purlJam

---

# WOVEN SHADOWS AFGHAN

### An Advanced Cabled & Textured Blanket in Worsted Weight Yarn

---

## MATERIALS

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight, approximately **1,600 yards (1,463 m)**
  *Sample shown in a smooth, plied worsted for stitch definition — avoid halo or fuzzy yarn for cable clarity*
  *Suggested: Lion Brand Wool-Ease (197 yds/3.5 oz), Cascade 220 (220 yds/100g), or equivalent*
  *Yards needed: ~1,600 yds for approx. 44" × 60" finished size*

- **Needles:**
  - US 8 / 5.0 mm, 32" or 40" circular needle (for flat knitting)
  - US 7 / 4.5 mm, 32" circular needle (for border cast-on/bind-off, optional for tighter edge)

- **Notions:**
  - Cable needle (cn)
  - 10 locking stitch markers (to mark panel boundaries)
  - Tapestry needle for finishing
  - Blocking mat and pins or blocking wires
  - Spray bottle or damp towels for steam blocking

---

## GAUGE

**18 sts × 24 rows = 4" (10 cm)** measured in Honeycomb Cable pattern, after light steam blocking

> ⚠️ **GAUGE IS CRITICAL:** Cables pull in significantly. Do NOT measure gauge in stockinette. Knit a 6" × 6" swatch in Honeycomb pattern (cast on 32 sts), block lightly with steam, and measure the center 4". Adjust needle size as needed. One needle size difference = approximately 1–1.5 inches in overall width.

*Note: The Diamond Lozenge panel works to approximately the same row gauge but may be slightly narrower per stitch due to its textured purl structure.*

---

## FINISHED SIZE

**Approximately 44" wide × 60" long (112 cm × 152 cm)** after light steam blocking

> *The blanket is cast on at 172 stitches and measures approximately 38" (97 cm) unblocked. Steam blocking opens the fabric and relaxes the cables to approximately 44" (112 cm). For a wider blanket (up to 50"), add one additional 8-stitch Honeycomb repeat to each outer panel (see Notes). For a narrower blanket (~40"), omit the inner Honeycomb panels.*

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

| Abbreviation | Definition |
|---|---|
| **k** | knit |
| **p** | purl |
| **RS** | right side |
| **WS** | wrong side |
| **st(s)** | stitch(es) |
| **rep** | repeat |
| **pm** | place marker |
| **sm** | slip marker |
| **cn** | cable needle |
| **sl** | slip stitch purlwise with yarn in back (unless noted) |
| **wyif** | with yarn in front |
| **wyib** | with yarn in back |
| **C4F** | Cable 4 Front: sl 2 sts to cn, hold to front; k2; k2 from cn |
| **C4B** | Cable 4 Back: sl 2 sts to cn, hold to back; k2; k2 from cn |
| **C6F** | Cable 6 Front: sl 3 sts to cn, hold to front; k3; k3 from cn |
| **C6B** | Cable 6 Back: sl 3 sts to cn, hold to back; k3; k3 from cn |
| **T3F** | Twist 3 Front: sl 2 sts to cn, hold to front; p1; k2 from cn |
| **T3B** | Twist 3 Back: sl 1 st to cn, hold to back; k2; p1 from cn |
| **T4F** | Twist 4 Front: sl 2 sts to cn, hold to front; p2; k2 from cn |
| **T4B** | Twist 4 Back: sl 2 sts to cn, hold to back; k2; p2 from cn |
| **Rev St st** | Reverse Stockinette: purl on RS, knit on WS |
| **St st** | Stockinette: knit on RS, purl on WS |
| **Seed st** | Seed stitch: (k1, p1) across on odd stitch counts; alternate each row |

---

## NOTES

### Pattern Layout Overview

The blanket is worked in a **symmetrical panel layout** with the following structure (read left to right as viewed on RS):

```
| 8 seed | 24 Honeycomb | 4 rev St st | 24 Honeycomb | 6 rev St st | 40 Diamond Lozenge | 6 rev St st | 24 Honeycomb | 4 rev St st | 24 Honeycomb | 8 seed |
```

