Friday, April 6, 2007

Just My Size

The Just My Size Basketweave Preemie Baby Blanket is ready. Here are a few ideas about preemie blankets now that this one is finished. Little fingers get caught in lace patterns. For preemies especially, it's best to have a denser fabric. Working for time and using the same size (US) 10 (8.00 mm) needles with this blanket that I used on the full sized baby blanket, I should have probably used a smaller needle. I'm happy with the look and the speed in which this blanket was finished, but it could have been better. I'm thinking a size (US)7 - 8 (4.5 - 5.00 mm) needle with a DK /sport weight yarn might have beeen a better choice. Looks like my 'to do' list just got longer. It's also dawned on me that being a knitting Mom of four 'adult' children who have many friends, having a couple of preemie sized blankets premade wouldn't be a bad idea. Trying to get something made up in a hurry for an immediate need means speed rather than detail as the priority. Statistics suggest it would be time well spent.

Just to give you all some perspective, here is the Just My Size blanket on top of the full sized blanket that I'd finished from my March 16th post.
Again, here are the two blankets all folded up. I generally fold my blankets in thirds, two times, before wrapping them up. And little Miss "R", isn't the smallest of babies born! I have to say, having these sit side by side really made me stop in my tracks. I know that I made the blanket larger than I originally planned, and it still struck me as quite small.

Now, I'm onto the task of picking which sweater to make for this little bundle. Oh, and the ends of the F & F Rainbow blanket.

Just My Size Basketweave Preemie Baby Blanket
© Cathy Waldie, April 5, 2007
1 1/2 skeins Red Heart Lustre yarn [Label: 18 sts/24 r = 4"/10 cm, worsted weight, 3 ply, 5 oz, 140 g, 253 yd/231 m]
(US) 8 (5.0 mm) and (US) 10 (8.0 mm) 29" circular needles (blanket is knit flat, circular needles are used to hold the stitches in your lap, keeping the stress off of your wrists)
Chibi needle
Finished size: 20" x 21" (50.8 cm x 53.5 cm)
Gauge in pattern on larger needles: 15 sts/24 r = 4"/ 10 cm

*slip the first stitch of each row as if to knit

Using the smaller needles, Cast on 76 stitches.

1-6: Knit

Switch to larger needles

7: and all odd rows, Knit

8, 10, 12, 14, 16: K5, P6, (K6, P6) 5 times, K5

18, 20, 22, 24, 26: K5, K6, (P6, K6) 5 times, K5

27 - 126: Repeat rows (7-26) 5 more times for a total of 6 pattern repeats.

Switch back to the smaller needles.

127-133) Knit

134) Bind off in Purl.

Cut yarn, weave ends, wrap gently around baby and lavish with love.
at

11 comments:

  1. KnitcrazyJune 3, 2007 at 4:50 PM

    Hi,
    Love your Blog...It is so informative...
    My Daughter wants me to make a small blankie so I think I'll do the Basketweave.. Thanks for posting the info..
    Penny

    http://pennyknits.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. CathyJune 3, 2007 at 8:34 PM

    Penny, thanks so much for the comment! Glad you like this pattern, I love it...it's fast and easy..but looks classic without the 'pulled in' look. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 17, 2008 at 12:49 PM

    Apologies if this seems like a silly question, but what happened to rows 27 and 28?

    ReplyDelete
  4. CathyMarch 18, 2008 at 5:43 AM

    Not a silly question at all..thanks for helping me better this pattern. I had it misnumbered, and it's now been corrected.

    Thanks again! Greatly appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  5. TinaJanuary 13, 2010 at 7:33 AM

    Just had two preemie twin grandbabies. Would like to try this with the sport yarn and smaller needle. Did you ever try it with the sport yarn? If so how many stitches did you cast on and how many rows?
    Thanks. Tina

    ReplyDelete
  6. CathyJanuary 13, 2010 at 10:58 AM

    Here's the post where I tried using the DK/sportweight of yarn with this pattern: http://wishingiwasknitting.blogspot.com/2008/05/busy-week-of-greats-and-not-so-great.html

    Thanks for asking! Happy Knitting!

    ReplyDelete
  7. browneyegurl35March 15, 2010 at 5:42 AM

    Thanks for making this available. I am knitting for a charity group that needs premie blankets, and this is perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  8. gerryandmargaretJanuary 11, 2012 at 10:13 AM

    Just wondering how you thought cotton would work for this blanket? I'm looking to make a small blanket for my moses' basket and was given a large ball of yellow cotton....thanks for the pattern!

    ReplyDelete
  9. CathyJanuary 11, 2012 at 3:19 PM

    As far as the cotton idea, first I'd check with someone who would be using it and see what they think. Most preemie units have their preferences for what types of fibers they want used. 2nd of all, I'd made sure it was very soft. I personally wouldn't use a dishcloth type of cotton, seems they get too stiff. Many hospitals use very hot water with laundry, and I'd be worried about it getting stuff and shrinking. But, if you had a soft cotton, it could work. Guess it's time to test a bit and see what happens! That's the fun part of knitting...try and try!

    ReplyDelete
  10. BrigitteMay 23, 2012 at 1:08 PM

    I just love this little blanket pattern. I was looking for a pattern to make additional blankets for preemies. You mentioned that you used Red Heart Lustre Yarn. Can you also use Baby Sport Yarn to get the same dimensions?
    Thanks, Brigitte
    bardot54@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. CathyJune 2, 2012 at 10:10 AM

    If you use Baby Sport yarn with the same size needles, I would double strand it. Otherwise you're going to get a very loose knit. Or you could drop your needle size down, but then it would change the size of the overall blankets. Gauge, gauge, gauge...

    ReplyDelete