Chic Sheep Dream Intarsia Knit Blanket – Free Modern Colorwork Blanket Pattern

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The Story Behind the Dream Intarsia Knit Blanket

This blanket literally started as a dream.

I told Anne I imagined a blanket that:

• Used all my Chic Sheep colors
• Looked like stained glass
• Featured strong geometric shapes, especially triangles

I knew if anyone could take that chaotic, colorful dream and turn it into a real, knittable design, it was Anne.

She:

• Designed the triangle-based intarsia chart
• Worked out how much yarn each “butterfly” needed
• Knit the sample
• Loved it so much… she knit a second one from the leftover yarn!

It’s one of those projects that perfectly blends math, color, and creativity—and somehow still feels totally snuggly and approachable.

What You’ll Love About the Dream Intarsia Knit Blanket

Relax & Knit
Upgrade to the Printable PDF

Beautifully formatted to print and relax while knitting. The paid pattern includes:

• Stunning Colorwork Design
• Perfect for Relaxing and Learning
• Customizable Colors
• A Show-Stopping Statement Piece:
• Generous Size and Soft Drape
• A Rewarding Finish

Get The Ad-Free PDF

Stunning Colorwork Design: This blanket features beautiful intarsia knitting, allowing you to create bold, colorful blocks of design without the bulk of stranded colorwork. The result? A smooth, polished finish that looks as good on the back as it does on the front.

Perfect for Relaxing and Learning: Whether you’re an experienced knitter or new to intarsia, this project offers the perfect mix of relaxation and skill-building. The color changes keep things interesting, while the larger sections of stockinette stitch provide a soothing, meditative rhythm.

Customizable Colors: Choose a palette that reflects your personal style or home decor. Go bold with vibrant, modern shades, or opt for neutrals and pastels for a timeless, cozy look.

A Show-Stopping Statement Piece: This blanket is more than just a knit—it’s a work of art. Drape it over a couch, fold it at the foot of your bed, or gift it to someone special. The clean lines and modern style make it a statement piece in any room.

Generous Size and Soft Drape: Designed for comfort, the Dream Intarsia Knit Blanket has a generous size that’s perfect for snuggling up on chilly nights. Combined with soft, luxurious yarn, it’s as cozy to use as it is beautiful to look at.

A Rewarding Finish: There’s nothing quite like watching the colorful blocks of this pattern come together as you knit. By the end, you’ll have a stunning, handmade heirloom that you’ll cherish for years to come.

If you’ve been dreaming of a colorwork project that’s approachable, rewarding, and modern, the Dream Intarsia Knit Blanket is the perfect choice for your needles. 🧶✨

Prefer a Printable Version? Get the Ad-Free PDF

If you’re a “paper pattern and highlighter” knitter, the ad-free PDF is going to be your best friend.

The paid PDF pattern includes:

• Beautifully formatted, printer-friendly layout
• Full written instructions, charts, and layout references in one place
• Easy-to-read type and structure for sofa knitting sessions
• Everything you need, without ads or scrolling

You can grab the Dream Knit Intarsia Blanket ad-free PDF here:

• Marly Bird Store (Shopify):
  https://shop.marlybird.com/products/dream-knit-intarsia-blanket-pattern-modern-colorwork-knit-blanket
• Etsy (affiliate):
  https://tidd.ly/4jPLLLS

Use the free blog version to get started, then upgrade to the PDF if you want to keep this pattern in your forever library. 💕

Yarn for the Dream Knit Intarsia Blanket

The original blanket was knit in Chic Sheep by Marly Bird, a 100% merino worsted-weight yarn that had all my heart. That yarn line has since been discontinued (I know. I’m still emotional about it. 😭).

The good news?

You can knit this blanket in almost any worsted-weight (#4) yarn.

If you’re looking for a yarn that behaves similarly to Chic Sheep, try:

• Knit Picks Swish Worsted – soft superwash wool with great stitch definition, a very nice stand-in for Chic Sheep.
  👉 https://tidd.ly/4qL6Zxt

Other great options:

• Wools like Universal Deluxe Worsted or Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash
  👉 https://tidd.ly/3JGXmPK
  👉 https://tidd.ly/4qmTEux
• Wool blends like Berroco Vintage or Caron Simply Me
  👉 https://tidd.ly/46D6pd5
  👉 https://tidd.ly/4qV238y
• Acrylics like Brava, Brava Tweed, Worsted 8 Heathers, or Lion Brand Color Theory
  👉 https://tidd.ly/3Jj67zn
  👉 https://tidd.ly/3X6lWMS
  👉 https://tidd.ly/4oXxtuD
  👉 https://tidd.ly/4bvWmJx

As long as it’s worsted weight and you have enough yardage, you’re good to go.

Important:
For a blanket, gauge matters more for yarn usage and finished size than for fit. If your gauge is looser than Anne’s, you might need more yarn. If it’s tighter, your blanket will be smaller. Swatching helps you plan.

How Much Yarn Do I Really Need?

Originally, this blanket used:

• 3 balls of the border color
• 1 ball each of 23 additional colors

Here’s the fun part:

Anne knit the entire blanket and had enough yarn left over from each ball to knit a second blanket, only needing extra border yarn.

