Our Flipperling Blanket is inspired by the stunning waters of Michigan and Seal Lullaby, a lovely poem written by Rudyard Kipling. The center is worked in a slightly undulating chevron that evokes a lakebed near the shore, where the sand looks as though it has been combed by the rocking of the waves. The borders represent waves, bubbles, and the shoreline. The yarn is all Michigan, from the fibers through the spinning and dying, and its alpaca and Finn wool blend is the perfect combination of delicate and durable for an heirloom piece. It is the perfect companion to help your wee flipperling fall asleep in the arms of the slow-swinging seas.

Yarn and Yardage: Two skeins of Why Knot Fibers’ Smitten Fingering, an alpaca/Finn blend, in the Lake Affect color way; or, approximately 800 yards of light fingering-weight yarn.

Construction: The center of the blanket is worked flat from a provision cast on. The borders are then picked up and worked in the round.

Gauge: 21 stitches and 28 rows in 4 inches of pattern stitch.

Needles: Size 5 U.S. (3.75 mm) needles for working in the round over a large number of stitches, or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions: Eight stitch markers, one of which is unique; and a tapestry needle.

Techniques: Basic-to-intermediate lace. The increases and decreases are worked only on the right side; but, when working the edges in the round (where every round is a right-side round), some stitch patterns have increases and decreases worked every round.

Instructions: The lace motifs are only charted.

Special Thanks: To Kat and Claire, for everything.