Yes, as I am sure many of you suspected, my stealth Christmas knitting was the Cats & Mice Baby Blanket: a gift for my little assistant my daughter.
As usual, my assistant was always ready to help.
Inspired by our longtime reader, Kim, I chose to use a facing on the inside of the blanket to cover the steeks. (Because the blanket is knit in the round, and then cut, there are steeks on the long sides of the blanket.) I decided to repeat the “line and square” motif in the blanket in the facing, and so I knit the facing in the round. First, I picked it up through the same stitch I used to pick up the border. I picked it up this way because after doing some experimenting, I knew that I would get the flattest facing; the facing stitches would naturally turn in the direction I wanted them to.
I used two steeks to “jump” the gap between the short sides of the blanket (the top and bottom) where there were no steeks I needed to hide.
The way that I picked up the stitches meant that the right side was facing the wrong way — it was going to be on the inner, stitched down side of the facing. So, I reversed knitting direction in the middle of the first steek after picking up all of the stitches so that my knitting was going the direction I wanted it to. I then had to be careful when I sewed the facing down. I just “caught” the floats instead of sewing the facing to the actual fabric so that there would be no line on the right side of the blanket. (For more information on this topic, see Susan’s post here.
See the facing design? Isn’t it cute? On the other side, I knitted in the words “Christmas 2007.” There’s also a mouse in the corner. I can’t take a picture of that part of the facing right now because “someone” is sleeping on it.
Just for fun, and because I enjoy photography, I took some “artsy” pictures of the blanket. The first one shows the colors as they are. The second and third are black and white, except for one color tone in each. I think they’re kind of fun.
I really enjoyed knitting this blanket, at least until I got to the border. (It was a bit slow and tedious.) The recipient is happy; I would knit this again for someone special.
Oh! For those who like to see the stranding:
From Susan — I can’t wait to see a picture of the Christmas message. It turned out very cute and I hope B-Man lets Nora use it occasionally!
Comment by lv2knit — December 28, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
Adorable!
Comment by Laritza — December 28, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
Here’s something I wish you’d put under your Knitting Tips and Tricks. Your stranded knitting is always perfect. It’s neither too loose on the back or too tight. What is the trick for getting it right? I usually get it too loose because I figure loose is better than tight.
Comment by Bev — December 28, 2007 @ 8:54 pm
Sally, the blanket is gorgeous — in sepia, black and white AND full colors! and the facings are the perfect touch. A heirloom.
Comment by Laura — December 28, 2007 @ 10:03 pm
It really is beautiful, Sally.
Comment by Kay — December 28, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
very nice!
Comment by karen — December 28, 2007 @ 11:39 pm
So cute! Lucky daughter….
Comment by LaurieM — December 28, 2007 @ 11:47 pm
Bravo! Sally I love the blanket! What a beautiful job you did with the facing. oh and little assistant is adorable!
Comment by Kim LaBerge — December 29, 2007 @ 12:10 am
Okay, did AS send you enough yarn — or did you have to go to your stash of her yarns? I’m wanting to do Carousel horses for myself, but worry about how I’ve always been shorted on yarn with her.
The blanket is gorgeous — I’ve also thought about that one too.
jenifer
Comment by jennifer — December 29, 2007 @ 12:29 am
Gorgeous blanket!
Comment by Soo — December 29, 2007 @ 3:21 am
Beautiful work – what a lucky assistant… um, I mean daughter…
Comment by Deirdre — December 29, 2007 @ 9:39 am
That blanket is absolutely stunning. I would so love to knit something like that, but don’t have a taker for it. That looks like it was lots of fun, seeing those cats and mice emerge.
Comment by Angelika — December 29, 2007 @ 10:03 am
That is so beautiful…assistant adorable. I always learn so much from you ladies. Thanks again for another great post.
Comment by Cathi — December 29, 2007 @ 10:54 am
It’s beautiful! Truely gorgeous. Knit in the round with a steek? Hmmm. I’ve done one steek, not bad. Is there a pattern I can buy for this somewhere?
Comment by Vicki — December 29, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Stunning! What a gorgeous work of art!
Comment by Carol — December 29, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
It is so pretty! So, if I understand correctly: the facing is inside the border. It covers the steek from the original tube of the blanket but not the stranded side of the border. Is this right? In the photo we are seeing the stranded side of the border, the knitted-on facing covering the steek, and then the stranded side of the blanket itself, am I right? this is a really cool way to finish an AS stranded blanket, thanks for sharing!
Comment by Linda M — December 29, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
Really beautiful Sally! I too am anxious to see the mouse in the corner. Nora is a very lucky daughter.
Comment by Marsha — December 29, 2007 @ 5:17 pm
Oh so adorable and amazing! Your daughter will treasure it for years !
Comment by katomliz — December 29, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
wow, what a cute blanket!
Comment by Muhv — December 29, 2007 @ 6:20 pm
Your work is absolutely gorgeous in every way. I love reading about and seeing pictures of the little assistant! That little guy truly touches my heart.
Comment by Denise Copeland — December 29, 2007 @ 6:22 pm
OMG!!!! Sally that blanket is beautiful. Where is the pattern for this blanket and the one with the horses??? How did you pick those colors and
where did you get the yarn. Thanks for all the knitting that you do.
Hug your little assistant for me!!!!
Comment by Thomasean — December 29, 2007 @ 9:26 pm
Oh, my word! That is one scrumptious blanket! Your assistant looks so cute cuddled up in it.
Comment by Karen B. — December 29, 2007 @ 9:51 pm
Sally- Is it accidental that the colors match his fur so perfectly?
I think not.
Gorgeous, a work of art.
Comment by Lorraine — December 30, 2007 @ 12:34 am
The blanket is lovely – I always find your work inspiring and helpful.
Comment by Sally — December 30, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
That is gorgeous!!!
Comment by Romi — December 31, 2007 @ 4:09 am
WOW!! Lovely blanket!
Comment by monica — December 31, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
It’s absolutely gorgeous. And you knit a facing for it? Wowza. I can’t wait to see it pictured too, but you can’t possibly disturb the sleeping darling.
Comment by Carrie K — December 31, 2007 @ 6:32 pm