Thoughts, Sundries and Undies?: Cow blanket circular knitting machine pattern

Hi,

I'm so sorry this is much later than promised. I've been very ill with crashes & flare ups of my various neurological disabilities. (I've been in bed in the dark, unable to function).

Inspired by the crochet pattern by Crafting Happiness (which I love) - looked for similar knitting or knitting machine patterns & couldn't find any. So decided to write my own.

Use 48/46 pin (I used 48 pin with woolcraft white dk)

Cast on & off to fasten off ends for a neat squared end finish.

Flat tubes of 130 rows of white or cream/off white (or colour of choice)

(If making a Highland cow use appropriate colours ie browns & beiges)

Make 6 (will need more if using small machine or want a larger blanket) (**if you're making blankie with plushie elements then I recommend making an additional blanket as lining or backing)

Once all flat tube panels have been made, join together in way that suits your style. I like to crochet them together to create extra texture.

To help give the blanket definition I like to use a big table or ironing board & block it out in sections ie starch & steam to give structure & finish before joining.

If you want cow print then you'll need to make cow marks. (it's possible to do this whilst knitting panels on machine using colour change graph method. But it's too intense for me to do with my health).

I chose to make them separate. I'd probably usually choose to crochet them, but wanted to do as much as possible using the machines.

Make cow spots on circular knitting machine.

22 pin - 20 rows, cast off, cinch both ends & fasten off.

32 pin - as above 23 rows

40 pins - as above 25 rows

48 - 28 rows - I only made one of these

If you only have a 22 & 46/48 pin machines then make more or less rows for size variety.

Alternatively you can crochet them in an oval & kidney shape - suggested pattern, feel free to alter as needed.

Ch7

Ch 2

Do 7 sc into each stitch starting in 3rd ch from hook.

Ch2 turn work.

R2 7 half dc into each st, at end of row. At the last stich of r1 put in 2 half dc's as an increase (referred to as 1/2dc increase) ch2 & turn

Sc in each stitch to end then as above do an increase sc ie put 2 sc into end stitch.

Ch 2 turn.

Repeat last 2 rounds 3 times ie r2 1/2 dc r3 sc include increases at end of round

R4 as r2 ch 2 turn

R5 as r3 ch 2 turn

R6 as r2 ch 2 turn

R7 as r3 but no increase stitch ch 2 turn

R8 as r2 *BUT* do an increase in 1st stitch & last stitch ch 2 turn

R9 as r3 no increases ch 2 turn

R10 as r2 no increases ch2 turn

R11 as r3 *BUT* 1st stitch is a decrease stitch (will edit in a video to help) ch 2 turn

R12 as r2 *BUT* decrease in 1st 2 stitches ch 2 turn

R13 - as r3 *BUT* with 1 decrease at start. (Row should be 10 stitches) ch 2 turn

R14 - as r2 *BUT* decrease 1st stitch & last stitch. (8 stitches total) ch 2 turn

R15 - as r3 *BUT* decrease at last stitch

(7 stitches) ch 2 turn

R16 - as r2 *BUT* decrease last 2 stitches, ch 1 & fasten off.

Use this as a basis to make 12 various sizes (make one larger than the others).

Make 6 of each size (except the 48 pin, just 1 of that), 18 in total. (Can make more or less if you want, or larger on 46/48 pin or more rows, depending on preference.

Place each on blanket prior to sewing, use pins or bamboo marker pins to attach.

Shape as you wish as attaching to blanket.

36in x 28in

Panel width on 48pin 6ins x6 36in

Panel length on 48pin 29in

Blanket size before attaching any plushie elements will be around - Length 43" Width 26"

Measurements based on use of white & black woolcraft dk yarn.

I used classic black & white for example, but you can use colours of your choice.

For example, I want to make one with cream & strawberry pink for my friend to sell. Or if making a Highland cow use a single colour & no splodges.

If you're not using the plushie elements then congratulations your blanket is finished.

Optional - border - I like a crochet border, you could use a 22 or I cord machine to create a border.

Picture below is 1 example on a sample I made quickly to illustrate. I'd probably do one in either white or a complimentary colour like pastel green or pastel yellow.

