Finished Measurements: 44” square

Materials:
• 4 skeins MC, color Indigo 724
• 2 skeins CC1, color Cloudy 714
• 2 skeins CC2, color Tranquil 720
• 2 skeins CC3, color Jeans 719
(275 yards/100 grams) Dream in Color Everlasting DK (100% Merino)

Needles:
• size US 7 (4.5 mm) short circular needle, or size needed for gauge
• size H8 (5.00 mm) crochet hook for edging

Extras: 2 stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Gauge:
• 21 sts and 36 rows over 4” in garter stitch
• 22 sts and 15 rows over 4” in stockinette
Rows are important in this pattern - a good test of gauge is to knit Square 1 and measure it. As you work you may wish to refer to the chart.

Notes

At the end of this pattern there are some short photo tutorials for intarsia, joining knitting as you go, and the crochet edge. You may wish to refer to them before you cast on.

This blanket is constructed to minimize finishing. When you complete a square you do not bind off, but simply cast on the stated number of stitches and begin to work the next square. As you work Square 2 you connect it to the live stitches at the top of Square 1, and as you work Square 3 you connect it to the live stitches at the top of Square 2 and the stockinette selvedge on the side of Square 1. The work proceeds like this, with the left side of each square (as you’re knitting it) connecting with the others.

The Contrast Color Stripes in each Square are bordered all the way around with the Main Color. This helps hide the joins and makes a cleaner wrong side. In order to do this there is some intarsia; you will have two strands of the Main Color working at one time, one on either side of the Contrast Color. Be sure to twist your yarns when switching between colors.

When you finish knitting with each Contrast Color in the squares you break the current color and join the next. At the end of the Contrast Color 3 Stripe you break CC3 and the MC strand near the working stitch and the main MC becomes the sole working yarn again.

The wider border for the outside is simply knit at double width rather than by picking up stitches and working out. There are many ends and I recommend taking a few minutes every so often to weave them in, so they aren’t all there waiting for you when you’re finishing up.

You may want to have a row counter on hand to help you keep your place. I suggest counting the garter ridges on the right side; each ridge is an even numbered row.