TREASURES & PLEASURES

The weather was still wet and blowsy today; but it backed off enough around noon, to allow me to get to the mailbox/set the garbage and recycle bins out at the curb for tomorrow’s pick-ups/grab a hamburger from Baker’s Corner for lunch – I don’t think I’ll be getting another one there, any time soon: it was so wet (not greasy, but actually wet with pickle & tomato juice), that the bun literally fell apart.

Anyway …

I got back home, sorted the mail, and ate.

A "Thank You" note arrived from GA 😊

Angel Baby Blankets “Thank You” Note, arrived in mail today; the blankets had reached their destination.

16 ct. MOD 21-x21-inch Angel Baby Blankets.

I enjoy designing and crafting. I am glad for this current source of inspiration – grieving is hard; I am glad I can help in this small way, by creating these squares of remembrance blankets the parents can treasure … and ease the pain of their sorrowing hearts.

Thank You, Yeshua.

I enjoyed designing and crafting the remembrance treasures.

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022_03_11_archive.html)

Then I paid bills – thank God that’s done for another month.

I heard from a friend in the local hospital, who has recently had surgery: she’s doing okay, but can only have one visitor a day – and she, understandably, is choosing her husband’s visits. I’m glad to hear she’s on the mend.

I also canceled/rescheduled Thursday’s lunch with another friend, downtown this Thursday: weather reports say the sun will be out with a 70-degree sunshine … so, if that’s accurate … I’m going to wash the Highlander on Thursday. It’s so filthy with gravel road dust, highway grime, and wind-blown pollen, that if I didn’t know what color it is – I wouldn’t know. It’s at the point that I am ashamed to take it out of the carport. It needs washed, and Thursday may be the only opportunity for a while, once the Spring rains kick in again.

And, I finished up the last of the Spring hued slippers I’ve been working on the past few days. I wear slippers practically ‘round the clock: the only time I ever wear shoes (or boots), is when I am out-of-house.

I finished up my Spring Slippers this afternoon.

Free Slipper Pattern: https://www.yarnspirations.com/red-heart-slippers-for-her/RHK0127-021153M.html?cgid=patterns

The flooring in the house, here, is wood plank flooring – except in the bathrooms/laundry room, which have linoleum flooring; and the kitchen, which has stone flooring. I can’t have carpet with my asthmatic lungs – and I wouldn’t have carpet anyway because I just don’t like carpet flooring.

Because the kitchen has stone flooring with a rough surface, it will eat up the soles of my slippers if I don’t take precautions; so, I liberally coat the soles with Puff Paint, which hardens and protects the slipper bottoms for about six months (longer if I had different flooring, and didn’t wear them for hours on end, every day 😉).

The slipper soles have been reinforced with Puff Paint, for durability.

They are light, and cozy; I didn’t get fancy with the pattern – I kept it simple.

I prefer the comfort of homemade slippers.

And my feet enjoy the pleasure of being embraced by cozy, colorful, shaped yarn 😊

MOD ANGEL BABY BLANKETS ~ 7 Designs

These patterns I am posting are all my own designs.

My garter stitch blanket pattern was designed while I was sitting death watch with my beloved husband in the Winter of 2018 (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/12/mod-striped-baby-swaddling-blanket.html).

I needed something to relax me from the harrowing experience, keep my hands busy during all the slow hours, and to redirect my thoughts when the situation got to be too much to bear. As always, I turned to creativity. That is how MOD Garter Stitch Baby Blanket was born. This is truly my own design 😊

All of my designs were worked with Bernat Baby Sport yarn – if you use a heavier … or lighter yarn, adjust patterns accordingly to fit the texture and weight of yarn being used.

I also like to edge my blankets with a nice crochet edging for special touch, so my patterns are designed to allow for the edgings; which rounds the designs out to a nice 21-inch requirement.

(1) MOD GARTER ST ANGEL BABY BLANKET

MOD garter St. Angel Baby Blanket; Lilac & White.

Size: 21” x 21” square

Materials: 10.5-ounce skein Bernat Baby Sport yarn; # 6 American knitting needles; tapestry needle

Terms used:

K = knit

CO = cast on

g. st = garter stitch (knit each row)

inc = increase

sts = stitches

dec = decrease

Pattern Gauge: Irrelevant; this pattern is worked entirely in garter st, on the diagonal. Very simple/very easy.

With straight needles, CO 2 sts; k 1, inc next st.

Work in garter st, *inc 1 st at beginning of every row*.

Change color every 3rd row: carry yarn up the side of work in progress.

Work the garter st increases until blanket measures 21” on the diagonal.

Begin dec rows with next row, as follows: *dec 1 st (k 2 sts together) at beginning of every row* until 2 sts remain on needle: EO and weave in loose ends.

MOD Garter St. Angel Baby Blanket; pink & white.

MOD Garter St. Angel Baby Blanket; resembling a girl themed pink, white, yellow flannel receiving blanket pattern.

MOD; working on a boy themed blue, white, mint green Garter St. Angel Baby Blanket.

MOD Blue & White Garter St. Angel Baby Blanket.

