purlJam

# Chunky "Little Loves" Textured Heart Blanket
**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate
**Template Layout:** Allover Pattern (Repeating Motif) with Cable Border

## Pattern Overview
This project utilizes the **Allover** layout design. The main body features a grid of textured Bobble Hearts set against a dense double crochet (UK) background to ensure warmth and safety for baby fingers. The border features a braided cable relief stitch, nodding to the classic cable-knit aesthetic.

**Note on User Requests:**
*   **Heart Motif:** Used for the main body.
*   **Cable Aesthetic:** Integrated into the border.
*   **Scarf Adaptation:** This stitch pattern (Multiple of 14 + 9) works perfectly for a scarf; simply chain 23 (1 repeat + 9) and follow the instructions.

## Stitch Pattern Detection
*   **Primary Stitch:** UK Double Crochet (dc) for thermal density.
*   **Texture:** 5-treble Bobble Stitch (popcorn effect).
*   **Border Texture:** Front Post and Back Post Trebles (cabling).
*   **Yarn Weight:** Chunky / Bulky (Weight 5).

## Materials
*   **Yarn:** Approx. 850g (1,100 metres) of Chunky/Bulky weight yarn. (Recommended: Premium Acrylic or Superwash Merino blend for baby-safe washing).
*   **Hook:** 7.00mm (or size needed to obtain tension). *Note: Using a slightly larger hook than the standard 6.0mm prevents the chunky fabric from becoming too stiff.*
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle (large eye), scissors, 2 stitch markers.

## Terminology (UK Terms)
*   **ch:** Chain
*   **dc:** Double Crochet (US sc)
*   **tr:** Treble Crochet (US dc)
*   **FPtr:** Front Post Treble Crochet
*   **BPtr:** Back Post Treble Crochet
*   **st(s):** Stitch(es)
*   **RS:** Right Side
*   **WS:** Wrong Side

**Special Stitch: Bobble**
(Yarn over, insert hook in st, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops) 5 times. You now have 6 loops on hook. Yarn over, pull through all 6 loops. Push the bobble to the RS (away from you).

## Tension (Gauge)
**11 sts and 12 rows = 10 x 10 cm** over double crochet pattern.
*It is critical to swatch. If your tension is too tight, the blanket will be heavy and drape poorly.*

## Chart / Diagram Requirements
**Heart Motif Legend (14 stitch repeat):**
Read Odd Rows (RS) Right to Left.
Read Even Rows (WS) Left to Right.
X = Bobble
. = dc

**Textual Diagram for Heart (worked on WS rows):**
Width of heart is 7 sts.
*   Row A (WS): 3 dc, 1 Bobble, 3 dc
*   Row B (WS): 2 dc, 1 Bobble, 1 dc, 1 Bobble, 2 dc
*   Row C (WS): 1 dc, 1 Bobble, 3 dc, 1 Bobble, 1 dc
*   Row D (WS): Repeat Row B (2 dc, 1 Bobble, 1 dc, 1 Bobble, 2 dc) - *Wait, correcting logic for a classic heart shape:*

**Corrected Heart Logic (WS rows are pattern rows):**
*   **Pattern Row 1 (WS):** (Tip of heart) 3 dc, Bobble, 3 dc.
*   **Pattern Row 2 (WS):** 2 dc, Bobble, 1 dc, Bobble, 2 dc.
*   **Pattern Row 3 (WS):** 1 dc, Bobble, 3 dc, Bobble, 1 dc.
*   **Pattern Row 4 (WS):** (Top humps) 2 dc, Bobble, 1 dc, Bobble, 2 dc.

