Here is the latest from ShoedivaOriginals. This one is close to my heart, as it was made for a dear friend of mine for her first child by many of the wonderful Ariadne knitting group. To see so many people working on the same project, most of whom had never worked intarsia before, was a joy and an honour! Plus the mama loved her gift!

This pattern comprises 14 charts to make up the whole blanket. Knit block-by-block, each chart is a nice and portable project that builds up to create the perfect gift for the newest person in your life, or for your favourite bee keeper! The colors are warm and gender neutral, so whether you’re knitting for your little queen or your own hard worker bee this will suit every home, and makes a great portable play rug too.

The pattern is 18 pages of charts and clear instructions, so even if, like many of the test knitters, you’ve never done intarsia in your life, you should find this a perfect introduction to this addictive and colorful craft!

Usually for worsted weight yarn I would use between a 5mm and 6mm set of needles to get the drape I like (no surprise that I have way too many 5.5mm hooks and needles in my grab bag!) 5mm is great for a somewhat hardier material, perfect for a floor blanket (and I back mine with polar fleece, quilting along the edges of the squares once sewn together) while 6mm have more drape (but weave those ends in well if you tend to knit a little looser than the gauge on the ballband).

Basically, with the way these patterns work, you could use any weight of yarn; just work to the yarn gauge and needle size uniformly over the blanket and it will all be fine & dandy.
The yarn chosen for this version is warm and snuggly - and most importantly, washable. Any worsted weight yarn will produce a blanket big enough for a cot bed, a toddler bed or a throw for a cosy armchair. The charts will also work well with other weights of yarn - just find a comfortable gauge and stick to it, and you’ll have an heirloom gift to treasure - made in a kid-friendly yarn you’ll have one that will be washable too!