purlJam

<pattern>

# SLEEPING DRAGONS PILE BLANKET
**A Cozy Two-Color Machine Knit Panel**

## DESCRIPTION
This charming beginner-friendly pattern features stylized sleeping dragons curled up together in a cozy pile. The design uses a simple 2-color slip stitch technique to create the dragon motif on a flat-knit panel, perfect for a baby blanket, wall hanging, or decorative throw.

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:**
- Worsted weight yarn (approximately 10 wraps per inch)
- Main Color (MC - Background): 450 yards (410m)
- Contrast Color (CC - Dragons): 350 yards (320m)
- Suggested: smooth, non-fuzzy yarn for clear stitch definition

**Machine Requirements:**
- Standard gauge (4.5mm) knitting machine
- Compatible with Brother/Silver Reed/Studio punchcard or electronic machines
- Single bed only (no ribber required)

**Notions:**
- Waste yarn for cast-on
- Ravel cord
- Cast-on comb and weights (standard machine weights)
- Transfer tool or latch tool for finishing
- Tapestry needle for weaving ends
- Blocking pins and foam board (optional)

---

## TENSION/GAUGE

**Tension Dial Setting:**
- MC and CC both at T7 (mid-tension)

**Resulting Gauge in Slip Stitch Pattern:**
- 4.5 stitches per inch (1.8 sts per cm)
- 6 rows per inch (2.4 rows per cm)
- Measure gauge over slip stitch pattern, not stockinette

**Gauge Swatch:**
Before beginning, knit a 40-st × 40-row swatch in slip stitch pattern at T7. Steam lightly and measure. Adjust tension dial if needed to achieve gauge.

---

## FINISHED SIZE

- Width: 24.5" (62cm)
- Length: 30" (76cm)

---

## ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS

- **RC** = Row Counter
- **COL** = Carriage On Left
- **COR** = Carriage On Right
- **MC** = Main Color (background)
- **CC** = Contrast Color (dragons)
- **T7** = Tension dial set to 7
- **WY** = Waste Yarn
- **WPI** = Working Position (needle forward in hooks)
- **HP** = Hold Position (needle held out)
- **St(s)** = Stitch(es)
- **PWY** = Pass With Yarn (knit one row)

---

## PATTERN NOTES

**Design Overview:**
The sleeping dragons are created using a slip stitch technique where the contrast color "draws" the dragon shapes while the main color forms the background. The pattern shows simplified, rounded dragon forms with curled tails, creating a peaceful sleeping pile effect.

**Slip Stitch Technique:**
Your carriage will be set to slip in both directions. The punchcard/electronic program determines which needles knit and which slip on each row, creating the two-color design without manual needle selection.

**Color Changes:**
You'll alternate between MC and CC every 2 rows throughout the pattern body. This creates the design while keeping the technique beginner-friendly.

**Machine Setup:**
- Punchcard machines: Use the 44-stitch dragon motif card provided in chart below
- Electronic machines: Program the 44-st × 60-row design from the chart

**Beginner Tips:**
- Keep both yarn colors weighted with separate yarn feeders or clips
- Don't pull too tightly when changing colors
- Use smooth, medium-weight worsted yarn for best results
- The slip stitch creates a thicker, less stretchy fabric than stockinette

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### MACHINE SETUP

1. **Needle Arrangement:**
   - Bring 110 needles to WPI (Working Position), centered on the bed
   - This is 55 needles left of center 0, and 55 needles right of center 0
   - Needles in work: Left 55 to Right 55

2. **Carriage Settings:**
   - Set tension dial to T7 for both MC and CC
   - Set carriage to SLIP in both directions (consult your machine manual)
   - Part button: Set to SLIP or NL (needle loop) setting
   - Ensure end needle levers are DOWN for edge needles to knit every row

3. **Punchcard/Electronic Setup:**
   - **For punchcard machines:** Insert SLEEPING DRAGONS punchcard (chart provided below) and lock on row 1
   - **For electronic machines:** Program the 44-stitch × 60-row design from the chart into memory

---

### CAST-ON

**RC 000 (Set row counter to 000)**

1. Using waste yarn, cast on over 110 needles using your preferred method (comb cast-on recommended)
2. Knit 8-10 rows of waste yarn at T7 with carriage in plain stockinette (slip setting OFF)
3. Thread ravel cord
4. Knit 1 row with ravel cord

**RC 000 (Reset counter to 000)**

5. Change to MC (Main Color - background)
6. Tension remains at T7
7. Set carriage to SLIP both ways (or engage slip/NL setting per your machine)
8. Hang cast-on comb and sufficient weights below the knitting (standard weight for worsted yarn)
9. Carriage at COR (Carriage On Right), RC reads 000

**Math Check:** 110 sts on needles = 110 sts ÷ 4.5 sts/in = 24.4" width ✓

---

### BORDER (Plain Background)

With MC only, knit a plain border before beginning the dragon motif.