8 ct. various colored MOD Angel Baby blankets; box half full.

After the garter stitch blanket designs, I started designing and working up various patterned little blankets. ‘Just because’ 😉

Mothers appreciate pretty baby things – even if just for remembrance purposes.

The following patterns were designed over the Winter of 2021, as I thumbed through my knitting books, and watched vintage black and white movies on YouTube.

(2) MOD TILE STITCH ANGEL BABY BLANKET

This pattern will have a garter stitch border at top & bottom, and both side edges. I like to have my borders a contrast color, but it’s not necessary.

MOD Tile St Pattern; Boy blanket - knit w-crochet trim.

Size: 21” x 21” square

Materials: 10.5-ounce skein Bernat Baby Sport yarn; # 6 American knitting needles; tapestry needle

Knit Terms used:

K = knit

P = Purl

CO = cast on

g. st = garter stitch (knit each row)

sts = stitches

Pattern Gauge: multiple of 5

With straight needles, CO 100 sts.

Work 10 rows g. st for bottom border = 5 g st ridges.

Begin to establish the tile st pattern as follows, and use contrasting throw-away yarn pieces as end markers: always work border sts, place marker, work pattern, place marker, work border sts as you work each row – this will keep the edges tidy and keep the pattern true.

Rows 1, 3 and 7: Mark the first 5 sts (and the last 5 sts) for g st border: K across row.

Rows 2, 4, and 6 (keeping 5 sts EA end in garter st): *P 4, K 1* across row.

Row 8: K

Repeat these 8 rows until piece measures desired length. EO and weave in loose ends.

Because I was watching movies, I used throw-away yarn contrasting markers to keep the pattern lines straight, but they are not actually necessary; Front.

Back of work.

Crochet picot edging.

(3) MOD STRIPED ANDALUSIAN STITCH ANGEL BABY BLANKET

This pattern will have a garter stitch border at top & bottom, and both side edges. I like to have my borders a contrast color, but it’s not necessary.

MOD Andalusian St Pattern; Boy blanket: blue, mint & white. G St border all around.

Size: 21” x 21” square

Materials: 10.5-ounce skein Bernat Baby Sport yarn; # 6 American knitting needles; tapestry needle

Knit Terms used:

K = knit

P = Purl

CO = cast on

g. st = garter stitch (knit each row)

sts = stitches

CC = contrast color

Pattern Gauge: multiple of 2

This pattern is very simple and easy to work.

With straight needles, CO 100 sts.

Work 8 rows g st for bottom border = 4 g st ridges.

Begin to establish the striped rows as follows; carry contrasting colors up side of work, on the backside; and use contrasting throw-away yarn pieces as end markers: always work border sts, place marker, work pattern, place marker, work border sts as you work each row – this will keep the edges tidy and keep the pattern true.

Rows 1 and 3: Attach CC and mark the first 5 sts (and last 5 sts) for g st border; K across row.

Rows 2 & 4 (keeping 5 sts EA end in g st): P

Row 5 (keeping 5 sts EA end in garter st): *k 1, p 1* across row.

Repeat these 5 rows until piece reaches desired length; work 8 rows g st. for top border. EO and weave in loose ends.

Side Borders: Pick up 95 side sts, and work 4 g st. rows. EO and weave in loose ends.

MOD Andalusian Stitch Angel Baby Blanket; Girl.

MOD Andalusian St Angel Baby Blanket; Girl.

(4) MOD WIDE RIB ANGEL BABY BLANKET

This pattern has a ribbed texture to it, but it’s still a pretty simple, straight-forward design.

This pattern will have a garter stitch border at top & bottom, and both side edges. I like to have my borders a contrast color, but it’s not necessary.

MOD wide rib; Boy blanket - knit w-crochet corded edging.

Size: 21” x 21” square

Materials: 10.5-ounce skein Bernat Baby Sport yarn; # 6 American knitting needles; tapestry needle

Knit Terms used:

K = knit

P = Purl

CO = cast on

g. st = garter stitch (knit each row)

sts = stitches

CC = contrast color

Pattern Gauge: 5 x 3 flat rib

With straight needles, CO 100 sts.

Work 8 rows g st = 4 ridges.

Begin to establish the flat rib pattern as follows, and use contrasting throw-away yarn pieces as end markers: always work border sts, place marker, work pattern, place marker, work border sts as you work each row – this will keep the edges tidy and keep the pattern true.

Row 1: Mark the first 5 sts (and the last 5 sts) for g st border: *K 5, p 3* across row.

Row 2 (keeping 5 sts EA end in garter st): *K 3, p 5*

Repeat these 2 rows until piece reaches desired length; work 8 rows g st. for top border. EO and weave in loose ends.

(5) MOD GARTER LACE STITCH ANGEL BABY BLANKET

This pretty lacey pattern will have a garter stitch border at top & bottom, along both side edges … and intercepting the lace panels.

I like to have my borders a contrast color, but it’s not necessary.

MOD Garter Stitch Angel baby Blanket w- vintage picot trim.

