Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Rib & Welt Baby Blanket

Rib & Welt Baby Blanket


It's embarrassing to admit, but I'll do it anyway; I started knitting this blanket very shortly after my six month old baby was born, and I only just finished it yesterday. Of course, that doesn't mean that I don't dig the pattern or anything - I do!!! It's reversible and everything!!! It is not, however, as quick of a knit as I'm used to, since it's basically a 26" wide x 29" high rectangle made out of sport weight yarn. That being said, if you're going to make a baby blanket, the Rib & Welt Baby Blanket is a pretty good option. It's strikingly graphic, and did I mention the whole reversible thing? Plus, the pattern is very easy to learn, and babies look super cute on it.

Yarn: Patons Beehive Baby Sport (70% Acrylic, 30% Nylon; 304 yards [278 meters]/85 grams); #11142 Little Boy - three skeins

The pattern
Needles: 24" or longer circular needle in size US 5

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 24 stitches = 4 inches

So let's get started! First, then, cast on 174 stitches loosely. Then knit 1" in a * k1, p1 * ribbing. On your last row like this, place one stitch marker 10 stitches from the beginning of the row, another 82 stitches from the beginning, another 92 stitches from the beginning, and the final marker 10 stitches from the end of the row. And then let's proceed as follows in the main pattern, which incorporates two panels of Rib and Welt Diagonals from page 9 of Barbara G. Walker's A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns. Like so, then:

Row 1: * k1, p1 * until you reach first marker, slip marker, then; * k1, p1, k1, p5; rep from * until you reach second marker. Slip marker, * k1, p1 * until third marker, slip marker, and then; * k1, p1, k1, p5 * until you reach final marker; slip marker, * k1, p1 * to end

Row 2 and all even rows: knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches, slipping all markers when you come to them

Row 3: * k1, p1 * until you reach first marker, slip marker, then; k1, p1, * k5, p1, k1, p1 * until you're six stitches before second maker; end k5, p1. Slip marker, * k1, p1 * until third marker, slip marker, and then; k1, p1, * k5, p1, k1, p1 * until you're six stitches before fourth marker; end k5, p1; slip marker, * k1, p1 * to end

Row 5: * k1, p1 * until you reach first marker, slip marker, then; k1, * p5, k1, p1, k1 * until you're seven stitches before second maker; end p5, k1, p1. Slip marker, * k1, p1 * until third marker, slip marker, and then; k1, * p5, k1, p1, k1 * until you're seven stitches before fourth marker; end p5, k1, p1; slip marker, * k1, p1 * to end

Row 7: * k1, p1 * until you reach first marker, slip marker, then; * k5, p1, k1, p1 * until you reach second marker. Slip marker, * k1, p1 * until third marker, slip marker, and then; * k5, p1, k1, p1 * until you reach final marker; slip marker, * k1, p1 * to end

Row 9: * k1, p1 * until you reach first marker, slip marker, then; p4, * k1, p1, k1, p5 * until you're four stitches before second maker; end (k1, p1) twice. Slip marker, * k1, p1 * until third marker, slip marker, and then; p4, * k1, p1, k1, p5 * until you're four stitches before fourth maker; end (k1, p1) twice; slip marker, * k1, p1 * to end

Row 11: * k1, p1 * until you reach first marker, slip marker, then; k3, * p1, k1, p1, k5 * until you're five stitches before second maker; end p1, k1, p1, k2. Slip marker, * k1, p1 * until third marker, slip marker, and then; k3, * p1, k1, p1, k5 * until you're five stitches before fourth maker; end p1, k1, p1, k2; slip marker, * k1, p1 * to end

Row 13: * k1, p1 * until you reach first marker, slip marker, then; p2, * k1, p1, k1, p5 * until you're six stitches before second maker; end k1, p1, k1, p3. Slip marker, * k1, p1 * until third marker, slip marker, and then; p2, * k1, p1, k1, p5 * until you're four stitches before fourth maker; end k1, p1, k1, p3; slip marker, * k1, p1 * to end

Row 15: * k1, p1 * until you reach first marker, slip marker, then; k1, * p1, k1, p1, k5 * until you're seven stitches before second maker; end p1, k1, p1, k4. Slip marker, * k1, p1 * until third marker, slip marker, and then; k1, * p1, k1, p1, k5 * until you're seven stitches before fourth maker; end p1, k1, p1, k4; slip marker, * k1, p1 * to end

Knit rows 1 - 16 until piece measures roughly 28" (of course, you can always make it longer or shorter, depending on your yarn situation) and you've just finished a wrong side row (also, if you want to be more fussy about which row, go ahead. It's up to you!). Then work another inch in a * k1, p1 * ribbing and bind off in pattern. Tuck in ends and block.





8 comments:

  1. The pattern is lovely and it doesn't matter how long
    it takes to finish....it's finished! lol Good on you.
    Cheers, Anita.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Anita! Yeah, my biggest problem was that I took a five-and-a-half month long break to work on other projects. But I am very happy to be finished, and I'm glad you like it :)

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  2. It is a beautifull designe
    ,I try ,yf not Iwould ask for help....

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    Replies
    1. Glad you like it! And I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. :)

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  3. What IF - you wanted to make this in a 4 weight yarn? And longer/wider? Sooo pretty! Jeannie

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jeannie!

      That's absolutely doable. :) Right now the blanket is designed with three 10-stitch panels (one at either edge and one in the middle), and then two pattern panels with 72 stitches apiece. The pattern panels need only have a multiple of 8 stitches; you can always adjust stitch counts from there! If you have certain measurements in mind, go ahead and cast on a swatch with a multiple of eight stitches, and then swatch with the stitch pattern given between the 1st and 2nd markers (yes, I realize that those sections deal with different sets of stitches in right and wrong side rows, but the pattern is the same in either section so you can simply use those directions for all rows). Once you know your swatch's gauge, you can calculate from there (or hit me up in the comments if you need more help). :)

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  4. Linda @ lnric8@aol.comAugust 14, 2021 at 3:23 PM

    I would like to make this Rib & Welt blanket a little bit larger. Could you please tell me what the multiple count is for this pattern. I would be most appreciative. Thank you so much.

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    Replies
    1. Hi! The pattern is 8 stitches long, and I have it set up in two panels, so you could add additional stitches in multiples of eight to either side. :)

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