The allure of a handcrafted blanket is undeniable, offering both warmth and a tangible connection to the maker's skill. This guide dives into the rewarding process of knitting a reversible basketweave blanket, a project perfect for both seasoned knitters seeking a fresh challenge and enthusiastic beginners ready to tackle a more ambitious undertaking. The beautiful, textured stitch creates a visually captivating piece with a subtle elegance, and the reversible nature means you'll enjoy its stunning pattern from both sides. This adaptable pattern allows for easy customization in size, yarn weight, and color choices, making it a truly personalized endeavor.
Prepare to embark on a creative journey filled with satisfying progress and a beautiful outcome! This step-by-step guide will walk you through each stage, from selecting your materials to casting off the final stitch, ensuring you create a cherished blanket that will keep you warm for years to come. Let's get started!
Preparation and Safety Guidelines
- Yarn
- Knitting needles (size 5 mm in this example)
- Measuring tape
- Use sharp scissors to cut yarn ends to prevent snags and ensure a clean finish. Avoid pulling yarn too hard, which can damage your work.
- Always check your gauge before beginning the project to ensure your finished blanket matches the desired size. Gauge swatching helps avoid unexpected results.
- Be mindful of your needle size and yarn weight; using incompatible sizes can lead to an uneven or distorted fabric. Refer to your chosen pattern's recommendations.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Determine Blanket Size
- Determine desired blanket dimensions (width and length). The example uses 33 inches wide and 45 inches long.
Determine Blanket Size Cast On Stitches
- Cast on the appropriate number of stitches. The example uses 134 stitches, determined through experimentation and calculation based on the desired width.
Cast On Stitches Initial Ridges
- Begin with 8 ridges (alternating knit and purl rows).
Initial Ridges Establish Basketweave Pattern
- After the initial ridges, work 12 stitches of purl, followed by a section of alternating knit and purl stitches (10 knit, 10 purl in this example), then another 12 stitches of purl. Repeat this pattern across the row.
Establish Basketweave Pattern Knit Basketweave Body
- After every 12 rows, switch the knit and purl sections (purl becomes knit, knit becomes purl) to create the basketweave effect.
- Continue knitting rows until desired length is reached, remembering to switch knit and purl sections every 12 rows.
Knit Basketweave Body Final Ridges
- End with 8 ridges, mirroring the beginning.
Final Ridges Bind Off
- Bind off all stitches.
Bind Off
Tips
- Adjust the number of stitches cast on based on your yarn weight and desired width. Thicker yarn will require fewer stitches.
- The length can be adjusted by continuing the pattern until the desired length is achieved. Don't be afraid to deviate slightly from the exact measurement; handmade items are naturally variable.
- Practice the basketweave pattern on a smaller swatch before starting the blanket to get comfortable with the technique.
- It's not strictly necessary to follow a rigid pattern; you can adapt the stitch counts to create a blanket to your exact specifications.