purlJam

<pattern>

# Gothic Lunar Moth Blanket

## Design Notes
This enchanting blanket features 49 individual granny squares, each showcasing a raised crescent moon motif against a textured background. The Gothic aesthetic is achieved through dimensional front post stitches that create an ornate, filigree effect in deep black cotton. Perfect for creating a dramatic, celestial statement piece.

## Finished Measurements
- **Size**: 90 × 90 inches (queen)
- **Individual Square**: 12 × 12 inches
- **Number of Squares**: 49 (7 squares × 7 squares)

## Materials
- **Yarn**: 5,500-6,000 yards worsted weight 100% cotton yarn in black
  - Approximately 26-28 skeins (based on 215 yards per 100g skein)
  - Recommended: Lily Sugar'n Cream, We Are Knitters The Cotton, or similar 100% cotton worsted weight
- **Hook**: US H/8 (5.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
- **Notions**: 
  - Stitch markers (at least 10 - essential for tracking in black yarn)
  - Yarn needle for weaving ends
  - Blocking pins and foam mats
  - Good lighting for working with black yarn

## Gauge
**CRITICAL**: Cotton does not stretch like acrylic. Accurate gauge is essential.

In pattern stitch (double crochet), after blocking:
- **14 dc × 7 rows = 4 × 4 inches**
- **Each completed square = 12 × 12 inches**

Make a test square before beginning. If your square measures smaller than 12 inches, go up a hook size. If larger, go down a hook size.

## Special Stitches
- **FPdc (Front Post Double Crochet)**: Yo, insert hook from front to back to front around post of indicated stitch, yo and pull up loop, [yo and pull through 2 loops] twice.
- **BPdc (Back Post Double Crochet)**: Yo, insert hook from back to front to back around post of indicated stitch, yo and pull up loop, [yo and pull through 2 loops] twice.
- **Shell**: (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in indicated stitch or space.
- **Picot**: Ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook.

## Stitch Diagram Legend
```
○ = chain (ch)
• = slip stitch (sl st)
+ = single crochet (sc)
T = double crochet (dc)
⟨T = front post double crochet (FPdc)
T⟩ = back post double crochet (BPdc)
```

## Moon Motif Square Pattern
*Make 49 squares*

**Foundation**: Ch 6, sl st to first ch to form ring. (Mark beginning of each round with stitch marker - move marker up as you work)

**Round 1**: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 15 dc in ring, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (16 dc)

**Round 2**: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (32 dc)

**Round 3**: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st, dc in next st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (48 dc)

**Round 4** (Beginning of Moon Motif): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 11 sts, FPdc in next 8 sts (this creates the raised crescent moon), dc in next 28 sts, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (48 sts: 40 dc + 8 FPdc)
*Note: The 8 FPdc stitches form one side of the crescent moon curve.*

**Round 5**: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 10 sts, FPdc in next 10 sts (continuing moon curve), dc in next 27 sts, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (48 sts: 38 dc + 10 FPdc)

**Round 6**: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 9 sts, FPdc in next 11 sts, dc in next 27 sts, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (48 sts: 37 dc + 11 FPdc)

**Round 7**: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 9 sts, FPdc in next 10 sts, dc in next 28 sts, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (48 sts: 38 dc + 10 FPdc)
*The moon curve is now defined.*

**Round 8** (Texture Round): Ch 3 (counts as dc), BPdc in next st, *dc in next st, BPdc in next st; repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (48 sts alternating dc and BPdc)
*This creates a ribbed texture around the square.*

**Round 9** (Corner Round): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 9 sts, *(dc, ch 3, dc) in next st (corner made), dc in next 10 sts; repeat from * 2 more times, (dc, ch 3, dc) in next st, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (56 dc + 4 corner ch-3 spaces)
*Math check: 11 dc per side × 4 sides = 44 dc, plus 12 corner dc = 56 dc total. ✓*

**Round 10** (Final Round): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st around working (dc, ch 3, dc) in each corner ch-3 space, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. Fasten off, leaving 12-inch tail for joining. (68 dc + 4 corner ch-3 spaces)
*Math check: 17 dc per side × 4 = 68 dc. ✓*

**Finished square should measure 12 × 12 inches.** Block if needed before joining.

## Diagram: Moon Motif Square
```
        ┌─────────────────────────┐
        │    Corner ch-3          │
        │                         │
        │  ○  ○  ○  ○  ○  ○  ○   │
        │ T T T T T T T T T T T   │
        │ T T T ⟨T ⟨T ⟨T T T T T  │ ← Moon curve (FPdc)
        │ T T T ⟨T ⟨T ⟨T T T T T  │
        │ T T T T T T T T T T T   │
        │  ○  ○  ○  ○  ○  ○  ○   │
        │                         │
        │    Corner ch-3          │
        └─────────────────────────┘
        
Center ring (Rounds 1-3): Build circular base
Rounds 4-7: Create crescent moon with FPdc
Round 8: Add texture with alternating BPdc
Rounds 9-10: Square off with corners
```

## Assembly
**Join-As-You-Go Method** (recommended for beginners):

1. **First Square**: Complete as written through Round 10.

