Little Acorns Blanket
I thought I should elaborate a little on my pattern designs for those who would like that, so I have decided to write a series of articles adding a bit more detail about what is involved in them. Today, I focus on a design that was actually my first, and which also coincidentally happens to be my best seller to date, the Little Acorns Blanket.
As previously mentioned, I worked in Yarn Retail for a number of years. Over time I noticed a trend away from knitting baby shawls. Some are still knitting them and indeed creating beautiful heirlooms, but many now choose to knit blankets instead, favouring them as a quicker and 'more practical' option. There has also been therefore, a huge increase in demand for baby blanket patterns and in store we often seemed to fall short in that department. The pattern leaflets we had were either too small in design area, too big in design area, too complicated - or yes, even too boring! Some people would happily end up purchasing a book to find what they wanted. Others would reluctantly look through a book, find a beautiful pattern inside and then declare they didn't want to buy a 'whole' book for the sake of one pattern. Like you, I couldn't help but wonder, where one can actually go to buy part of a book.
It is not easy to please everyone in retail!
I decided somewhere along the line, that maybe I could design a blanket, or three, or maybe even more. Long story short, Little Acorns is the result of my first attempt at doing just that, and I have been absolutely blown away by the response to it! The challenge for me now, is to better that design!
For my blanket I used Naturally Yarns Loyal 8ply/DK - a New Zealand produced, 100% Wool Yarn with an approximate length of 105m/115yds per 50gram ball. This yarn may be gently machine washed.
There are 4 pages to this design download. Including photos, gauge/tension info, materials used and the abbreviations list. There are three stitch patterns, including the border - which is knitted as you go and which also makes this a very convenient, one piece knit. The knitting instructions include full details for the pattern stitches used, and rows that are identically worked are listed thus: Rows 1: 2: 3: k1, p1 to end (example only) - and so on. There is no unnecessary repetition. I find it always helps to keep things really simple.
Little Acorns is knitted on a 5mm/ USA 8 needle (larger than usual for the yarn) to add extra drape, softness, and - inbuilt bonus, to keep the stitch count down! I recommend the use of a circular needle and in fact do most of my 'straight' knitting on circulars now. If you don't tuck the knitting needles under your arms to knit, then knitting with a circular is easy to do. It takes the weight off hands/ wrists, which can only be good for anyone who suffers from stiffness/soreness. And by the way, knitting a blanket with a circular needle on cold, winter nights also keeps the legs warm while watching a favourite movie or TV programme. Trust me, I know this for a (power saving) fact!
Little Acorns measures approximately 70cm (27") Wide x 100cm (39") Deep and as such is as suitable for wrapping baby in as it is for covering a bassinet/cradle/cot. As baby grows it may also be used as a travel blanket or couch cuddly. And ... it may be used right through adulthood, since it is also a perfect knee rug size.
If you can knit and purl, place markers, slip markers, and do simple increases/decreases whether knitting or purling, then you can knit this blanket. And maybe, by knitting a blanket such as this for a very special someone, you will find yourself referred to as the maker of the gift that keeps on giving!
Next week I will elaborate on another one of my blanket designs.
(Purchase Options for all my designs are available here).