Tag: Blanket

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Free Pattern Friday – Quilt

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

CS Metallic Quilt Throw blog

Today, the Quilt in Classic Shades Metallic.

Today, we have a great use of color in a very simple design.  Two complementary colors of Classic Shades Metallic (100g/175yds) are used in this basic but colorful quilt.

CS Metallic Quilt Throw detail blogEach square is knit individually, then stitched together in an eye-pleasing way.  A diagram is provided in the pattern for easy assembly.

It’s unusual to find a four foot long  blanket that’s such perfect on-the-go knitting, but the small size of the individual squares (4 1/2″ along each side) makes it easy to knock out a piece of the quilt wherever you are.

This could also be a fun group project that could include all levels of knitter – get together with your friends for a quilting bee to gab and knit individual squares, and sew them together.  Begin at one corner of the square, increase to the middle, switch colors, then decrease and bind off in the opposite corner.  Toss your square on the pile, take a sip of wine, and start up another one.

Other great choices of yarn for this would be self-shading Poems wool and regular Classic Shades.  There are nearly limitless color combinations.

Happy knitting!

CS Metallic Quilt Throw center square

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Free Pattern Friday – Firework Blankie

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Blanket 1 blog

Today, the Firework Blankie crocheted in Little Bird and Little Bird Colors.

Blanket 2 blogThe 4th of July is almost upon us, making this a particularly appropriate free pattern.  The Firework Blankie is crocheted in Little Bird Multi with rows of contrasting solid Little Bird (344yds/100g) every few rows for a bigger burst of color.  And check out those adorable pom-poms on the points – like an extra little kapow!

We put together another couple of combinations of colors that could work, depending on whether you wanted to go bold or… slightly less bold.

LBird Colors 201 Stroll Combo_blog

Two different directions with the same multi colorway (201 Stroll), The one on the left is paired with 106 Go-Go Coral – the picture does not do justice to how almost neon-bright it is.  The one on the right is paired with 111 Chinos, to tone it down a little but still be a contrast.  Normally I’m in favor of subtlety, but with the Firework Blankie, I might go with the one on the left.  This blanket says “playtime.”

LBird Colors Other combos_blogTwo more combos, both appealing to me since I favor cool tones.  On the left is 204 Summer Story paired with 105 Wee Violet.  I can easily see that thrown over a chair in a kid’s room.  At right, 203 Grass Stain paired with 110 New Leaf.  I’m imagining sitting out on the lawn with that green baby blanket spread out, toddler in a sunhat happily playing.  No worries about the blanket on the grass – Little Bird is machine washable!

With gray as an increasingly popular color for baby projects, we also  think 112 Ghostie Gray would be a good combination with pretty much any of the multis.

…You know, I thought I could make it through the whole post without saying it, but I just can’t.

baby you're a firework

Happy crocheting!

Blanket 3 blog

 

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Free Pattern Friday – Crosshatch Baby Blanket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Bella Blanket with bear blog

Today, the Crosshatch Baby Blanket in Bella Chenille.

Bella Chenille (131yds/100g) is a favorite for baby and kid knits because it is soft and fuzzy, and because it is machine washable.  I myself have knitted a sample, washed it, and laid it flat to dry.  It looked just as good as when it was first knitted.

Bella Blanket with bear detail blogThis pattern itself is a twelve row repeat that’s charted, along with a basic garter stitch border, giving you a sweet 40″ x 40″ square.

This blanket is soft and huggable.  It’s resting beside my desk right now as I write this, and I keep reaching out to touch it.  This would be a good one to make and have on hand for the inescapable surprise baby shower we’re all occasionally hit with.  It would be nice to have a little security blanket nearby until it needs to be given away.

Happy knitting!

 

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Throwback Thursday – Ruffles and Ribbons

It’s Throwback Thursday!

TT Ruffles and Ribbons

Awww!  Today’s Ruffles and Ribbons blanket was originally designed for Bella 4-ply, an acrylic/nylon blend.  It’s a good choice since it’s machine washable, but we have a couple of even better yarns that fit the bill now.

We’re recommending either Little Bird (344yds/100g) or Uptown Baby Sport (361yds/100g) instead.  Personally, I think I’d go with Uptown Baby Sport.  Both are soft and would work nicely, but Baby Sport has just a little bit more loft, which I think would fit well for this project.

The yarn is held doubled for the body, which is knitted on 5mm/US8 needles.  Then use just one strand of yarn and a US Size 4 circular needle for the ruffled edging.  It’s a good means of getting different effects from the same yarn.   Pretty adorable!

Happy knitting.  We’ll see you tomorrow for Free Pattern Friday!

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Sunday Swatch – Cirrus Cotton

Today’s Sunday Swatch is in Cirrus Cotton.

SS Cirrus Cotton_blog

I know, we just did Free Pattern Friday in Cirrus Cotton (50g/109yds), but I found it inspirational!  The multis and the solids in this light and fuzzy yarn coordinate so well that it got me thinking about color work.  A baby blanket in a bulky and soft yarn seems like a good combo.

Based on this color selection, I’m thinking about a landscape – a variegated green grass with a blue sky and creamy clouds.  Maybe add a yellow sun with an embroidered face for extra charm.  Something bright and sunny for the nursery!

Happy crafting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Building Blocks Blanket

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Building Blocks Blanket Cirrus Cotton

 

Today, it’s the Building Blocks Blanket in Cirrus Cotton.

Cirrus Cotton is a fuzzy, light, and lofty cotton blend, a great choice as we move into Spring.  It knits up quickly on size 9-11 needles, making it perfect for quick baby shower gifts like this 32″ square blanket.

It’s a simple pattern with no fancy stitches, just knits and purls.  As with so many things in life, it builds on the basics to create complexity.

Happy knitting!

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Free Pattern Friday – Little Bird

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

You know, I love show season, don’t get me wrong. Stitches, TNNA, VKLive, they’re all great opportunities to show our stuff and to reconnect with other knitters and crocheters. But man, do they take a lot of work! I guess this is my way of saying I apologize for missing the last couple of Free Pattern Friday posts. Now that show season has waned a bit, things should get back to normal here. To make up for it, let’s do two free patterns for baby today!

Little Dreamer Pullover

First, the Little Dreamer Pullover. It’s a charming baby sweater knit from the bottom up. The raglan sleeves are easy, and anybody who has ever tried to dress a baby will appreciate a v-neck that slips easily over a little squirmer’s head. The slipped stitches in solid Little Bird (344yds/100g) give a lot of interest along the stripes where the color changes. It’s an easy technique that looks great – one of our favorite tricks. We’ll bet this would look great in Little Bird Multi (284yds/100g), too!

Little Bird Lace Sampler Baby BlanketNext up, the Lace Sampler Baby Blanket by Amy Gunderson. Knitted in the round from the center out, it combines several different lace patterns into a lacy heirloom. This design is also in Little Bird solids. Little Bird is a soft and smooth 100% acrylic yarn that is machine washable. It’s a great choice for a project you want to stand the test of time.

How about you? What’s your favorite kind of knit or crochet for baby?