Grammy Ann

by Ann Fried
(New Jersey)

I have made a rainbow blanket for my 5 year old grandson (who adores rainbows) and have decided it is too narrow.

I would like to add about six inches to each side. The borders are 12 stitches per row done in garter stitch.

The interior pattern looks like small chevrons and was done using the following pattern - knit two, purl two across for three rows and then reverse the pattern for the next three rows etc. Ideally I would like to add on in the pattern still using a garter stitch border, but I would also be okay using a seed stitch.

How so I add on so that it looks like part of the original blanket?

YOUR ANSWER

Hi Ann.

You have a couple of options for making your blanket wider (I am assuming that unpicking and starting again is not an option!)

You can either knit another two panels - one for either side of your center piece, and sew one panel on each side. If you do this you measure the additional width you require and divide it by 2.

Cast on enough stitches for half of the total additional width and work the same pattern you used for the main piece of the blanket with a garter stitch border only along one side edge.

Repeat but place the garter stitch border on the opposite side edge.

Once you have completed your two extra pieces you just stitch them to the sides of your main piece, something like this:

The other way you can increase the size of the blanket and maybe add interest, is to knit the two panels sideways. Just pick up and knit along the each edge in the chevron pattern for half the extra width you need less the width of your garter stitch border. When the pattern is the required length from your main piece finish that edge with a band of garter stitch.

Repeat on the other side of the blanket.