So:

• If you want the full “24-color experience,” one ball of each is plenty generous.
• If you prefer a stash-busting version, you can absolutely use leftovers and scraps in any color story you like.

If you love stash-busting projects, don’t miss:
👉 20 Stash Busting Knitting Patterns: https://marlybird.com/20-stash-busting-knitting-patterns/

Is This a Good First Intarsia Project?

This pattern is a fantastic intarsia project if:

• You’re comfortable with knit, purl, and basic chart reading
• You’re ready to manage multiple yarn sources (butterflies/bobbins)
• You’re excited by color and don’t mind a little bit of organized chaos at your feet

You’ll practice:

• Intarsia links: wrapping old and new colors to avoid holes
• Managing multiple color butterflies without panicking
• Reading a layer chart and a color placement schematic

For a deeper dive into intarsia techniques, I highly recommend:

• Annetarsia Knits: A New Link to Intarsia by Anne Berk
  👉 https://amzn.to/4gx3TY3
  👉 https://bit.ly/Annetarsia-Book

It’s way more than “just” an intarsia book—it’s packed with tips that level up your general knitting skills, too.

Helpful Intarsia Videos from Anne Berk

If you’re a visual learner, these videos are gold:

• Determining yarn amounts for butterflies:
  https://youtu.be/swsoUuKQOes
• Winding butterflies:
  https://youtu.be/P-i2T5IxL3Q
• How to finish perfect intarsia:
  https://youtu.be/hxYe0gNIUww
• How to knit straight intarsia:
  https://youtu.be/hLbfjLV1PIc
• How to bury in ends:
  https://youtu.be/8_NBGUKjO-E

You can work through these before you start, or keep them handy as “campfire support” while you knit.

Dream Intarsia Blanket – Key Measurements & Gauge

Finished Measurement
Blanket measures approximately 55.5″ (141 cm) wide x 52.5″ (133.5 cm) long.

Gauge
20 sts = 4″ (10 cm); 28 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in Layer Chart, after blocking.
CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the gauge.

Even though this isn’t a garment, gauge still matters:

• If your gauge is much larger than Anne’s, you may run out of yarn early.
• If your gauge is much smaller, your blanket will be smaller than the sample.

If you’re using a different yarn and need to calculate yardage, watch Anne’s video on determining yarn amounts:
👉 https://youtu.be/swsoUuKQOes

Materials At a Glance

Yarn (original sample):
Red Heart Chic Sheep by Marly Bird – 100% washable merino, 186 yds per ball.

• 3 balls: Velvet (A) – border color
• 1 ball each: Fairy Tale (B), Dragon Fruit (C), Sangria (D), Vineyard (E), Regal (F), Royal (G), VIP (H), Suite (I), Poolside (J), Crème de Mint (K), Green Tea (L), Polo (M), Lipstick (N), Sunset (O), Mai Tai (P), Mimosa (Q), Stiletto (R), Sterling (S), Platinum (T), Lace (U), Linen (V), Suede (W), Leather (X)
  or approximately 87 yards (79.5 meters) of 23 other colors.

Needles

• US 7 (4.5 mm) 32″ (81 cm) circular needle

Notions

• Stitch markers
• Plastic bags for organizing yarn butterflies
• Yarn needle

Special Techniques & Pattern Notes (Overview)

You’ll find full details further down in the post, but here’s a quick overview:

• Intarsia:
  Each block of color has its own strand. When changing colors, you wrap the old yarn over the new yarn to prevent holes.
• Reading the chart:
  • RS rows are worked right to left
  • WS rows are worked left to right
  • Each row begins and ends with 1 selvedge stitch in the main color.
• Avoiding holes:
  When changing colors:
  • Lay the old color over the new
  • Bring the new color up from below
  • Work the next stitch with the new color
    This “links” the yarns without pulling too tight.
• Managing butterflies:
  • Each full triangle uses about 6 yards (5.5 m)
  • Each half triangle uses about 3 yards (2.75 m)
  • You’ll prepare 312 butterflies at 6 yards and 72 butterflies at 3 yards.
  • Keep butterflies in bags by “layer” so you don’t get overwhelmed.

All of the detailed notes and numbers are already in your existing content—just keep those sections intact below the pattern heading.

Chic Sheep Dream Intarsia Knit Blanket – Free Pattern

Now for the good part—the free pattern!

Use this blog version if you’re happy scrolling, or snag the ad-free PDF if you want everything in a tidy, printable format.

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES

INTARSIA

Intarsia is a method of color knitting that uses a new strand of yarn for each block of color. When changing colors, the yarn strands must be wrapped in a way to prevent a gap.

Knit Row: Knit to the color change, behind the work, bring old color yarn (the color you just finished using) over the new yarn to the left and bring the new yarn up from below on the right, then continue to knit with the new color.

Purl Row: Purl to the color change, in front of the work, bring old color yarn over the new yarn to the left and bring the new yarn up from below on the right, then continue to purl with the new color.

