Elizabeth Blanket

Last week I became an aunt again for the fourth time. My sister, the only one out of all of us girls (there are four of us) who has kids, had her fourth child on October 7, 2009. Little Elizabeth came one day early but the family happily welcomed her, as did her two big sisters and brother. I have not seen her yet as they live in the Vancouver area but Mr. T and I are so delighted and have plans on heading out West in the coming months.

I casted on for this blanket, not really knowing how it would turn out. I wanted a basic blanket that was cushy and had no large holes in it that little fingers could get caught in. What came about was the Elizabeth Blanket, a nice, pebbly stitch with a crochet picot edge, just enough girly pinkness for a fourth child (I know, I am a fourth child!).

Here is the pattern that I've written up. This is my first pattern so please bear with me. If you find any mistakes or would like to give me some advice on proper pattern writing, I would welcome your comments. Feel free to modify this pattern for a smaller/larger blanket.
Elizabeth Blanket

Needles: Size 9 (5.5 mm) circular knitting needle

Crochet Hook: Size 9 (5.5 mm)

Yarn: MC - 6 balls Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton in “Almond”

CC - 1 ball Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton in “Strawberry”

This yarn is classified as "Medium" or worsted-weight.

Gauge: doesn’t matter too much since this is a blanket

Finished size: Approximately 50 inches X 30 inches

Using size 9 circular needle CO 120 stitches.

Row 1: *k2, p2*, repeat from * to * until end of row

Row 2: *k2, p2”, repeat from * to * until end of row

Essentially you will knit the purl stitches and purl the knit stitches until all 6 balls of MC are used up. Be sure to save enough yarn to bind off. Weave in loose ends.

To finish add a crochet picot edge using CC. You can do a single crochet row around the blanket before you begin your picot (I did not) but then you would need more than one ball of CC (about 1 ½ balls is my guess).

I have written the instructions for doing a crochet picot edge below but never having written instructions for crochet before, I fear that I may be confusing you, dear reader, more than I am helping. Bear with me. If after reading my horrid instructions, you are left with more questions than answers, have a look at this video.

This is actually how I learned crochet picot edging. I watched this video twice, picked up my blanket and had the edging done within 2 hours! Easy, pretty, and very satisfying.

Instructions for crochet picot edge:

Chain 3

Work a single crochet into the first chain.

Work a single crochet into each of the next 2 “stitches” or holes.

Using the last single crochet that you did, chain 3 and repeat (single crochet into first chain, single crochet, single crochet, chain 3, etc.).

Continue the picot edge all the way around the blanket until you reach your first picot, cut the yarn and weave in the end.