Skill Levels: Intermediate

Finished Measurements: Approx 34 x 27 inches

Yarns: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (Art. 640) 80% acrylic, 20% wool; 6 oz. (170g); 108 yds. (97m); super bulky weight 2 balls #153 Black (A), 2 balls #138 Cranberry (B), 1 ball #099 Fisherman (C)

Needles and Extras: Size 11 (8mm) knitting needles OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE. Size K (6.5mm) crochet hook for chain st embroidery. Blunt-end yarn needle.
GAUGE, 9 sts and 14 rows = 4" (10cm) over Rib pat.

TAKE TIME TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

Rib (2-row rep; worked over 71 sts)
Row 1 (RS): K7, (p1, k6) 9 times, k1.
Row 2: P7, (k1, p6) 9 times, p1. Rep these 2 rows for Rib pat.

With A, cast on 71 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2: P1, k to last st, p1. Rep last 2 rows twice more.
Beg working in Rib pat as foll: (8 rows B, 2 rows A, 2 rows C, 2 rows A, 2 rows C, 2 rows A, 8 rows B, 2 rows A) twice, 8 rows B, 2 rows A, 2 rows C, 2 rows A, 2 rows C, 2 rows A, 8 rows B. Change to A.
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2: P1, k to last st, p1. Rep last 2 rows twice more. Bind off all sts, keeping last loop on needle. Turn piece a quarter turn clockwise and, working along side (between first and second st from edge), pick up sts as foll for side edging: 3 more sts along side of Garter st edge, 62 sts evenly along side edge to lower Garter st edge, and 4 sts along side of Garter st edge -- 70 sts. Next row (WS): P1, k to last st, p1.
Next row: K. Rep last 2 rows once more.
Next row: P1, k to last st, p1. Bind off. With RS facing and A, pick up and k70 sts along opposite side edge and work to correspond.

Vertical stripes: Lay blanket on a flat surface with RS facing. Working into vertical lines created by p sts in Rib pat and beg at line at far left, with C, insert crochet hook just above Garter st edge and pull up yarn; insert hook into next st (moving vertically) and draw up another loop, pulling chain through first loop. Cont in this manner to create a vertical surface chain, finishing at base of top Garter st edge. Take care not to pull yarn too tightly or loosely. The chain stitches should look like knit stitches. Cut yarn, leaving a 4" tail; pull tail through last loop and then through to WS of work. Rep for each vertical stripe, alternating C and A, and ending with C. Weave in ends.