Flying high is a baby blanket featuring a bold kite in a clear blue sky with brightly coloured ribbons trailing from the tail.

At 39.5 in × 31.5 in (100 cm × 80 cm), this blanket is the perfect size for a baby’s first blanket, to be used in a car seat, moses basket, crib or cot. The bright, high contrast colours used in the blanket are selected to appeal to babies, and the ribbons add some three-dimensional texture to add extra interest for the baby.

The central portion of the blanket is knitted in one piece with the kite being incorporated using the intarsia technique. The tail is stitched at the end using duplicate stitch. Clear, numbered charts are given for the kite and the tail. The border is added using garter stitch once the central portion is complete. Two options are given for the kite ribbons: for the beginners option, the ribbons are knitted in garter st; for the advanced option, the ribbons are knitted in the round. In both cases the ribbons are then stitched in place.

Flying high is knitted using King Cole Big Value Chunky, making the blanket hard-wearing and easy for new parents to care for. If you cannot find chunky weight yarn in the right colours, or wish to use up stash, DK weight yarn held double can be used instead.

Size: 39.5 in × 31.5 in (100 cm × 80 cm)

Tools:
6 mm (US 10) and 5.5 mm (US 9) circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge (14 sts and 19 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stocking stitch), 80–100 cm (31–39 in) in length; the blanket is worked flat and can be knitted on straight needles if you prefer, but it is easier to see what you’re doing if you can spread the stitches out on your needles.
Tapestry needle
Bobbins for holding the different yarn colours during intarsia knitting
Stitch markers (x 2)
Chart row marker (optional)

Materials:
King Cole Big Value Chunky (100% acrylic, 152 m/167 yds per 100 g ball):
4 balls in MC, 624 Sky (585 m/635 yds)
1 ball each in:
CC1, 1748 Damson (45 m/50 yds)
CC2, 559 Blue Heaven (45 m/50 yds)
CC3, 833 Green ( 45 m/50 yds)
CC4, 828 Yellow (95 m/105 yds)
CC5, 1746 Mango (45 m/50 yds)
CC6, 553 Red (60 m/65 yds)
CC7, 554 Black (5 m/5 yds)
Alternatively, any chunky weight yarn can be used

Difficulty: Intermediate (knit, purl, simple intarsia)

Pattern Style: Blanket pattern is written out in full, the picture sections are charted