Tree of Life Throw

Create a beautiful and unique knit baby blanket with this Tree of Life Throw pattern. The distinctive cabled tree pattern gives this blanket a whimsical look that makes it a perfect addition to a nursery. This is a great project for an intermediate knitter. You should have some idea of how to cable before you begin this baby blanket pattern, but a quick learner should be able to master this project without a problem. Though it might look complex initially, once you get going on this knit blanket, it is a cinch and will quickly become one of your favorite free knitting patterns for babies.

Intermediate

Knitting Needle Size7 or 4.5 mm

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

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Size:

About 26 x 34 in. (66 x 86.5 cm), including border

Materials:

Lion Brand POUND OF LOVE (Art. #550)
- #099 Antique White 1 ball
- or color of your choice
Lion Brand knitting needles size 7 (4.5 mm)
Lion Brand cable needle
Lion Brand large-eyed blunt needle

Gauge:

8 sts + 28 rows = 4 in. (10 cm).
BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

Throw Instructions:

Cast on 92 sts.
Knit 1 row. Purl 1 row.
Row 1 (WS): *K4, work Row 1 of Twin Trees pattern or follow Twin Trees Chart Row 1 for 40 sts; rep from * once more, k4.
Row 2: *P4, work Row 2 of Twin Trees pattern or follow Twin Trees Chart Row 2 for 40 sts; rep from * once more, p4.
Continue in established pattern following row-by-row instructions or consecutive rows of Twin Trees Chart for 50 rows, ending with a RS row.
Purl 1 row.
Work Rows 1-14 of Dividing Pattern.
Work Rows 1-36 of Flower Garden pattern (or follow Flower Garden Chart).
Work Rows 1-14 of Dividing Pattern.
Knit 1 row.
Work Rows 1-50 of Twin Trees pattern (or follow Twin Trees Chart).
Bind off all sts.

Stitch Explanations:

2/2 PLC (2 over 2 purl left cross) Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, p2, then k2 from cable needle.
2/2 PRC (2 over 2 purl right cross) Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k2, then p2 from cable needle.
2/1 PLC (2 over 1 purl left cross) Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, p1, then k2 from cable needle.
2/1 PRC (2 over 1 purl right cross) Slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in back, k2, then p1 from cable needle.
1/1 PLC (1 over 1 purl left cross) Slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in front, p1, then k1 from cable needle.
1/1 PRC (1 over 1 purl right cross) Slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in back, k1, then p1 from cable needle.
2/2 LC (2 over 2 left cross) Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k2, then k2 from cable needle.
2/2 RC (2 over 2 right cross) Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k2, then k2 from cable needle.
M1 (make 1) An increase worked by lifting horizontal thread lying between needles and placing it onto left needle. Knit this new stitch through the back loop –1 st increased.
ssk (slip, slip, knit) Slip next 2 sts as if to knit, one at a time, to right needle; insert left needle into fronts of these 2 sts and knit them tog –1 st decreased.
sk2p Slip 1 as if to knit, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over–2 sts decreased.

Charts:

PATTERN STITCHES

Twin Trees:

Row 1 (WS): K12, p4, k8, p4, k12 – 40 sts.

Rows 2-7: K the k sts and p the p sts as they appear.

Row 8: P12, M1, k4, p8, k4, M1, p12 – 42 sts.

Row 9 and all remaining WS rows: K the knit sts and p the purl sts as they appear.

Row 10: P12, k1, M1, k4, p8, k4, M1, k1, p12 – 44 sts.

Row 12: P10, 2/2 PRC, k4, M1, p8, M1, k4, 2/2, PLC, p10 – 46 sts.

Row 14: P8, 2/2 PRC, p2, k4, M1, k1, p8, k1, M1, k4, p2, 2/2 PLC, p8 – 48 sts.

Row 16: P6, 2/2 PRC, p4, k4, 2/2 PLC, p4, 2/2 PRC, k4, p4, 2/2 PLC, p6.

Row 18: P5, 2/1 PRC, p5, 2/1 PRC, k2, p2, 2/2 PLC, 2/2 PRC, p2, k2, 2/1 PLC, p5, 2/1 PLC, p5.

Row 20: P5, k2, p5, 2/1 PRC, p1, 2/1 PLC, p3, 2/2 RC, p3, 2/1 PRC, p1, 2/1 PLC, p5, k2, p5.

