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Hot air balloons are a familiar sight over Bristol every year as it is the site of the Balloon Fiesta. To celebrate this I have designed this baby pram size blanket although it could easily be made in a larger size, say as a picnic blanket.

This fun blanket uses the modular knitting technique familiar to Horst Schulz or Alison Ellen. The first strip of balloons is knitted and subsequent strips of balloons are joined as you knit. Between the strips there are garter stitch rows.

Youtube tutorial available: https://youtu.be/C1nhqn51Jqc

This pattern has been tech edited and test knitted to ensure a pleasant knitting experience.

Equipment :
4 mm - US 6 (I used DPNs 15 cm long)
4.5 mm - US 7 circular needle at least 120 cm long (for adding outside border), also 80 cm long for adding vertical rows between balloons.
5 mm - US 8 (optional for loose bind off)
Wool sewing needle
8 stitch markers
Backing fabric 1/2 m (20 inches or more) (I have included this as an option but have in fact not backed the blankets I have knittedl)
Sewing thread and needle if using backing fabric

Yarn:
Stylecraft Special DK 100g/295 m (3.53 ounces/322 yards)
1019 Cloud blue 2 skeins
1054 Walnut less than 1 skein
1064 Mocha less than 1 skein
The last two are for the balloon baskets, only a relatively small amount will be needed.
A further selection of colours using the same yarn or yarn of a similar weight. I used 8 different colours for the balloons themselves. I have also seen a beautiful blanket where the balloons themselves have been done in variegated yarn.
Total weight of blanket: 240 g (8.5 oz)