The Land of Counterpane by Erica Hernandez

The Land of Counterpane

Knitting
April 2013
Aran (8 wpi) ?
14 stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette stitch
US 10½ - 6.5 mm
1308 yards (1196 m)
Finished measurements: approx 42" x 35" / 106.5cm x 89cm
English
This pattern is available from cooperativepress.com for $6.00.

I love blankets almost as much as I love shawls (see the original WWMDfK?). In keeping with the idea of an actual Land of Counterpane (in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Child’s Garden of Verses), to me the different sections of the blanket resemble fields and hills (or a racetrack for toy cars!). Each stitch pattern stays the same long enough to be noticeable, but changes often enough that you don’t get that “when will this ever end” feeling.

MATERIALS
Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Superwash (100% superwash wool; 218 yds / 199m per 100g skein, 8 wpi), Pansy Purple; 6 skeins

1 set US #10.5 / 6.5mm double-point needles OR two US #10.5 / 6.5mm) circular needles, 24” / 60cm, or size needed to obtain gauge
1 US #10.5 / 6.5mm circular needle, 24” / 60cm
Note: I use needles with interchangeable tips so that I can switch to longer cables as needed as the blanket grows.

4 locking stitch markers, one a different color than the others
Yarn needle