purlJam

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# WHERE THE WILD THINGS KNIT
### A Textured Baby Blanket

*Inspired by Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are"*

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## DESIGNER'S NOTE

This blanket captures the wild, tangled spirit of Max's magical forest — bold basketweave texture evokes the tangle of trees and vines that spring up overnight, while warm, earthy tones bring the jungle to life. A tidy seed stitch border keeps everything contained, just as the wild things were (eventually) sent to bed without their supper. This makes a wonderful heirloom gift for a new little wild thing.

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## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

- **Width:** 50 inches (127 cm)
- **Length:** 60 inches (152 cm)

*These are blocked/finished dimensions. Basketweave texture draws in slightly before blocking.*

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## MATERIALS

### Yarn
- **Weight:** Worsted (Craft Yarn Council #4)
- **Yardage Required:** Approximately 1,400–1,600 yards (1,280–1,463 m)
- **Recommended Fiber:** 100% superwash merino wool or a merino/acrylic blend — choose a machine-washable yarn rated safe for babies

**Color Palette Suggestions (inspired by the book's earthy, golden illustrations):**

| Option | Description | Hex Mood |
|---|---|---|
| **The Night of the Forest** | Deep forest green | Classic |
| **Max's Suit** | Warm cream or oatmeal | Clean & soft |
| **Where the Wild Things Are** | Burnt sienna / terracotta | Rich & warm |
| **Golden Wild Rumpus** | Mustard gold | Bold & joyful |
| **The Ocean Sailed** | Dusty teal | Serene |

*This pattern is written for a single color. Stripe variations are noted at the end.*

### Needles
- US 8 / 5 mm, 36-inch (90 cm) or longer circular needle (used flat)
- *Note: Use circular needle to accommodate the large stitch count. The blanket is worked flat (back and forth), not in the round.*

### Notions
- Stitch markers (4)
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Measuring tape
- Blocking mats and pins (optional but recommended)

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## GAUGE

**18 sts × 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch**
*(blocked, on US 8 / 5 mm needles)*

**Please check your gauge.** Basketweave texture may knit up slightly tighter than plain stockinette for some knitters. If your gauge is off, your finished blanket size will vary. For a baby blanket, slight size variation is acceptable, but swatch in basketweave pattern if you want precise dimensions.

*To make a gauge swatch:* Cast on 28 sts. Work the Basketweave Pattern (see Stitch Patterns section) for 32 rows. Bind off. Block swatch and measure center 20 sts and center 24 rows.*

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## ABBREVIATIONS

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| **k** | knit |
| **p** | purl |
| **k2tog** | knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease) |
| **ssk** | slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease) |
| **yo** | yarn over |
| **RS** | right side |
| **WS** | wrong side |
| **st(s)** | stitch(es) |
| **rep** | repeat |
| **pm** | place marker |
| **sm** | slip marker |
| **CO** | cast on |
| **BO** | bind off |
| **[ ]** | work instructions within brackets the number of times indicated |

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## STITCH PATTERNS

### Seed Stitch (worked over any number of sts)
*Note: For this pattern, seed stitch is worked over an even number of stitches (10 sts per border edge).*

- **Row 1 (RS):** *K1, p1; rep from * to end of border section.
- **Row 2 (WS):** *K1, p1; rep from * to end of border section.

*Seed stitch is created by always knitting the purl stitches and purling the knit stitches — each row is identical because you are always working the opposite stitch from what you see.*

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### Basketweave Pattern (worked over a multiple of 10 sts)
*This is the main body texture. Blocks of knits and purls alternate to create a woven, interlaced look reminiscent of tangled roots and vines.*

- **Rows 1, 3, 5 (RS):** *[K5, p5]; rep from * to end of center section.
- **Rows 2, 4, 6 (WS):** *[K5, p5]; rep from * to end of center section.
- **Rows 7, 9, 11 (RS):** *[P5, k5]; rep from * to end of center section.
- **Rows 8, 10, 12 (WS):** *[P5, k5]; rep from * to end of center section.

*This completes one full Basketweave repeat of 12 rows.*

*Wait — let me clarify the WS rows:*

**How to read WS rows in Basketweave:**
On WS rows, to maintain the visual block pattern, work stitches as they appear (knit the knits, purl the purls as seen from the RS). The written instructions above are already adjusted for this — follow them as written.

