Blanket #1 of 2011

My most well-known projects are blankets.  This is probably because I take them pretty much everywhere I go, and probably because I've made a number of them.  I love giving them as wedding gifts. (I've actually never knit myself a blanket!)

I've been putting together simple patterns for these for a while, now - this is just the first of the year.  My friends Joel & Beth are getting married on May 20th, and this one is for them.  I'm hoping to be done far sooner than May, though, since next up will be Josh & Arden, who I think are getting married in August.

The pattern is based off of a stitch called "Basket & garter stitch" in Maria Parry-Jones' book "The Knitting Stitch Bible" and is really best read off a chart - but I'll type it up anyway since I'm not quite sure how to draw a chart on the computer.

I'm using Caron's "Simply Soft" yarn for this project - and it's actually my favorite yarn for blankets, since it's so soft and it's a great price when you need a lot of yarn.

So, without further ado:

Joel & Beth's blanket:

Materials: 3 Skeins Caron Simply Soft in Pagoda
                 3 Skeins Caron Simply Soft in Off White
                 Size 9 straight or circular needles

Gauge (approximately): 7sts by 11 rows = 2"  [but really, it doesn't matter for this project]

Make 5 (3 in Pagoda, 2 in Off White)
CO 42 sts.
Row 1: *k7, p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1*, rep from * to end
Row 2: *k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p7*, rep from * to end
Row 3: *p7, p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1*, rep from * to end
Row 4: repeat row 2
Row 5: repeat row 1
Row 6: *k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, k7*, rep from * to end
Row 7: repeat row 1
Row 8: repeat row 2
Row 9: repeat row 3
Row 10: repeat row 2
Row 11: repeat row 1

Row 12: *p7, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1*, rep from * to end
Row 13: *p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1, k7*, rep from * to end
Row 14: *k7, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1*, rep from * to end
Row 15: repeat row 13
Row 16: repeat row 12
Row 17: *p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1, p7*, rep from * to end
Row 18: repeat row 12
Row 19: repeat row 13
Row 20: repeat row 14
Row 21: repeat row 13
Row 22: repeat row 12

Repeat this pattern of 22 rows until the piece measures 60".  BO.

Finishing: Sew the five panels together, alternating colors.  [Possibly: add border?]  Weave in ends.



Here's my work so far!

I've got a long way to go!  But it's moving right along - I started this on Sunday.