Pattern: Lucca Blanket
I've never written up a knitting pattern before (please let me know if you find any errors), but this baby blanket was so fun to make, that I felt compelled to share it.
My nephew is due in just a few weeks, so I wanted something that would work up quickly (bulky yarn / big needles) and would be engaging enough to hold my interest, while being easy enough to knit while doing other things. This blanket fit the bill perfectly - I managed to get it done in about 2 weeks, and it was entertaining enough that I could have happily kept going.
Size: (one size, but easily customizable by adding / removing blocks)
Finished Measurements: 36" x 36"
Yarn: Kraemer Yarns Eleanor / U.S. Needle # 9-11
100% Superwash U.S. Merino Wool
3.5 oz., Bulky Weight
Approx. 120 yards / 3-3.75 sts = 1”
I used 13 skeins to get the number of colors I needed (which I dyed myself) but it could be done in one or two colors using about half of that yardage.
Needles: US 10.5 / 6.5mm - 36" Circular (worked back and forth)
Gauge: Not super important for this project but mine was 3"= 10 stitches / 12 rows in Stockinette stitch.
Other Notions: 10 stitch markers, tapestry needle
Abbreviations:
co: cast on
cc: change color
pm: place marker
sm: slip marker
rs: right side
ws: wrong side
Pattern:
- CO 120 stitches in color A.
- Work border in garter stitch (knit all stitches) for 3".
First Set of Blocks:
- (RS) CC to color B then k10, pm, k10, pm, (k1p1) 5 times, pm, k10, pm, (k1p1) 5 times, k10, pm, (k1p1) 5 times, pm k10, pm, (k1p1) 5 times, pm, k10, pm, K10.
- (WS) k10, sm, p10, sm, (p1k1) 5 times, sm, p10, sm, (p1k1) 5 times, sm, p10, sm, (p1k1) 5 times, sm, p10, sm, (p1k1) 5 times, sm, p10, sm, P10.
Continue for 3", alternating colors A & B on the RS.
Second Set of Blocks:
- (RS) CC to color C and then k10, sm, (k1p1) 5 times, sm, k10, sm, (k1p1) 5 times, sm, k10, sm, (k1p1) 5 times, sm, k10, sm, (k1p1) 5 times, sm, k10, sm, (k1p1) 5 times, sm, k10.
- (WS) k10, sm, (p1k1) 5 times, sm, p10, (p1k1) 5 times, sm, p10, (p1k1) 5 times, sm, p10, (p1k1) 5 times, sm, p10, (p1k1) 5 times, sm, k10.
Continue for 3" alternating colors B & C on the RS
Continuing:
Repeat these 2 sets of blocks 5 more times (or to desired blanket length), introducing a new color with every set.
- Work border garter stitch (k all stitches) for 3" at the end with the final color.
Finishing:
Weave in all ends with a tapestry needle.