**Full Basketweave Pattern (12-row repeat, simplified):**

| Row | Action |
|---|---|
| RS Rows 1, 3, 5 | *K5, p5; rep from * |
| WS Rows 2, 4, 6 | *P5, k5; rep from * |
| RS Rows 7, 9, 11 | *P5, k5; rep from * |
| WS Rows 8, 10, 12 | *K5, p5; rep from * |

*Repeat these 12 rows for pattern.*

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## STITCH COUNT BREAKDOWN

**Total cast-on: 220 sts**

| Section | Stitches |
|---|---|
| Left seed stitch border | 10 sts |
| Marker A | — |
| Basketweave center | 200 sts |
| Marker B | — |
| Right seed stitch border | 10 sts |
| **Total** | **220 sts** |

**Math check:** 10 + 200 + 10 = 220 sts ✓
**Basketweave check:** 200 ÷ 10 (stitch repeat) = 20 repeats across ✓

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## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### CAST ON

Using the long-tail cast on (or your preferred stretchy cast on), CO **220 sts**.

*The long-tail cast on is recommended as it creates a neat, slightly elastic edge that complements the seed stitch border.*

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### BOTTOM BORDER

**Setup Row (WS — first row after cast on):**
*K1, p1; rep from * across all 220 sts.

Work **Seed Stitch across all 220 sts** for **16 rows total** (approximately 2¾ inches / 7 cm).

*For seed stitch over 220 sts (even number):*
- **Every Row:** *K1, p1; rep from * to end. (220 sts)

**After 16 rows of seed stitch, work the Marker Setup Row:**

**Marker Setup Row (RS):**
Work 10 sts in seed stitch, pm (marker A), work 200 sts in seed stitch (these will become the basketweave center), pm (marker B), work 10 sts in seed stitch to end. (220 sts)

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### BODY

You will now work the basketweave texture in the center section while maintaining seed stitch on the 10-stitch borders at each side.

**How to read each body row:**
1. Work 10 border sts in seed stitch (as established — k the p sts, p the k sts)
2. Slip marker A
3. Work center 200 sts in Basketweave Pattern as instructed
4. Slip marker B
5. Work 10 border sts in seed stitch (as established)

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**Work the following rows:**

#### Body Row Instructions

**Body Row 1 (RS — Basketweave Row 1):**
[Seed st 10 sts] sm, *k5, p5; rep from * to marker B (200 sts), sm, [Seed st 10 sts]. (220 sts)

**Body Row 2 (WS — Basketweave Row 2):**
[Seed st 10 sts] sm, *p5, k5; rep from * to marker B (200 sts), sm, [Seed st 10 sts]. (220 sts)

**Body Rows 3–6:** Rep Body Rows 1–2 twice more. (Basketweave Rows 3–6 complete)

**Body Row 7 (RS — Basketweave Row 7):**
[Seed st 10 sts] sm, *p5, k5; rep from * to marker B (200 sts), sm, [Seed st 10 sts]. (220 sts)

**Body Row 8 (WS — Basketweave Row 8):**
[Seed st 10 sts] sm, *k5, p5; rep from * to marker B (200 sts), sm, [Seed st 10 sts]. (220 sts)

**Body Rows 9–12:** Rep Body Rows 7–8 twice more. (Basketweave Rows 9–12 complete — **1 full 12-row Basketweave repeat done**)

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**Continue in pattern:**

Rep Body Rows 1–12 (the full 12-row Basketweave repeat) until the blanket body measures approximately **57 inches (145 cm)** from the cast-on edge, ending after a Row 6 or Row 12 of the basketweave pattern.

*This gives approximately 54.25 inches (138 cm) of body length + 2.75 inches (7 cm) bottom border = 57 inches before the top border is added.*

**Approximate row count for body:**
- 57 inches − 2.75 inches (bottom border) = 54.25 inches of basketweave body
- 54.25 inches × 6 rows per inch = 325.5 rows → round to **324 rows** (27 full 12-row repeats) ✓
- **Work 27 full repeats of the 12-row Basketweave Pattern** in the body section.

*Knitting is flexible — measure your work rather than counting rows exactly. Adjust to end on Row 6 or Row 12 of the repeat so blocks are complete.*

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### TOP BORDER

Remove markers.

Work **Seed Stitch across all 220 sts** for **16 rows** (approximately 2¾ inches / 7 cm), matching the bottom border.

**Every Row:** *K1, p1; rep from * to end. (220 sts)

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### BIND OFF

On the final row of the top border, bind off **loosely in pattern** (bind off knitting the k sts and purling the p sts as you go).

