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# Harley-Inspired Chunky Intarsia Blanket
### Flames & Shield Motif Throw — 40" × 60" (101.5 cm × 152.5 cm)

A bold, biker-inspired chunky throw featuring a central shield-and-flames motif worked in intarsia, framed by a tidy seed stitch border. Designed for confident beginners ready to try colourwork.

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## Finished Measurements
- **Width:** 101.5 cm (40")
- **Length:** 152.5 cm (60")

## Materials

### Yarn
Chunky weight (Bulky / CYC 5), approximately 100 g = 100 m per ball.

- **MC (Main Colour) — Charcoal Black:** approx. 1,200 g (12 balls)
- **CC1 — Cream/Off-White:** approx. 200 g (2 balls) — for shield banner & lettering background
- **CC2 — Bright Orange:** approx. 250 g (3 balls) — for flames & shield accents
- **CC3 — Golden Yellow:** approx. 200 g (2 balls) — for flame highlights
- **CC4 — Deep Red:** approx. 100 g (1 ball) — for flame cores / accents

*Suggested yarns: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, Drops Eskimo, or any chunky 100 g / 100 m yarn.*

### Needles
- **8 mm (US 11) straight or long circular needles** (used flat) — or size needed to obtain tension.

### Notions
- Yarn bobbins (10–15 small bobbins for intarsia colour blocks)
- Tapestry/darning needle
- Stitch markers (optional)
- Scissors

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## Tension (Gauge)
**12 sts × 16 rows = 10 cm (4") over stocking stitch** on 8 mm needles, after light blocking.
*Tension is critical for finished size — please swatch.*

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## Abbreviations (UK)
- **k** — knit
- **p** — purl
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **RS** — right side
- **WS** — wrong side
- **st st** — stocking stitch (k on RS, p on WS)
- **seed st** — seed stitch (*k1, p1*, alternating each row)
- **MC** — main colour; **CC1–CC4** — contrast colours
- **rep** — repeat

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## Attached Stitch Chart

**Please refer to the separate attached chart panel provided with this pattern for the full visual grid of the Harley-inspired shield-and-flames motif.** The chart is not reproduced inline here — use the attached panel as your primary visual reference.

**Chart placement within the blanket:**
- The chart represents the **central intarsia panel: 110 stitches wide × 228 rows tall**.
- It sits **inside** the seed stitch border: 6 border sts at each side, 8 border rows at the top and bottom.
- Begin reading the chart on **Row 9** of the blanket (the first stocking-stitch row after the lower border) and finish on Row 236.
- Horizontally, the chart begins after the first 6 border sts and ends before the final 6 border sts.

**How to read the chart (flat knitting):**
- The chart is read from the **bottom-right corner upward**.
- **RS rows (odd-numbered rows):** read from **right to left**.
- **WS rows (even-numbered rows):** read from **left to right**.
- Each square = 1 stitch; each horizontal line = 1 row.
- Chart symbols/colours correspond to MC, CC1, CC2, CC3, and CC4 as labelled in the chart key.

**Colour-change & yarn management notes (intarsia):**
- Use a **separate bobbin** for each colour block. Do **not** strand yarn across the back — this is intarsia, not Fair Isle.
- At every colour change, **bring the new colour up from under the old colour** to twist the yarns and prevent holes.
- Small isolated accents (e.g. a single stitch of CC4) may be **duplicate-stitched** after knitting if preferred — this is beginner-friendly and avoids fiddly bobbins.
- Wind generous bobbins for the largest flame areas (CC2, CC3) and shorter bobbins for small detail blocks.
- Keep bobbins untangled by gently flipping them as you turn at the end of each row.

**Stitch-count integration:**
- Border (6 sts) + Chart (110 sts) + Border (6 sts) = **122 sts total** ✓
- Lower border (8 rows) + Chart (228 rows) + Upper border (8 rows) = **244 rows total** ✓

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## Construction Overview
The blanket is worked flat in a single piece from the bottom edge to the top. A seed stitch border is worked on all four sides; the central panel is stocking stitch with the intarsia motif from the attached chart.

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## Pattern Instructions

### Cast On
Using 8 mm needles and **MC**, cast on **122 sts**.

### Lower Border (Seed Stitch)
**Rows 1–8:** *K1, p1; rep from * to end. (122 sts)

*Seed stitch tip: on each new row, knit the purls and purl the knits as they face you, so the bumps offset.*

### Main Body — Intarsia Chart Section (Rows 9–236)

Set-up for every row in this section:
- **First 6 sts:** work in seed st using MC (side border).
- **Next 110 sts:** follow the attached chart (stocking stitch with intarsia colour changes).
- **Last 6 sts:** work in seed st using MC (side border).

**Row 9 (RS — Chart Row 1):** Seed st 6 in MC, knit 110 sts following chart Row 1 (read right to left), seed st 6 in MC. (122 sts)

**Row 10 (WS — Chart Row 2):** Seed st 6 in MC, purl 110 sts following chart Row 2 (read left to right), seed st 6 in MC.

**Rows 11–236:** Continue in pattern as established — odd rows (RS) knit across the chart reading right to left; even rows (WS) purl across the chart reading left to right. Always work the 6-stitch seed stitch borders in MC at each end of every row.

*You will complete all 228 chart rows over blanket rows 9–236.*

### Upper Border (Seed Stitch)
After completing Row 236, cut all contrast colours leaving 15 cm tails for weaving in. Continue with MC only.

**Rows 237–244:** *K1, p1; rep from * to end. (122 sts)

### Cast Off
With MC, cast off all 122 sts loosely in seed stitch pattern (k the knits, p the purls as you cast off). Cut yarn, leaving a 20 cm tail. Pull through final loop to secure.

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## Finishing

1. **Weave in ends:** Carefully weave in all yarn tails on the wrong side using a tapestry needle. Work each end into its own colour block for at least 5 cm.
2. **Optional duplicate stitch:** Add any small fine details (e.g. lettering outlines or single-stitch flame highlights) using duplicate stitch with CC4 or CC1.
3. **Block:** Wet-block the blanket by gentle hand-washing or spritzing thoroughly with water. Lay flat on a clean surface, gently stretch and pin to **101.5 cm × 152.5 cm (40" × 60")**, ensuring corners are square. Allow to dry completely (24–48 hours).

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## Notes & Tips for Beginners

- **Swatch first:** Work a 20 × 20 cm swatch in st st with MC to check tension. Adjust needle size if needed.
- **Manage bobbins:** Keep bobbins short (1–2 m of yarn each). Long strands tangle quickly in intarsia.
- **Twist on every change:** Skipping the twist creates holes — this is the #1 intarsia pitfall.
- **Mark every 10 rows:** Place a removable marker or note your row number on the chart to track progress.
- **Take breaks at row ends:** Always stop at the end of a row to avoid losing your place in the chart.
- **Trademark note:** This pattern is inspired by biker/flame aesthetics for personal use only. The Harley-Davidson® name and shield are registered trademarks; please do not sell items made from this pattern.

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## Stitch & Row Count Validation

| Section | Stitches | Rows | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast on | 122 | — | ✓ |
| Lower border | 122 | 8 | ✓ |
| Chart section (6 + 110 + 6) | 122 | 228 | ✓ |
| Upper border | 122 | 8 | ✓ |
| **Total** | **122** | **244** | ✓ |

- Width: 122 sts ÷ 12 sts per 10 cm = **101.7 cm ≈ 40"** ✓
- Length: 244 rows ÷ 16 rows per 10 cm = **152.5 cm = 60"** ✓

Enjoy your bold, flame-fuelled chunky throw! 🔥