Kari Baby Blanket

Kari Baby Blanket by Triona Murphy

What is Being Made

The Kari Baby Blanket is a knitted square blanket designed by Triona Murphy, available in three finished sizes: Small (22 x 22 inches / 56 x 56 cm), Medium (30 x 30 inches / 76 x 76 cm), and Large (38 x 38 inches / 97 x 97 cm). This project is suitable for advanced knitters and creates a versatile piece that works beautifully as a baby blanket, throw, or decorative textile.

Techniques Used

This blanket employs several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques. The primary stitch pattern is the Lozenge Stitch, which creates a distinctive diamond or lozenge-shaped texture across the blanket. The pattern features a garter stitch border on all four sides, providing a finished frame and structural stability. Cable techniques are incorporated into the design, requiring the use of cable needles to create dimensional texture. The pattern also utilizes yarn overs and decreases (knit two together and slip, slip, knit) to shape the lozenge motifs. Knitters work from written instructions that include abbreviations and specific gauge measurements for both the main stitch pattern and stockinette sections.

Stitches Used

• Lozenge Stitch: The signature stitch pattern that forms diamond shapes throughout the blanket, worked at a gauge of 19 stitches and 21 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) when stretched widthwise
• Stockinette Stitch: Used in sections of the pattern, worked at a gauge of 18 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches (10 cm)
• Garter Stitch: Applied as a two-stitch border on all sides for a finished edge and structural frame
• Yarn Overs (yo): Create decorative holes and lacy elements within the lozenge pattern
• Decreases: Knit two together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) decreases shape the lozenge motifs and maintain stitch count
• Cable Techniques: Worked with cable needles to add dimensional texture and visual interest

Materials

The Kari Baby Blanket is designed to be knitted with Knit Picks Simply Cotton Worsted yarn in the colorway Duchess Heather. This yarn is 100% cotton, making it breathable and suitable for a baby blanket. Yardage requirements vary by size: the Small blanket requires 3 skeins (approximately 492 yards total), the Medium requires 5 skeins (approximately 820 yards), and the Large requires 7 skeins (approximately 1,148 yards). Each skein contains 164 yards (150 meters) per 100 grams.

Needles recommended for this project include US #8 (5.0 mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches or longer, which accommodate the growing width of the blanket as stitches are cast on and worked. Additional notions needed are 2 cable needles for working cable techniques and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and finishing.

Pattern Notes

The pattern instructions indicate that exact gauge is not critical for this project, offering flexibility for knitters whose tension may vary slightly. However, gauge swatches are provided for reference. The pattern notes specifically mention that Row 2 of the Lozenge Stitch can be challenging, advising knitters to purl normally into the first loop of the double yarn over to ensure proper stitch formation. The two-stitch garter border on all sides is integrated throughout the pattern, providing both aesthetic and functional benefits to the finished blanket.