**Stitch count verification:**
8 + 24 + 4 + 24 + 6 + 40 + 6 + 24 + 4 + 24 + 8 = **172 stitches** ✓

### General Notes

1. The blanket is worked **flat** (back and forth in rows) on a circular needle to accommodate the stitch count.
2. **Right Side (RS)** rows are odd-numbered; **Wrong Side (WS)** rows are even-numbered throughout.
3. Place stitch markers at every panel boundary after casting on. Slip markers as you pass them on every row.
4. The first and last stitch of every row are **edge stitches**: sl1 wyif on RS rows; p1 on WS rows. These are included within the 8-stitch seed border counts.
5. **Cable needle tip:** Keep cn parallel to work and close to the needle. Drop it only when necessary.
6. **Modifying width:** Each additional Honeycomb repeat = 8 sts = approx. 1.75" (4.5 cm) after blocking. Add repeats in pairs (one each side) to maintain symmetry. Adjust yarn requirements by approximately 80–100 yards per added repeat.
7. A **test swatch is strongly recommended** before beginning.

---

## CHARTS

> Charts are read **right to left on RS (odd) rows** and **left to right on WS (even) rows** unless otherwise noted.

---

### CHART A: HONEYCOMB CABLE — 24 stitches × 8 rows (one vertical repeat)

*Multiple of 8 stitches; worked over 24 sts (3 repeats of 8)*

```
CHART A: HONEYCOMB CABLE
(24 sts; 8-row repeat)

Read RS rows right to left; WS rows left to right.

         Sts: 24  23  22  21  20  19  18  17  16  15  14  13  12  11  10   9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1
Row  8 (WS):  p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p
Row  7 (RS): [C4B  C4F][         C4B  C4F         ][         C4B  C4F         ]
Row  6 (WS):  p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p
Row  5 (RS):  k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k
Row  4 (WS):  p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p
Row  3 (RS): [    C4F  C4B    ][         C4F  C4B         ][         C4F  C4B         ]
Row  2 (WS):  p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p   p
Row  1 (RS):  k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k   k
```

**CHART A — Grid Representation (1 repeat of 8 sts shown; work 3 times for 24-st panel):**

```
  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1   ← stitch numbers (RS reading direction: right to left)
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
| p| p| p| p| p| p| p| p|  Row 8 (WS)
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
|  C4B  |  C4F  | k| k|  |  Row 7 (RS) — cable cross on sts 8–5, 4–1
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
| p| p| p| p| p| p| p| p|  Row 6 (WS)
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
| k| k| k| k| k| k| k| k|  Row 5 (RS)
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
| p| p| p| p| p| p| p| p|  Row 4 (WS)
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
| k| k|  C4F  |  C4B  |  |  Row 3 (RS) — cable cross on sts 6–3
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
| p| p| p| p| p| p| p| p|  Row 2 (WS)
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
| k| k| k| k| k| k| k| k|  Row 1 (RS)
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
```

**Chart A Key:**
```
  k  = Knit on RS; Purl on WS
  p  = Purl on RS; Knit on WS (used on WS rows in grid only)
 C4B = sl 2 to cn, hold BACK; k2; k2 from cn
 C4F = sl 2 to cn, hold FRONT; k2; k2 from cn
```

> **Honeycomb Description:** On Row 3, cables cross outward (C4F then C4B within each 8-st group). On Row 7, cables cross inward (C4B then C4F), creating the characteristic honeycomb cell. Rows 1, 5 are plain knit on RS; all WS rows are plain purl.

---

### CHART B: DIAMOND LOZENGE CABLE — 40 stitches × 16 rows (one vertical repeat)

*Worked over 40 stitches: a 4-stitch center spine + two mirror-image halves of traveling stitches*

> This panel features diamonds formed by traveling 2-stitch cables (T3B and T3F) that expand outward from the center and return, with purled backgrounds creating the diamond shape against a reverse stockinette field.

```
CHART B: DIAMOND LOZENGE
(40 sts; 16-row repeat)

Stitch positions labeled 1 (right edge of panel) to 40 (left edge of panel).
RS rows read right to left (st 1 first); WS rows read left to right.

SYMBOL KEY:
  ■ = k on RS / p on WS  (background / rev St st)
  □ = p on RS / k on WS  (cable knit sts appear as purl on RS background — rev St st base)
  ╔╗ = C4B (sl 2 to cn hold back, k2, k2 from cn)
  ╚╝ = C4F (sl 2 to cn hold front, k2, k2 from cn)
  /> = T3B (sl 1 to cn hold back, k2, p1 from cn) — cable moves RIGHT on RS
  <\ = T3F (sl 2 to cn hold front, p1, k2 from cn) — cable moves LEFT on RS
  // = T4B (sl 2 to cn hold back, k2, p2 from cn)
  \\ = T4F (sl 2 to cn hold front, p2, k2 from cn)
  -- = p on RS (part of rev St st background)
  == = k on WS (part of rev St st background)

SIMPLIFIED CHART (using text symbols):
Each row shows 40 stitches. "·" = purl on RS (background). Cables shown as letter pairs.

         ← RS reading direction (right to left) →
St#:  40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1

R16:   · [C4B] · · · [T3F] · · · · · · · · · [T3B] · · · [C4F] · · · [T3F] · · · · · · · · · [T3B] ·
R15:   · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·   (WS: all p knit background)
R14:   · · [T3B] · · · · · [T3F] · · · · · [T3B] · · · · · [T3F] · · [T3B] · · · · · [T3F] · · · · · [T3B] · · · · · [T3F] ·
```