Row 22: P4, 1/1 PRC, 1/1 PLC, p3, 2/1 PRC, p3, 2/1 PLC, 2/2 PRC, 2/2 PLC, 2/1 PRC, p3, 2/1 PLC, p3, 1/1 PRC, 1/1 PLC, p4.

Row 24: P3, 1/1 PRC, p2, k1b, p3, k2, p5, 2/2 LC, p4, 2/2 LC, p5, k2, p3, k1b, p2, 1/1 PLC, p3.

Row 26: (P2, 1/1 PRC) 3 times, 1/1 PLC, p3, 2/1 PRC, 2/1 PLC, p2, 2/1 PRC, 2/1 PLC, p3, 1/1 PRC, (1/1 PLC, p2) 3 times.

Row 28: P5, (1/1 PRC, p2) twice, k1b, p3, k2, p2, 2/1 PLC, 2/1 PRC, p2, k2, p3, k1b, (p2, 1/1 PLC) twice, p5.

Row 30: P4, (1/1 PRC, p2) 3 times, 1/1 PRC, 1/1 PLC, p2, 2/2 RC, p2, 1/1 PRC, (1/1 PLC, p2) 3 times, 1/1 PLC, p4.

Row 32: P3, 1/1 PRC, p6, (1/1 PRC, p2) twice, k1b, p2, k4, p2, k1b, (p2, 1/1 PLC) twice, p6, 1/1 PLC, p3.

Row 34: P2, p2tog, p6, (1/1 PRC, p2) 3 times, 2/2 RC, (p2, 1/1 PLC) 3 times, p6, p2togb, p2 – 46 sts.

Row 36: P8, 1/1 PRC, p6, 1/1 PRC, p1, 2/2 PRC, 2/2 PLC, p1, 1/1 PLC, p6, 1/1 PLC, p8.

Row 38: P7, p2tog, p6, 1/1 PRC, p1, 1/1 PRC, 1/1 PLC, p2, 1/1 PRC, 1/1 PLC, p1, 1/1 PLC, p6, p2togb, p7 – 44 sts.

Row 40: P13, 1/1 PRC, p1, 1/1 PRC, p2, k1b, p2, k1b, p2, 1/1 PLC, p1, 1/1 PLC, p13.

Row 42: P12, p2tog, p1, (1/1 PRC, p2) twice, 1/1 PLC, p2, 1/1 PLC, p1, p2togb, p12 – 42 sts.

Row 44: P17, 1/1 PRC, p4, 1/1 PLC, p17.

Row 46: P17, k1b, p6, k1b, p17.

Row 48: P16, p2tog, p6, p2togb, p16 – 40 sts.

Row 50: P40.

Dividing Pattern

Row 1 (RS): Knit.

Row 2: Purl.

Rows 3 and 4: Rep Rows 1 and 2.

Rows 5-10: Purl.

Rows 11-14: Rep Rows 1-4.

Flower Garden

Row 1 (RS): Inc 1 in first st, p8, *k1b (twisted knit st), p11; rep from * to last 11 sts, k1b, p10.

Rows 2, 4, 6 and 8: K10, *p1b, k11; rep from *, to last 11 sts, p1b, k10.

Rows 3 and 5: P10, *k1b, p11; rep from *, to last 11 sts, k1b, p10.

Row 7: P6, *insert a crochet hook (or point of right needle) from front through the fabric at right of the twisted knit st in first row, catch yarn and draw up a long, loose loop; sl this loop onto right needle, knit next st and pass the loop over st, p3, k1b, p3, draw up another loop from left of same st in first row, sl the loop onto right needle, knit next st and pass loop over it, p3; rep from * 6 more times, end p3.

Row 9: P10, *((k1, yo) 3 times, k1) all in same st making 7 sts from one, p11; rep from * to last 11 sts, ((k1, yo) 3 times, k1) all in same st making 7 sts from one, p10.

Row 10: K10, *p7, k11; rep from * to last 17 sts, p7, k10.

Row 11: P10, *k2togb, k3togb, k2togb, p11; rep from * to last 17 sts, k2togb, k3togb, k2togb, p10.

Row 12: K10, *p3tog, k11; rep from * to last 13 sts, p3tog, k10.

Rows 13, 15 and 17: P4, *k1b (twisted knit st), p11; rep from * to last 5 sts, k1b, p4.

Rows 14, 16, 18 and 20: K4, *p1b, k11; rep from * to last 5 sts, p1b, k4.

