Essential Effortless Afghan

Everyone needs an afghan or two to throw over the couch for chilly days, and the more basic, the better. The Essential Effortless Afghan is a super-simple knit blanket pattern that can be adapted to fit any color scheme or decorating theme. Beginners learning how to knit a blanket will appreciate this easy knitting pattern, which is pieced together from five knitted strips. Made using the stockinette stitch, this is one of the easiest beginner knitting patterns in existence and is sure to impress. Don't miss this chance to wrap yourself in the quick and easy comfort of this classic checkerboard pattern.

Beginner

Knitting Needle Size8 or 5 mm

Gauge1 stitches, 2 rows, 3 inches. stockinette stitch

Materials:

RED HEART Super Saver [7 oz (198 g), 364 yd (333 m)]
- Color A: 313 Aran, 2 skeins
- Color B: 382 Country Blue, 2 skeins
- Color C: 380 Windsor Blue, 2 skeins
Susan Bates Knitting Needles: 5 mm [US 8]
Yarn needle

Gauge:

17 sts = 4” [10 cm]; 24 rows = 4” [10 cm]. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the gauge.

Measurements:

Afghan measures 37½” [95 cm] square

Abbreviations:

A, B, C, etc = Colors A, B, C, etc
K = knit;
mm = millimeter
P = purl
st(s) = stitch(es);
( ) = work directions in parentheses as indicated

Instructions:

Strips 1 and 4:

With A, cast on 33 sts.
Row 1 (Right side): Knit across.
Row 2: P1, (K1, P1) across.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 7½” [19 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2. Drop A.

With B, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 15” [38 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2. Drop B.

With C, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 22½” [57 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2. Drop C.

With A, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 30” [76 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2. Drop A.

With B, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 37½” [95 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2.
Bind off all stitches in pattern.

Strips 2 and 5:

With B, cast on 33 sts.
Row 1 (Right side): Knit across.
Row 2: P1, (K1, P1) across.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 7½” [19 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2. Drop B.

With C, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 15” [38 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2. Drop C.

With A, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 22½” [57 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2. Drop A.

With B, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 30” [76 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2. Drop B.

With C, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 37½” [95 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2.
Bind off all stitches in pattern.

Strip 3

With C, cast on 33 sts.
Row 1 (Right side): Knit across.
Row 2: P1, (K1, P1) across.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 7½” [19 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2. Drop C.

With A, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 15” [38 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2. Drop A.

With B, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 22½” [57 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2. Drop B.

With C, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 30” [76 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2. Drop C.

With A, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern until piece measures 37½” [95 cm] from cast on edge, ending by working Row 2.
Bind off all stitches in pattern.

Finishing:
Thread yarn needle with desired color. With right sides together, using the photo as a guide and matching rows, sew strips together in numerical order.

Your Recently Viewed Projects

Rate

I have not made this yet so I cannot rate it.

We are adding your Comments.

Thank you! Your comment has been added.

We are sorry. There was an error tyring to post your rating and review.

Your comment will appear after our editors have had a chance to review it.

Cancel Reply to Comment

Thanks for your comment. Don't forget to share!

lenorehf 4030257

Jun 01, 2022

Im working on this and I dont see how the edges are NOT going to roll. Any suggestions?

Lisa

Jun 07, 2022

It's a broken rib stitch pattern, this pattern lays flat, unless it is knit too tight. The seams add some additional stability to keep it flat after it is completed too.

joaneporter 895055 3

Oct 19, 2017

Completed knitting but having a hard time getting it ready to sew together. Since they are different sizes they dont seem to match to the pattern. How do you know what size to sew together?

Lisa

Aug 21, 2018

All of the panels should be the same size and you will sew them together in the order indicated by the panel number and finishing instructions.

lnelmel

Aug 26, 2017

I am going to help a couple of real beginners make this, but one has asked about making it bigger. Does anyone have suggestions on doing that simply?

Lisa

Nov 09, 2020

There are two ways to make this bigger add additional sections of the colors to the panels for length and make additional panels for width, the other option would be to, use a bigger cast on and knit the individual sections larger. so instead of changing colors a 7.5" you can continue to 8/9 or 10", it will work as long as you apply all your changes to each panel. I know this is late but it may help someone else.

3cats2love

Jun 25, 2017

Sometimes a simple pattern comes out looking great, like this one does. You could easily adapt the colors to match your decor, or just use your favorite color shades. You could also do seasonal colors, like pumpkin, tan, and dark brown for fall, or white, or use a self patterning yarn in one of the color blocks.

racheles79 9028400

Feb 22, 2017

I've worked out that on size 5mm needles its 32 rows per coloured section. t seems to work and look beautiful! I hope this is of some help to someone! Thanks x Rachele x

Daughter of Light

Nov 19, 2016

This afghan is such a beautiful, classic design! I'm picking up knitting again and I think I'll ease into it by doing this afghan in aran, light sage, and hunter green. My son will be moving out into his first apartment soon and this will make the perfect house warming gift!

darleneleach73 049 5289

Aug 16, 2016

I'm not sure how to drop A then puck it up again later

Lisa

Jan 30, 2017

You can do it two ways, you can carry it loosely up the side of the strip or you can cut it leaving a decent end to darn it later. Cutting the yarn and leaving an end does create more work but if you're not experienced at carrying the yarn up the side, this is the way to go.

Lisa

Oct 11, 2015

I'm doing this one right now and I had to go to a 6mm needle because the 5mm seemed to make the stitches too tight.

isacou 2524021

Mar 05, 2016

Hello! i am starting this blanket also in 6mm and casted on the same amount of stiches as tha pattern requires (33 sts). How did you convert and did one square still measure 7,5 inches? Mine is more like 8 inches. Did you calculate the rows or go by measurement to know when to start next square? Theese information would really help me! Thanks in advance...

Lisa

Aug 24, 2016

Everything stays the same except the size needle used. I still used the same measurements to complete the pattern. Hope this helps someone.

moncamoncha 524591 7

Jan 23, 2015

I have this pattern knitting and crocheting, have both patterns