> ⚠️ **Full written instructions are provided below in the PATTERN section and are the primary reference.** The chart serves as a visual guide. Due to the complexity of 40-stitch traveling cable notation in ASCII format, the written row-by-row instructions are complete and definitive.

**Chart B — Schematic Diamond Diagram (one 40-st × 16-row repeat, simplified):**

```
Row 16: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · [CENTER] · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
Row 15: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
Row 14: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
Row 13: · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · ·
Row 12: · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · ·
Row 11: · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · ·
Row 10: · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · ·
Row  9: · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · ·
Row  8: · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · ·
Row  7: · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · ·
Row  6: · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · ·
Row  5: · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · ·
Row  4: · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · ·
Row  3: · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · ·
Row  2: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
Row  1: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · K·K · · · · · K·K · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

K·K = 2 knit sts (traveling cable pair)  ·  = purl (background)
Diamonds expand outward rows 1–8, contract inward rows 9–16
```

---

## PATTERN

### Setup: Cast On

Using US 8 / 5.0 mm needle, **cast on 172 stitches** using a long-tail cast on or cable cast on.

> **Stitch count at cast on: 172 sts** ✓
> Layout: 8 + 24 + 4 + 24 + 6 + 40 + 6 + 24 + 4 + 24 + 8 = 172 ✓

---

### Setup Row (WS — place markers):

*Work as follows, placing markers (pm) at each boundary:*

**(p1, k1) 4 times** [8 seed sts], pm,
**p24** [Honeycomb panel A], pm,
**k4** [rev St st divider], pm,
**p24** [Honeycomb panel B], pm,
**k6** [rev St st divider], pm,
**p40** [Diamond Lozenge center panel], pm,
**k6** [rev St st divider], pm,
**p24** [Honeycomb panel C], pm,
**k4** [rev St st divider], pm,
**p24** [Honeycomb panel D], pm,
**(k1, p1) 4 times** [8 seed sts].

> **Stitch count check: 8 + 24 + 4 + 24 + 6 + 40 + 6 + 24 + 4 + 24 + 8 = 172 sts** ✓

---

### SEED STITCH BORDER (8 sts each side)

*The 8 border stitches at each edge are worked in seed stitch throughout. Because the total border count is even (8 sts), work as follows:*

- **RS rows:** (k1, p1) 4 times across 8 border sts
- **WS rows:** (k1, p1) 4 times across 8 border sts

> *Seed stitch on an even number of stitches: on RS, begin k1, p1; on WS, begin k1, p1 — this maintains the offset that creates seed texture.*

---

### REVERSE STOCKINETTE DIVIDERS

- **RS rows:** Purl all divider stitches
- **WS rows:** Knit all divider stitches

---

### HONEYCOMB CABLE PANELS (Panels A, B, C, D — 24 sts each)

Work **Chart A** (see Charts section) over each 24-stitch Honeycomb panel.

**Written Instructions for Chart A (8-row repeat, worked over 24 sts = 3 repeats of 8):**

**Row 1 (RS):** *K24.*
**Row 2 (WS):** *P24.*
**Row 3 (RS):** *[C4F, C4B] 3 times.* (= 24 sts)
> *Row 3 detail: \*Sl 2 to cn hold front, k2, k2 from cn; sl 2 to cn hold back, k2, k2 from cn; rep from \* twice more.*
**Row 4 (WS):** *P24.*
**Row 5 (RS):** *K24.*
**Row 6 (WS):** *P24.*
**Row 7 (RS):** *[C4B, C4F] 3 times.* (= 24 sts)
> *Row 7 detail: \*Sl 2 to cn hold back, k2, k2 from cn; sl 2 to cn hold front, k2, k2 from cn; rep from \* twice more.*
**Row 8 (WS):** *P24.*

*Repeat Rows 1–8 for Honeycomb Cable pattern.*

> **Note on Row 3 vs Row 7:** Row 3 begins with C4F (creating a right-leaning "V" at the top of each cell), Row 7 begins with C4B (creating the bottom of the "V"). Together they form the closed honeycomb cells. Always begin the 8-stitch group with the correct cable to maintain the offset pattern.

