Dream Intarsia Knit Blanket || Free Afghan Pattern
My wonderful friend and talented designer Anne Berk made this amazing Chic Sheep Dream Intarsia Knit Blanket – a colorwork knit blanket using the intarsia knitting technique and all 24 colors of the Chic Sheep by Marly Bird™ yarn. Each row of the blanket randomly uses all 24 colors of Chic Sheep. Not only is this a great way to try out all of the colors in the collection but it is the perfect way to use up your ends from other projects you are making with Chic Sheep.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of these links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the content and free patterns I provide here on MarlyBird.com. Thank you for your support—it means the world to me! 💖
MY CHIC SHEEP DREAM INTARSIA KNIT BLANKET
When I had a dream about this blanket I knew that Annetarsia was the person to turn my intarsia blanket dream into a reality. I called her up and told her all about my dream of a blanket in all my yarn colors that looked like a stained glass window with triangles. Anne loved the idea and took it from there. She designed it, made it, and loved it so much she made one for herself!!!!
DREAM INTO INTARSIA BLANKET REALITY
Anne used a simple triangle pattern to make the blanket and made it in random colors for each each section of triangles. She did this by first calculating how many yards of yarn each butterfly should have in each color by doing some math <learn how to do that here>. Then, making the yarn butterflies and putting 1 butterfly for each color in a plastic bag.
As she worked on each section of triangles, she then randomly selecting one color out of the bag for each triangle of the row making this truly a random colored pattern.
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: 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. 🧶✨
HOW MUCH YARN?
Although some may think purchasing one ball of each color is a lot of yarn to get, but let me help a little here. One of the great things about this pattern is that it can be your go to pattern as you continue to make other patterns with Chic Sheep. Each time you make a pattern and have some left over yarn, save it and then you can make this blanket with your extras.
Also, it is important to note that Anne made this entire blanket and had yarn left over with just one ball of each color for the body of the afghan to make another blanket! That’s right, I mentioned that Anne made two of these blankets and she did it with the yarn remaining from each ball of color she used on the first blanket. The only color she needed to buy more of was the border color.
That also means this is a great stash busting project. Grab those scraps of yarn you have and get to work. Instead of a mitered square blanket why not make the Chic Sheep Dream Intarsia Knit Blanket? BY THE WAY: did you see all these 20 Stash Busting Knitting Patterns?
Unfortunately, Chic Sheep was discontinued. So, if you can’t get your hands on any, then you might need an alternative. Some perfect yarn substitutions we recommend include:
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
➸Do you need to know how to do intarsia? Not a problem, Anne and I did some instructional videos to help you out in that area.
➸Waiting on a pattern? Okay, here is this blanket pattern or you can check out the Chic Highlander Argyle Cardigan. Both of these patterns are free on the Marly Bird Website.
➸No way, are you waiting on an invitation? Consider this it 🙂
So grab your yarn and let’s get started!
CHIC SHEEP DREAM INTARSIA KNIT BLANKET MEASUREMENTS
FINISHED MEASUREMENT: Blanket Measures 55.5″ (141 cm) in width and 52.5″ (133.5 cm) in length.
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.
Although this is not an item you will wear and gauge is not a crucial element you will still want to check your gauge to the pattern. Checking your gauge to the pattern will tell you if you will have enough yarn. If your gauge is much larger than what Anne got you may run out of yarn before completing the blanket. If your gauge on the other hand is much smaller the finished size of your blanket will not be what Anne got, rather it will also be much smaller.
However, if you are using another yarn and need to calculate if you have enough, follow Anne’s simple steps to figure out how much yarn you need for any knit or crochet project. The full written instructions with pictures are in her book or you can watch the video she and I did here.
CHIC SHEEP DREAM INTARSIA KNIT BLANKET MATERIALS
YARN
Red Heart Chic Sheep by Marly Bird— 100% washable merino wool, 186 yds per ball.
