Little Folk Blanket

Little Folk Blanket by Martin Storey

What Is Being Made

The Little Folk Blanket is a cot-sized knitted blanket measuring approximately 60cm (23½in) x 83cm (32½in). This project creates a finished blanket suitable for a baby or small child, combining colorwork patterning with coordinating side edgings for a polished, professional finish.

Craft and Technique Overview

This is a knitting project designed at an intermediate difficulty level. The blanket employs colorwork techniques to create the Little Folk pattern across the main body, followed by the addition of knitted edgings that frame all sides of the finished piece. The construction method involves picking up stitches along the cast-on edge and working perpendicular edgings, which are then joined at the corners for a neat, coordinated border.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stocking stitch: The primary fabric structure, worked over the main blanket body
• Colorwork patterning: The Little Folk design is created using multiple yarn colors worked into the stocking stitch base
• Make one (m1) increases: Used in the side edgings to shape the borders
• Knit stitch: The foundation stitch for all edging rows
• Cast off knitwise: Used to finish the edging rows securely
• Pick up and knit: Stitches are picked up along the cast-on edge to begin the side edgings

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn Options: The pattern offers two yarn weight choices. For Wool Cotton 4 ply, the color palette includes Cloudy 505 (3 x 50gm), Misty 496 (2 x 50gm), and Prune 506 (1 x 50gm). Alternatively, Summerlite 4 ply uses Washed Linen 418 (3 x 50gm), Pepper Pot 431 (2 x 50gm), and Aubergine 432 (1 x 50gm). Both options use 4 ply weight yarn, providing a lightweight, breathable fabric appropriate for baby blankets.

Needles: The project requires 1 pair of 3.25mm (US 3) needles for the main blanket body, with a note that 3mm (US 2/3) needles are used if working with Summerlite 4 ply. A 2.75mm (US 2) long circular needle is used for picking up and working the side edgings.

Tension

The pattern specifies a tension of 28 stitches and 36 rows to 10cm (4in) square measured over stocking stitch using 3mm (US 3) needles [or 3mm (US 2/3) if using Summerlite 4 ply], or the size required to obtain correct tension. Achieving the correct tension is essential for the blanket to reach its intended finished dimensions.