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# Tree Blanket — Garter Stitch Baby Blanket
**Skill Level:** Beginner
**Finished Size:** 30" wide × 36" long (76 × 91.5 cm)

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## Note on Tree Motifs
This is a simple garter stitch pattern. For textured tree motifs (cables, Tree of Life, lace trees, Overlapping Leaves, Honeycomb, etc.), request an **intermediate or advanced** difficulty blanket for full stitch pattern support with charts and detailed instructions.

To evoke a "tree" feel at the beginner level, we recommend choosing an **evergreen, forest, sage, or pine-colored** worsted yarn — the garter fabric has a lovely organic, bark-like texture that pairs beautifully with tree-inspired colorways.

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (CYC 4), approximately **900–1,000 yards (825–915 m)**
  - Suggested colors: forest green, pine, sage, moss, or heathered gray-green
  - Fiber suggestion: soft acrylic, cotton blend, or superwash merino for baby-friendly care
- **Needles:** US 8 / 5 mm straight or 32" circular (used flat to accommodate width)
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch marker (optional), measuring tape

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## Gauge

**18 stitches × 36 rows = 4" (10 cm)** in garter stitch, after gentle blocking.

*Taking time to check gauge is recommended but not critical for a blanket — minor differences will only slightly change the finished size.*

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)

- **k** — knit
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **CO** — cast on
- **BO** — bind off
- **RS / WS** — right side / wrong side

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## Pattern Notes

- The blanket is worked flat in one piece from the bottom up.
- Every row is knit — this creates **garter stitch**, which lies flat and looks the same on both sides.
- **Optional tidy edge:** If desired, slip the first stitch of every row purlwise with yarn in back. This creates a neat chain-selvedge. Beginners may skip this and simply knit every stitch.

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## Instructions

### Cast On
**CO 135 sts** loosely. A long-tail cast-on is recommended for a stretchy, attractive edge.

✓ *Math check: 135 sts ÷ (18 sts / 4") = 7.5 × 4" = **30" wide** ✓*

### Body
**Row 1 (RS):** Knit all 135 sts.
**Row 2 (WS):** Knit all 135 sts.

**Repeat Rows 1 and 2** until the blanket measures **36" (91.5 cm)** from the cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

✓ *Math check: ~324 rows ÷ (36 rows / 4") = 9 × 4" = **36" long** ✓*

💡 **Tip:** Measure flat on a smooth surface without stretching the fabric. Garter stitch can compress vertically, so check length often toward the end.

### Bind Off
Bind off all 135 sts loosely, knitwise. A loose bind-off ensures the top edge matches the stretch of the cast-on edge and prevents puckering.

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## Finishing

1. **Weave in ends** using a tapestry needle. Weave along garter ridges on the wrong side for invisibility; trim excess.
2. **Block** (optional but recommended):
   - Soak in cool water with a drop of wool wash for 15–20 minutes.
   - Gently squeeze out water (do not wring).
   - Lay flat on towels, pat into a 30" × 36" rectangle, and allow to air-dry completely.
3. **Care:** Follow the yarn label's washing instructions. Superwash and acrylic yarns are ideal for easy baby-blanket care.

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## Optional Variations (Beginner-Friendly)

- **Stripes:** Alternate two tree-inspired colors (e.g., forest green and cream) every 10–20 rows for a modern striped look. Carry yarn up the side loosely.
- **Simple garter border in a contrast color:** Work the first and last 10 rows, plus the first and last 5 stitches of every row, in a contrasting color for a framed effect (requires basic color-change technique).
- **Size adjustment:**
  - **Stroller blanket (24" × 30"):** CO 109 sts, work to 30".
  - **Throw (40" × 50"):** CO 181 sts, work to 50". Increase yardage to ~1,600 yds.

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## Yardage Summary

| Size | CO sts | Length | Approx. Yardage |
|------|--------|--------|-----------------|
| Stroller (24×30") | 109 | 30" | ~650 yds |
| **Baby (30×36")** | **135** | **36"** | **~900–1,000 yds** |
| Throw (40×50") | 181 | 50" | ~1,600 yds |

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Enjoy your cozy, tree-inspired blanket! 🌲