PLUSHIE ELEMENTS

- edit to original pattern - ** I found that I needed more structure for attaching plushie bits to. Esp the head. So recommend making a 2nd basic blanket (no splodges) & attach to underside of original blanket. (Pics are samples as I had no energy left to do this as a new project). I then recommend putting a border of binding from a 22 machine - if approx 1" = 5 rows then length 43" × 5 = 215 rows

Width 26" × 5 = 130 rows.

I recommend casting on & off with waste yarn to have straight edges to use on border.

Alternatively you can crochet a border in either the same colour or complimentary (I'd probably go for a pastel green or pastel yellow when I can make this again with the edited pattern)

pics of samples

Head

46/48 pin do 100 rows of main colour to cinch both ends & double up like a small hat.

Stuff without fastening to gauge where to put eyes. Use stitch markers to mark 2 eye spots. Remove stuffing, stitch or insert eyes - if using safety eyes; I like to extra secure backs with a blob of hot glue on rear on fastening once fastened.

Re-stuff cinch closed & hide ends in head.

Shape head as you go.

Nose - on 22 do 23 rows cinch both ends

I put a small layer of stuffing in, just to give it structure.

Attach to face. See pic above for reference.

Put 2 stitches for nostrils, or use smaller safety eyes or felt dots. Position as picture.

Ears - on 22

Cast on with contrasting colour for 1 & main colour for 2nd ear.

15 rounds, cast off, flatten lengthways. Cinch both ends. Fold one end of ear (see pic for ref) & secure with stitches. This end of ear attaches to head.

Horns - on 22

Cast on with a grey or beige yarn do 12 rows cast off

Cinch one end fully, part cinch other end.

Fold in 1/2 lengthways and join from cinch to end. Leave bottom open and part fill with stuffing.

Legs -

Make 4

On 22 cast on with colour of the splodges (I'm using black for this pattern) 15 rows

Colour change to main colour (I'm using white) 50 rows, change back to splodge colour for 15.

Cast off - cinch both ends, double up, aligning colours you should have a very long hat looking leg.

Stuff foot with small amount of filling, not leg, fold leg in 1/2 lengthways & join edges of leg, not foot. Flatten leg so seam is in centre & close top edge.

For now put to one-side ready to attach to blanket in correct place.

Tail -

22 pin

Cast on in main colour for 25, cast off. Cinch both ends. Flatten with each cinch at opposite ends. Then roll into a sausage shape & stitch to secure - I use Bobby pins & bamboo pins to secure whilst you stitch.

I chose to loop & knot some "hair" on the tip of the tail & fasten with a pink yarn strand.

This may not be appropriate if recipient is mouthy ie baby et al.

Placement of cow parts onto blanket.

1st starch & steam blanket (do not iron directly onto yarn). If you dont have a hand steamer, hold iron above without touching blankie & press steam.

Once blanket is dry, fold as described below.

Before attaching the body parts, fold the

blanket into a square.

Step 1: Place the blanket flat on the floor, table or bed with the wrong side up.

Step 2: Fold it on the long side so the ends

meet in the middle

Step 3: Fold the narrow side over (the

folded part is equal to the remaining

blanket.

Step 4: Fold the opposite narrow side over

the first side to form a relative square.

(See pics if confused)

Attaching The Body Parts

Place the folded blanket with the exposed edges towards you on a table or floor.

Mark the corners for the legs and the

middle of the edge of the blanket for the

head with a safety pin or a stitch marker.

Place a marker in the middle of the

opposite side from the head for the tail.

This will be the location of the body parts.

Make sure the head is located on the edge

of the blanket not the opposite way.

Unfold the blanket and sew on the legs on the marked places. (I found whip stitching down then back again felt more secure, but a mattress stitch or crochet join looked nicer).

Then sew on the tail between the back

legs, in the marked place.

Sew a ring right in the middle of the

bottom of the head to have a guide on

where to stitch the head to the blanket. You could use stitch markers or bamboo pins instead.

Re-fold blanket keeping end with legs to the left.

Now sew the head with a double thread. Stitch through both layers of the original top blanket for extra structure. I did 3 rounds to ensure stability & hide ends between top blanket & bottom "lining".

Your blanket is now finished.

Congratulations.