Cervelli

My brother is fortunate to have a very close friend who has been wonderfully supportive of him for many years. My family was overjoyed when the news came that this friend and his wife were expecting a baby. Given how important he's been in my brother's life, I wanted to design something very special for his child. This blanket - inspired by textiles derived from the baby's Italian heritage - is the result. The new parents loved the blanket, and I hope you will, too!

Skills and techniques required

long-tail cast-on

working small circumferences in the round (DPNs, 2-circulars, or magic loop)

knitting and purling

increasing and decreasing

stranded knitting

chart reading

mattress stitch

Yarn requirements

main colour: approximately 395 yards

contrast colour: approximately 400 yards

Other equipment needed

4 stitch markers: 1 round marker and 3 repeat markers

(optional) 1 set of double-pointed needles and circular needles of varying