---

### DIAMOND LOZENGE CENTER PANEL (40 sts)

*The Diamond Lozenge is worked in reverse stockinette (purl background on RS) with pairs of knit stitches that travel outward from center to form expanding diamonds, then return inward. Two diamonds sit side by side across the 40 stitches, with a central purl column between them.*

*The 40 stitches are divided as follows: 20 sts for left diamond | 20 sts for right diamond*
*Each 20-stitch diamond: 1 rev St st edge + 2 traveling knit sts expanding outward + 14 background purls + 2 traveling knit sts contracting + 1 rev St st edge*

**Written Instructions for Chart B (16-row repeat, worked over 40 sts):**

For clarity, stitches are labeled 1–40 left to right as they sit on the needle (as worked on RS from right to left, so st 40 is worked first on RS rows).

**Notation used:**
- **p** = purl (background, RS)
- **k** = knit (traveling cable sts, RS)
- **T3B** = sl 1 to cn hold back; k2; p1 from cn [cable pair moves 1 st to the right on RS]
- **T3F** = sl 2 to cn hold front; p1; k2 from cn [cable pair moves 1 st to the left on RS]

> *On WS rows: purl all knit sts (the traveling cable pairs); knit all purl sts (the background).*

---

*The 40-stitch panel contains **two 20-stitch mirrored diamond units** (sts 1–20 = right diamond; sts 21–40 = left diamond). Within each 20-stitch unit, a pair of knit stitches travels outward from the center column (between sts 10–11 for the right unit, between sts 30–31 for the left unit) for 8 rows, then returns inward for 8 rows to complete one diamond.*

*For the full blanket, two diamonds sit across the panel, creating a repeating diamond chain vertically.*

**ROW-BY-ROW WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS:**

**Foundation placement (first pass through rows 1–16 establishes first set of diamonds):**

**Row 1 (RS):** P9, T3B, T3F, p18, T3B, T3F, p9.
> *(Right unit: p9, T3B over sts 10–12, T3F over sts 11–13, p7... — see full breakdown below)*

---

> **DETAILED ROW-BY-ROW for 40-stitch Diamond Lozenge Panel:**
> The two 20-stitch halves are mirror images. Instructions given for all 40 sts together.

**Row 1 (RS):**
P9, T3B (sl 1 to cn hold back, k2, p1 from cn), T3F (sl 2 to cn hold front, p1, k2 from cn), p16, T3B, T3F, p9.
*[Background: p9 | Diamond point opens | p16 gap | Diamond point opens | p9]*
*Stitch count: 9 + 3 + 3 + 16 + 3 + 3 + 9 = **46?** — recalculate:*

> ⚠️ **Technical note:** T3B and T3F each consume 3 stitches. Two T3B/T3F pairs = 4 cables × 3 sts = 12 sts in cables. Remaining background = 40 – 12 = 28 sts. Distributed as 9 + 7 (between paired cables) + 16 – adjustment needed.

*Let me distribute correctly for 40 sts with two diamond centers at positions 10–11 and 30–31:*

---

**CORRECTED Diamond Lozenge Row Instructions:**

*Panel of 40 stitches. Diamond centers at the join between sts 10 & 11 (right diamond) and sts 30 & 31 (left diamond). The traveling knit pairs begin adjacent to center and move outward (away from center) on rows 1–8, then inward on rows 9–16.*

*Each T3B = 3 stitches consumed; each T3F = 3 stitches consumed.*

**Row 1 (RS):** P9, T3B, p2, T3F, p6, T3B, p2, T3F, p9.
*(9 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 6 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 9 = **40 sts** ✓)*
*[Two knit pairs sit at center of each diamond, beginning to diverge.]*

**Row 2 (WS):** K9, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k9.
*(9 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 9 = **36?**)*

> The WS row reflects only the non-cable stitches since T3B/T3F have already been worked on RS. On WS, you simply purl the knit stitches and knit the purl stitches as they present.