Row 19: *Draw up a loop from right of twisted knit st in Row 13 and pass loop over next st as before, p3, k1b, p3, draw up another loop from left of same st and pass loop over next st as before, p3; rep from * to last 9 sts, draw up a loop from right of twisted knit st in Row 13 and pass loop over next st as before, p3, k1b, p3, draw up another loop from left of same st and pass loop over next st as before.

Row 21: P4, *((k1, yo) 3 times, k1) all in same st, p11; rep from * to last 5 sts, ((k1, yo) 3 times, k1) all in same st, p4.

Row 22: K4, *p7, k11; rep from * to last 11 sts, p7, k4.

Row 23: P4, *k2togb, k3togb, k2togb, p11; rep from * to last 11 sts, k2togb, k3togb, k2togb, p4.

Row 24: K4, *p3tog, k11; rep from * to last 7 sts, p3tog, k4.

Row 25: P10, *k1b (twisted knit st), p11; rep from * to last 11 sts, k1b, p10.

Rows 26-36: Rep Rows 2-12 once more, decrease 1 st at end of Row 36.

Tulip-Bud Border

Cast on 8 sts.

Row 1 (RS): K5, yo, k1, yo, k2 – 10 sts.

Row 2: P6, k into front and back of next st (inc made), k3 – 11 sts.

Row 3: K4, p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k3 – 13 sts.

Row 4: P8, inc in next st, k4 – 14 sts.

Row 5: K4, p2, k3, yo, k1, yo, k4 – 16 sts.

Row 6: P10, inc in next st, k5 – 17 sts.

Row 7: K4, p3, k4, yo, k1, yo, k5 – 19 sts.

Row 8: P12, inc in next st, k6 – 20 sts.

Row 9: K4, p4, ssk, k7, k2tog, k1 – 18 sts.

Row 10: P10, inc in next st, k7 – 19 sts.

Row 11: K4, p5, ssk, k5, k2tog, k1 – 17 sts.

Row 12: P8, inc in next st, k2, p1, k5 – 18 sts.

Row 13: K4, p1, k1, p4, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1 – 16 sts.

Row 14: P6, inc in next st, k3, p1, k5 – 17 sts.

Row 15: K4, p1, k1, p5, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1 – 15 sts.

Row 16: P4, inc in next st, k4, p1, k5 – 16 sts.

Row 17: K4, p1, k1, p6, sk2p, k1 – 14 sts.

Row 18: P2tog, bind off next 5 sts using p2tog st to bind off first st, p3, k4 – 8 sts.

Rep Rows 1-18 until border fits around Throw (approximately 96 in. (244 cm)). Note: It is helpful to sew border in place as you knit.

Bind off. Finish sewing border in place around Throw. Weave in ends.

Abbreviations:

inc = increas(e)(ing)(s)

k = knit

k1b = knit 1 through back loop

p1b = purl 1 through back loop

k2tog = knit 2 stitches together

k2togb = knit 2 stitches together through back loops

k3tog = knit 3 stitches together

k3togb = knit 3 stitches together through back loops

p = purl

p2togb = purl 2 stitches together through back loops

p3tog = purl 3 stitches together

rep = repeat(s)

RS = right side

sl = slip

st(s) = stitch(es)

WS = wrong side

yo = yarn over

If you liked the Tree of Life Throw, be sure to check out the rest of the Lion Brand collection of the most popular knit and crochet afghan patterns here!

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tickleyears 491179 3

Apr 01, 2022

This came out absolutely beautiful. The instructions were easier to follow then I expected, and the finished result is stunning. Males an amazing gift!

Theresa

Jun 08, 2021

I enjoyed the complexity of this blanket. I wish I had submitted this photo sooner. I gave it to a Mother of three boys and one girl. She had hoped for a girl when this third boy came along so I thought it was a special enough occasion to attempt this blanket. I know how much she appreciated it since she's a crafter as well.

Theresa

Jun 08, 2021

dellysfry 7657424

May 09, 2021

I have enjoyed knitting this blanket up to the Flower Garden and Im now confused. Row 1 where it reads k1b ( twisted knit stitch) I thought that knitting into the back of the knit stitch was twisted knitting. Could you please explain this to me .

