What you'll need
| One size only: | 34" x 34" |
|---|---|
Jojoland Tonic - AW148 Chili Pepper
|
4 |
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Product Description
This scale-patterned baby blanket was inspired by the two main characters of Robin McKinley's novel Dragonhaven: Jake, a human teenager, and Lois, the orphaned baby dragon he adopts and raises. I like to imagine that if Lois had allowed herself to be wrapped in a blanket occasionally, she would have appreciated one like this.
The Dragon Skin pattern is created by working increases and decreases on the right side of the fabric and by occasionally working contrasting purl or knit stitches in the middle of otherwise knitted or purled areas. Placing stitch markers between and at the middle of each pattern repeat may make it easier to remember to work these contrasting stitches.
Additional gauge information:
- Stockinette: 20sts x 25 rows = 4” x 4”
- Dragon Skin: 26sts x 24 rows = 5” x 4”
The Jake & Lois Baby Blanket has been test-knitted.
Jake & Lois Baby Blanket by Erin McKenna Halsey
What Is Being Made
The Jake & Lois Baby Blanket is a 34" x 34" knitted baby blanket featuring a scale-patterned design inspired by the characters from Robin McKinley's novel Dragonhaven. The blanket combines stockinette stitch sections with a decorative Dragon Skin pattern that creates a textured, dimensional surface reminiscent of dragon scales.
Craft & Difficulty Level
This is an intermediate-level knitting project suitable for crafters with foundational knitting skills who are ready to explore more complex stitch techniques and pattern work. The design requires attention to detail when executing increases, decreases, and mixed knit-purl stitches within pattern repeats.
Techniques Used
- Increases and decreases: The Dragon Skin pattern is created primarily through strategic increases and decreases worked on the right side of the fabric, which build the scale-like texture
- Mixed stitch manipulation: The pattern incorporates purl stitches and knit stitches placed strategically within otherwise uniform stockinette or reverse stockinette areas to enhance the dimensional effect
- Pattern repeats: The design uses repeating pattern sections that are marked and tracked throughout the blanket
- Stitch marker placement: Using two sets of contrasting stitch markers to denote pattern repeat boundaries and centers helps maintain accuracy across the large blanket
Stitches Used
- Stockinette stitch: The primary background stitch providing a smooth, classic knit fabric base
- Dragon Skin pattern stitch: A custom textured stitch combining increases, decreases, and mixed knit-purl stitches to create the scale effect
- Knit and purl stitches: Individual knit and purl stitches are strategically placed within the pattern to add visual and tactile interest
Materials & Tools
Yarn: 880 yards (800 meters) of DK-weight superwash wool or wool/acrylic blend yarn. The pattern is shown in two colorways: Jojoland Tonic in "chili red" and Briar Rose Fibers Legend in green-purple.
Needles & Notions: US 8 / 5.0mm knitting needles (or the size needed to achieve proper gauge), and two sets of contrasting stitch markers for marking edges and pattern repeat centers.
Gauge
Achieving correct gauge is essential for this project:
- Stockinette sections: 20 stitches x 25 rows = 4" x 4"
- Dragon Skin pattern sections: 26 stitches x 24 rows = 5" x 4"
Note that the Dragon Skin pattern has a different stitch and row gauge than stockinette due to the increases, decreases, and mixed stitches that create the textured effect. Swatching both stitch patterns separately before beginning the full project is recommended to ensure the finished blanket reaches the intended 34" x 34" dimensions.
Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Pages: | 2 |
| Designer: | Erin McKenna Halsey |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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