North of the River: A classic, chunky cable blanket knitting pattern
North of the River blanket knitting pattern - it’s an easy to knit chunky blanket that features big, bold cables. Knitting this blanket with super bulky yarn gives the classic cables a modern look!
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North of the River cable blanket knitting pattern for super bulky weight yarn. Click to purchase the PDF instant download knitting pattern.
The North of the River blanket knitting pattern includes instructions for three blanket sizes.
The blanket is knit flat in one piece, back and forth on US 15 circular knitting needles.
Read all the details below!
It’s fun to see that so many knitters have enjoyed using this blanket knitting pattern. As of May 2023, Ravelry knitters have shared more than 125 projects using this pattern. And, the pattern has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Ravelry for overall results and 5 out of 5 stars for clarity of instructions.
“I loved making this blanket for my daughter. She loves the cables, and the coziness of the blanket.”
If you prefer worsted or Aran weight yarn, please see my Childhood Wishes cable blanket knitting pattern.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THREE SIZES:
The North of the River pattern includes instructions for three blanket sizes.
Approximate sizes after blocking...
Large (5 cables): 45” wide x 56” long
Medium (4 cables): 37.75” wide x 49” long
Small (3 cables): 30.5” wide x 42” long
I made the large throw size blanket with five cables. The medium size would work well for a cozy throw blanket, lap blanket or for a young child. The small blanket size has three cables and would work for a lap or toddler blanket.
Any of the blanket sizes may be made longer by adding pattern repeats. Each pattern repeat adds about 7” to the length of the blanket. Pattern includes estimates for additional yardage needed to make blankets longer.
SUPER BULKY #6 WEIGHT YARN:
This pattern is designed for use with super bulky / super chunky #6 weight yarn.
Yardage needed for each size:
Large Blanket: 925 - 975 yards
Medium Blanket: 700 - 725 yards
Small Blanket: 475 - 500 yards
Be sure to purchase additional yarn if you plan to add length to your blanket. The pattern includes estimates on how much additional yarn is required to add pattern repeats.
I am thrilled with how this blanket turned out! I used Lion Brand Hometown super bulky yarn in the color 'Chicago Charcoal'. I’m thrilled with how this yarn worked for this project… great stitch definition that allows the cables to ‘pop’. This colorway has a subtle heather quality to it that gives the color depth.
Lion Brand Hometown super bulky is a great yarn choice if you prefer a yarn without wool. It’s 100% acrylic and silky soft… with great stitch definition. My other favorite shades are 'Dallas Grey', 'Washington Denim' and 'Houston Cream'. The best place to find the full selection of color choices is on the Lion Brand website.
Other yarn options for this project are:
Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (wool & acrylic blend and lots of color choices)
Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick (100% Recycled Polyester)
If you prefer worsted #4 weight yarn, please see my Childhood Wishes cable blanket knitting pattern. (Shown in blue below.)
North of the River blanket (dark gray) is the super bulky version of this design. The blue blanket on the right is the worsted / Aran weight version - Childhood Wishes blanket knitting pattern.
INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:
If you are familiar with my knitting patterns, you probably know that some of my pattern names are inspired by streets and neighborhoods in my hometown... Kansas City.
Kansas City was founded on the Missouri River and over the years the city grew to the south and to the north of the river. I have lived south of the river my entire life. When I was growing up, we would use the phrase "north of the river" to refer to the northern half of the Kansas City area. Going "north of the river" has almost always been a fun destination for me: picking up a friend at the airport, going to a party at a friend's house, camping, shopping at a unique store... or driving further north to go on a family vacation... all good memories!
Of course, you can guess the bold cables in this blanket design made me think of the wide, flowing Missouri River.
These chunky cables are fun to knit with super bulky yarn. A seed stitch border frames this chunky cable blanket design.
CABLE KNITTING EXPERIENCE RECOMMENDED:
This blanket is easy to knit but I highly recommend having some basic cable knitting experience.
Knitting these chunky cables is not hard! However, I would not want anyone to invest in the yarn for a big blanket unless you are confident in working a basic cable.
I used a cable needle designed for bulky weight yarns. Here’s a similar cable needle option.
KNITTING SKILLS NEEDED:
The North of the River blanket pattern is easy to knit for a confident knitter with basic cable knitting experience. You will also need to know how to cast on stitches, knit and purl confidently, read a row by row knitting pattern, bind off stitches and weave in ends.
ONE STITCH MARKER IS HELPFUL:
I used a clip on marker to mark the first stitch when I complete the first cable sequence in the Cable Row. Placing one marker on the first cable in the row helps me easily identify where I worked the cable row. Then it’s easy to count the rows and know when to work the next cable row. Clover jumbo locking stitch markers are very handy!
Use a clip on stitch marker to mark the row where the cable is worked. Leave the marker in place as you continue working on the knitting. Then, it’s easy to count the number of rows completed and confirm when it’s time to work another cable row.
KNITTING NEEDLES:
The project is worked flat, back and forth on circular knitting needles. Circular knitting needles are necessary in order to accommodate the large number of stitches for a blanket. If you need more information, read my blog post about knitting a blanket with circular needles.
I used US size 15 circular Knitter's Pride Nova Platina knitting needles that are 32” in length. If your stitches are too loose, or you tend to knit rather loosely, you might want to try using US 13 knitting needles.
Another knitting needle option is these beautiful ChiaoGoo Bamboo US 15 circular needles that are 40” long.
Pick the needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn and knitting tension. The goal is to find the knitting needle that gives the best stitch appearance, without being too tight...or too loose.
TIP FOR CLEAN EDGES:
To keep the edges 'clean'...transition from one skein of yarn to the next somewhere in the middle of a row. It's easier to hide the woven-in ends in the center of a row on the wrong side of your knitting.
BLOCKING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:
For best appearance, blocking of the finished blanket is highly recommended. Even with an acrylic yarn… blocking improves the overall appearance dramatically!
Click here to see all of my blocking tips including step-by-step photos.
For best appearance, blocking the finished blanket is highly recommended. Click here to see all my tips for blocking a blanket.
North of the River cable blanket - click here to buy the PDF instant download knitting pattern.
CUSTOMER PROJECTS:
As of May 2020, Ravelry knitters have shared more than 85 projects using the North of the River blanket pattern. And, the pattern has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Ravelry for overall results and 5 out of 5 stars for clarity of instructions.
This green blanket shared on Ravelry is gorgeous!
Cathy used Lion Brand Hometown in ‘Aspen Tweed’ for her North of the River blanket. See it here on Ravelry.
“Nice pattern! Very easy to follow. Makes a simple but beautiful afghan.”
“Second time making this blanket. It’s a super relaxing knit; perfect for knitting while watching TV.”
I would love to see your North of the River Blanket knitting project! Share your project on Ravelry and on Instagram with tags: #northoftheriverblanket #fiftyfourtenstudio and @fiftyfourtenstudio.
WHERE TO PURCHASE THE PDF KNITTING PATTERN:
MY WEBSITE: Click here to purchase the North of the River blanket knitting pattern on this website.
RAVELRY: Click here to purchase the pattern on Ravelry.
MY ETSY SHOP: The pattern can also be purchased from my Etsy shop.
Thank you so much for reading!
Happy knitting!
