The Golden Ratio is a place where art meets math.
Did You Know?
We find the golden ratio when we divide a line into two parts so that the whole length divided by the long part is also equal to the long part divided by the short part. This ratio is usually rounded to 1:1.618.
How Does it Work?
Shapes and designs created using this ratio are famously aesthetically appealing, so what better place to start for a beautiful wrap or lap blanket than a so-called golden rectangle where the long edge is (as close as we can get in knitting to) 1.618 x the short side? And to demonstrate some of the other fascinating properties of this ratio, how about we construct this by adding together squares?
A golden rectangle with longer side a and shorter side b, when placed adjacent to a square with sides of length a, will produce a similar golden rectangle with longer side a + b and shorter side a.
And to make things even more interesting, the decrease lines at the center of the mitered squares are used to approximate the line of a golden spiral (sorry folks, I couldn’t think of a way to make curved line!).
For a final layer of mathematical deliciousness, color changes are used within each square to mark the division of the line of the edge with the golden ratio (as accurately as one can in knitting)!
Options are provided for 2 sizes and three gauges: the smaller (S) wrap/baby blanket is worked in fingering and the large wrap/lap blanket is worked in either DK (M) or worsted (L).
Yarn
S: Space Cadet Celeste (100% Superwash Merino, 490yds [450m]/100g).
M: Space Cadet Astrid (100% Superwash Merino, 230yds [210m]/100g).
L: Space Cadet Cressida (100% Superwash Merino, 230yds [210m]/100g).
Number of skeins
C1 is also used for the border. The sample (in size S) used the colors in the last column.
| Size | S | M | L | Sample colors (S) |
| C1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | Fat free chocolate |
| C2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Steadfast |
| C3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Look up |
| C4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Feather |
| C5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | Frigia |
| C6 | 1 | 6 | 5 | Fathoms down |
| C7 | 2 | 15 | 13 | Silver |
| C8 | 1 | 11 | 9 | Dark skies |
Needle
S (M, L): US 2 (6, 8) [2.5 (4, 5)mm] circular
Or size needed to obtain gauge.
Gauge
4″ [10cm] in garter stitch after blocking =
S: 28 sts and 57 rows
M: 22 sts and 42 rows
L: 18 sts and 32 rows
Gauge is not critical for this piece but will affect the final overall dimensions and yarn usage.
Size
Note that M and L have the same final measurements.
S (M, L): 46.5 (99, 99)” [118 (251, 251) cm] wide and 29 (63, 63)” [73 (160, 160) cm] deep
Notions
Tapestry needle, stitch marker
Abbreviations
See our standard abbreviations.
Tutorials
Counting when casting on a large number of sts
About the Designer: Elizabeth Felgate
Elizabeth Felgate is an independent designer living in a stone cottage in the UK in rural Wiltshire with eight walnut trees in the garden.
She likes designing from first principles. Many of her patterns feature custom-designed lace patterns or unusual construction methods. She loves aran weight jumpers and airy lace; but is not averse to chunky lace and lightweight sweaters either.
When not knitting, she is a marketing consultant and mother of two.
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