The Ember Glow Throw Blanket: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Modern Lapghan

Wrap Yourself in Warmth: The Ember Glow Throw Blanket

There’s something magical about a hand-knitted throw that feels like a warm hug on a cold evening. The Ember Glow Throw Blanket is designed to capture that cozy, shifting glow of embers in a fire, using a unique slip-stitch pattern to create a stunning, heathered effect. This modern lapghan is perfect for beginners looking to expand their skills, as it uses simple knit and purl stitches combined with slipped stitches to create a dense, textured fabric that’s both beautiful and functional. Whether you’re curling up with a book or adding a touch of handmade warmth to your home decor, this free pattern will guide you every step of the way.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Using the recommended yarn will ensure your blanket matches the gauge and texture shown in the photos.

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) yarn in two colors:
  • 600 yards of Main Color (MC) – a deep charcoal grey (shown: Lion Brand Wool-Ease in 'Charcoal')
  • 400 yards of Contrast Color (CC) – a burnt orange/terracotta (shown: Lion Brand Wool-Ease in 'Spice')
• Needles: US Size 9 (5.5 mm) knitting needles. Use straight needles or a circular needle (at least 32 inches long) to accommodate the large number of stitches.
• Other: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a tape measure.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions carefully to create your Ember Glow Throw. The pattern uses a slip-stitch technique that creates a woven-like texture. Remember to always slip stitches purlwise with the yarn held in the back of the work (wyib).

Finished Size & Abbreviations

Finished Size: Approximately 36 inches wide x 48 inches long.

Abbreviations:

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• Sl: Slip stitch purlwise with yarn in back (wyib)
• MC: Main Color (Charcoal)
• CC: Contrast Color (Burnt Orange)
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• Rep: Repeat

Pattern Notes

• The slip-stitch pattern is worked over an even number of stitches.
• Carry the unused yarn loosely up the side of the work. Do not cut yarn at each color change. This creates a neat selvedge edge.
• Always slip stitches purlwise with the yarn held in the back of the work (wyib). This is crucial for the pattern to work correctly.
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in slip-stitch pattern (blocked). Check your gauge before starting.

Instructions

Step 1: Cast On

With MC (Charcoal), CO 162 stitches loosely. Use a long-tail cast-on or your preferred method. Ensure the cast-on is not too tight, as this will affect the width of your blanket.

Step 2: Bottom Border (Garter Stitch)

Rows 1-6: Knit all stitches. (This creates a 6-row garter stitch border at the bottom of the blanket.)

Step 3: Begin Slip-Stitch Pattern

Row 7 (RS, MC): K1, *K1, Sl1 wyib, rep from * to last st, K1.

Row 8 (WS, MC): K1, *P1, Sl1 wyib, rep from * to last st, K1.

Row 9 (RS, CC): K1, *Sl1 wyib, K1, rep from * to last st, K1.

Row 10 (WS, CC): K1, *Sl1 wyib, P1, rep from * to last st, K1.

Step 4: Repeat Pattern

Repeat Rows 7-10 until the piece measures approximately 44 inches from the cast-on edge, ending after a Row 10 (a WS row worked with CC). This means your last row should be a wrong-side row worked with the Contrast Color.

Step 5: Top Border (Garter Stitch)

Cut CC, leaving a 6-inch tail. With MC only, knit 6 rows (garter stitch border at the top).

Step 6: Bind Off

Bind off loosely in knit on the next row. Use a stretchy bind-off method (like the knitted bind-off or a sewn bind-off) to ensure the edge is not tight. Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle. Block the blanket to finished dimensions (36 x 48 inches) by wetting it gently and pinning it to shape, then allowing it to dry completely.

Your Ember Glow Throw is now complete! Enjoy the warmth and texture of your hand-knitted masterpiece.