a wedding blanket…

Last week, I finished the Lacy Chunky Throw as a bridal shower gift for my cousin Melissa.  The shower was this past Saturday, so now I can officially share the blanket with you all. Here it is nestled in its basket, waiting to be wrapped in cellophane:

This was a super-quick, satisfying knit.  The chunkiness of the the blanket is nicely counterbalanced by the openness of the lace; it’s warm without being too heavy, and it is the perfect size for snuggling close together on the couch.

Here is the what the front side of the lace pattern looks like:

and here is the back:

The pattern was very easy to memorize, so it’s great for mindless couch knitting.  I made a few modifications since the yarn wasn’t quite as bulky as the yarn called for in the pattern.  I went down a needle size, from the recommended size US19 to a set of US17 needles.

Also, instead of casting on 76 stitches, I CO 80 to give it a little extra width.  I ended up using 6 skeins of yarn, for a total yardage of 588 yds., which is a little more than the pattern version.  Here it is draped on my king-sized bed, to give you and idea of its size:

It would be nice to knit a whole stack of these for the house – but the larger needles are really tough on your hands and arm joints.  If you knit this, be sure to take frequent stretching breaks!   

Hopefully, the weather will turn permanently chilly soon so that the newlyweds can get some use out of it.   Snuggling together drinking warm apple cider…it doesn’t get any better than that.

Here are the details:

• Pattern: Lacy Chunky Throw by Wenlan Chia {free pattern!}
• Yarn: Lion Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Yarn, 6 skeins in the color Fisherman
• Needles: Size US 17, 29″ circulars
• Finished Size: Approx. 47″ x 58″
• Ravelers: Click here for project page
• Modifications: Went down a needle size, used 98 extra yds of yarn, CO 80

Are you knitting any blankets in anticipation of the cool weather?  Please share which pattern you are working on! ~J