When I saw this blanket that Sarah made on the Bella Knitting Blog, I knew I had to make this. I was intrigued that the Muench Touch Me Yarn will shrink/felt to a velvety fabric and really wanted to try it. And besides, what baby wouldn't want a soft velvety blanket to snuggle up against? Yes, I am already spoiling my baby before it's born! This is going to be the blanket that I bring with me to the hospital when the times comes.
It was very difficult to choose a color online and I couldn't locate any yarn stores in NYC that carried it. I love this green that Sarah used for her baby. Isn't it gorgeous? I ended up choosing a light silvery grey (I did not know the gender yet). I was not disappointed when it arrived in my mailbox. It's a very light silver and it was so soft. It was a bit difficult to knit with because it kept slipping off my fingers. The knitting turned out very loose because it's a chenille yarn. I don't have a before felting photo, but trust me, it wasn't very impressive looking.
I threw it into the washing machine and ran it under a normal cycle in hot water. The Muench Touch Me Yarn is suppose to felt about 10%, but when I pulled it out, I got a dense piece of fabric the size of a place mat! I thought that I screwed up somehow, but threw it into the dryer and hoped for the best. Yes, drying it completely changed it. All the knitting tightened up so that you can see the basket weave pattern and the blanket was soft, velvety and drapey. Even after 1 hour in the dryer, it wasn't completely dry, so I let it air dry overnight.
It's a very quick knit and took me about 1 week, spending a few hours on it each day.The scallop crochet edge is a cute touch and finishes off the blanket nicely. This blanket is small, it measures only 18" by 23" with the edging. I think that it would be good for a newborn. Sarah said that she likes to drape it over her baby's legs when he's in the stroller on a cool day or in the evening. It would be also useful in a car seat, too.
I did notice that the color darkens after felting. The above photo shows the original color. After felting, you see the fabric is light and dark, depending on the lighting, just like real velvet.Pattern: Simple Baby Blankie by Sarah of Bella Knitting
Yarn: 4 balls of Muench Touch Me Yarn in color #3625 Pearl White/Grey, 1 ball of Cascade Pima Tencel Yarn in color #0030 Natural. I bought all the yarn from Jimmy Beans Wool.
Needles: KnitPicks Options US 9/5.50mm
Crochet Hook (for edging): US H8/5.00mm
15 comments:
A spoily blanket indeed. Thanks for describing the whole felting/shrinking process. I'd had a scarf with it on the needles and ripped it back thinking it was way too lose but now I'm thinking it would be fine. I'm contemplating a hat but it may be too difficult to figure out gauge.
I can almost feel the softness all the way over here...
Oh Oiyi, that's beautiful! Looks like the boys like it too!
Looks like a lovely, pampering blanket. I have heard that yarn does amazing things once it's washed and dried.
I've seen gorgeous scarves made of that yarn but hadn't thought about making it up in a blanket. That has to be one of the most sumptuous items your baby will have. It'll probably be her security blanket when she gets older. She'll never want to leave the house without it! Your poochies look adorable modeling with it too.
What a wonderful blanket! Looks like it's already been product tested and approved. :)
Gorgeous! Your edging looks perfect, I can never get mine that neat and tidy. I'm sure wee one will love it!
blankie is SO SO SO PRETTY
and could your dogs BE ANY MORE PHOTOGENIC?????
This is such a sophisticated baby blanket, not the traditional baby knit but oh so cool. I keep readig about the softness of this muench yarn.
Ooh, that is lovely! I have a feeling your two little boys won't want to give it up for the baby!
It's a beautiful blanket! Even in the photos, it looks super soft. Lucky baby!
I think the two boys are going to need therapy after the baby arrives!
What a gorgeous blanket! Your pups sure love it -- the baby may have to wrassle them for it : )
that blanket is amazing! can only imagine how silky soft it is. i love the touch me yarn.
and congrats on baby girl - too fun!
I remember when my husband ask me if I wanted to have a baby,, but I knew we had a problem, so we buy viagra after to prove all the benefits this medicine can give us. like a couples we talk everything, and now we finally have our kids. The last baby have a lot of blanked that my husband buy for him. I think he doesn´t know how to say happy he is in this moment.
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