Holly Days Throw

This heirloom-quality throw will be a treasured holiday addition with its lacy lattice pattern and holly embellishments.

Design by Posey Salem

Skill Level

Intermediate

Finished Size

Approx. 45 x 55 inches

Materials

Plymouth Galway Chunky 100 percent wool bulky weight yarn (123 yds/100g per ball): 15 balls off-white #1 (A)
Plymouth Galway Worsted 100 percent wool medium weight yarn (210 yds/100g per ball): 1 ball each red #16 (B) and green #17 (C)
Size 8 (5mm) straight needles
Size 10 (6mm) 40-inch circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Straight pins
Sewing needle
Off-white sewing thread

Gauge

15 1/2 sts and 27 rows = 4 inches/10cm in Seed St with larger needles and A.
To save time, take time to check gauge.

Special Abbreviation

Inc (Increase): Inc 1 by knitting in front and back of st.

Pattern Stitches

A. Seed St (odd number of sts)

Row 1: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end.

Rep Row 1 for pat.

B. Lattice 'n' Lace (multiple of 8 sts + 3)

Row 1 (RS): K1, *k2tog, k1, yo, k1, ssk, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl.

Row 3: *K2tog, k1, [yo, k1] twice, ssk; rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.

Row 5: K2, *yo, k3, yo, k1, ssk, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 7: K4, *k2tog, k1, yo, k1, ssk, k2; rep from * to last 7 sts, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, ssk, k1.

Row 9: K3, *k2tog, k1, [yo, k1] twice, ssk; rep from * to end.

Row 11: K2, *k2tog, k1, yo, k3, yo, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 12: Purl.

Rep Rows 1–12 for pat.

Pattern Notes

Afghan is worked back and forth in rows; circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of sts.

The st count of the lace pat increases and decreases on certain rows; sts should be counted after Rows 5, 6, 11 and 12 only.

Throw

Bottom Border

With larger needles and A, cast on 173 sts.

Work in Seed St for 22 rows.

Next row (WS): Work 11 sts in Seed St, purl to last 11 sts inc 4 sts evenly across, work 11 sts in Seed St. (177 sts)

Side Borders & Lattice 'n' Lace Pat

Next row (RS): Work 11 sts in Seed St, place marker, work 19 reps Row 1 of Lattice 'n' Lace, place marker, work 11 sts in Seed St.

Continue in established pat until piece measures 51 inches from beg, ending with a RS row.

Top Border

Next row (WS): Work 11 sts in Seed St, purl to last 11 sts, dec 4 sts evenly across, work 11 sts in Seed St. (173 sts)

Work in Seed St for 23 rows.

Bind off.

Holly Embellishment

Leaves

Make 14

With smaller needles and C, cast on 3 sts.

Row 1 (RS): Inc, k1, inc. (5 sts)

Row 2, 4, 6, 8 (WS): Purl.

Row 3: K2, yo, k1, yo, k2. (7 sts)

Row 5: K3, yo, k1, yo, k3. (9 sts)

Row 7: K4, yo, k1, yo, k4. (11 sts)

Row 9: Bind off 3 sts (1 st rem on RH needle), [k1, yo] twice, k5. (10 sts)

Row 10: Bind off 3 sts, purl to end. (7 sts)

Row 11: K3, yo, k1, yo, k3. (9 sts)

Rows 12 and 14: Purl.

Row 13: K4, yo, k1, yo, k4. (11 sts)

Row 15: Bind off 3 sts, knit to end. (8 sts)

Row 16: Bind off 3 sts, purl to end. (5 sts)

Row 17: Ssk, k1, k2tog. (3 sts)

Row 18: Sl 1, p2tog, psso. (1 st)

Fasten off, weave in ends, and block flat.

Berries

Make 22

With smaller needles and B, cast on 3 sts, leaving a 12-inch tail.

Row 1: Inc, k1, inc. (5 sts)

Rows 2, 4, 6: Purl.

Row 3: Inc, k3, inc. (7 sts)

Row 5 and 7: Knit.

Row 8: [P2tog] 3 times, k1. (4 sts)

Row 9: [K2tog] twice. (2 sts)

Bind off.

Turn berries inside out so that the purl side is showing. Use the cast-on tail and tapestry needle to sew and gather sides tog into a ball shape. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Finishing

Block throw to finished measurements to open up the lace sts.

Arrange holly leaves and berries along top and bottom borders of throw (see photographs). Pin in place. Using the sewing thread and needle, tack holly in place using an invisible st.