Blake's Boats

Well, Megan's due date has come and gone and we are all still waiting to hold that baby, no one more anxiously than Megan herself, I know! If willing a baby to come could make him get here we would have met Blake 3 weeks ago, we're all so excited for his arrival. As for me, my excitement was put to the task of finally finishing his blanket which, when it wasn't done before the shower, I promised Megan I would definitely finish before he is born.

So I'll share it here while I wait to wrap my sweet nephew in it.

Knowing I wanted to make something original and unique I decided to create a pattern to be double-knit which would make the blanket double sided. I love the way it turned out and am happy to share the pattern with whomever would like to knit something equally special for a little boy in your life.

Blake's Boats

Needles - Size 6 circular and 14" size 6 needles
Yarn - 1000 yards each of 2 contrasting colors
           MC = main color
           CC = contrasting color
            *The MC will change depending on which side of the blanket you are working on.

The double knitting is pretty easy to get the hang of once you get into it, but the cast on can be pretty tricky so I recommend this video as a tutorial for getting started. You'll need to get familiar with the kitchener stitch to bind off the blanket so use this video to learn that if you're not sure or like me, need a refresher.

Using the double knit cast on and the 14" needles, cast on 150 stitches of each color, this will give you 150 stitches on each needle and a total of 300 stitches. From here on out I will refer to the work as having 150 stitches so assume that "one stitch" (ie. K1) actually includes 2 stitches; one from each of the RS and WS of the work.
With the circular needle start knitting the cast on stitches. The color on the needle closest to you is the RS and should get knit first (make sure the WS color was cast on last).

ROWS 1-6 - Hold both yarns to the back of the work and knit RS stitch, pull both yarns to the front and purl WS stitch. Finish the row alternating between RS and WS making sure not to get the yarns twisted.

Note: when you start a new row, cross your yarns first to make sure the sides get closed up. If you forget to do this you will have to go back or find a way to sew up the sides of the blanket later!

Before you start working the pattern, you should separate a handful of your stitches over your tail yarn by alternating putting them on two size 6 needles so you can weave in your ends. When you start working in pattern the two sides of the work will not separate. Keep this in mind as you join new balls of yarn.

ROWS 7-18 - Follow the wave pattern.

ROWS 19-24 - Knit 6 rows of basic stockinette.
ROWS 25-42 - K3 with MC, Follow the boat pattern, K3 with MC

Border pattern:

ROWS 43-46 - Knit 4 rows of basic stockinette.
ROWS 47-50 - K7 with MC, knit to last 7 stitches with CC, K7 with MC
ROWS 51-53 - K7 with MC, K3 with CC, knit with MC to last 10 stitches, K3 with CC, K7 with MC
ROWS 54-55 - K7 with MC, K3 with CC, K2 with MC, knit with CC to last 12 stitches, K2 with MC, K3 with CC, K7 with MC.

ROW 56 - K7 with MC, K3 with CC, K2 with MC, K1 with CC, knit with MC to last 13 stitches, K1 with CC, K2 with MC, K3 with CC, K7 with main color.

Repeat row 56 until blanket measures approx. 30 inches from the beginning. Work border and boat & wave patterns backwards till the end of the blanket.
Separate RS from WS stitches onto your 14" size 6 needles and use the kitchener stitch to close the end.