Oxen Craig
Chevron baby blanket worked in double crochet (UK terms) with optional knitted I-cord edging.
Size: 57x77cm (60x80 with I-cord border). Instructions for different sizes in Crochet Notesbelow. Yarn: Sample shown uses Red Heart Denver, off-white (20) and blue (23); 268g used (13g each stripe and 18.7 g for border). Needles: 4mm (US 6) crochet hook; 4mm (US G) knitting needles. Notions: wool needle. Gauge: approx 5.5cm for each 15 st pattern repeat and 4cmfor each 6 row stripe (peak to trough). Gauge isn't important unless a specific size is required.
Crochet Notes:
If the foundation chain is a few stitches too long, the last few chains can easily be undone after the first row is complete (not so easy to add extra chains at this stage if it's too short!). Work into both loops of stitch on previous row when pattern calls for 3 dcs in one st (to avoid a hole being created where little fingers may become trapped). Work into both loops of stitch on previous row where pattern calls for dc2tog at beginning and end of each row (prevents blanket curling if knitted edging is not used). Work into back loop only of all other stitches. Uses approximately 13g of specified yarn per stripe. Check weight after each stripe if yarn is limited (to ensure enough is left to complete next stripe). For a smaller or larger blanket alter the number of 15 stitch repeats of the bold text in the crochet instructions. Size shown in sample has 9 repeats (10 chevrons in total). To make a blanket approximately 85cm wide, with 15 chevrons, complete the bold section 14 times (making a chain of 231 sts and working on 229 sts). To make a blanket approximately 110cm wide, with 20 chevrons, complete the bold section 19 times (making a chain of 306 sts and working on 304 sts). To make a blanket approximately 120cm long, Increase number of stripes to 29. To make a blanket approximately 160cm long, Increase number of stripes to 39.
Knitting Notes:
· I-cord edging used 18.7g in sample (ie just less than 11/2 times the amount for one stripe). Pick up stitches for knitting using a smaller knitting needle to ensure an even distribution o' stitches in i-cord.
Blanket (crochet)
Using first colour, chain 156. Row 1 Miss 2 ch (counts as one dc), dc2tog in next 2 ch; (1 dc into each of 6 ch, 3 dc into next ch, 1 dc into each of next 6 ch, skip 2 ch) 9 times; 1 dc into each of 6 ch, 3 dc into next ch, 1 dc into each of next 6 ch, dc2tog in next 2 ch, 1 dc in last ch (154 sts). Turn. Rows 2-6 Ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc2tog in next 2 sts; (1 dc into each of 6 sts, 3 dc into next st, 1 dc into each of next 6 sts, skip 2 sts) 9 times; 1 dc into each of 6 sts, 3 dc into next st, 1 dc into each of next 6 sts, dc2tog in next 2 st, 1 dc in last st. Turn. On Row 6 work last dc stitch using second colour. Break off first colour leaving a long enough tail to weave in when blanket is complete. Rows 7-12 As rows 2 - 6 using second colour. Rows 13-18 As rows 7-12 using first colour. Repeat Rows 7-18 until 19 stripes have been completed. Break off yarn.
Oxen Craig
Optional I-cord Edging (knit)
Using a spare smaller knitting needle, pick up six stitches from side of first strip (ie one st per crochet row). Using second colour, join yarn at corner of blanket. Cast on 5 sts. Knit 4 stitches, Knit last cast on stitch together with first stitch picked up from side of blanket. Move the 5 worked stitches back onto left needle (yarn at the back will be attached to fifth stitch from end). Repeat bold section until all stitches on spare needle have been knitted. Pick up more stitches in 'batches' as you knit (six from each stripe on sides, one from each dc stitch along top and bottom, skipping 2 stitches in the trough of each chevron and adding 2 rows at the peak; add a couple of rows at the end of each side to ease round the corner. When round has been completed, sew the I-cord ends together (without casting off) and sew in the loose tails.