- 3 balls: Velvet Color (A)-used for the border
- 1 ball each: Fairy Tale Color (B), Dragon Fruit Color (C), Sangria Color (D), Vineyard Color (E), Regal Color (F), Royal Color (G), VIP Color (H), Suite Color (I), Poolside Color (J), Creme De Mint Color (K), Green Tea Color (L), Polo Color (M), Lipstick Color (N), Sunset Color (O), Mai Tai Color (P), Mimosa Color (Q), Stiletto Color (R), Sterling Color (S), Platinum Color (T), Lace Color (U), Linen Color (V), Suede Color (W), Leather Color (X), or approximately 87 yards (79.5 meters) of 23 other colors.
NEEDLES
US 4.5mm [US 7] 32″ (81 cm)
NOTIONS
Stitch Markers, plastic bags to put the butterflies in after you prep them, yarn needle
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.
INTARSIA VIDEOS BY ANNE BERK
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
For more information and patterns, check out “Annetarsia Knits: A New Link to Intarsia (available at www.annetarsia.com)
CHIC SHEEP DREAM INTARSIA KNIT BLANKET 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
STITCH PATTERNS
SEED STITCH
(Worked over a multiple of 2 sts + 1)
Row 1: K1, *p1, k1; repeat from * to end.
Repeat row 1 for Seed st.
CHIC SHEEP DREAM INTARSIA KNIT BLANKET PREPARATION
Full disclosure, when Anne was prepping for this blanket she had the help of Lindsey from Erin.Lane Bags and myself. It was so much fun learning from the master how to make these butterfly bobbins in the absolute perfect amounts. Then bundle them up.
Seeing all the colors of yarn in my collection in one bundle was really awesome. Look at these pictures!
Here is what you need to know to prepare for your CHIC SHEEP DREAM INTARSIA KNIT BLANKET.
FULL TRIANGLES: Hold the 24 colors together and measure and cut as a unit to save time. Be careful to maintain a relaxed tension when measuring, or they may be cut too short.
Cut all 24 colors into 6 yard (5.5 meter) lengths and wind each separate length into a yarn bobbin (SEE MARLY’S VIDEO ON YARN BOBBINS). Place each set of 24 yarn bobbins into a separate bag. Make 13 sets, one for each layer of triangles
HALF TRIANGLES: Cut all 24 colors into 3 yard (2.75 meter) lengths and wind onto bobbins. Make 3 sets and place all together into a bag. Use randomly next to each side edging, and to create one or more divided triangle on each layer.
GROW
To Unlock Exclusive Subscriber Content click the Box below and join for free by simply adding your email and creating a password! If you are having troubles, clear your cache or reset your password or login to the Grow Publisher Portal.
I’m thrilled to share this amazing pattern with you, many patterns on my blog are absolutely free! I kindly request that you don’t copy and paste or distribute this pattern. Prefer an ad-free experience? Buy a digital PDF pattern for a small fee from one of my online stores for a seamless crafting journey.
I appreciate your support and readership. You are the reason I can keep doing what I love and sharing it with others. So, thank you from the bottom of my yarn-loving heart! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you.
CHIC SHEEP DREAM INTARSIA KNIT BLANKET CHART
Work 14 rows in Seed st. Bind off all sts in Seed st.
FINISHING
Weave in all loose ends.
Block blanket to measurements.
MORE INTARSIA PATTERNS
Since the original post of this pattern, Anne has made several other patterns for MarlyBird.com
Check out the Chic Highland Argyle Cardigan!
CROCHET VERSION OF THE CHIC SHEEP DREAM INTARSIA KNIT BLANKET
Be sure to take a peek at the Crochet Sister of this blanket. The Chic Sheep Day Dream crochet blanket also uses all 24 colors of Chic Sheep by Marly Bird and is constructed in Corner-to-Corner.
Anne McIelwain says:
I can’t find the chart for the CHIC SHEEP DREAM BLANKET
Martha says:
Is the chart missing? It doesn’t seem to be here.
Gale says:
Making a pattern that doesn’t have a PDF to download is ignorant.
Lisa Ogilvie says:
Actually, the person who leaves a comment like this on a public forum, when a designer has so generously offered a phenomenal pattern is the ignorant one!
Lisa Ogilvie says:
I’ve been looking for the charts for this blanket for a couple of years now, still have not been able to get them.