Size: 21” x 21” square

Materials: 10.5-ounce skein Bernat Baby Sport yarn; # 6 American knitting needles; tapestry needle

Knit Terms used:

K = knit

P = Purl

CO = cast on

g. st = garter stitch (knit each row)

sts = stitches

wrn = wrap around needle

m 1 = make 1 stitch

CC = contrast color

Pattern Gauge: multiple of 2

With straight needles, CO 100 sts.

Work 8 rows g st = 4 ridges.

Begin to establish the lacey pattern as follows, and use contrasting throw-away yarn pieces as end markers: always work border sts, place marker, work pattern, place marker, work border sts as you work each row – this will keep the edges tidy and keep the pattern true.

Rows 1 to 6: K across row.

Rows 7 and 9 (mark 5 sts EA end in garter st): *Wrn to make 1, k 2tog*

Rows 8 and 10 (keeping 5 sts EA end in garter st): *M 1, p 2tog*

Garter St Lace pattern design.

Repeat these 10 rows until piece reaches desired length; work 8 rows g st. for top border. EO and weave in all loose ends.

(6) MOD CRAZY CHECK ANGEL BABY BLANKET

This lively, lovely, vintage pattern requires a bit more attention – but it worth the headache when finished.

This blanket is the only blanket I have designed, and worked, that does not have a contrasting border: I thought it would look better this way 😊

MOD Crazy Check pattern; Girl - knit.

Size: 21” x 21” square

Materials: 10.5-ounce skein Bernat Baby Sport yarn; # 6 American knitting needles; tapestry needle

Knit Terms used:

RS = right side

WS = wrong side

K = knit

P = Purl

CO = cast on

Sl 1 = slip 1 st

g. st = garter stitch (knit each row)

sts = stitches

psso = pass 1 st over

yo = yarn over

Pattern Gauge: multiple of 16 + 2

With straight needles, CO 100 sts.

Work 4 rows g st = 2 ridges.

Begin to establish the lacey pattern as follows, and use contrasting throw-away yarn pieces as end markers: always k 1, place marker, work pattern, place marker, k1 as you work each row – this will keep the edges tidy and keep the pattern true.

Rows 1, 3 5 and 7 (mark 1 st EA end in garter st for border): *sl 1, k 1, passo, yo (x 4)*; k 8, repeat * to * across row, end k 1 – slip end markers as you turn row.

Rows 2, 4, 6 and 8 (keeping 1 st EA end for border): *K 8, p 8*; repeat across row, end k 1 – slip end markers as you turn row.

Rows 9, 11, 13, and 15 (keeping 1 st EA end for border): *K8 (yo, k 2tog: x 4)*; repeat * to * across row, end k 1 – slip end markers as you turn row.

Rows 10, 12, 14, and 16 (keeping to 1 st EA end for border): *P 8, k 8*; repeat across row, end k 1 – slip end markers as you turn row.

MOD Crazy Check pattern design.

Repeat these 16 rows until piece reaches desired length; work 4 rows g st. for top border. EO and weave in loose ends.

(7) MOD MRS. HUNTER’S PATTERN ANGEL BABY BLANKET

This pattern is a vintage pattern, and it is named after the woman who designed it – whose family is well known for its development of Shetland Lace knitting.

The design and making up of this little blanket is the first time I’ve used this knit pattern, and I like it: it’s airy, light, and kinda resembles the crochet granny square stitch. And, it works up very quickly.

I’ll be using it again 😊

This blanket will have a garter stitch border at top & bottom; and a crochet edge along both sides.

I like to have my borders a contrast color, but it’s not necessary.

The last blanket finished, to fill the box: Mrs. Hunters Pattern; Girl, knit.

Size: 21” x 21” square

Materials: 10.5-ounce skein Bernat Baby Sport yarn; # 6 American knitting needles; tapestry needle

Knit Terms used:

K = knit

P = Purl

CO = cast on

Sl st = slip stitch

Yo = yarn over

Psso = pass yarn over

Pattern Gauge: multiple of 4 sts + 2

With straight needles, CO 100 sts.

Work 8 rows g st = 4 ridges.

Begin to establish the openwork pattern as follows, and use contrasting throw-away yarn pieces as end markers: always work border sts, place marker, work pattern, place marker, work border sts as you work each row – this will keep the edges tidy and keep the pattern true.

Row 1 (mark 1 st EA end for border st): K

Row 2: P

Row 3: *K 1, sl 1, k 3, psso the 3 sts* across row; end k 1: if planning a contrasting row to follow, attach CC yarn at end of this row.

Row 4: P 1, *p 3, yo*; end p 1.

Mrs. Hunters Pattern - bicolor.

Repeat these 4 rows until piece reaches desired length; work 4 rows g st. for top border. EO and weave in all loose ends.

Crochet with a sc edging down both sides of work – the work will tend to curl (probably because the sport yarn is light weight), so I used a worsted weight yarn to edge the blanket with a picot trim, and that helped to keep the blanket’s shape stable.

My box is full now, so it’s ready to wrap with brown shipping paper, and mail off to it’s destination 😊

Ready to be mailed off: 16 ct. 21-x21-inch Angel Baby Blankets; 8 ct. girl blankets – 8 ct. boy blankets.