I cranked out this baby blanket in 4 weeks to be exact (I started a couple days after I received a baby shower invite, and the baby shower is this Saturday).
Laid out on my blocking board:
Details on the ruffles:
Draped over my couch (excuse my sucky photography skills):
Pattern: “Eyelet Baby Blanket” by Blue Sky Alpacas
Yarn: Sirdar Supersoft Aran #859 (Oatmeal); 100% acrylic
Needle: US #10.5
Blanket Size: 31″ x 34″
Additional Notes
Yarn
Ok, so I was VERY tempted to get a luxurious yarn for this blanket - DB’s cashmerino, some very ultra soft options at my LYS, even the recommended yarn for this project (Blue Sky Worsted or Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted). But because of budget reasons and the fact that I didn’t want this baby completely sweating under 100% alpaca (remember, we’re in sunny California here), I opted for Sirdar. It isn’t exactly SUPER soft as I’ve felt other yarns, but it’s ok for the purposes of my project. It’s warm too - as I was knitting it up, I had it draped around me to keep me warm. Very snuggly. But the best thing that caught my eye about this yarn is that it is machine washable. And that’s perfect for a baby item. Don’t you think?? None of this handwash, dry flat, extra care, blah blah blah. Grace is going to be a first time mom, and she’ll appreciate the fact that she can just throw this blanket in the washer and dryer without a care. Right? =)
Pattern
Simple pattern. Stockinette throughout the body, with yarn-overs in neat rows. The ruffles, on the other hand, got me scratching my head (the pattern wants you to pick up stitches, and start knitting facing the right side, which means you have to pick up stitches in a very weird way - either picking up on the wrong side, which causes unslightly puckering on the right side, or picking up counter-clockwise if you’re facing the right side). If the mother of this baby looks closely at this blanket, she’ll notice that not all the ruffle sides look identical - one of them I actually knitted the ruffles backwards (I picked up stitches and started knitting on the wrong side). But who’s telling? Shh! =)
I also didn’t listen to the pattern (or gauge) and used a 10.5 needle instead of a size 11. And I consciously knitted more tightly. I know, my mistake. So when I finished the body of the blanket, it was a bit too short. So I added 30 more rows of blanket body to make it work the way I wanted it to look.
Next, let’s see if I can make a homemade tag for this gift. =)
25 Comments so far
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It’s beautiful! I’m sure the mother to be is going to treasure it as an heirloom. I love the color.
By yarn_nut on 12/06/05 12:37 pm | Permalink
Beautiful job on the blanket! Did the ruffles take forever to knit? I can’t believe this only took you a month.
Also, thanks for the tip on Blue Sky… you’re never going to believe this, but yesterday I called there and made an appointment for an entire spa afternoon (massage/facial/mani/pedi) after my finals. I can’t wait!
By Cyndi on 12/06/05 1:32 pm | Permalink
What a lovely pattern. Simple and elegant. The new mommy will be so touched that you made it for her.
Amy
By amylovie on 12/06/05 1:36 pm | Permalink
The blanket is lovely! I have to say “machine washable” and softness are the two most important considerations in choosing yarn for baby stuff. Don’t give the mothers a hard time by using hand-wash only yarns!
By Agnes on 12/06/05 2:01 pm | Permalink
cyndi - i can’t believe it took me a month to finish this too. esp the ruffles (which i forced myself to finish within one week’s time)! ack!!
By Ruth on 12/06/05 2:25 pm | Permalink
Beautiful! What a lucky little baby and mom!
By Gracie on 12/06/05 3:38 pm | Permalink
it turned out BEAUTIFUL =)
Good Job!
By mary on 12/06/05 3:38 pm | Permalink
Looks gorgeous, Ruth!! What a lovely present.
By caitlyn on 12/06/05 7:15 pm | Permalink
Quick knitting, and its beautiful. With so many baby showers at the moment, I’m also looking to make another blanket, and this one is gorgeous. You give is such justice, its so beautiful.
By SweetPeaknits on 12/06/05 11:59 pm | Permalink
HI. It’s a beautiful blanket. I’d definitely choose machine washable too. I have just shrunk & half felted 2 baby sweaters in Rowan Big Wool.An expensive mistake!!
By Ling on 12/07/05 6:39 am | Permalink
Darling, I am in awe of your patience!
By emy on 12/07/05 7:16 am | Permalink
Ruth, what a beautiful blanket!! And, going with the washable was the right choice. It will be a well-used and treasured heirloom, I’m sure!
By Lynda on 12/07/05 8:12 am | Permalink
Wow. That’s impressive. 4 weeks. Lucky baby!
By stacyo on 12/07/05 10:32 am | Permalink
Wow, that’s beautiful! Love the ruffle edge on it! Very simple pattern, but it looks so elegant. Love this.
kknitter from KR forum
By kknitter on 12/07/05 3:52 pm | Permalink
it’s BEAUTIFUL!! it’s time to make a label for the blankie. ;) i must see if if you do. hahahaha
By Purse_Ho on 12/07/05 4:32 pm | Permalink
This is so so beautiful. I’m sure the mommy to be and the baby will enjoy this wonderful gift. Will you be making something else to go with it? I have been eyeing this blanket when I found out my friend was having a baby, but never got to buying the pattern to make it. Again I must say it really came out fantastic. I do have a question…I’m somewhat of a beginner and I’ve never picked up stitches. Would you recommend that I give it a go?
Happy Knitting
By celia on 12/08/05 6:16 am | Permalink
Ruth, the blanket is beautiful. What a lucky baby!
By Donna on 12/08/05 4:36 pm | Permalink
That blanket is so precious—I loooove the ruffles . . . and admire you for having the patience to do them!
By Stitchingirl on 12/08/05 9:45 pm | Permalink
That’s really great looking! It looks like a throw too! It’s worth the time spent on it..:D
By Laura.Y on 12/08/05 10:25 pm | Permalink
I love that blanket, I really needed a quick blanket project. I hope that you have a good weekend, I am having a contest at my main blog. so come and check it out.
I am going to make another one of your cable clutch bags.
By Katie on 12/09/05 7:57 am | Permalink
It’s beautiful and being able to toss the blanket in the washer and dryer will be a gift in itself. You amaze me…figuring out how to do the ruffle…a lot of people would have oh…maybe crocheted something simple..I’ve worked myself into a mental corner here. What would I have done if I couldn’t or wouldn’t have stuck with the ruffle? Anyway, you’ve done a beautiful job of it!
By Maggie Ann on 12/10/05 8:53 am | Permalink
whoa props. it looks really beautiful =]
By Priscilla on 12/16/05 11:47 pm | Permalink
What a beautiful blanket! Absolutely you did the right thing in choosing machine wash/dry. I never give a mom - new or experienced - something they have to hand wash.
By Sheryl on 12/21/05 4:53 am | Permalink
That is an awesome blanket. I may just have to knit it for my friend who is expecting.
By Kristi on 12/30/05 4:47 pm | Permalink
I am trying to finish this same blanket and have hit a major problem! All I have left are the “vertical” edge ruffles. There are 105 sts on one edge, but it says to pick up 89 sts. I can find NO way to do this evenly. How did you go about it?
Please email me if you have time. My friend’s shower is in one week!
By Stephanie on 04/12/08 3:35 pm | Permalink
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