Project Three

Baby Blanket
Gift for Lindsay Bartnes born April 2008 (2nd cousin)

Time: 10 months total, 1 month actually working on it

Needles: 5 long

Yarn: 2 skeins - 150g, 404yds :: 75% Acrylic/ 22% Rayon/ 3% Nylon - Bernat Baby Coordinates Sweet Stripes :: Self stripping "candy stripes"

This pattern is a replica of my baby blanket, Rabbi. I received the pattern from my Aunt Judy.

Cast on 127 stitches. K 10 rows, then work in the following pattern:

Row 1 - (right side of work) and all uneven rows - K

Rows 2 and 4 - K 6, P 3 (the blanket border), then * K 1, P 3, repeat from * across, ending K 6 (the other blanket border

Row 6 - K

Repeat these 6 rows for pattern stitch until work measures 29 inches from start, ending with row of pattern stitch. K 9 more rows, bind off.

Notes:
- I loved knitting a Rabbi for someone else. I hope Lindsay likes her blanket. In case she does, I kept some extra yarn for repairs as I know Aunt Judy did for Rabbi and it has been needed in the last 26 years. Lindsay will be getting her blanket in the mail this week.

Learning about Yarn

After Christmas, I have been itching to get back to knitting and have been thinking about special projects I want to begin. I want to learn new things while I make new projects. Right now I am thinking all about yarn.....

In the world of yarn there are different types, textures, and sizes you can use for knitting. I am refreshing some of that knowledge with my Stitch and Bitch book and have also found the Knitting for Dummies book very useful.
The biggest thing I am learning about yarn is that when you go to the local yarn store, it is expensive! I want to stray away from acrylic but so far it is in my price range. Boo whoo. I have only slightly explored the bargain bins at my local yarn shop (now that I know they exsist) but I have also learned that while exploring those bins, I need to know what type of yarn I am buying and what it can be used for.
I feel like I am just learning about the technical things about knitting. I am sure people get by without understanding everything but I really do want to improve so I am taking it step by step.

One reason why I am taking an interest in yarn now is because I want to make a baby blanket for one of my good friends who is due in July. I want to use good yarn but when I went to buy some at the yarn shop it ended up being $75. Not what I want to spend right after Christmas. So I will continue exploring, and searching the web (I know "shop local") to find just the perfect yarn and the right price. I want to know how to make great gifts without spending all my cash money.