A wee Aran baby blanket pattern on this fine Irish day!

photo by tincanknits

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all. Stumbled across this lovely new baby blanket pattern from Tin Can Knits. It's knit with Aran yarn, but of course, on a US 8 /5mm needle with a gauge of 20 sts and 20 rows = 4 inches. After blocking, border is 3.5 inches deep. And you can also use as a wrap for chilly morning walks to the mailbox or on drafty nights whilst sitting knitting.

photo by tin can knits

Lovely yarns to use for this blanket pattern are the Aran and Fisherman yarns spun right here in the US since 1821 in one of our oldest mills. Bartlett Yarns of Harmony, Maine, has several beautiful yarns which will work for this blanket and at very reasonable prices.

"Bartlettyarns are spun on the 'woolen system' for a traditional home-spun appearance, softer twist and more                                                  bloom than worsted yarns."

My favorites are the Fisherman 2-ply sport skeins, 430 yards per skein, in a myriad of colors for $10.37 a skein. You would need to increase the yarn band's suggested needle size to a US 5 or 6 to get the correct gauge for the blanket pattern. But keep in mind, exact gauge is not all that important for a blanket. You'll just be knitting a little longer with smaller needles. Finished measurement is 36 inches square, a little less than a meter.

Bartlett's traditional 2-ply Fisherman yarn, with the natural lanolin oils and scent of Aran yarn Irish knits, knits approximately to a "4-ply worsted" yarn, 4 sts = one inch on US 8, 210 yards, $9.50 each.






I'm also taken with the homespun look of Bartlett Yarns' "Downeast Sport," a 50/50 wool and alpaca 430 yards per skein, $12.50 each, you would need three skeins for the blanket and again a needle adjustment.

I have used Bartlett Yarns and their rovings many, many times for Christmas stockings, Irish sweaters, and thrummed mittens. Lovely people, easy to work with and they actually answer the phone if you have a question. (207) 683-2251


You'll find the link for the "Winterberry" baby blanket pattern here.

For more blanket patterns, many free patterns, explore further on knitnscribble.