baby blanket factory

this spring it is raining babies! this chickadee's needles have been on a tear trying to keep up with the booming bundles of joy population. any time not spent knitting has been dedicated to finding that go-to pattern...something that would be pleasing to the maker and the receiver...and not take ages...but not look like it was thrown together at the last minute.

one contender is brickstreet by steven west. it is in his second collection of patterns, westknits book two (which doesn't seem to be featured on his site at this time). his version is a chunky classic. a large, over-the-back-of-the-couch sort of throw that would be completely overwhelming to a wee one. but one of his test knitters made a smaller version that is stunning.

inspired by her stitches, this chickadee cast-on. here the the results:

yarn choice is an important factor too. softness is of supreme importance, but sometimes that is sacrificed to the machine...the washing machine that is. many of the most luxurious fibers are labor intensive, that means hand washing. and after their own labor, moms are often overwhelmed and pressed for time. so a machine washable wool or wool blend is a thoughtful choice.

the blanket above was made with spud and chlöe sweater, an organic wool and cotton blend. it is machine washable! and still soft and cozy. you get the best of both worlds thanks to the combination of fibers and the baby gets an all-seasons weight blanket to snuggle in.

you can find more details on the project on the chickadee ravelry page.