Airy and cosy are two things that rarely go together, but are the perfect combination for a hand-knit baby blanket. The design of the Ballyhoura Baby Blanket is inspired by the sun-drenched Ballyhoura Hills as the day goes on and the long shadows shift. Knit flat with a simple combination of stitch variations, you can create a vibrant and cheerful blanket using three colours of Aran-weight knitting yarn.
Airy and cosy are two things that rarely go together, but are the perfect combination for a hand-knit baby blanket. The design of the Ballyhoura Baby Blanket is inspired by the sun-drenched Ballyhoura Hills as the day goes on and the long shadows shift.
Knit flat with a simple combination of stitch variations, you can create a vibrant and cheerful blanket using three colours of Aran-weight knitting yarn.
Notes
Aran-weight yarn in three colours. For this blanket, I used Rico Design Essentials Soft Merino Aran.
Materials
210 yards (2x 50-gram balls) Aran-weight knitting yarn in Main Colour (MC) – I used Emerald 51
91 yards (1x 50-gram balls) Aran-weight knitting yarn in Contrast Colour 1 (CC1) – I used Natural 60
91 yards (1x 50-gram balls) Aran-weight knitting yarn in Contrast Colour 2 (CC2) – I used Grey 93
4.5mm circular knitting needles
Measurements
Gauge: 18sts x 24rows per 10x10cm (4x4in)
Sizes: One
Final measurements: 70cm wide x 50cm long after blocking
sections
This pattern has four pattern sections that are repeated. Here are the patterns, followed by the order and colours to follow to knit this baby blanket:
Border section – five sets of these two rows in MC for the cast on and bind off borders of the blanket:
• Border section pattern row 1: K2, *K2tog, K2, Kfb, Kfb, K2, sl1, K1, PSSO* K2.• Accent row 2: Knit all.Sun to shadow section – five sets of these two rows for each CC1/CC2 section:
• Pattern row 1: K2, *K2tog, K2, Kfb, Kfb, K2, sl1, K1, PSSO* K2.• Pattern Row 2: K2, Purl until 2sts remain, P2.Hills section – All rows in MC:
• Pattern rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9: K2,*K2tog, K2, Kfb, Kfb, K2, sl1, K1, PSSO* K2.• Pattern Row 2 & 10: Knit all.• Pattern Rows 4, 6, 8: K2, Purl until 2sts remain, K2.The Pattern
• CO 134 stitches with main colour on 4.5mm knitting needles.• Border section – five sets of these two rows in MC.• Sun to shadow section – five sets of these two rows. Knit all 10 rows in CC1.• Hills section – all 10 rows in MC.• Sun to shadow section – five sets of these two rows. Knit the first eight rows in CC1 and last two in CC2.• Hills section – all 10 rows in MC.• Sun to shadow section – five sets of these two rows. Knit the first six rows in CC1 and last four in CC2.• Hills section – all 10 rows in MC.• Sun to Shadow Section – five sets of these two rows. Knit the first four rows in CC1 and last six in CC2.• Hills section – all 10 rows in MC.• Sun to shadow section – five sets of these two rows. Knit the first 2 rows in CC1 and last 8 in CC2.• Hills section – all 10 rows in MC.• Sun to shadow section – five sets of these two rows. Knit all 10 rows in CC2.• Border section – five sets of these two rows in MC.• Finish with a stretchy or loose bind off. Weave in the ends. Lightly block.GLOSSARY:
CO = Cast on. K = knit. P = Purl. K2tog = Knit two together. Kfb = Knit into front and back of the same stitch. Sl = Slip that stitch [knitwise]. PSSO = Pass the previous slipped stitch over the last knit stitch to slip it off the knitting needle. CL
Let us know how you’re doing
We would love to hear from any reader who decides to tackle this project. Let us know how you get on by emailing maria@farmersjournal.ie or by writing to Irish Country Living Knitting, Irish Farmers Journal, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12 with a picture, or share your progress on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook using the hashtag #ICLEvin.
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