4 - follow the leader

Knitting
DK (11 wpi) ?
22 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette stitch
1500 yards (1372 m)
finished afghan approximately-32.5 inches wide x 36 inches long
English
This pattern is available for $10.00 USD
buy it now or visit pattern website

I originally designed the sampler baby blanket before the birth of my first grandchild.
Since then hundreds of prospective moms, grandmothers, aunts, and anyone else excited about a new baby have knit this personalized heirloom baby blanket. They enjoyed working on this fun to knit blanket from my New York City shop the woolgathering, and then many more, after moving to Arizona, from knitting in scottsdale.
Originally I knit thirty different and separate squares. I then crocheted five strips of six squares each.
After assembling the first blanket I devised a method, instead of thirty separate squares to put together; I knit six squares in a strip and replicated a stitch between the squares to look very similar to the single crochet I used to join the five strips together. There are so many fewer ends to tuck in when finished. And it is still a very portable project. At its longest each strip is approximately 36 inches long and on the average 40 stitches wide. The blanket is completely knit and assembled in one color. There are six squares with trim in one or two contrasting colors. If you know the color trim you are going to use you can work it on four of the squares before the baby arrives. The two remaining squares are for the birth date and the monogram. Even if the new parents are 100% sure of a name, I would not work the monogram. They sometimes change their minds after meeting the baby.
The very easy to follow pattern includes:
• A link for substitute yarn
• Tracking sheet
• A pattern helpline
• Schematic with sequence of strips
• Diagrams and full explanations for techniques

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Approximately 32½ inches (82.cm) x 36 inches -(91.5 cm)

YARN USED FOR SAMPLE
10 balls Plymouth Yarns – dk merino superwash
100% extra fine merino
1.75 ounces-(50 grams) 130 yards-(119 m) each
Two shades of blue or pink dk weight .75 ounces-(20 grams) each

For your afghan to be the correct size, it is not the brand of yarn that matters, but the GAUGE that is important. It is best to refer to the yardage to determine how many skeins or balls to purchase.

NEEDLES
size 6-4 mm or size needles to obtain the correct gauge
cable needle
size G-4 mm crochet hook
two size 2-2.25 mm double pointed needles

NOTIONS
gauge guide
tapestry needle
a schematic with sequence of strips

GAUGE
22 and 32 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch