Bering Blanket: A Design in Process!
So, a few weeks ago when I launched the Bering Shawl I got a wee bit excited about making a blanket with the same general construction! I posted this photo on Facebook and Instagram was encouraged to cast on and share a bit of the design process with you! I purchased this natural gradient from Ironwood Hill Farm last November at Knit Ithaca, it is spun from the their Finn sheep after being meticulously sorted by color. With the amount I have I'll be making a square lap blanket, but I'm going to write up the pattern to make it easily customize-able to other shapes and yarn weights. In theory I'll have this done and tested by November?
I'm happy to report that 2 weeks later I have the 4 squares done! Here is the first baby done and blocked! It measures about 19 inches square...
While designing and knitting on this I realized I want the pattern to be REALLY versatile, so that we can get the most out of our yarn. For me it involved a fair amount of math and a spread sheet that looked like this:
For Square 1, I worked with 3 colors A, B and C, with A being the lightest in the gradient. You can see that I used my trusty scale and weighed (and measured) my skeins before I started and then after each section.
The darkest color in the gradient will become the main color and connect the squares together and also be the border. I have a sneaking suspicion I am going to be getting one more skein of that darkest color (or something similar) from the farm as I want the border to not be too puny!
I already have an idea for a second blanket, this one rectangular using Feederbrook Farm Entropy and Harrisville Flywheel I have in stash from Itha-Cowl! Won't that be amazing?
We might need an intervention over here! Halp?
I'm happy to report that 2 weeks later I have the 4 squares done! Here is the first baby done and blocked! It measures about 19 inches square...
While designing and knitting on this I realized I want the pattern to be REALLY versatile, so that we can get the most out of our yarn. For me it involved a fair amount of math and a spread sheet that looked like this:
For Square 1, I worked with 3 colors A, B and C, with A being the lightest in the gradient. You can see that I used my trusty scale and weighed (and measured) my skeins before I started and then after each section.
The darkest color in the gradient will become the main color and connect the squares together and also be the border. I have a sneaking suspicion I am going to be getting one more skein of that darkest color (or something similar) from the farm as I want the border to not be too puny!
I already have an idea for a second blanket, this one rectangular using Feederbrook Farm Entropy and Harrisville Flywheel I have in stash from Itha-Cowl! Won't that be amazing?
We might need an intervention over here! Halp?
I love this idea! When I saw the shawl I had the thought that it would make a great blanket. Looking forward to your creative endeavors.
ReplyDeleteThanks.... it is coming right along!
DeleteGreat idea! I like your contexta pattern as well:)
ReplyDeleteMe too : )!
DeleteYes, yes, yes! Keep working on this - I have yarn in my stash from Itha-Cowl! I love the idea of this blanket - especially in a rectangle. I have been thinking about a blanket for my brother's birthday (he likes it when I knit for him and I like it when he does wood working for me - I recently sent him photos of yarn bowls - just thought he might enjoy them).
ReplyDeleteAwesome... that is a great trade! I'm writing up the rectangle as I knit the square, which is helping : )!
DeleteLove the design process!
ReplyDeleteIt is super fun to share!!!
DeleteHow soon can I knit this square blanket (also doubles as a shawl when folded as a triangle!!)
ReplyDeleteI am hoping it will be out by the end of October! I probably need to find a few testers!
DeleteBeautiful! What perfect timing, too!!! I have to make a baby blanket, and this pattern would be wonderful for it. When do you think it will be ready for "prime time"?
ReplyDeleteThanks! I am shooting for the end of October... : )!
Delete