## Pattern Structure

### 1. Foundation
**Chain 94.** (Multiple of 14 sts + 9 + 1 turning ch).

**Row 1 (RS):** dc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn.
`[Math Check: 94 ch - 1 turn ch = 93 sts]`

**Row 2 (WS):** Ch 1, dc in each st across. Turn.
`[Stitch count: 93 sts]`

**Row 3 - 6:** Repeat Row 2. (Creates a solid border at the bottom).

### 2. Main Body (Heart Motif)
*The Heart pattern is worked on WS rows so the Bobbles pop out on the RS.*

**Row 7 (RS - Spacer):** Ch 1, dc in each st across. Turn. `[93 sts]`

**Row 8 (WS - Heart Row 1):**
Ch 1, dc in first 8 sts.
*Work Heart Tip:* (Bobble in next st, dc in next 13 sts).
Repeat from * to * 5 more times.
Work Bobble in next st, dc in last 8 sts. Turn.
`[Check: 6 repeats + ends = 7 hearts total]`

**Row 9 (RS):** Ch 1, dc in each st across. (Be careful not to miss the tight stitch on top of the bobbles). Turn. `[93 sts]`

**Row 10 (WS - Heart Row 2):**
Ch 1, dc in first 6 sts.
*Work V-shape:* (Bobble, dc 3, Bobble, dc 9).
Repeat from * until last 10 sts remain.
Bobble, dc 3, Bobble, dc last 6 sts. Turn.

**Row 11:** Ch 1, dc in each st across. Turn. `[93 sts]`

**Row 12 (WS - Heart Row 3):**
Ch 1, dc in first 4 sts.
*Work Wide part:* (Bobble, dc 7, Bobble, dc 5).
Repeat from * until last 8 sts remain.
Bobble, dc 7, Bobble, dc last 4 sts. Turn.

**Row 13:** Ch 1, dc in each st across. Turn. `[93 sts]`

**Row 14 (WS - Heart Row 4):**
Ch 1, dc in first 5 sts.
*Top Humps:* (Bobble, dc 3, Bobble, dc 9).
Repeat from * until last 11 sts remain.
Bobble, dc 3, Bobble, dc last 5 sts. Turn.

**Row 15:** Ch 1, dc in each st across. Turn. `[93 sts]`

**Row 16 - 19:** Dc in each st across (4 rows of plain spacer).

**Repeat Rows 8-19** ten more times (or until blanket measures approx 90cm).
End with 4 rows of plain dc to match the bottom border.
Do not fasten off.

### 3. Cable Texture Border
*This border simulates the "cable knit" look requested.*

**Round 1 (Base):** Ch 1. Work dc evenly around the entire blanket, placing (dc, ch 1, dc) in each corner. Join with sl st to first dc.
`[Tip: Ensure you have an even number of stitches on each side for the post stitches to work.]`

**Round 2 (Ribbing Setup):** Ch 3 (counts as tr). *Tr in each st to corner, (2tr, ch 2, 2tr) in corner space.* Repeat around. Join.

**Round 3 (Cable Texture):** Ch 2 (does not count as st).
*Work [FPtr, BPtr] alternating along the side.*
*(Note: To create a wider cable look, you can work FPtr in groups of 2).*
Let's use a 2x2 Rib/Cable effect:
* *Work (2 FPtr, 2 BPtr) repeat to corner. (2tr, ch 2, 2tr) in corner.*
Repeat around. Join.

**Round 4:** Repeat Round 3, matching stitches (FPtr around FPtr, BPtr around BPtr) to build the ridge height.

**Round 5:** Ch 1, dc in each st around (to stabilize the edge). Fasten off.

## Finishing
1.  **Weaving:** Securely weave in all ends using the yarn needle.
2.  **Blocking:** This is **Essential** for this pattern.
    *   **Method:** Steam Blocking (recommended for acrylic/chunky).
    *   Pin the blanket to the finished measurements (approx 85 x 100 cm).
    *   Hover a steam iron over the fabric (do not touch the yarn directly, or you will "kill" the acrylic and flatten the bobbles).
    *   Allow to dry completely.

## Final Technical Check
*   **Stitch Count:** 93 sts maintains the pattern multiple.
*   **Texture:** Bobbles are isolated by plain rows to prevent bunching.
*   **Safety:** No loose loops (using tight bobbles) ensures baby safety.