64969 The Knitters Bible1

FAIR ISLE BABY BLANKET

For a First fair isle project this pretty patch is ideał. Knitted in the traditional way with only two colours used on each row it gives practise in holding the yam in both hands and weaving the yarns in as you knit (see page 37-9). Colour charts for each of the pattern bands are given (see page 157) and the finished patch is sewn on to a piece of cosy fleece, edged in blanket stitch (see page 84). You can persona liże the patch by inserting the babys name using the alphabet given on page 156.

Patch measures 16irt (40.5cm) wide by 23in (58.5cm) long

Blanket measures 26in (66cm) wide by 33in (84cm) long

PROJECTS

Dcc row PI. (p2tog) 4 limes. pl. 6 sts. Cut yam and ihrcad ihrough rem sts.

Jnin linek leg seams. Join undcrhclly seam from top of back leg to hottom of front leg.

FRONT LEGS (MAKE 2)_

With KS of work facing and using A. pick up and knit 20 sts evcnly around front leg of body.

Work as given for back legs from ** to ***. Join front leg seams. Ieaving ncck open.

FINISHING_

Stuff the Imdy making surę the legs are firm. Join centrc back bead seam. Join bead at cast on edge. making surę the back seam is in the rniddle. StulT tbc bead firmly and join top sram. Fold the cars in balf and join the seam. Allach to each sidc of the bead at the heginning of the bead dccrcascs. Allach tbc loop stitcb bead piece to front ofblack Itcad by sewing cast off edge between cars. Position the bead into the neck opening and sew loop stitcb fabric around bead. limhroidcr iwo eyes using A.

you will need

MATERIALS Worsted (DK) weight wool/cotton mix yam (I23yd/I I3m per bali):

1 x 1 Moz/50g bali each in colours: MC cream A light blue violet B blue violet C dark blue D pale lilac E mauve F dark mauve G light pink

26in (66cm) wide by 33in (84cm) long piece of fleece fabric in a complementary colour

NEEDLES

Size 6 (4mm/UK8) needles

Gauge (Tension)

24 sts and 24 rows to 4in (lOcm) measured over fair isle pattem on size 6 (4mm/UK8) needles

FAIR ISLE PATCH_

When working from the charts read RS rows (odd numbers) from righl lo Icft and WS rows (cvcn numbers) from Icft to right.

Using size 6 (4tnm/UK8) needles and D. cast on 97 sts and work 2 rows in st st. staning with a k row.

Work 10 rows front chart A.

Work 12 rows from chan B.

Work 14 rows from chart C.

Work 8 rows from chart I).

Work 10 rows from chart A.

Work 12 rows from chart B.

Work 18 rows from chart I:.

Work 8 rows from chart I).

Work 10 rows from chart A. Insert baby's name if required on rows 2 to 8 using tbc alphabet givcn on page 156. Chart tbc name on to graph paper. If tbere is morę than one name. usc the smali four-stitch ntotifs to separate them. Make surę the name is ccntred on tbc panel and tbat the fair isle pattem is tbc same each sidc. Usc MC to work tbc name.

Work 12 rows from chart B.

Work 14 rows from chart F.

Work rows 1 to 4 from chart I).

Using G. bind (cast) off.

FINISHING_

Błock tbc knitted piece to I6in (40.5cm) wide by 23ln (58.5cnt) long. Sew it on to the centrc of tbc fleece fabric. Using one of tbc yam colours to contrast with the fleece. work blanket stitcb around tbc edge of the fleece.

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