Lisa

May 11, 2021

K1B in knitting is the abbreviation for knit 1 below, but this pattern is using it for knit through the backloop, to do this, go into the backloop of the stitch on the needle and knit the stitch as you usually would from that position, if it is not coming out twisted you are knitting the stitch from the wrong position. To ensure you do it correctly, ensure you are going into the stitch from the back only. Hope this helps, happy knitting.

carter05 6105149

Feb 26, 2020

looking forward to giving this a go

Mark

Jan 23, 2018

Stunning! And such a clever way to use cables

schiebet

May 30, 2017

I have made this as a baby gift and can't give it away. I adore it. There is also an adult size pattern. I need to make it and then maybe I could give this one up. I used stitch markers a lot to help keep my place in the pattern but it was really pretty easy to do--a little bit of cable but mostly purl and knit.

yvonneholmes 75241 79

Mar 01, 2020

Can you please send me the link to the adult version of this Tree of Life pattern I would really appreciate it. would like to make it for an anniversary gift. Thank you Yvonne

caistorbrownies 19 69199

Apr 26, 2016

I have now made this twice. The second time I started the border at the same time on a spare pr of needles. It seemed to take less time and if you only had a short time you could easily do afew rows.

Jolanta44 8756208

Jan 25, 2016

Beautiful pattern

lntay3 7178359

Apr 27, 2015

Sorry I was referring to flower after dividing section

lntay3 7178359

Apr 27, 2015

Hi I am having trouble with row 7, can anyone explain it, the loop part on right and left side is confusing

kznunley 5953887

Nov 29, 2014

Its' probabaly user error, but I am stumped at row 8 of the Twin trees section. After I knit the 42 stitches, what do I do next?

Editor JD

Dec 01, 2014

Hi kznunley 5953887, The 42 is just sort of an indication of how many stitches you should have ended up with at the end of that row. As for what to do next, for row nine (and every alternating row from then on), it looks like you'll knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches. Hope this helps! -Editors of AllFreeKnitting

Kat2209

Nov 29, 2016

Hi there. I am stumped on row 8 of the Twin trees section. Did you find out what to do next?

wandap04 7813933

Mar 01, 2017

Row 8 of the twin trees pattern Do I purl 4 stitches first then do the 12 purl stitches?

sealegz28 9004145

Jun 05, 2017

I am having trouble with Row 8, the last M1 of the pattern. Do i KNIT the last M1 or PURL it. Also, in Row 9 when i come to the M1, do I KNIT or PURL?

randemcphee 283008 0

Oct 13, 2014

Such a beautiful throw. I have made two as I have never seen like it in the UK. It's hard work to begin with, but the Mums love it.

lewriter 7988144

Jun 13, 2014

I am just finishing my first Tree of Life baby Throw. It is beautiful, but the flower buds themselves seem to look better on the back. Is the right side of the background knit or pearl? The photo is too small for me to tell.

Lori1312 5067424

Jan 22, 2014

I was at row 20 when I looked at the photo again. It appears that the border might be knit/knit rows to me. (The first 2 rows as well as the first and last 4 stitches of every row). Thinking I was right, I took my project apart, assuming I misread the pattern. Now that I look at the pattern again, it seems like I was following it correctly with knit/purl....help.....

Lori1312 5067424

Jan 22, 2014

or maybe its purl/purl, like part of the dividing pattern??

Lori1312 5067424

Jan 22, 2014

third thought - maybe the beginning is 3 rows,(k,p,k) as well as the first & last 4 stitches so the pattern will be RS?

Lori1312 5067424

Jan 22, 2014

Oh boy I just thought of doing the border pattern and realized that's what I was seeing....well, that was a lesson well learned! lol Won't be the last project I start over more than once..haha

riga11 2432622

May 03, 2016

I knitted and purled the 1st 4 stitches of beginning of pattern middle and end .Row 7 I did 6 stitches begin and end .Only way I could work it out.Is this right or not.

4esilverb 0309415

Dec 24, 2017

I ended up doing the same. Interesting how poorly the instructions are written.

walkers

Jul 02, 2013

This is one of my favorite patterns. I used a cotton yarn and it came out beautifully. I have also knitted the afghan version ( adult sized version). I am on my 3rd throw in tnis pattern...it is my new fave to give as a gift.

annie1970

May 02, 2013

I have knit the Tree of Life baby throw as per the pattern and it was beautiful when finished. I have also made a baby throw from just the Flower Garden portion of the pattern (repeating that part over and over until it was the length I wanted) and that was just as beautiful. Great baby shower gift. Gets lots of oohhs and aahhs.

lntay3 7178359

Apr 27, 2015

Hello this is where I am stumped, could you explain row 7, I would really apperciate it

Judith

Apr 07, 2013

I made this for my grandnephew's baby. It is beautiful and the Tree of Life symbolism is perfect for a newborn. While the pattern looks difficult, when you get into it, it is really quite easy.