I made this blanket as a Christmas present for my dad, hence the blanket’s name.

My dad’s family is mostly Irish, so I designed a pattern using Celtic knots framing a Saxon braid running down the center of the blanket. I spaced the cables with panels of reverse stockinette stitch because I find very dense cabled patterns busy and too thick in the finished project. Also, here in Texas, the winter is mild enough that a thicker blanket would be too warm. Naturally, as soon as I finished the blanket, we had a few icy days when everything shut down. The cats were highly appreciative of being able to test the blanket.

This is a blanket, so of course the size and gauge are very flexible. I used about twelve skeins of Lion Brand Wool-Ease, using two strands held together, and made a blanket about 45” by 60”.