Easy baby blanket

Stegs

This blanket came about when afghans for Afghans (http://www.afghansforafghans.org/) was having a drive to get baby items to Afghanistan and I wanted a baby blanket that would be quick, easy and warm. In order to get the most mileage out of my yarn I started with a basic corner to corner “dishcloth;” beginning the decreases when I had used half my yarn. When the blanket was completed, it looked pretty boring, so I played around with edgings and colors until I found the saw tooth border that reminded me of stegosaurus’ spines; and so Stegs was born.

Photo credit [photographer: Michael Harding]

SIZE

one

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
40 X 40 inches, exclusive of edging

MATERIALS

[MC] Naturally Alpine 10 ply (Aran weight) [100% Pure NZ wool; 364 yds/333 m per 200g skein]; color: Shade 2008 Teal; 3 skeins
[CC] Trendsetter yarns Tonalita [52% wool/48% acrylic; 100 yd/91 m per 50g skein]; color: Color # 2376; 2 skeins

1 set US #9/5.5mm double-point needles

32-40-inch US #10.5/6.5mm circular needle to accommodate the large number of stitches

Notions required:

Yarn needle for weaving in ends

GAUGE

14.5 sts/19 rows = 4"(10 cm) in stockinette stitch with MC and larger needle

PATTERN NOTES

I knit the edging right onto the blanket for ease in finishing, but the edging may also be knit separately and sewn on, if preferred.

Always slip stitches as if to purl with yarn in front.

I increase 1 by putting my needle into the loop of the stitch below and knitting that.

PATTERN

Blanket:

With MC and circular needle CO 2 stitches.

Inc 1 stitch in each stitch. (4 sts)

*Slip 1, inc 1, knit to end of row.*

Repeat until there are 182 stitches. (one side will be approx 40 inches.)

*Slip 1, K2tog, knit to end of row.*

Repeat until there are 4 stitches remaining.

(K2tog) twice, slip first stitch over last stitch.

Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitch, fasten securely.

Edging:

With CC and dpns CO 4 stitches.

Row1: Knit, knitting last stitch together with first slipped stitch of blanket at corner.

Row 2: Slip 1, inc 1, knit 3. (5 sts)

Rows 3, 5, 7, 9, & 11: repeat row 1.

Row 4: Slip 1, inc 1, knit4. (6 sts)

Row 6: Slip 1, inc 1, knit 5. (7 sts)

Row 8: Slip 1, inc 1, knit 6. (8 sts)

Row 10: Slip 1, inc 1, knit 7. (9 sts)

Row 12: Slip 1, inc 1, knit 8. (10 sts)

Row 13: Bind off 6, knit 4. (4 sts)

These 13 rows make one point. Repeat until you are all the way around; 15 points per side.

FINISHING

Weave in ends and secure. Give to your favorite baby, toddler or charity.