Receiving Blanket FO

Pattern: Based on "Reversible Blanket" by Debbie Bliss

Source: Debbie Bliss Magazine Fall/Winter 2009

Yarn: A Mystery found in My Late Mother's stash

Needles: 2.75 mm circular

Start: August 2012 Finish: May 2014

Modifications: Used the diamonds of the Bliss pattern  but worked at a much smaller gauge with finer yarn and did not work a second blanket to facilitate reversibility.

Dirty Blankie is no more but in its place I've "found" a sweet little (clean!) receiving blanket 25"x28".

The bath (and I do mean a full-on wool washing - not an easy little "Soak") did the trick on the dirt, grime, sunscreen and even chocolate smears that adorned it in its WIP phase.

A basic little raised diamond pattern "moving" the right side purl nubs on both sides of the work yielded a piece that "ticks all the boxes" for what I consider ideal in a receiving blanket.

• The soft creamy colour will allow the real star of the show - the infant - to be the centre of attention rather than having a visually bossy yarn demanding the spotlight.
• The blended yarn will be serviceable. (Those wee babies tend to "leak" so many liquids - wash ability is a must.)
• Its not so big or thick as to overwhelm a new baby's little body
• The fingering weight yarn knit on a 2.75mm circular creates a soft, drapey piece that will easily wrap arms and legs in tight for a great sleep-inducing swaddle

There's four balls remaining of this yarn - not enough for another blanket but I could probably get one of those impossibly tiny newborn-sized cardigans out of it!