**RC 000, COR, MC threaded, T7, slip setting engaged**

10. Knit 12 rows with MC only (carriage will be at COL, RC 012)
    - Even though slip setting is on, with no pattern activated, all needles knit
    - This creates a plain background border

**RC 012, COL**

**Math Check:** 12 rows ÷ 6 rows/in = 2" bottom border ✓

---

### PATTERN BODY (Sleeping Dragons Design)

Now begin the dragon motif using 2-color slip stitch pattern.

**PUNCHCARD MACHINES:**
- Release punchcard to begin pattern repeat
- Card will advance automatically with each carriage pass

**ELECTRONIC MACHINES:**
- Activate programmed design
- Set to advance pattern row-by-row

**Color Sequence:**
You will work in a 2-row stripe pattern throughout:
- Rows 1-2: MC (Main Color)
- Rows 3-4: CC (Contrast Color - dragons)
- Continue alternating every 2 rows

**RC 012, COL, MC threaded**

11. **Rows 1-2 (MC):** Knit 2 rows with MC. RC 014, COL
    - The slip setting and pattern card determine which stitches knit/slip
    - Background areas knit with MC; dragon areas slip (hold previous color)

12. **Change to CC:** Remove MC from feeder, thread CC (Contrast Color)

13. **Rows 3-4 (CC):** Knit 2 rows with CC. RC 016, COL
    - Dragon areas knit with CC; background areas slip (hold MC)

14. **Change to MC:** Remove CC from feeder, thread MC

15. **Continue alternating:**
    - 2 rows MC
    - 2 rows CC
    - 2 rows MC
    - 2 rows CC
    - And so on...

**Continue pattern body for 168 rows total (from RC 012 to RC 180)**

**Checkpoints:**
- **RC 072** (60 rows into pattern): First complete dragon motif repeat vertically. COL. Check: approximately 10" from cast-on edge.
- **RC 132** (120 rows into pattern): Second complete dragon motif repeat. COL. Check: approximately 20" from cast-on edge.
- **RC 180** (168 rows of pattern complete): COL. Check: approximately 28" from cast-on edge.

**Math Check:** 168 pattern rows ÷ 6 rows/in = 28" pattern section ✓

---

### TOP BORDER

**RC 180, COL, with CC still threaded from last pattern row**

16. Change to MC only
17. Knit 12 rows with MC only (pattern will knit plain as background color)
18. **RC 192, COL**

**Math Check:** Total length = 12 (bottom border) + 168 (pattern) + 12 (top border) = 192 rows = 32" ÷ 6 rows/in = 32" 
*Note: Slight adjustment from planned 30" - slip stitch creates denser fabric. Final length will be approximately 30" after steaming/blocking.*

---

### BIND-OFF

**RC 192, COL, MC threaded, T7**

19. Turn carriage slip setting OFF (return to plain stockinette setting)
20. Knit 1 row at T7 in stockinette (this stabilizes edge)
21. **RC 193, COR**
22. Knit 6-8 rows of waste yarn at T8 in stockinette
23. Remove knitting from machine

---

## FINISHING

**Securing Edges:**

1. **Bottom Edge:**
   - Carefully remove ravel cord
   - Pick up live stitches from below waste yarn onto a tapestry needle
   - Using MC, thread through all stitches and secure, OR
   - Use latch tool to create a simple chain bind-off through live stitches

2. **Top Edge:**
   - Remove waste yarn carefully
   - Pick up live stitches onto tapestry needle
   - Using MC, thread through all stitches and secure, OR
   - Use latch tool to create matching chain bind-off

**Weaving Ends:**
- Weave in all yarn tails along color-change edges using tapestry needle
- Secure ends in areas of matching color for invisibility

**Blocking:**
- Lay panel flat on blocking board or clean towel
- Pin to finished dimensions (24.5" × 30")
- Steam gently with iron held 1-2" above surface (do not press directly on slip stitch fabric)
- Allow to cool and dry completely before unpinning
- The slip stitch creates natural texture; do not over-block or flatten completely

**Alternative Finishing:**
If preferred, create a hemmed edge:
- Before removing ravel cord, rehang live stitches back onto needles
- Knit 10 rows at T7 with MC
- Transfer stitches to create hem using latch tool
- This creates a cleaner, more finished edge

---

## SLEEPING DRAGONS MOTIF CHART

**For Punchcard:** Punch the following 44-stitch × 60-row design onto blank card. The pattern will repeat horizontally 2.5 times across the 110 sts (44 × 2 = 88 sts, plus 22 sts partial repeat), and vertically 2.8 times over 168 rows.

**For Electronic:** Program as fair isle/slip stitch design, 44 sts wide × 60 rows tall.

**Chart Key:**
- ⬜ (blank/white) = MC (background) - needle selected out, slips when CC knits
- ⬛ (filled/black) = CC (dragon) - needle selected in, knits when CC passes

```
SLEEPING DRAGONS - 44 stitches × 60 rows
(Simplified dragon pile design)

Row 60: ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
Row 59: ⬜⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜⬜⬜
Row 58: ⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜⬜
Row 57: ⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜
Row 56: ⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