An update today, November 30, 2012
I've only just noticed the comments on this blanket, and I'd like to apologise to everyone looking for guidance. I originally put in kitchener stitch, but what I meant, when I wrote the pattern, was mattress stitch. I was a newer knitter and I confused the two terms when I published this.
There are also many concerns regarding how "square" the squares are. If you find that your squares are a bit too rectangular, simply add a couple extra rows to the top and bottom of the block and it will evenly square out for you. Every knitter's gauge is different. Modify easily by adding rows. It won't ruin the pattern. Just make sure to add even numbers of rows to the top and bottom of each heart, or to the bottom of any other square.
I hope this cleared up a bit of confusion. If anyone has questions, please contact me on Ravelry as jupe.
Thanks!
Now, back to your regularly scheduled blanket.
Our friends, Joe and Diana, were finally having a baby - a little girl. I decided quickly that I wanted to knit them a baby blanket to keep her warm and cozy. After mulling over the fastest and easiest way to make a blanket, I decided on a series of textured squares, a bulkier yarn, bigger needles, and simple patterns.
The blanket turned out beautifully. It seems to be a reasonably big hit on my Ravelry page, so I've decided to finally make the pattern available for anyone else who wanted to knit one like it.
Recommended yarn:
Estelle Cloud Cotton
Aran / 10 ply 165 yards / 100 grams
Gauge
18 sts = 4 inches on US 8 (5mm) needles
Needles:
1 pair straight US 8 (5mm)
1 Crochet hook size H (5mm) (for border)
Colours: 106 (green), 113 (pink), 115 (white), 118 (turquoise) (1 skein of each colour)
Small amount of yellow yarn for centre of flower
Each square is 22 sts wide and 20 rows deep
Green squares (make 7)
Slip first stitch of every row
Knit 2 rows
Purl 1 row
Knit 1 row
Repeat until finished
Bind off loosely
Pink squares (make 8)
Slip first stitch of every row
Row 1: *K2 P2, *rep to end of row
Row 2: *P2 K2, * rep to end of row
Row 3: *P2 K2, * rep to end of row
Row 4: *K2 P2, * rep to end of row
Repeat until finished
Bind off loosely
Row 1: K
Row 2: P2, *K1 P3, * rep to end of row
Row 3: K
Row 4: P
Row 5: K
Row 6: K1, * P3, K1 * rep to last st, P1
Row 7: K
Row 8: P
Repeat until finished
Bind off loosely
Turquoise squares (make 8)
Slip first stitch of every row
Follow chart as above. On the right side, knit the knits and purl the purls. On WS, purl the knits and knit the purls.
Flower (make 1)
Centre:
With scrap yellow yarn, CO 3 sts
Row 1: Kfb, k1, kfb (5 sts)
Row 2: Pfb, p1, pfb (7 sts)
Row 3: K
Row 4: P
Row 5: K
Row 6: P
Row 7: Ssk, k3, k2tog (5 sts)
Row 8: P2tog through the back of sts, p1, p2tog (3 sts)
BO
Petals (make 5):
With white, CO 3
Row 1: Kfb, k1, kfb (5 sts)
Row 2: Pfb, p1, pfb (7 sts)
Row 3: K
Row 4: P
Row 5: K
Row 6: P
Row 7: K
Row 8: P
Row 9 Ssk, k3, k2tog (5 sts)
Row 10: P2tog through the back of sts, p1, p2tog (3 sts)
BO with long tail, do not cut
Weave in to ends on the back side of the flower
Using whipstitch, sew petals to the centre of the flower
Secure the flower to a pink square.
Finishing
Using Mattress Stitch, sew squares together in the following sequence, making sure each square is the right way up:
Row 1: Pink, Turquoise, White, Green, Pink
Row 2: Turquoise, White, Green, Pink (with flower), Turquoise
Row 3: White, Green, Pink, Turquoise, White
Row 4: Green, Pink, Turquoise, White, Green
Row 5: Pink, Turquoise, White, Green, Pink
When all rows are complete, using size H hook and White, DC every 2 sts around border of entire blanket
Weave in ends
