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# Chunky W's & Double Heart Throw Blanket

A cosy, beginner-friendly chunky throw measuring 152 x 152 cm (60 x 60 inches), worked flat in one piece. The centre features a charted motif of two W's flanking a double heart, framed by a tidy garter stitch border. Perfect for snuggling on the sofa or as a statement throw at the foot of the bed.

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## Skill Level
Beginner (with a light introduction to colourwork via intarsia or duplicate stitch)

## Finished Measurements
- Width: 152 cm (60 inches)
- Length: 152 cm (60 inches)

## Materials

**Yarn:** Super Chunky / Jumbo weight yarn (#7 Jumbo weight)
- Main Colour (MC): approximately 1,800–2,000 m (1,970–2,190 yards)
- Contrast Colour (CC) for motif: approximately 150–200 m (165–220 yards)

**Needles:** 10 mm (US 15) straight needles at least 40 cm long, OR 10 mm circular needle 80–100 cm long (worked flat — circular recommended to hold the wide stitch count comfortably)

**Notions:**
- Tapestry needle (large eye, blunt tip)
- Stitch markers (optional)
- Scissors
- Bobbins or small balls for intarsia (optional, if working colourwork in-line)

## Tension (Gauge)
9 stitches and 12 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) in stockinette stitch on 10 mm needles, after gentle blocking.

**Always check your tension before beginning.** Adjust needle size if necessary.

## Abbreviations (UK Knitting Terms)
- k = knit
- p = purl
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- MC = main colour
- CC = contrast colour
- st st = stocking stitch (stockinette): k on RS, p on WS
- rep = repeat

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## Attached Stitch Chart

A separate stitch chart panel is attached to this pattern showing the **Two W's & Double Heart motif**. Please refer to the attached chart for the visual grid — it is not reproduced inline here.

**Where the chart is placed:**
The chart is worked over the central 61 stitches of the blanket (stitches 39 through 99 of the 137 total stitches on each row), beginning on Row 31 (after the lower border and a section of plain stocking stitch) and running upward for 90 rows.

**How to read the chart:**
- Each square = 1 stitch wide x 1 row tall.
- Read RS (odd-numbered) rows from **right to left**.
- Read WS (even-numbered) rows from **left to right**.
- The chart shows the two W shapes positioned to either side of a double heart motif centred between them.
- Empty/blank squares = MC; filled/coloured squares = CC.

**Colour management notes:**
- **Recommended for beginners — duplicate stitch:** Knit the entire blanket in MC, then embroider the motif onto the finished fabric using CC and a tapestry needle, following the chart. This avoids any in-row colour changes and is the simplest approach.
- **Alternative — intarsia:** If you prefer to knit the motif in as you go, use a separate bobbin/small ball of yarn for each block of colour. Twist MC and CC around each other at every colour change on the WS to prevent holes. Do not strand yarn across the back of large gaps in chunky yarn — it will pull and pucker.

**Stitch-count integration:**
- Total blanket sts: 137
- Border (each side): 8 sts garter
- Plain st st on each side of chart: (137 − 16 − 61) ÷ 2 = 30 sts each side
- Chart field: 61 sts centred
- Check: 8 + 30 + 61 + 30 + 8 = 137 ✓

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## Pattern Instructions

### Cast On
With MC and 10 mm needles, cast on **137 stitches** using a long-tail cast on (or your preferred stretchy cast on).

Math check: 137 sts ÷ 9 sts per 10 cm = 152.2 cm ≈ 60 inches ✓

### Lower Border (Garter Stitch)
**Rows 1–10:** Knit every stitch across. (10 rows garter = approx. 8 cm)

### Setup for Body
**Row 11 (RS):** K8 (border), k121, k8 (border). 
**Row 12 (WS):** K8 (border), p121, k8 (border). 
**Rows 13–30:** Rep Rows 11–12, ending with a WS row. (20 rows of plain st st with garter side borders worked)

You will now have a tidy frame: 8 garter sts at each edge, with a stocking stitch field between.

### Chart Section (Rows 31–120)
Continue maintaining the 8-st garter borders at each edge throughout.

**Row 31 (RS):** K8 (border), k30 in MC, work Row 1 of attached chart over next 61 sts, k30 in MC, k8 (border).

**Row 32 (WS):** K8 (border), p30 in MC, work Row 2 of attached chart over next 61 sts, p30 in MC, k8 (border).

**Rows 33–120:** Continue as set, working the next row of the attached chart over the central 61 stitches each row, with 30 sts of st st in MC on each side and 8 sts of garter border at each edge. (90 chart rows total = approx. 75 cm of motif height)

*Note: If using the duplicate stitch method, simply work Rows 31–120 in plain stocking stitch with garter borders as set, and embroider the motif on later.*

### Upper Body
**Rows 121–172:** Continuing in the established pattern (k8 border, p/k 121 sts in st st, k8 border), work 52 rows in plain stocking stitch with garter side borders, ending with a WS row.

### Upper Border (Garter Stitch)
**Rows 173–182:** Knit every stitch across. (10 rows garter)

### Cast Off
With RS facing, cast off all 137 stitches knitwise loosely. Cut yarn, leaving a 20 cm tail, and pull through the last loop.

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## Row & Measurement Check
- Lower border: 10 rows
- Setup st st: 20 rows
- Chart section: 90 rows
- Upper st st: 52 rows
- Upper border: 10 rows
- **Total: 182 rows** → 182 ÷ 12 x 10 = 151.7 cm ≈ 60 inches ✓

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## Finishing

1. **Weave in ends:** Using the tapestry needle, weave all yarn tails into the wrong side of the fabric along the edges of same-colour areas. With chunky yarn, split the plies if needed to reduce bulk.

2. **Duplicate stitch (if used):** Following the attached chart, embroider the W's and double heart motif in CC over the central 61 sts x 90 rows area. Anchor starts and ends securely on the WS.

3. **Blocking:** Gently wet-block or steam-block to even out the stitches and set the borders flat. 
   - Soak in lukewarm water with a wool wash (if using natural fibres) for 20 minutes.
   - Roll in a towel to remove excess water.
   - Lay flat on blocking mats, gently shaping to 152 x 152 cm, ensuring corners are square.
   - Allow to dry completely (24–48 hours for chunky yarn).

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## Designer's Notes
- **Beginner tip:** The duplicate stitch finishing method is strongly recommended for your first colourwork blanket — it lets you focus on even knitting tension first, then add the motif as a relaxing embroidery step.
- **Customisation:** This pattern is easily resized. Each 9 sts = 10 cm of width; each 12 rows = 10 cm of height. Just keep the chart field of 61 sts centred and adjust the side st st panels symmetrically.
- **Yarn substitution:** Any #7 Jumbo weight yarn that meets tension will work. Chenille, wool-blend, and acrylic chunky yarns all give lovely results — choose a soft fibre for snuggling.

Enjoy your cosy new throw!