Sometimes we want to hug someone who is not nearby. When we can not offer love in person, it helps to make and send a soft, special gift. I made this one for my friend Kristi.

This pattern uses one main yarn knit throughout. It is held with alternating thinner yarns to add color and softness.

Gauge: This pattern is forgiving. More relaxed knitters will use more yarn per row but need fewer rows, using the same amount of yarn. Two test knitters knit at very different gauges yet got similar fabric. Both wraps were 15” (37cm) wide, and appx. 51” (127cm) long excluding fringe. Lap blankets will be the same length, but approximately 22” (56cm) wide.

Needle Size: One size 15 US (10mm) circular needle, with a minimum 24” (60cm), preferably longer than 30” (75cm) cable. Relaxed knitters may go down to size US 13 (9mm) if they wish.

Yarn: (first number is for wrap, second for lap blanket)

• 2/3 balls Nashua Creative Focus 75% wool/25% alpaca worsted yarn, 220 yd per 100gm ball (or same yardage of other smooth and soft but sticky yarn in the same yardage per weight). Malabrigo merino worsted makes a loftier fabric, Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride worsted is similar but not as soft.

• Also nine partial balls of random DK–to–sock weight yarns adding up to at least as much yardage as you have in the above yarn. About 70/105 yards per ball should be enough. DK–weight yarns are typically 250–270yd per 50gm, so 15gm (.53oz)/23gm (.8oz) is minimum for DK. You would need less weight for the same yardage if using thinner yarns.

Consider choosing colors in an analogous color scheme (several colors next to one another in the color wheel). All knit–along yarns should be soft (think alpaca, merino, angora, silk blends).