**WS ROW RULE for Diamond Lozenge:** On every WS row, knit all stitches that were purled on the previous RS row; purl all stitches that were knit on the previous RS row (i.e., work all stitches as they appear — purl the knits, knit the purls).

---

**FULL 16-ROW REPEAT — Diamond Lozenge (40 sts):**

*(On WS rows: work stitches as they appear — p the k sts, k the p sts)*
*(Cable crosses occur on RS rows only)*
*(Each RS row instruction covers all 40 stitches)*

**Row 1 (RS):** P9, T3B, p2, T3F, p6, T3B, p2, T3F, p9. **[40 sts]** ✓
> *(9+3+2+3+6+3+2+3+9 = 40)*

**Row 2 (WS):** Work sts as they appear (k the p sts, p the k sts).

**Row 3 (RS):** P8, T3B, p4, T3F, p4, T3B, p4, T3F, p8. **[40 sts]** ✓
> *(8+3+4+3+4+3+4+3+8 = 40)*

**Row 4 (WS):** Work sts as they appear.

**Row 5 (RS):** P7, T3B, p6, T3F, p2, T3B, p6, T3F, p7. **[40 sts]** ✓
> *(7+3+6+3+2+3+6+3+7 = 40)*

**Row 6 (WS):** Work sts as they appear.

**Row 7 (RS):** P6, T3B, p8, T3F, T3B, p8, T3F, p6. **[40 sts]** ✓
> *(6+3+8+3+3+8+3+6 = 40)* — *The two cables from the right diamond's outer leg and the left diamond's outer leg meet at center with no gap.*

**Row 8 (WS):** Work sts as they appear.

**Row 9 (RS):** P6, T3F, p8, T3B, T3F, p8, T3B, p6. **[40 sts]** ✓
> *(6+3+8+3+3+8+3+6 = 40)* — *Cables begin to turn inward.*

**Row 10 (WS):** Work sts as they appear.

**Row 11 (RS):** P7, T3F, p6, T3B, p2, T3F, p6, T3B, p7. **[40 sts]** ✓
> *(7+3+6+3+2+3+6+3+7 = 40)*

**Row 12 (WS):** Work sts as they appear.

**Row 13 (RS):** P8, T3F, p4, T3B, p4, T3F, p4, T3B, p8. **[40 sts]** ✓
> *(8+3+4+3+4+3+4+3+8 = 40)*

**Row 14 (WS):** Work sts as they appear.

**Row 15 (RS):** P9, T3F, p2, T3B, p6, T3F, p2, T3B, p9. **[40 sts]** ✓
> *(9+3+2+3+6+3+2+3+9 = 40)*

**Row 16 (WS):** Work sts as they appear.

*Repeat Rows 1–16 for Diamond Lozenge pattern.*

> **Visual result:** Each 16-row repeat produces two complete diamonds side by side across the 40-stitch panel. Diamonds are approximately 4" wide × 2.75" tall (before blocking), forming a vertical chain of interlocking lozenges.

---

### WORKING THE FULL BLANKET ROW

**RS Row (worked right to left):**
Seed 8 | sm | Chart A Row __ over 24 sts | sm | P4 | sm | Chart A Row __ over 24 sts | sm | P6 | sm | Chart B Row __ over 40 sts | sm | P6 | sm | Chart A Row __ over 24 sts | sm | P4 | sm | Chart A Row __ over 24 sts | sm | Seed 8

**WS Row (worked left to right):**
Seed 8 | sm | Chart A Row __ over 24 sts | sm | K4 | sm | Chart A Row __ over 24 sts | sm | K6 | sm | Chart B Row __ over 40 sts | sm | K6 | sm | Chart A Row __ over 24 sts | sm | K4 | sm | Chart A Row __ over 24 sts | sm | Seed 8

> **Tracking tip:** Use a separate row counter or mark your pattern to track both Chart A (8-row repeat) and Chart B (16-row repeat) simultaneously. Note that Chart A completes two full repeats in the same number of rows as one Chart B repeat.

---

### LENGTH

**Work until blanket measures approximately 60" (152 cm) from cast-on edge,** ending with Row 8 of Chart A AND Row 16 of Chart B so both patterns end at a natural repeat boundary.

> **Row count:** At 24 rows/4" = 6 rows/inch. 60" × 6 rows = **360 rows** total (approximately).
> 360 rows ÷ 8 (Chart A repeat) = 45 complete repeats of Chart A ✓
> 360 rows ÷ 16 (Chart B repeat) = 22.5 repeats — adjust to 352 rows (22 complete Chart B repeats) or 368 rows (23 complete Chart B repeats), ending at Row 8 of Chart A and Row 16 of Chart B simultaneously.
> **Recommended:** Work 352 rows (59" / ~150 cm) for a clean finish on both charts, or 368 rows (61" / ~155 cm). Verify with your actual gauge swatch.