GET THE BOOK! Hey, it’s Marly. I want to highly recommend that you grab the Annetarsia book by Anne Berk. It is an amazing book and you will not be disappointed in it at all. It is so much more than a book about intarsia knitting. There are lessons in there that will really improve your general knitting as well. Order if from Amazon or directly from Anne. Simply click the links.

For more information and patterns, check out  “Annetarsia Knits: A New Link to Intarsia (available at www.annetarsia.com)

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PATTERN NOTES

When adding any new yarn: always leave a 5” end, which will anchor the stitch and give you enough yarn to adjust tension and bury the end, in finishing. Add yarn within 1 st from the link, for ease in finishing.

How to read the chart: Chart rows are worked from right to left on RS rows and left to right on WS rows. Each row begins and ends with 1 st MC selvedge.

Avoid holes when knitting intarsia: To link between motifs, lay the old color over the new color, then work the next stitch with the new color to link the old yarn gently with the new color yarn. Do not overtighten, as the link and stitches need room to breathe.

When 3 colors come together and one will not be used lay both the old and the unused color over the new piece of yarn, then make the stitch with the new color, locking in the other 2 colors, which will be in position to be worked on the next row.

Keep control of the butterflies: When yarn supplies tangle, first pull the loose strands of AC away. As you knit, the yarn butterflies will get smaller and can also be converted to loose strands. ALL yarn supplies can be converted to loose strands if you choose, you will just need to add new yarn more often. As you practice, you will gain confidence and the butterflies will become faster and easier to use. Using smaller lengths of yarn in the beginning might be less stressful, and your fabric will be just fine, so don’t hesitate to try that method.

• Each full triangle uses 6 yards (5.5 meters), and each half triangle uses 3 yards (2.75 meters).
• While working the Layer Chart, choose the color bobbins in the order as shown in the Layer Diagram, or choose them randomly as follows: There are 25 full triangles and 2 half triangles per layer. On each layer, work each of the 24 colors once, then choose random colored bobbins for the extra full triangle and the 2 half triangles. Arrange the colors in order so they are randomly dispersed in relation to the colors on the previous layers. There will be a few bobbins of color leftover when the blanket is finished.
• On each row, as each color is changed, use the intarsia method to prevent any gaps from forming between colors.
• 312 yarn bobbins (butterflies) 6 yd lengths
• 72 yarn bobbins (butterflies) 3 yd lengths

More Intarsia Patterns from Marly Bird

Loved this blanket and want more intarsia in your life? You’ll also like:

• Chic Highland Argyle Cardigan – a stunning argyle cardigan designed by Anne Berk, using intarsia in sweater form.
  👉 https://marlybird.com/free-knitting-patterns/perfect-argyle-knit-cardigan-pattern-chic-highland-argyle/

Keep an eye on MarlyBird.com for more intarsia-friendly designs and colorwork fun.

Crochet Sister Pattern – Day Dream C2C Crochet Blanket

If you’re BiCrafty (or intarsia feels like too big of a leap right now), check out the crochet sister to this blanket:

• Day Dream C2C Crochet Blanket – Free Crochet Chic Sheep Blanket
  This version also uses all 24 colors of Chic Sheep and is worked in corner-to-corner crochet.
  👉 https://marlybird.com/blog/day-dream-c2c-crochet-blanket-free-colorful-throw-pattern/

It’s a great way to play with the same color palette using a completely different technique.

FAQ – Chic Sheep Dream Intarsia Knit Blanket

Do I need prior intarsia experience to knit this blanket?
Not necessarily, but it helps to be a confident knitter first. If you’re comfortable with knit/purl and ready to learn, the combination of the chart, notes, and videos makes this a solid intarsia “first big project.”

Can I use fewer colors or just stash yarn?
Absolutely. You can:

• Use fewer colors and repeat them across the triangles
• Combine leftover worsted-weight yarns for a scrappy version
• Stick to a limited palette (like neutrals with one bright accent)

Just remember to match the yarn weight (worsted) and aim for a usable gauge so your triangle shapes and overall size stay pleasing.

How important is gauge for this blanket?
Gauge is important for:

• Yardage – looser gauge = more yarn used
• Finished size – tighter gauge = smaller blanket

It doesn’t have to be exact down to the last stitch, but getting close means your result will be similar to the sample, and you’re less likely to run out of yarn.

Is this blanket portable? Can I work on it in sections?
It’s a full-size blanket, so it’s not the most portable project once you’ve got a lot of fabric on your needles. You can, however, work on shorter sessions, one “layer” of triangles at a time, and keep your butterflies organized in project bags.

Final Thoughts

The Chic Sheep Dream Intarsia Knit Blanket is one of those projects that really lives up to its name—it started as a dream, turned into a design challenge, and became a beloved, modern heirloom.

It’s:

• A color lover’s playground
• A huge confidence booster if you’re new to intarsia
• A perfect excuse to dive into your stash or treat yourself to new yarn

However you choose to knit it—faithfully following Anne’s color layout or creating a completely custom palette—I hope this blanket brings you as much joy as it’s brought to us.

Now grab your yarn, wind those butterflies, and let’s knit something unforgettable. 🧶💗

❤️ Your BiCrafty Bestie,
Marly Bird