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Liz's Super Duper Simple 18" Square Knitted Critter Blanket
I'm currently involved in helping the Critter Knitters' Coalition with their website. Once that's done, I'll be helping out by knitting blankets for them. Their requirements are simple:
Crochet or Knit a Blanket to Make an Abandoned Animal in a City Shelter Feel More at Home
The Critter Knitters Coalition was created in response to the dire need for warm, comfortable blankets by abandoned animals in New York animal shelters. These blankets help frightened cats and dogs feel calm, and improve the quality of life for a shelter animal while they await their forever home. We are in need of master -- or amateur -- knitters, crocheters, sewers and quilters to create 18" x 18" -- or larger -- blankets to improve the lives of the millions of animals taken in by city shelters throughout New York. Please contact Sage at roserouge718(at)yahoo.com to become part of the Critter Knitters Coalition.
Simple, hunh? An 18" x 18" square. So, here it goes...
Liz's Super Duper Simple 18" Square Knitted Critter Blanket
We all know that knitting is part technique, part math so what I'm about to write is completely an off-the cuff pattern based on certain assumptions.
1) You will make a gauge swatch.
2) You will do a little simple math.
3) You'll err on the side of caution so that the blanket will be larger rather than smaller than the 18" asked for. (grin)
(Hey, its 2:30 PM on a workday and I don't have needles and yarn right now, so I can't test this, but I know the theory is sound.)
Basically, here's what you need:
| Yarn: |
You'll need roughly 400 yards of worsted weight yarn for this. I suggest using anything that's machine washable. (Shelters simply DON'T have the time to handwash your beautiful 100% wool blanket.) You can combine leftovers and odds and ends as long as they'll work at the same gauge or just use two or three balls of something you have laying in your stash. |
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| Needles: |
Size 7 to 9 or the size appropriate for your particular yarn. Check the yarn label for the manufacturer's recommendation. |
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| Notions: |
Scissors, yarn needle, tape measure. |
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| Pattern Stitch: |
Choose from: Stockinette, Seed Stitch, Double Seed Stitch, Garter, Two by Two Rib
(all pattern stitches defined below) |
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| Edge Stitch: |
If you choose Stockinette as your pattern stitch, your fabric will curl at the edges. To get a flat blanket you'll also need to use an edge pattern that will counteract this. Choose from either Seed Stitch or Garter Stitch. |
Pattern Stitches:
Stockinette
Row 1: Knit all stitches
Row 2: Purl all stitches
Repeat these two rows.
Seed (aka Moss or Rice) Stitch
Even number of stitches
Row 1: *K1, P1; rep from * to end of row
Row 2: *P1, K1; rep from * to end of row
Repeat these two rows.
Double (aka Moss) Seed Stitch
Multiple of 4 stitches
Row 1: *K2, P2; rep from * to end of row
Row 2: Same as Row 1
Row 3: *P2, K2; rep from * to end of row
Row 4: Same as Row 3
Repeat these four rows.
Garter
Row 1: Knit all stitches
Repeat this row.
Two by Two Rib
Multiple of 4 sts
Row 1: *K2, P2; rep from * to end of row
Repeat this row.
Gauge Swatch:
Cast on 28 stitches.
Work 4 rows in Garter stitch.
Work 4 stitches in garter stitch, 20 stitches in your pattern stitch and the last 4 stitches in garter stitch for 36 rows (or however many rows it takes to get to 4").
Work 4 rows in Garter stitch.
Bind off.
Measure your swatch and note how many stitches per inch you're getting. Go on, I'll wait...
Gauge = ____________ per inch.
Excellent. You see what's coming up next, right? Multiply the number you obtained for your gauge by 18. So if you got 5 stitches to the inch, you'd get 90. That's the number of stitches you will need to cast on in order to get an 18 inch blanket. Write that number here: X = ______ stitches to cast on.
Simple, eh? Wait, it gets simpler...
Pattern:
Cast on X.
(for stockinette stitch)
Work in edge pattern for 4 rows.
Measure these 4 rows. Subtract measurement from 18 inches. 18 inches - 4 row measurement = Y.
Work 4 stitches in edge stitch, work stockinette to last 4 stitches, work last 4 stitches in edge stitch.
Continue until piece measures Y.
Work in edge pattern for 4 rows.
Bind off.
(for all other stitch patterns)
Work in pattern until piece measures 18 inches.
Bind off.
(for both)
Lightly wash blanket.
Steam or block blanket to desired measurements.
download a PDF of these instructions
Problems? Questions? Feel free to contact me at knitproblems(at)ashidome.com. All errors are mine and I accept corrections and suggestions willingly.
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Santa Shelf/Computer Doll
I'm trying to be more cheerful about the upcoming holidays. Really, I am. So while trying to find some holiday cheer I stumbled across this cute knitted Santa by Aussie Jean. Making one of these may or may not get me in the holiday spirit, but finding the pattern did bring a smile to my face.
view pattern
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Chemo Cap and Scarflet
October is National Breast Cancer Month so its only fitting that the project of the month be related to helping out others in need. I've selected Berroco's Chinchilla Chemo-cap and Scarflet as the project. Its a quick knit that can be made for donation to your favorite charity or even to help someone in your life who may be affected with the disease.
view pattern
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Worry Dolls
Its "back to school" time and a few of us may be sending off our kids for the very first time. Give a nervous youngster someone to confide in when confronted with a strange new environment. These worry dolls make an ideal "comfort" present and I very much like the idea of giving someone a pocket pal. Hell, the way my life is going at the moment, I should knit up a dozen of these!
view pattern
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Beaded Stitch Markers
The web is a wonderful place. Make a comment on your blog about how you're thinking of making something and folks who've already tackled that project will happily share their techniques! Case in point, Andrea of Running With Scissors has wonderful instructions for making crafty and unique beaded stitch markers. Take a look at her project page and get inspired to make a ton.
For beading supplies, you can try perusing some of these online stores I found on Google:
or just hit your local Joann's or Michael's.
Anyway, I'm thinking of ordering some black onyx beads (my favorite stone) to make myself a couple of dozen!
Send kudos to Andrea and enjoy the crafting.
view pattern
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Seed-Stitch Bag
I'm all about accessories lately. Bags, hats, slippers, socks. Maybe its because my knitting time is limited. Maybe its because these projects are quick and easy to piece together. Who knows?
What I do know is that I fell in love with this seed stitch bag. Its made with ribbon yarn, but you can substitute any yarn that will give you the same gauge. (Wool would work nicely as well as a bulky cotton.)
I'm seriously considering adding this one to my list of projects to make...
view pattern
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Knit Tote
Got leftover yarn? Then head over to Frugal Haus and check out their patterns.
This pattern for a small tote is perfect for using up a few leftover balls. Knit it up with leftover wool and you can experiment with felting.
view pattern
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Denim Tunic
Denim yarns seem to be all the rage these days. While browsing the Berrocco site — I was looking for yardage information for one of their yarns — I saw this pattern for a lightweight summer tunic. It looks like it would be the perfect beach coverup... and while summer is still a few months off, this seems like an appropriate knit in anticipation of the heatwave to come.
view pattern
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T-Strap Top
Perhaps its the desire for spring to already be here or perhaps its my desire to make a few things for myself, but lately I've been on a summer top kick. This pattern for a T-strap tank fits the bill and should make a for a quick and enjoyable knit.
view pattern
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Peace Armband
In light of current world events, I present a simple project to express how you feel about the war. Thanks to the Knitting Activists for giving us such a beautiful project.
view pattern
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