Shifting Dunes Mosaic Knit Blanket Free Pattern

Introducing the Shifting Dunes Mosaic Knit Blanket

Bring a touch of serene, architectural texture to your living space with the Shifting Dunes Mosaic Knit Blanket. This modern, graphic blanket uses the relaxing technique of mosaic knitting to create a stunning, shifting dune-like pattern in a sophisticated palette of soft greys and cream. Perfect for both intermediate knitters looking for a mindful project and adventurous beginners ready to try something new, this pattern produces a large, cozy throw that doubles as a piece of art. The magic of mosaic knitting means you only work with one color per row, making it much simpler than it looks, while the slipped stitches create a beautifully textured, geometric design that appears to move across the fabric.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth and enjoyable knitting experience.

Yarn

Worsted weight (#4) yarn in three colors:

• Color A (Light Grey): 800 yards (Sample uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease in 'Grey Marble')
• Color B (Charcoal): 600 yards (Sample uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease in 'Charcoal')
• Color C (Cream): 400 yards (Sample uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease in 'Fisherman')

Needles & Notions

• US Size 8 (5.0 mm) knitting needles (straight or circular, whichever you prefer for flat knitting)
• Stitch markers (optional, but helpful for marking the 6-stitch borders)
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Scissors

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch, after blocking. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the blanket to reach its finished dimensions of 48 inches wide by 60 inches long.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This blanket is worked flat using mosaic knitting, which involves slipping stitches and working with only one color per row. The pattern creates a geometric, undulating design. Please read through all instructions before beginning.

Abbreviations

• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• Sl: Slip stitch purlwise with yarn in back (wyib) on RS rows, and with yarn in front (wyif) on WS rows.
• CO: Cast on
• BO: Bind off
• Rep: Repeat
• RS: Right Side
• WS: Wrong Side

Pattern Notes

• The blanket is 48 inches wide and 60 inches long.
• The pattern is a 24-row repeat. You will work the repeat 15 times for the main body.
• Always slip stitches as if to purl, with the yarn held on the wrong side of the work (wyib on RS rows, wyif on WS rows). This is crucial for the mosaic effect.
• The pattern is worked over a multiple of 12 stitches + 6. You have 216 stitches, which is 17 repeats of 12 + 12 extra. For this pattern, we will use a 12-stitch repeat with a 6-stitch border on each side.

Border (worked in Color A)

With Color A, CO 216 stitches.

Rows 1-6: Knit all stitches. (This creates a garter stitch border).

Main Body (Mosaic Pattern)

After completing the border, begin the mosaic pattern. Remember to change colors as indicated and always slip stitches purlwise with the yarn held on the wrong side.

Row 1 (RS, Color A): K6 (border), *K1, Sl1, K3, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K3, Sl1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 2 (WS, Color A): K6 (border), *P1, Sl1, P3, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P3, Sl1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 3 (RS, Color B): K6 (border), *Sl1, K1, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K3, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 4 (WS, Color B): K6 (border), *Sl1, P1, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P3, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 5 (RS, Color A): K6 (border), *K3, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K3, Sl1, K1, Sl1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 6 (WS, Color A): K6 (border), *P3, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P3, Sl1, P1, Sl1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 7 (RS, Color B): K6 (border), *Sl1, K3, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K3* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 8 (WS, Color B): K6 (border), *Sl1, P3, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P3* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 9 (RS, Color A): K6 (border), *K1, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K3, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 10 (WS, Color A): K6 (border), *P1, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P3, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 11 (RS, Color B): K6 (border), *Sl1, K1, Sl1, K3, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K1, Sl1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 12 (WS, Color B): K6 (border), *Sl1, P1, Sl1, P3, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P1, Sl1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 13 (RS, Color A): K6 (border), *K2, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K2* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 14 (WS, Color A): K6 (border), *P2, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P2* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 15 (RS, Color B): K6 (border), *Sl1, K1, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K3, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 16 (WS, Color B): K6 (border), *Sl1, P1, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P3, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 17 (RS, Color A): K6 (border), *K3, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K3, Sl1, K1, Sl1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 18 (WS, Color A): K6 (border), *P3, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P3, Sl1, P1, Sl1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 19 (RS, Color B): K6 (border), *Sl1, K3, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K3* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 20 (WS, Color B): K6 (border), *Sl1, P3, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P3* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 21 (RS, Color A): K6 (border), *K1, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K3, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 22 (WS, Color A): K6 (border), *P1, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P3, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 23 (RS, Color B): K6 (border), *Sl1, K1, Sl1, K3, Sl1, K1, Sl1, K1, Sl1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Row 24 (WS, Color B): K6 (border), *Sl1, P1, Sl1, P3, Sl1, P1, Sl1, P1, Sl1* rep from * to * until last 6 sts, K6 (border).

Repeat Rows 1-24 a total of 15 times, or until the blanket measures approximately 56 inches from the cast-on edge.

Final Border (Color A)

Switch back to Color A.

Rows 1-6: Knit all stitches.

BO all stitches loosely. Be careful not to bind off too tightly, as this will affect the edge of your blanket.

Finishing

Weave in all ends securely using a tapestry needle. Block the blanket to the finished dimensions of 48" x 60", pinning out the edges to ensure they are straight and the mosaic pattern lies flat. Allow to dry completely before removing pins. Your Shifting Dunes Mosaic Knit Blanket is now ready to enjoy!