Blankets without Sewing

Kathleen Gibson provided this copyright pattern for Project Linus UK. It is based on the ‘log cabin’ technique familiar to all quilters

CHALLENGE…to produce a knitted blanket without holes, loose ends, hard ridges or anything else that would catch tiny fingers. 

Material: approx 135 gms Baby double knitting yarn (washable)               

4 mm needles

Worked in garter stitch, slipping first stitch of each row.Finished size approx 20 inches square. 

Cast on 20 sts, knit 38 rows to make central square.Cast off leaving last stitch on right hand needle.

Pick up 19 sts evenly along the left side of the square – 20 sts.When picking up put pick up needle through the ‘bumps’ instead of the ‘loops’ as this will give a tighter seam. Knit 19 rows. This creates the first ‘log’ of the log cabin. At the end of the first row there may be a ‘loop’. If so, knit in with last stitch.

Cast off as before, leaving last stitch on right hand needle. Pick up down the left side – 10 sts from the side of the last knitted block and 20 sts from the cast on edge of the original square. 30 sts. 

Continue in this manner. The next 2 ‘logs’ will have 40 sts, following 2 logs 60 sts etc. When 4 logs are completed on each side (100 sts) cast off. Carefully sew in any ends. N.B. Always cast off with the same side facing up and pick up down the left side of the work. 

Variations: Continue the pattern (always working the same number of ‘logs’ on each side of the central square). How many stitches will your needle hold?

Try various colours, but remember to carefully sew in ends.

Change the central shape to a rectangle.

Change the width of the ‘logs’.

Make some hats to match.