Skep

This colourful, modular blanket has a graphic hexagonal structure, which recalls a traditional beehive, or skep.

Yarn
Kate Davies Designs Àrd-Thìr (60% Highland Wool; 40% Alpaca; 65m / 71yds per 50g skein)

A Camusdarach: 14 x 50g skeins
and 2 skeins of each of the following shades:
B Ardnave
C Firemore
D Glamaig
E Vatersay
F Huisinis
G Kiloran
H Kintra
I Luskentyre
J Veyatie

Needles and notions
Gauge-size needle(s) of your preferred length and type for working small circumferences
Long above gauge-size needle (100-150cm / 40-60in) and spare above gauge-size needle (any length) for working three-needle bind-off
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle

Gauge
16 sts and 12 garter ridges to 10cm / 4in after blocking. Gauge is dependent on aggressive blocking to size: Each hexagon measures 24cm / 9½in (at widest point across centre, from tip to tip) and each side of the hexagon measures 12.5cm / 5in.
Use 5.5mm / U.S. 9 needle as a starting point for swatching.

Size
When finished and blocked, 142 x 119.5cm / 56 x 47in at longest and widest points

Special Techniques
Garter stitch in the round; working small circumferences; picking up stitches; centred double decreases; three-needle bind-off; blocking hexagons

Pattern notes
This modular blanket is created by knitting and connecting 36 garter-stitch hexagon motifs. Each hexagon is worked individually from its outer edge inward, and shaped with a series of centred double decreases, following the chart. When all hexagons have been completed and blocked to size, they are joined into six strips using the three-needle bind-off method. These strips are joined in turn, creating the finished blanket.