*A stretchy bind off is essential here. If your bind off tends to be tight, use a needle one or two sizes larger for the bind off row only.*

**Total finished length:** ~60 inches (152 cm) ✓
*(16 rows bottom border + 324 rows body + 16 rows top border = 356 rows ≈ 59.3 inches + blocking ≈ 60 inches)*

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## FINISHING

### Weaving In Ends
Thread the tapestry needle with yarn tail. Weave each end through at least 5–6 stitches in a zigzag pattern on the wrong side. Trim ends close to work. For baby items, weave ends especially securely — small fingers (and mouths) can find loose ends.

### Blocking
Blocking will open up the basketweave texture beautifully and even out any uneven stitches.

1. Soak the finished blanket in cool water with a small amount of wool wash (if using a wool blend) for 15–20 minutes.
2. Gently squeeze out excess water — do not wring.
3. Roll in a clean towel and press to remove more water.
4. Lay flat on blocking mats and pin to finished measurements (50 × 60 inches / 127 × 152 cm).
5. Allow to dry completely before removing pins (may take 24–48 hours).

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## OPTIONAL VARIATIONS

### Stripe Variation: "The Night Max Wore His Wolf Suit"
Add interest by working the body in two colors:

- **Color A:** Main color (forest green, or your chosen color)
- **Color B:** Contrast color (cream or gold)

Work 3 full Basketweave repeats (36 rows) in Color A, then 3 full repeats in Color B. Alternate throughout the body. Carry yarn not in use loosely up the side edge within the border stitches.

### Length Adjustment
To make a smaller stroller/car seat blanket (~36 × 45 inches):
- CO 162 sts (10 border + 140 center [14 × 10-st repeats] + 10 border + 2 edge sts — *wait, 10 + 140 + 10 = 160 sts for a cleaner count*): **CO 160 sts**
- Work body until piece measures approximately 42 inches, then work top border.

### Width Adjustment
Each additional 10-stitch basketweave repeat adds approximately 2.2 inches (5.5 cm) to the width. Add or remove repeats in multiples of 10 center stitches, keeping 10-stitch borders on each side.

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## STITCH & ROW COUNTS AT A GLANCE

| Section | Rows | Approx. Inches |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom seed stitch border | 16 rows | ~2¾ in (7 cm) |
| Body (basketweave) | 324 rows (27 repeats) | ~54 in (137 cm) |
| Top seed stitch border | 16 rows | ~2¾ in (7 cm) |
| **Total** | **356 rows** | **~60 in (152 cm)** |

| Section | Stitches | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Left border | 10 sts | — |
| Center basketweave | 200 sts | 20 × 10-st repeats ✓ |
| Right border | 10 sts | — |
| **Total** | **220 sts** | ✓ |

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## YARN QUANTITY GUIDE

| Finished Size | Approx. Yardage |
|---|---|
| Full blanket 50 × 60 in | 1,400–1,600 yards |
| Stroller size 36 × 45 in | 900–1,050 yards |

*Always purchase an extra skein to account for gauge differences and dye lot variations. Leftover yarn makes great washcloths or toy stuffing.*

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## BABY SAFETY NOTE

This blanket is designed as a decorative and supervised-use item. For unsupervised infant use, please consult current safe sleep guidelines. Choose a yarn that is:
- Machine washable (superwash wool or acrylic blend)
- Free of rough or scratchy fibers
- Free of embellishments (buttons, eyes, appliqués) that could detach
- Colorfast and non-toxic

*No embellishments are included in this pattern. If you wish to add embroidered details (such as simple wild things' faces), use yarn rather than felt or plastic, and secure all ends with extra care.*

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## ABBREVIATION QUICK-REFERENCE CARD

*(Tear out or photograph for easy reference while knitting)*

**k** = knit | **p** = purl | **RS** = right side | **WS** = wrong side
**st(s)** = stitch(es) | **rep** = repeat | **pm** = place marker | **sm** = slip marker
**CO** = cast on | **BO** = bind off

**Seed Stitch reminder:** Always knit the purls and purl the knits.
**Basketweave reminder:** Rows 1–6: *k5, p5*. Rows 7–12: *p5, k5*.

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*"Let the wild rumpus start!"*
*— Maurice Sendak*

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**Pattern written in US knitting terminology. All measurements in imperial with metric in parentheses.**
*© Original pattern design. For personal use and handmade gift giving.*