by Meghan Jones

This blanket was created as an homage to my grandmother, Norma Jones, who recently had to move into a nursing home. As I live more than 12 hours away, cannot visit regularly and phone conversations aren't possible, I wanted to design and knit something comforting for her to use daily.

This design begins at the centre and branches out with 4 quadrants representing her 4 children, each quadrant grows tiny vines and leafy columns, the branches and leaves of our family tree. This blanket is the perfect lap size cover, or fold it diagonally for an extra-warm double-layer shawl. Worked in Superwash Merino in a worsted weight, this project is a fast knit with easy care.

SIZE
One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
36 x 36 inches square, after blocking

MATERIALS
Yarn
Schaefer Yarns Chris [80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon; 215yd/196m per 4oz/113g skein]; color: Saffron; 5 skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #7/4.5mm double-point needles or long circular
1 24-inch US #7/4.5mm circular needle
1 47-inch US #7/4.5mm circular needle
1 47-inch US #6/4.0mm circular needle

Notions
yarn needle
4 stitch markers – one of a different color or style

GAUGE

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

This blanket is begun with Judy Becker’s magic cast on and worked in the round from the centre out.

M1R: Insert left needle, from back to front, under the horizontal strand which lies between the stitch just knit, and the following stitch; then knit into the front of this loop. 1 stitch increased.

M1L: Insert left needle, from front to back, under the horizontal strand which lies between the stitch just knit, and the following stitch; then knit into the back of this loop. 1 stitch increased.

DIRECTIONS
Using DPNs or larger long circular, cast on 6 stitches using Judy’s Magic Cast on.

Setup row: K3.

Setup round: [K1, M1R] around. 12 sts.

Arrange sts onto DPNs or long circular for magic loop. If working on DPNs, put 3 sts on each needle; if working on magic loop method, place markers after every third stitch to divide up the quarters of the blanket, using a different color marker for the start of the round.

Start charts
Round 1: Work row 1 of Chart 1 4 times around.

Continue as set until row 90 of Chart 1 is complete. As blanket gets bigger, change to larger circular needles, using markers to divide up the quarters.

When Chart 1 is complete, (372 sts) continue as follows:
Next round: [Work Chart 2 row 1 across 47 sts, work Chart 3 row 1 across 46 sts] 4 times

Continue as set until row 38 of Charts 2 & 3 is complete. 524 sts.

Border
Change to smaller needle.
Round 1: [K1, yo, k to next marker, yo, slip marker] around. 8 sts increased, 532 sts.
Round 2: P around.
Round 3: [K1, yo, k to next marker, yo, slip marker] around. 8 sts increased, 540 sts.
Round 4: P around.
Round 5: [K1, yo, k1, (yo, k2tog) to 1 st before marker, k1, yo] 4 times around. 8 sts increased, 548 sts.
Round 6: P around.
Round 7: [K1, yo, k to next marker, yo, slip marker] around. 8 sts increased, 556 sts.
Bind off as follows: P2, slip 2 sts back to left needle, p2tog; *slip st back to left needle, p2tog; rep from * until all sts have been bound off.

FINISHING
Weave in ends and wet block.

Originally from Canada, Meghan Jones has a BFA in Fibres and Textiles and makes her home in Spokane, WA. She teaches knitting classes at her local yarn shop and spends her days designing patterns and enjoying her 2 daughters and husband.

You can see more of her work here.