---

## BORDER

The **8-stitch seed stitch borders** are worked throughout (integrated into every row as described above). No separate picked-up border is required.

**Top and Bottom Borders** are created by working additional seed stitch rows at the beginning and end:

### Bottom Border
After cast-on, work **10 rows of full-width seed stitch** before beginning the panel pattern:

- **Row 1 (WS — first row after cast-on):** *(K1, p1) across all 172 sts.* *(Begin WS with K1 for seed alignment.)*
- **Rows 2–10:** *(K1, p1) across, alternating start stitch each row to maintain seed texture.*

> **Seed stitch on 172 sts (even number):** RS rows: (k1, p1) across. WS rows: (k1, p1) across. This creates true seed stitch (each stitch offset from the row below) on an even stitch count. ✓

### Top Border
When blanket body is complete, work **10 rows of full-width seed stitch:**
- Rows 1–10: (K1, p1) across all 172 sts, maintaining seed alignment as above.

### Bind Off
Using US 7 / 4.5 mm needle (one size down for a firmer edge), bind off **loosely in pattern** (knit the knit sts, purl the purl sts as established in seed stitch).

> **Tip:** Use a stretchy bind off such as the **Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off** or **Russian Bind Off** to ensure the top edge does not draw in relative to the cable body.

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### Optional Decorative Border (Crochet Edging)
If a finished frame is desired, work one round of single crochet (sc) around all 4 edges after blocking, working 3 sc into each corner stitch.

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## FINISHING

### Weaving In Ends
Before blocking, weave in all yarn ends using a tapestry needle. Work ends in a diagonal direction through the purl bumps of the reverse stockinette dividers or within cable purl backgrounds for invisibility. Secure by splitting the plies of the yarn for extra hold.

### Blocking — ESSENTIAL

> **Do not skip blocking.** Cables will be stiff and narrow until blocked. Blocking transforms the fabric, opening the texture and bringing the diamonds and honeycomb cells into crisp definition.

**Recommended method: Steam Blocking**

1. Lay the blanket flat on a blocking mat or clean carpet.
2. Using rust-proof pins, pin the blanket to the target dimensions: **44" wide × 60" long** (or your preferred finished size). Pin at 2–3" intervals along all edges, gently stretching the width to open the cables.
3. Hold a steam iron or garment steamer **2–3" above the surface** (do NOT press the iron directly onto cables — this crushes the texture permanently).
4. Steam in sections, working from the center outward.
5. Allow to **dry completely** (4–6 hours minimum, or overnight) before removing pins.

**Alternative: Damp Blocking**
Soak blanket in lukewarm water for 20 minutes. Roll in towels to remove excess water (do not wring). Pin to dimensions and allow to air dry completely.

> **Important:** Over-wet-blocking cables will relax them and reduce their height. Steam or damp blocking is preferred over full wet immersion for cable-dominant projects.

### Final Check
- All ends securely woven in ✓
- Blanket pinned and blocked to dimensions ✓
- Stitch markers removed ✓
- Fabric dried completely before use or gifting ✓

### Optional Embellishments
- **Corner tassels:** Cut 20 strands of yarn, 12" long, fold in half, and attach at each corner through the corner cast-on/bind-off stitch. Trim to 5".
- **Fringe:** Cut strands 16" long and attach every 4 sts along cast-on and bind-off edges.
- **No embellishment:** The blanket is equally beautiful as a clean-finished piece.

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## QUICK REFERENCE — AT A GLANCE

| | |
|---|---|
| **Cast on** | 172 sts |
| **Needle** | US 8 / 5.0 mm |
| **Yarn** | ~1,600 yards worsted weight |
| **Gauge** | 18 sts × 24 rows = 4" in Honeycomb pattern |
| **Finished size** | ~44" × 60" after blocking |
| **Chart A repeat** | 8 rows × 24 sts |
| **Chart B repeat** | 16 rows × 40 sts |
| **Total rows** | ~352–368 rows |
| **Border** | 10 rows seed st top and bottom; 8 sts seed each side (integrated) |

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*Pattern: Woven Shadows Afghan. Designed for advanced knitters. Please read all notes before beginning.*

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