When I knit a project, be it a sweater, hat, scarf, or blanket, I definitely do so with a little bit of motivation coming from the fact that I want it to be high quality, and last a long time. Not very often do I really think about my finished knits as heirlooms, though, which is why baby blankets are so incredibly special. My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first, a baby boy, joining our family next month, and I sincerely hope that this will be a blanket he has forever. I hope he snuggles it, loves it, drools all over it, washes it a hundred times, falls asleep with it, and knows how much love went into it from his auntie. I want it to be an heirloom, yes, a “my aunt made this for me by hand” kind of special thing, but I am also so excited for it to be used by him and his parents until it maybe someday just falls apart.
The pattern is the Llyr Baby Blanket by Nat Raedwulf, knit in O-Wool O-Wash Worsted in the “Cuckoo Flower” colorway. The colors in the photos above are a bit wonky but I would say the top photo is actually most accurate. I knit the pattern exactly as written, only making it a little bit longer than intended, but no wider. I LOVE O-Wash for baby knits because it is soft, natural wool that has been made washable using an organic process, rather than conventional superwash chemicals, and it has a really nice bounciness to it that I think other superwash yarns can lack. It is really lovely and I can attest to its quality having used it for both of my niece’s baby blankets as well, one of which is now three years old and still looking and washing very lovely. (You can see those blankets here and here.) This pattern was chosen with my sister-in-law and was interesting but easy to memorize, and I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a classic baby blanket pattern.
I can’t wait to meet you and snuggle you, baby boy!