purlJam

# Heirloom Woven Texture Baby Blanket

**Description:** An advanced-finish baby blanket featuring the classic, reversible Moss Stitch (also known as Linen or Granite stitch). While the central stitch pattern is rhythmic, this pattern is elevated to an **Intermediate** level through precise colour changing techniques and a technically demanding deep ribbed border using Front and Back Post trebles. The result is a dense, warm fabric with excellent drape and a professional, modern finish.

**Layout Design:** Allover (Single pattern repeated with stripe variation).

### Terminology & Abbreviations (UK Terms)
*Please note: This pattern uses UK Crochet Terminology.*
*   **ch**: chain
*   **dc**: double crochet (equivalent to US single crochet)
*   **tr**: treble crochet (equivalent to US double crochet)
*   **st(s)**: stitch(es)
*   **ch-sp**: chain space
*   **sk**: skip
*   **FPtr**: Front Post treble crochet (insert hook from front to back to front around post)
*   **BPtr**: Back Post treble crochet (insert hook from back to front to back around post)
*   **rep**: repeat
*   **RS/WS**: Right Side / Wrong Side (Note: Moss stitch is reversible, but the border will establish the RS).

### Materials
*   **Yarn**: Worsted Weight / Aran Weight Acrylic or Superwash Merino Blend.
    *   Total approximate yardage: 1,300 meters (1,420 yards).
    *   *Main Colour (Grey)*: 800m
    *   *Contrast Colour A (White)*: 250m
    *   *Contrast Colour B (Mustard)*: 250m
*   **Hook**: 5.5mm (UK size) or size needed to obtain tension. (Note: A slightly larger hook than standard prevents the moss stitch from becoming too stiff).
*   **Notions**: Tapestry needle (large eye), 2 locking stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape.

### Tension (Gauge)
It is **critical** to check tension to ensure the blanket is soft and drapes well.
*   **Pattern Tension**: 16 sts (8 dc + 8 ch-sps) and 15 rows = 10cm x 10cm (4" x 4") measured over Moss Stitch pattern.
*   *Swatch Instructions*: Ch 26. Work in pattern for 18 rows. Wash and block before measuring.

### Finished Measurements
*   **Width**: Approx 90 cm (35 inches)
*   **Length**: Approx 105 cm (41 inches) including border.

### Chart / Diagram Requirements
**Symbol Legend:**
*   **Oval**: Chain (ch)
*   **x** or **+**: Double Crochet (dc)
*   **T with bar**: Treble Crochet (tr)
*   **Hook with curve**: Front/Back Post Treble

**Moss Stitch Diagram Logic:**
Row 1: [x o] [x o] ...
Row 2: [o x] [o x] ...
*Note: You are always placing a dc into the ch-sp of the previous row.*

---

### Pattern Structure

#### 1. Foundation
Using Main Colour (Grey) and 5.5mm hook, chain looseley.
**Foundation Chain**: 140 chains.
*[Math Check: Target width 87.5cm (pre-border) / 10cm * 16 sts = 140 sts. Foundation chain matches pattern multiple of 2.]*

#### 2. Establish Pattern
**Row 1**: Dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as first ch-sp and first dc). *Ch 1, sk next ch, dc in next ch; rep from * to end of chain.
*[Math Validation: 140 ch start - 3 skipped chs (counts as 1 st + 1 sp) = 137 chs. Pattern uses 2 chs per repeat. 137 / 2 = 68 repeats + 1 remainder. Total stitch count: 69 dc + 69 ch-sps = 138 working sts.]*

**Row 2**: Ch 2 (counts as first dc + ch 1), turn. Sk first dc. Dc in first ch-sp. *Ch 1, sk next dc, dc in next ch-sp; rep from * to end, placing final dc in the turning chain space from the row below.
*[Math Validation: Stitch count remains constant at 138 sts (69 dc, 69 ch-sps).]*

#### 3. Main Body
Continue repeating **Row 2** for the entire blanket body, changing colours as desired.
*Tip: Carry yarn up the side if striping frequently to reduce ends to weave in.*

**Stripe Sequence (Example):**
*   Rows 1-20: Main Colour (Grey)
*   Rows 21-24: Contrast A (White)
*   Rows 25-28: Contrast B (Mustard)
*   Rows 29-32: Contrast A (White)
*   Rows 33-130: Main Colour (Grey)
*   Rows 131-134: Contrast A (White)
*   Rows 135-138: Contrast B (Mustard)
*   Rows 139-142: Contrast A (White)
*   Rows 143-162: Main Colour (Grey)

Work until piece measures approx 100cm, ending on a row where the yarn is at the same side as the starting tail (Total approx 162 rows). Do not fasten off.

#### 4. The Border (Intermediate Technique)
The border transforms this from a simple square to an advanced finished object.

**Round 1 (Preparation Round):**
Turn work to RS. Ch 1 (does not count as st), dc evenly around the entire blanket.
*   **Top/Bottom**: Work 1 dc in each st and ch-sp.
*   **Sides**: Work [1 dc, 2 dc] alternating into row ends (approx 3 dc for every 2 rows).
*   **Corners**: Work (dc, ch 2, dc) in each corner.
*   **Critical Math**: Ensure each side has an **ODD** number of stitches between corners.
*[Math Check: If top is 138 sts, add 1 to make 139. If side is 162 rows -> approx 243 sts. Adjust spacing slightly to ensure ODD count.]*
Join with sl st to first dc.

**Round 2 (Foundation for Ribbing):**
Ch 3 (counts as tr), tr in each st around. In corners, work (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr). Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
*[Math Check: Previous odd number + 4 corner increases = New Odd Number total per side.]*

**Round 3 (Ribbing):**
Ch 2 (does not count as st).
*   *Work FPtr around next st, BPtr around next st; rep from * to corner.
*   **Corner**: (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in ch-2 sp.
*   *Note on Corners*: Ensure you restart the post pattern correctly after the corner stitches to maintain the "ribbed" look. The first st after the corner should be the opposite of the last st before the corner if possible, or simply restart with FPtr.
Join with sl st.

**Round 4 (Ribbing Extension):**
Rep Round 3, working FPtr around FPtr and BPtr around BPtr. Work (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in corners.

**Round 5 (Finishing):**
Ch 1, dc in each st around. Work (dc, ch 1, dc) in corners. This locks the ribbing in place and prevents the edge from flaring.
Join with invisible join (needle join) for a seamless finish.

#### 5. Finishing
1.  **Secure Ends**: Using the yarn needle, weave in all ends in at least 3 directions to ensure they never unravel, especially important for baby items.
2.  **Blocking (Essential)**:
    *   Soak the blanket in cool water with a no-rinse wool wash for 20 minutes.
    *   Roll in a towel to remove excess water.
    *   Lay flat on blocking mats.
    *   Pin to exactly 90cm x 105cm, ensuring the straight lines of the colour blocks are perfectly horizontal.
    *   Allow to dry completely (24-48 hours).

### Technical Editor Notes
*   **Check your ends**: In Moss Stitch, the "ch 1" spaces can make weaving ends tricky. Weave ends *through the dc stitches*, not just through the chain spaces, for security.
*   **Corner curling**: If your ribbing curls inward, your tension on the BPtr is too tight. Pull up the loop slightly higher before completing the stitch.
*   **Yarn substitution**: If using cotton yarn, reduce hook size by 0.5mm as cotton does not bloom like wool/acrylic.