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# US Army Star Tribute Blanket (Hand Knitted)

**Description:** An intermediate-level hand-knitted blanket featuring the iconic US Army Star logo. Worked in XL Chunky yarn, this throw creates a bold, warm statement piece. The design uses Intarsia colourwork for the logo and a textured border to ensure the blanket lies flat.

## STITCH PATTERN DETECTION
*   **Primary Texture:** Stocking Stitch (Row 1 Knit, Row 2 Purl) used for the central "canvas" to allow the colourwork logo to stand out clearly.
*   **Border Texture:** UK Moss Stitch (k1, p1, alternating every row). This is essential for preventing the edges from curling, which is a common issue with stocking stitch.
*   **Complexity:** Intermediate. While the stitches are basic, managing multiple balls of chunky yarn (Intarsia) requires tension control.
*   **Yarn Suitability:** XL Chunky yarn creates a dense, heavy fabric. The bold geometric star logo is perfectly suited for this weight; fine details would be lost, but the large star reads clearly.

## LAYOUT DESIGN
**4. Panel Design (Intarsia)**
The blanket is constructed as one large panel.
*   **Bottom Block:** Solid Black Moss Stitch border and Stocking Stitch foundation.
*   **Central Block:** The US Army Star Logo (White Star, Gold Outline) on a Black background.
*   **Top Block:** Solid Black Stocking Stitch and Moss Stitch border.
*   **Side Borders:** Worked simultaneously with the main body.

## CHART/DIAGRAM REQUIREMENTS
For the logo section, you will follow a pixel-grid chart (Intarsia).
*   **Grid:** 1 square = 1 stitch.
*   **Reading the Chart:** Read Odd rows (RS) from Right to Left. Read Even rows (WS) from Left to Right.
*   **Symbols/Legend:**
    *   [B] = Black (Main Colour)
    *   [G] = Gold (Army Yellow)
    *   [W] = White
*   **Logo Placement:** The logo is 60 stitches wide x 60 rows high. It is centered within the 84-stitch central panel.

## MATERIALS
*   **Yarn:** XL Chunky / Super Bulky (Weight 6).
    *   Main Colour (Black): 10 balls (approx. 1000g / 600m)
    *   Contrast A (Gold/Yellow): 3 balls (approx. 300g / 180m)
    *   Contrast B (White): 2 balls (approx. 200g / 120m)
    *   *Note: Amounts based on 100g balls = approx 60m.*
*   **Needles:** 12.0mm (US 17) circular needles (at least 80cm cable to hold the weight).
*   **Notions:** Large tapestry needle for weaving ends, bobbins for holding colour changes (optional but recommended).

## TENSION (GAUGE)
*   **Measure:** In Stocking Stitch.
*   **Target:** 8 stitches and 11 rows = 10cm x 10cm.
*   **Check:** Cast on 12 sts, work 16 rows. Measure the central 10cm. Adjust needle size if necessary. If you have fewer stitches per 10cm, your blanket will be too big and you may run out of yarn.

## TERMINOLOGY & ABBREVIATION PROFILE (UK)
*   **k:** knit
*   **p:** purl
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **RS:** Right Side (public side)
*   **WS:** Wrong Side (inside)
*   **Moss Stitch:** Row 1: *k1, p1* rep to end. Row 2: *p1, k1* rep to end (knit the purls, purl the knits).

## PATTERN STRUCTURE

### 1. Foundation & Bottom Border
**Cast on** 96 stitches using the Long Tail method for a firm edge.

**Rows 1-10 (Bottom Border):**
Work in Moss Stitch for all rows.
*[Math Check: 96 sts constant]*

### 2. Establish Pattern & Lower Body
**Row 11 (RS - Setup Row):**
Moss st 6 (Border), k84 (Centre Panel), Moss st 6 (Border).
*[Math Check: 6 + 84 + 6 = 96 sts]*

**Row 12 (WS):**
Moss st 6, p84, Moss st 6.

**Rows 13-50:**
Repeat Rows 11 and 12. This creates the black foundation below the logo.

### 3. The Logo Section (Intarsia)
*Important: When changing colours, twist the old colour over the new colour on the WS to prevent holes.*

**Rows 51-110 (Logo Chart):**
*   **Row 51 (RS):** Moss st 6, k12 [Black], k60 [Row 1 of Chart], k12 [Black], Moss st 6.
    *[Math Check: 6 + 12 + 60 + 12 + 6 = 96 sts]*
*   **Row 52 (WS):** Moss st 6, p12 [Black], p60 [Row 2 of Chart], p12 [Black], Moss st 6.
*   Continue following the chart for the center 60 stitches until Row 60 of the chart is complete.

**Simplified Chart Instructions (Text Version for Rows 51-110):**
*   The star is centred. The pattern typically follows a progression where the Gold points appear first, widening to the White centre, then narrowing again.
*   *Example Row (Mid-star):* k12 [B], k2 [G], k15 [W], k2 [G]... etc.

### 4. Upper Body
**Rows 111-150:**
Resume working in Main Colour (Black) only.
**RS Rows:** Moss st 6, k84, Moss st 6.
**WS Rows:** Moss st 6, p84, Moss st 6.

### 5. Top Border
**Rows 151-160:**
Work in Moss Stitch across all 96 stitches.

### 6. Finishing
**Cast off** in pattern (knit the knits, purl the purls) firmly but not tightly.

## FINISHING
*   **Weaving Ends:** This is critical for Intarsia. Weave ends into the back of stitches of the *same colour*. Split the plies of the thick yarn when weaving to reduce bulk.
*   **Blocking:**
    1.  **Steam Block:** Do not press the iron directly onto the yarn, as acrylic or wool blends in XL chunky can flatten permanently. Hover the steam iron 2cm above the surface.
    2.  **Shape:** Pin the blanket to 120cm x 150cm while damp/warm. Pay attention to the Moss Stitch borders to ensure they are straight.
    3.  **Dry:** Allow to dry completely flat.

## JOINING METHODS
*N/A - This blanket is knitted as a single panel.*