Knitting Patterns / November 24, 2023

MCM Throw (Knit) – Knitting Pattern for Blanket Inspired by Mid-Century Art

Hi all!

This post includes everything you need to know about the MCM Throw (knit) pattern, a playful blanket made of 9 squares, inspired by mid-century art.

This knitting pattern was designed after my MCM Throw (crochet) pattern from 2022 quickly gained popularity and became one of my all-time best-sellers. Now all you knitters can enjoy the same mid-century inspired look, too!

Get the MCM Throw (knit) Lion Brand Kit here (comes with yarn + free PDF pattern)!

Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry, Etsy, and my website.
Add your finished project to Ravelry here!
Find everything you need to know about the crochet version here.
Shop the recommended yarn, Lion Brand Pound of Love, here.
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Shop my new book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!

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About

Inspired by geometric mid-century wall art, this MCM (mid-century modern) throw blanket will keep you engaged from start-to-finish since nearly every row involves changing colors. Perfect for any knitter looking for an easy project that requires a little bit of counting and a lot of color!

Each square is worked the same way using intarsia color changes. Once you’ve knit one square, you can knit them all! I even made a YouTube tutorial video for you so I can show you exactly how to knit this blanket. While the colorwork looks intense, don’t worry – you are only ever working one square at a time, so the colorwork is manageable, I promise!

This is a knit version of one of my most popular designs, the MCM Throw (crochet). I attempted to make them look as similar as I could and, while the fabric of each blanket differs simply due to the nature of the individual crafts, I am pretty proud of how close I got to the original!

Materials

Yarn: Worsted—Lion Brand Pound of Love in 2 colorways: Antique White (Main Color – MC) and Pumpkin Spice (Accent Color – AC)

100% Acrylic
1020 yds (932 m) per 16 oz (454 g) skein
Find this yarn on lionbrand.com or visit yarnsub.com for a list of substitutes

Yardage: 1 skein or 750 yds (686 m) of MC (Antique White), 1 skein or 970 yds (887 m) of AC (Pumpkin Spice)

If substituting Pound of Love, choose any similar, category #4 worsted weight yarn that matches gauge. Always swatch before beginning to ensure you are happy with the resulting fabric.

Needle: Size U.S. 10 (6 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge. You will need a cord length that can accommodate the entire width of your blanket to knit the border; this length can also be achieved by connecting multiple smaller cords together.

Notions: Tapestry needle, several (at least 5) locking stitch markers to help with seaming and picking up stitches along a vertical edge

Measurements

All measurements given are after blocking.

Finished blanket measures approximately 48” (122 cm) square.

Each square measures approximately 15” (38 cm) square.

Each panel (comprised of 3 squares) measures approximately 15” (38 cm) in width and 45” (114 cm) in length.

Gauge

4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = 16 sts and 26 rows in stockinette, measured after blocking.

Abbreviations

AC: accent color (shown as Pumpkin Spice)
k: knit
MC: main color (shown as Antique White)
p: purl
rep: repeat
RS: right side (the knit side of your stockinette)
st(s): stitch(es)

Video Tutorial

There is a tutorial-style YouTube video for this pattern to guide you through each step of this blanket. Watch the accompanying video tutorial here.

Pattern Notes

Skill Level

Intermediate

Intarsia Color Chart

A full intarsia color chart is included on page 4 of the pattern. Each square follows this same color chart.

Construction (See Illustration Below)

This blanket is comprised of three panels that get seamed together. Panel 1 and 2 are identical (the outer panels), while Panel 3 (the center panel) is offset from the others. The numbers on the squares correspond to the order in which they are knit. After the panels are seamed together, a border is worked around the perimeter of the blanket.

Color Chart

Each square is worked the same way, following the Color Chart on the next page. The only difference between each square is where your first row will be worked; Some squares will begin with a long-tail cast-on, while other squares will be worked directly onto the vertical edge of your previous square.

Video Tutorial

There is an entire video tutorial for this blanket which includes how to begin your square, change colors using the intarsia method, pick up stitches along a vertical edge, seam your squares together, knit the border, as well as bind off using the Icelandic bind-off. If you have any questions about the written instructions below, please reference the video linked here!

Bobbins

For each of your 9 squares, you will need to create 2 bobbins of MC, each weighing 4 g. A bobbin simply refers to a second source of yarn that is used when multiple colors are worked in the same row. In this pattern, you will only work from a bobbin in the two areas shown in blue on the diagram below.

Yarn Substitutes

I chose to use Pound of Love for this blanket to be the most economical in terms of skeins required. You only need 1 skein of each color since they each have 1020 yds per skein!

You can use any medium, worsted weight, category #4 yarn that you like. Keep these things in mind when choosing yarn for this project:

If you expect to wash your blanket often, you will want to choose a washable/dryable yarn. Acrylics are great for blankets since they are durable and can be thrown in the washing machine without being damaged. (Always check your yarn label!)
Avoid delicate fibers that will pill significantly. Some fibers shed and will collect on your clothes while the blanket is on your lap. Swatch with your chosen fiber before beginning. You may want to test it on your clothes to see if it sheds.
If you use something other than Pound of Love, be sure to order enough yarn and match dye lots!
I recommend using an acrylic yarn or a washable/dryable wool yarn.

Here is a list of yarn alternatives that will work well in this pattern:

Lion Brand Yarns: