Brass and steel

June 01, 2023



This lovely thing used up almost every last bit of my leftovers of rustic fingering weights.  I had them bagged up and was going to donate them when at the last minute I thought of this project and went out to my car to rescue it. I used 11 different yarns that I listed on my Ravelry page, but I'd guess there were many more as some of the tiniest bits weren't labeled. Read on to find out why I LOVE this free pattern so much!


It is knit on the diagonal with yarn doubled to marl it, and when the side measured 55" I started the decreases. It is 55" square. My blanket was started in January and was almost 3/4 finished when last week we went on a driving trip to Southern California for our granddaughter's graduation, more on that below, but I was looking at 11 solid hours of knitting! On most driving trips I'll bring two or three projects because I'm so fickle, (and the entire back seat is dedicated to my knitting) but for this trip I brought it and only it and knit on it feverishly and finished it on the way back about a mile from home! I was a gal on a mission! I'm adding this to my pile of blankets that we keep scattered around the house. They come in super handy at this time of year as we entertain outdoors all spring, summer and fall, and since it gets cold at night, even in summer, guests appreciate when I hand out the blankets. Why do I love this pattern so much? First, it's free, and you can knit it with any yarn and at any gauge and any size and because it's garter stitch, its super squishy. It looks beautiful solid, striped, color-blocked, marled, faded--it's just so versatile.

My Ravelry Project page--with links to all the yarns used



I have only two skeins of light gray Valley Tweed left. That I'll save for now, maybe for a scarf. 



I love this pattern for its pretty eyelet edging.


I love knitting these blankets, so on to the next! I gathered up the last of my colorful DK and worsted weight leftovers that I had been saving for striped sweaters and made a new plan for them. The pattern is diagonal, so it will be simple waves of color:  oranges and golds moving on to purples and browns, then to blues and greens and finally the whites and blacks if I can fit them in. This one could get big! I've also got some skinny MadTosh single ply fingering that I'm going to pair with each strand of dk and worsted. You can see in the picture below I've placed the MadTosh in the middle of each color group. I'm hoping that adding a strand of skinny wool to my mismatched groups of colors will help to unify them. About that MadTosh, I can't remember why I bought it, but it was back in the days when I bought yarn willy nilly with minimal thought to how I would use it. So after that decades-long attitude, and then stressing over managing my stash, I did an abrupt turn-around and curbed my spending then and there. Now I'm selling, donating and knitting through my stash, and buying much less. 



Are you celebrating a graduate this year? We are! I know long time readers will remember Annie as a little girl wearing matching sweaters with her American Girl doll. Today she is 22 years old and a college graduate, and she graduated with an astonishing 4.0.     4.0!    We are still shaking our heads and trying to let that sink in! I've also shared that she has health problems, so it's doubly impressive that she was able to do this while navigating several short and long term stints in the hospital, regular and strenuous physical therapy, plus doctor visits galore, several of them out of state. She said she did not mind me sharing that she has HSP, Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, which is a genetic condition that causes weakness and stiffness in the hips and legs. She manages her condition with grace and is another reason why we are very proud of her. This summer, after a trip to Hawaii with mom, dad and boyfriend, she is going to spend a few months addressing some health conditions she has been ignoring. Her career interests include either teaching or working in disability advocacy and is also considering continuing her education to get her master’s degree and PhD. She is also a certified mediator! I think you'll agree with us that she's pretty amazing. 




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10 Comments

  1. That blanket - in those colors especially - is beautiful! It has so much life to it! I wish I liked that pattern - such a classic - but for some reason even just the thought of embarking on it again after gritting my teeth through a cotton washcloth version years ago - gives me the heebee jeebees. I guess all our brains are different! I will have to find something else that is mindless for my destashing strategies. Thank you so much for your pictures and update of your wonderful granddaughter, Kristen. Such an inspiration! Chloe

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    1. Oh my gosh, your comment about gritting your teeth through a project made me laugh. Been there, done that, but no more! I stop a project right away and give away the yarn if I have to. But I just love doing garter. I like boring. I have a brain that allows me to drift off while my fingers are on auto pilot! I get really excited when I get to change colors, lol!

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  2. The blanket is beautiful. Annie is an amazing young woman! The photos of her as a young girl brought back memories. I especially love the photo of Annie and her American Girl doll.

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  3. The blanket is so beautiful! I'm thinking I'll have to make one. I'm familiar with the steps because I've made dish cloths using the same method. Your granddaughter is so lovely, and knowing what she deals with makes her even more lovely. I'll be thinking about her in the months ahead. (And to join you in sharing about grandchildren, our grandson just graduated with a 4.0, too, and is heading for a PhD in physical therapy. Maybe they'll meet sometime!)

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    Replies
    1. Woo hoo! Congratulations to your grandson. I was a solid average student myself so I cannot even imagine how smart and dedicated some kids are these days, and to think I've got one in my family, and you too!

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  4. Congratulations to your talented granddaughter. A 4.0 an amazing achievement and shows not only brains but perseverance, especially with her health problems.

    You've made another beautiful blanket but I don't think I could knit this much garter stitch! I get so jumpy with repetition. I'm sure all the color changes help it thought. It does make such a beautiful blanket, and I especially love the marled effect.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. Yes, it's amazing that she was able to pull off straight As even during her sickest time. As for all that garter, read my comment above! I think I must like mind numbing boring stuff because I'm happily knitting yet another!

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  5. Congratulations to your beautiful granddaughter Annie! She is a role model for girls, women and anyone who struggles with health issues. And so young! I am sure you are beaming with pride. Oh, and I love your blanket and the color choices 🌻

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    1. Oh thank you so much! Yes, I think that's why she is looking into advocacy or some kind of support for people with disabilities. Besides being a very caring person she is also a go-getter and not afraid to fight for what she thinks is right. Proud of her!

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