2. **Second Square**: Complete through Round 9. On Round 10, join to first square as follows:
   - Work to first corner ch-3 space
   - Instead of (dc, ch 3, dc), work: dc, ch 1, sl st into corner ch-3 space of adjacent square, ch 1, dc in same space of working square
   - Continue across side being joined: instead of dc, work dc to corresponding st, then work a joining sl st to corresponding st on adjacent square, then dc in same st of working square
   - Complete remaining sides normally

3. **Layout**: Arrange squares 7 across × 7 down
   - Join squares in rows
   - Join rows together
   - Each interior square will be joined on 2-4 sides

**Alternative Joining Method** (Whip Stitch):
- Complete all 49 squares
- Block squares to exact 12 × 12 inch size
- Using yarn needle and black yarn, whip stitch squares together from wrong side, matching stitches

## Border
With right side facing, join yarn in any corner ch-3 space.

**Round 1**: Ch 1, *(sc, ch 3, sc) in corner space, sc in each st and each joining seam across to next corner; repeat from * around, sl st to first sc.
*Count stitches: Should have equal sc on each side.*

**Round 2**: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each sc around working (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in each corner ch-3 space, sl st to top of beginning ch-3.

**Round 3** (Shell Round): Sl st to next st, ch 1, sc in same st, *skip 2 sts, shell in next st, skip 2 sts, sc in next st; repeat from * around adjusting at corners to work shell in corner ch-3 space, sl st to first sc.
*This creates the ornate, filigree shell edging.*

**Round 4** (Picot Round): Ch 1, *sc in next sc, (sc, picot, sc) in corner shell ch-2 space, sc in each of next 2 dc, (sc, picot, sc) in ch-2 space of shell, sc in each of next 2 dc; repeat from * around, sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

## Finishing

### Weaving in Ends
- Each square generates 2 ends (beginning and end)
- 49 squares = 98 ends minimum
- Use yarn needle to weave ends through several stitches on wrong side
- Secure cotton ends well - they don't grip like acrylic
- Trim close but not too close (leave 1/2 inch)

### Blocking
**ESSENTIAL for cotton blankets:**

1. **Wet Blocking** (Recommended):
   - Fill bathtub or large basin with cool water
   - Submerge blanket completely, gently squeeze to saturate (do not wring)
   - Let soak 15-20 minutes
   - Drain water and gently press out excess water (roll in towels if needed)
   - Lay flat on blocking surface (floor with towels, blocking mats, or bed)
   - Pin corners to 90 × 90 inch square
   - Use fingers to straighten edges and even out squares
   - Pin out picots and shell points
   - Allow to dry completely (may take 24-48 hours)

2. **Steam Blocking** (Alternative):
   - Pin blanket to finished size
   - Hold steam iron 2 inches above surface
   - Steam each section thoroughly without touching iron to fabric
   - Allow to cool and dry completely before unpinning

### Care Instructions
- **Machine wash** gentle cycle, cold water
- **Tumble dry** low heat or line dry (line drying prevents shrinkage)
- Cotton blankets soften and improve with each wash
- Expected slight shrinkage (2-3%) after first wash
- Do not use bleach (will weaken fibers even though yarn is black)

## Pattern Notes

**Working with Black Cotton Yarn:**
- Work in bright, natural light or use a lap lamp
- Use a light-colored work surface (white towel on lap)
- Count stitches at end of each round - don't rely on seeing them
- Stitch markers are essential
- Take breaks to rest eyes

**Project Timeline:**
- Each square takes approximately 45-60 minutes
- Total square-making time: 35-50 hours
- Joining time: 4-6 hours
- Border time: 3-4 hours
- **Total project time: 42-60 hours**
- Suggestion: Make 1 square per day for a 7-week project

**Cotton Yarn Characteristics:**
- Heavier than acrylic (blanket will weigh approximately 6-7 lbs)
- No stretch - final size is permanent
- Breathable - excellent for year-round use
- Gets softer with washing
- Excellent stitch definition for showing off textured moon motifs

## Design Variations

**For a Larger King Size** (108 × 108 inches):
- Make 81 squares (9 × 9 grid)
- Yarn needed: 8,500-9,000 yards (40-42 skeins)

**For Lap/Throw Size** (48 ×