I need to get rid of yarn. A lot of it is left overs from other projects - too much to toss, too little to make anything - or stuff that has been given to me. Nice and thank you, but not what I'd have bought.

It's making me crazy. I feel guilty buying new stuff I'd actually use because I have approximately 8 sheep in my closet. And it just sits there. Staring.

So I made a blanket to cover my shame.

This yarn was a lovely cotton/alpaca blend that someone cruely dyed the color of blanched salmon. I plan to dye it 'flamingo'.

This blanket is a pretty quick knit. All the confusing stuff is right at the beginning, so starting over/frogging (not that anyone ever does...) isn't too painful. The petal pattern is easily memorized and doesn't take much concentration after you figure it out. This probably isn't the best pattern for your first lace project, it would make a great second one.

Lotus Knit Baby Blanket Pattern

Size

32"x32"

Gauge

18 sts x 20 rows = 4 inches in stockinette

Materials

300 grams (3 skeins) Cascasde 220 wool or similar worsted weight yarn (100 grams, 220 yards)
Size 8 (5 mm) 32” circular needles
Size 8 (5mm) 60" circular needles
Darning needle

Abbreviations

K – Knit
P – Purl
K2tog – knit 2 together
Ssk – Slip 2 stitches knitwise and k2tog
Sl, k2tog, psso – Slip on st to the right needle, k2tog, pass slip stitch over
K1f&b - Knit 1 in the front and back of the stitch
K tbl - Knit through back loop
YO - Yarn over
PM - Place marker

Notes

Throughout pattern, slip markers as you come to them.

Switch to longer circulars when needed.

This blanket is knit using the magic loop method, (video)

Some knitters have reported the center portion of the flower puckering up a bit. To avoid this, you may want to knit the "Center Flower" section on smaller needles.

A knitter created a video showing how to knit the first 4 rows on DPNs.

Directions

Cast on 8 sts using the disappearing loop method (another tutorial!). Pull the cable through so you have 4 sts on each needle.

Center Flower

Work the following instructions four times on each round. If you choose to use DPNs, you would work the instructions below once on each of the four needles. Using the magic loop, as I did, I recommend placing a marker to designate where the pattern ends.

K, 2yo, k
K2, p, k
K2, yo, k2
K2, k1f&b, k2
K2, yo, k2, yo, k2
Knit
K2, yo, k4, yo, k2
K3, k2tog, ssk, k3
Yo, k2, yo, k2, yo, k2, yo, k2
K3, k2tog, k1, k1f&b, k1, ssk, k2
K tbl, yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo
K4, yo, k2tog, k2tog, yo, ssk, ssk, yo, k3
K tbl, yo, k1, yo, k3, yo, k2, k1f&b, k2, yo, k3, yo, k1, yo
K8, yo, ssk, ssk, k2tog, k2tog, yo, k5
K tbl, yo, k3, yo, k1, ssk, k1, sl1, k3tog, psso, k1, k2tog, k1, yo, k3, yo
Knit
K tbl, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo
Knit
K tbl, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k5, yo
Knit
K tbl, yo, k7, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k7, yo
Knit
K tbl, yo, k9, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k9, yo
Knit
K tbl, yo, k11, yo, ssk, k10, yo
Knit

Petals

Work the following pattern between each marker.

Ktbl, *yo, k tbl, yo, ssk, k7, k2tog* Repeat from * to * until 1 st before marker, yo, k tbl, yo, slip marker.
Knit
Ktbl, *yo, k3, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog* Repeat from * to * until 3 sts before marker, yo, k3, yo, slip marker.
Knit
Ktbl, *yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k7* Repeat from * to * until 5 sts before marker, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, slip marker.
Knit
Ktbl, *yo, k5, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog* Repeat from * to * until 5 sts before marker, yo, k5, yo, slip marker.
Knit
Ktbl, *yo, k7, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog* Repeat from * to * until 7 sts before marker, yo, k7, yo, slip marker.
Knit
Ktbl, *yo, k9, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso* Repeat from * to * until 9 sts before marker, yo, k9, yo, slip marker.
Knit
Ktbl, yo, k11, *yo, ssk, k10* Repeat from * to * until marker, yo, slip marker.
Knit

Repeat the petals pattern 4 more times, for a total of 5 repeats.

Outer Edge

Increase round: Ktbl, yo, k until marker, yo, slip marker.
Even round: Knit

Alternate increase and even round for ten total rounds. Work 5 additional rounds in seed stitch.

Seed stitch increase: Ktbl, yo, *k, p* repeat from * to * until marker, yo, slip marker.
Seed stitch even round: P, k around.

Cast off loosely in pattern.

Edited 3/16/2011 - Fixed error in line 7 and 13 of flower pattern. Edited 3/17/2011 - Couple more. Edited 3/20 - Dyed. Edited 3/27 - Couple tweaks Edited 3/31 - Row 15 will be the death of me.