Friday, July 20, 2012

Pattern Debut: Cielito Baby Blanket

I made it back from vacation in one piece, and am thrilled to announce that while I was gone, Knit Picks released my latest pattern in yesterday's collection of new IDP patterns!

Introducing Cielito:

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We all know someone having a baby, right? Perhaps many someones, if you're in that magical baby-land of your late 20s/early 30s. And we all worry about the perfect gift--what if this sweater is too big/small? What if the baby outgrows these socks after one wear? What if the baby hates hats?

All of these worries are why baby blankets are the perfect gift.

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Blankets always fit. In the air conditioning age, blankets are used year round. They never go out of style. Some even become heirlooms.

The only problem is, blankets are so . . . big. So much work.

So I set about trying to devise a baby blanket that would work up quickly, look impressive, and register just a notch above "mindless" knitting--easy to memorize, but requiring enough attention to keep you from dozing off.

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The top and bottom edges feature a zig zag stitch, to add a bit of interest over the usual garter edging. The central stitch pattern is a mix of traveling eyelets and star stitches that offer a hint of lace and a bit of texture. And the pattern is written for worsted weight yarn, to knit up quickly, but blocked to an airy finish so as not to be oppressive.

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I worked up my sample in Knit Picks Swish Tonal, in the Queen Anne colorway, but using a tweed or heathered yarn would give the blanket quite a different look.

Just how quickly could you finish it? After much swatching to work out the pattern (those traveling eyelets did not start and stop easily!), I knit the blanket itself in about 2 weeks--though I was working on a deadline.

Of course, you could consider an impending birth a deadline as well.

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The Cielito baby blanket is now available exclusively from Knit Picks for $3.99. It calls for approximately 900 yards of worsted weight yarn and size 7 needles (gauge = 5st/in in central stitch pattern, after blocking--swatch!). You can also find the pattern on Ravelry here; after a period of exclusive sales through Knit Picks, I will also make the pdf available for purchase through my Ravelry store.

(Remember, sign up for the MediaPeruana designs newsletter to receive notices about pattern sales and exclusive discounts!)

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Hope you like it!

3 comments :

Minding My Own Stitches said...

Wow that's pretty! I wish I did know of a baby to knit it for!

Anonymous said...

Such a pretty blanket! I'll keep it in mind for the next time I hear about a little one arriving.

Nicky said...

Congratulations!!! Lovely blanket!!!