The holidays might be over for the year, but that doesn’t mean that the winter weather is going away any time soon! This time of year, just after the new year, is actually when we both do and use the most knitting.
If you ask us, it’s the perfect time for staying in and curling up under a blanket or afghan that you made previously, while you watch a movie and use your favourite yarn crafting skills to make yourself a new one! That’s why we’ve been keeping our eyes peeled for awesome new afghan knitting patterns that we’ve never tried before.
Beautiful Knitted Afghan Patterns
Are you feeling just as enthusiast as we are about the idea of making a new winter afghan in a pattern you’ve never tried before? Then check out these 15 fantastic ideas, designs, and tutorials that we’ve come across so far in our search for inspiration and guidance!
1. Stormy Weather blanket
Are you a little bit of a beginner to the world of knitting but you’re still feeling very determined to knit yourself an entire blanket, even though you’d still like to keep things simple? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how the Stormy Weather blanket from Bernat Design Team was made. It’s done in a bulkier yarn that helps you knit it up with a little more speed, and you’ll be working in a straight forward garter stitch to keep things beginner-friendly.
2. Slip Stitch Sampler afghan
Are you slightly more advanced in your knitting skills and also the kind of person who adores patterns that have the most possible visual pattern, texture, and interesting stitching involved? In that case, we have a feeling you’ll love this Slip Stitch Sampler afghan from Lion Brand that’s packed with all of the above! You’ll get colour work, changes in direction for interesting construction, and all kinds of stitching patterns all based around the simple slip stitch.
3. Grandma’s Favourite Holiday afghan
Well, we know we’ve just talked about how the holidays are over, but you can never be too prepared for next year, right? Actually, if we’re be honest, we couldn’t help including this pattern from Patons called Grandma’s Favourite Holiday afghan because the moment we looked at it, our minds started wandering with all of the different colour possibilities that would look just as impressive and exciting as the original holiday theme!
4. Winter Dance afghan
Did we really catch your attention when we started talking about the idea of making a blanket or afghan that involves all kinds of interesting stitch patterns because you’re a total texture enthusiast but none of the things you’ve seen so far have caught your eye because you’re just not sure you want so much colour swapping involved? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Fifty Four Ten Studio made this lovely Winter Dance afghan pattern!
5. Chunky Checks baby blanket
Have you actually been scrolling through our list hoping to find the perfect pattern for a friend or family member who is having a baby and you not you want something warm and wintery like these but you’d prefer a more classic baby blanket size? In that case, we think you might get along a little better with something like this Chunky Cheeks baby blanket pattern from Blueberry Barn, especially if you’re still feeling intrigued by the idea of involving lots of stitch variation and pattern texture.
6. Horseshoe Cable blanket
Ever since we first learned how to knit, cabling has been one of our very favourite techniques to do, no matter the pattern. We’re a little bit picky about how the cables look when they’re done on such a large scale, however, so we don’t always have easy luck finding cable knit blanket patterns we really love. This beautiful pattern from Bernat called the Horseshoe Cable blanket is an exception!
7. Snuggly Chunky Cable blanket
Did we really pique your interest when we started talking about blankets that involve cabling patterns but you’re just not sure that the design above is really the one for you? Then here’s another beautiful option for your consideration! This Snuggly Chunky Cable blanket outlined in clear detail on Daisy Gray Knits is the kind of design that’s actually a lot easier than it looks to do, making it a good second or third large cable project for someone’s who might still be learning.
8. Laurie blanket
Are you still interested in the idea of visual pattern made from stitch texture but you’re also hoping for something a little more subtle and minimalist looking at the same time? Then look no further, because this pattern from Kiku Knits might just have what you need! The Laurie blanket is a simple stitch pattern that gives you monochrome raised chevron stripes.
9. The Boulevard blanket
Are you a beginner who did really enjoy the idea of making a garter stitch blanket but you also can’t help wondering whether it’s time to introduce at least a little stitching pattern into your work? In that case, we think you might actually get along quite well indeed with this pattern from Fifty Four Ten Studio called The Boulevard blanket that shows you how to make simple striped sections with a single stitch variation.
10. Festive Star afghan
Just like we said with the previous holiday themed blanket we showed you; the best part of this lovely design for us is its impressive star shape and striping pattern, and we think it’d look amazing in all kinds of different colour schemes than just this Christmas design! Get the full details for making this Festive Star afghan from Bernat.
11. Super Chunky Cable throw
Are you a total cables lover like we talked about before but you also have a strong preference for smaller, more concentrated cables? Personally, we like doing them the most when the pattern makes wide cables that look chunky but the yarn itself and the stitches that make up the cables are more delicate. That’s exactly the kind of thing this pattern from Ladyship Designs, called the Super Chunky Cable throw, features!
12. Pine Island blanket
Are you actually still scrolling through our list looking for a smaller baby blanket pattern that will be both warm enough for winter and small enough for a baby, but you’re looking for even more detailed stitching patterns than the one you saw above? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at this design outlined in wonderfully clear detail on Craftsy!
13. Fabriana Winter blanket
Maybe you’re working hard to advance past the beginning stages of knitting and into more detailed stitching patterns, but you’re really still in a place where knit and purl stitches are the only things you’re feeling super confident about, so you’re still hoping to stick to those? In that case, we’re pretty much convinced that this design from Freya Esme Collection might be the next best step for you! They show you how to make little contrast lines of garter in otherwise solid stockinette in this Fabriana Winter blanket.
14. Winter Wheat girasole
Do you live in the kind of place that stays much more mild in the winter so you’re looking for something that will give you a much lighter finished product, but you’re also very advanced in your knitting skills and not afraid of lace? In that case, we think you just might be the perfect person to give this absolutely stunning Winter Wheat girasole outlined stitch by stitch on Stockinette a try!
15. Cuddly Quick Knit throw blanket
Are you very interested indeed in learning how to do simple colour swapping because you’ve never tried any before but you’re still feeling a little bit intimidated? Then we’d definitely recommend taking a look at how straight forward this Cuddly Quick Knit throw blanket from Mama in A Stitch is! It’s a great way to practice basic striping.
Do you know a fellow avid knitter and DIY enthusiast who has been wanting to knit a nice, cuddly winter afghan for a while now but has been having trouble finding a pattern they really like? Share this post with them to give them a few more lovely options to consider!
