Crayon Baby Blanket for the Bulky Machine

Crayon Baby Blanket
For Bulky Machine

I used primary colors with a black stripe but I'm sure you could use pastels for a more baby type of blanket. I just used what I thought my son would like. I got the measurements from a baby blanket that I know is big enough to cover my son in the car (which is the only place my kids, 4 & 6 y/o, will use baby blankets now). Each crayon took about 3/4 of a skein of Red Heart worsted, 8 oz. skein. Also, you can use 3 or 4 crayons depending on how wide you want the blanket. And last, but not least, someone had mentioned the idea of putting the color name on the crayon like on real ones, but I didn't want to mess with that so you can do that part in duplicate stitch if you choose to.

*Please read through the entire pattern before you start. This helps to save you any confusion.

Cast on 55 stitches.
Knit 6 rows of waste yarn.
Knit 20 rows main yarn.
Knit 10 rows contrast color.
(Row 30) Knit 125 rows main yarn.
(Row 155) Knit 10 rows contrast color.
Knit 20 rows main yarn.
(Row 185) Decrease 1 stitch each end until there are only 11 stitches remaining.

Bind off using the back stitch bind off. Use the same technique on the first row & unravel the waste yarn.

Attaching Crayons
To attach subsequent crayons you can use the "Seam as you go" technique (which I recommend) or just Whipstitch them together. I think it's just a matter of preference.

*You only attach the parts up until the increase (first 185 rows), the top of the crayons are not attached to each other, only the body. At the end you should have 207 rows & 11 stitches remaining.

Border
Single crochet one or two rows (whichever look you like), changing colors to match each crayon, around the entire piece after letting the piece "rest". I recommend blocking before you do the border, but being the impatient person I am, I almost never do this step. Blocking will make doing the border much easier because you won't have to deal with the rolling problem as much.

Matching pillow

Cast on 80 stitches.
Knit 6 rows waste yarn.
Knit 20 rows main yarn. *Leave a tail as wide as the 80 stitches.
Knit 10 rows contrast color.
Knit 65 rows main yarn.
Knit 10 rows contrast color.
Knit 20 rows main yarn.
Decrease 1 stitch each end until there are only 11 stitches remaining.

Run a length of yarn through the remaining 11 stitches (making sure to get the stitches, not the spaces in between). Remove stitches from the machine, do not cut the yarn yet. Measure out enough of the still attached yarn to sew up the side seam. Cut & sew up the seam, pulling the top part until it is closed.

*Optional: If you want to use the duplicate stitch to put the name on the crayon, you should do that before you sew up the seam.

Stuff with fiberfill and run the tail through the bottom stitches as you did on the top. Pull the tail through like a drawstring & secure to finish.

*This is my own original pattern. Feel free to use it any way you like & pass it on to anyone you want. I give this freely to other knitters who are such a wonderful group. If you have any questions, suggestions, or anything else please feel free to email me.

Kara