Brake Blanket by Donna Smith

Brake Blanket

Knitting
September 2022
DK (11 wpi) ?
17 stitches and 34 rows = 4 inches
in garter stitch and lace pattern
US 7 - 4.5 mm
2887 yards (2640 m)
One size: 168cm x 112cm, 66.25in x 44in
English

A print version of Langsoond - A Shetland Yarn by Donna Smith is also available here.

Brake Blanket
The inspiration for this blanket came when I was working swatches for the Ledyin Shawl using a combination of the horseshoe lace pattern and garter stitch. I had made a small triangle and noticed that by doubling the swatch a very pleasing square could be produced. Brake is the name of the family croft and is also the name given to the very first pattern I ever wrote, the Brake Cowl, a pattern featuring the horseshoe lace motif.

Pattern Notes
The blanket is made up of squares that are worked separately and are then sewn together. Each square is worked in the round, from the outside toward the centre; the lace pattern in- corporates the decreases at the corners and you are left with only a few stitches to fasten off. You can have a larger or smaller blanket by varying the total number of squares.

Size
One size:
168cm x 112cm
66.25in x 44in

Yarn
Langsoond Double Knitting (100% Shetland Wool, 220m (241yds)/100g skein)

Sample colours:
Shade A: Keksie; 6 skeins
Shade B: Stane; 6 skeins
Actual quantity of yarn needed for each square: 45g

Gauge
17 sts and 34 rows to 10cm over garter stitch and lace pattern when in the round, after blocking.

Please check your tension carefully and adjust your needle size accordingly. 

This sample was worked in 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) needles.

Needles and Notions
Circular needles, length 40cm (16in), in size required to match gauge, or your preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round

Set of DPNs in gauge size, for finishing the centre
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle