I apologize for not getting this out sooner, the Xmas season was so busy for me! I have also been trying out new patterns and some were more successful than others. This one will be super for beginners I would rate it as very easy.
In the movie A Close Shave, the scene where Gromit is forced to leave the house and take shelter in the dog house, he grabs a blanket. This is my best representation of that blanket. It could be that it was just a piece of wool flannel with red wool stitching on the edging, but I think Gromit would prefer to knit something like this for himself. This is worked entirely in garter stitch, which I usually find a bit plain, but working this in stockinette leaves the blanket with a wrong side and right side that I didn't like. Moss stitch was too thin and not worth the extra effort. The garter gives the blanket a greater thickness and will thus be warmer. I know that Gromit's blanket was in grey, but as I am donating mine to a hospital for the NICU, I thought the blue and white would be more appropriate. In my image you can see a corner of the blanket with the blanket stitch edging.
Materials: I recommend 4 balls of Lionbrand's wool-ease in charcoal. You will also need one ball in red for the stitching. If you have sock wool lying around needing a use, you can use that too if you double strand it.
Size 6.0mm/10/4 circular knitting needles (I know I have previously articulated my distain for circulars, but there is really no getting around them here. It is the only practical way to handle 100 or more stitches.)
Gauge: 14 st = 10 cm (4") I list the gauge here but it is really not too important. It is a blanket and it being a little larger or smaller will not make much difference.
Pattern: This square blanket is knit corner-wise from edge to edge using increases and decreases. Increasing can leave you unsightly holes, but having them on the edge leaves a nice space for a crocheted or blanket stitched edge.
Co 3 stitches.
Row 1- Knit
Row 2- K1, yarn over (or forward as you prefer), K to end of row.
Repeat last row until 135 stitches (or to desired length)
Next row (Dec row) K1, K2tog, K across until 3 st remain, K2tog, K1
Repeat last row until 6 st remain
K2tog accross
BO 3 remaining st.
Sew in Ends.
Finishing: with large eye needle or size I/9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook and with the red wool blanket stitch or crochet though the spaces around the blanket to create the edging.
And Voila! Doggie Blanket!
