Striped Garter Stitch Baby Blanket

Instructions

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1. 1Cast onWith colour A, cast on 119 sts. Use the circular needle like straight needles, turning the work at the end of every row. Cast on loosely so the bottom edge does not pull in.
2. 2Basic rowEvery row is worked the same: sl1, knit to end (119 sts). Slipping the first stitch creates a neat chain along the edge and leaves the sides clean without any border. Two rows make one garter ridge.
3. 3First stripeWith colour A, work the basic row 12 times. To count rows, count the ridges on the right side: 12 rows = 6 ridges. This first stripe forms the bottom edge of the blanket.
4. 4Changing coloursWithout cutting A, join B and work 12 rows with B. Then, without cutting B, switch back to A and work 12 rows. Since every stripe has an even number of rows, colour changes always happen on the same edge; carry the unused yarn up the side by twisting it once with the working yarn every 4 rows.
5. 5BodyWork the sequence (12 rows B, 12 rows A) a total of 11 times. Together with the first A stripe this gives 276 rows, and the blanket starts and ends with colour A: 12 A stripes and 11 B stripes. Length is about 81 cm; add another pair of stripes for a longer blanket.
6. 6Bind offWith colour A, on the next right-side row, bind off all sts loosely knitwise. If the bound-off edge is tighter than the cast-on edge, bind off with a needle one size larger.
7. 7Finishing and blockingWeave the ends vertically into the carried yarn at the edge and into stripes of the same colour. Wash the blanket in lukewarm water, press out the water with a towel without wringing, then lay it flat to size and let dry. For baby use, make sure no knots or loose strands remain.