. Bind off in pattern.

Square 9: Textured Sky (Colors D & C)

1. Cast on 54 stitches with Color D (Pale Pink).
2. Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
3. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
4. Row 3: *K1, P1; repeat from * to end.
5. Row 4: *P1, K1; repeat from * to end.
6. Repeat Rows 1-4 for 6 inches (approximately 72 rows).
7. Switch to Color C (Light Grey) and continue for 6 inches.
8. Bind off in pattern.

Assembly

1. Arrange squares in a 3x3 grid as desired. A suggested layout:
   • Row 1: Square 1, Square 2, Square 3
   • Row 2: Square 4, Square 5, Square 6
   • Row 3: Square 7, Square 8, Square 9
2. Using a tapestry needle and Color A (Sky Blue), whip stitch squares together on the wrong side. Tip: Use a contrasting color thread to make the seams visible as a design element.
3. Weave in all ends securely.

Border

1. With right side facing, pick up and knit 162 stitches along one edge of the blanket. Tip: Pick up approximately 1 stitch for every 2 rows along the sides, and 1 stitch for every cast-on/bind-off stitch along the top and bottom.
2. Knit 5 rows of garter stitch (knit every row).
3. Bind off loosely.
4. Repeat for all four edges.
5. Weave in all ends.

Your Patchwork Sky Throw is complete! Enjoy your cozy, textured masterpiece that captures the beauty of the sky in every stitch.