Knit Knacks: Fish's Blanket

 Fish's blanket is done in what you would call a 'moss stitch'. Again, it's one pound of yarn, worsted weight. Size 11 needles.

Cast On 120

*Knit 1, purl 1 repeat pattern all the way across the row.

Purl 1, knit 1 repeat pattern all the way across.

(Pay attention to your stitches from the previous row, you want the opposite stitch of the one in the previous row, or you will end up with Boy's blanket.)

Repeat from * all the way through until desired length.

I finished the outside of this blanket with a border of Double Crochet stitches. Just double crochet into every stitch all the way around. Double crochet three times into the same stitch at every corner.

Knit Knacks: Cookie's Blanket

It's hard to tell in this picture, but Cookie's blanket is pretty cool, if I do say so myself. Again, it's pretty simple, but it creates a basket-weave like texture.

This was done in worsted weight yarn with size 11 needles.

Cast On 110 stitches.

*Knit 5, Purl 5 repeated all the way across.

Repeat for 5 rows.

Now Purl 10, Knit 10 repeated all the way across.

Repeat for 5 rows.

Back to * and repeat until desired length. Cast Off.

Knit Knacks: Jellybean's Blanket

Jellybean's blanket is the pale blue one on the left. Again, this is a pretty easy pattern, that will need about 1 lb of yarn.

I should note that this is baby yarn and I used size 11 knitting needles, I believe. Smaller needles will make tighter weave, and also a smaller blanket. Larger needles will make a looser, larger blanket.

Cast On 112 stitches.

Knit 8 stitches. Purl 8 stitches. Repeat to the end of the row.

Repeat this pattern for the next 8 rows.

Then...

Purl 8 stitches. Knit 8 stitches. and repeat, again for 8 rows.

Repeat the whole process until the blanket is your desired length, then, Cast Off.

Knit Knacks: Boy's Blanket

I am really bad at reading and following directions.

In general i am a fast reader. Maybe that's the problem. I start reading knitting (or other) directions and my brain, lazily, just proclaims, "Blah blah blah blah."

So, my brain doesn't like traditional instructions for knitting patterns, so I have sort of reinvented everything as I go along and try to teach myself to knit. YouTube videos are also an awesome way for me to learn new stitches and techniques.

Surely I'm not the only one who gets bogged down with CO 35 k2 p2 (k2 p2 *)? Not to mention kfb or ssk?

I also stink at keeping count and, as I only may have five minutes (if that!) at a time for any project, I either have to keep it really simple or chart things out.

I love knitting, despite my inability to approach it in the traditional way or follow patterns, so I just play around with learning things my way. It's a great thing for me-- I can see progress instantly, I'm making something usable (so no crafting guilt), it keeps my hands and mind busy, and my hands are so strong now that jar lids are easy prey!

These were the first three things I ever really knitted. They are actually pretty easy.

Boy's Blanket

I used 1 pound of worsted weight yarn on this one blanket.

Cast On 120 stitches.

Knit two stitches. Purl two stitches. Repeat until end of the row.

Continue pattern until you have the desired length for your blanket. (I had Boy lie down on the floor and measured it to his height.)

Bind off.

This is a great project for a beginner. It really requires no counting and it really helps get the basic stitches and skills ingrained in the brain and body.

Boy loves his blanket. He picked out his yarn, and the pattern, and now he sleeps with it every night.