Dive In

Dive In Knit Blanket by Meridith Shepherd

What Is Being Made

Dive In is a knitted blanket and throw designed by Meridith Shepherd for Stacked Woolens. This project creates a versatile layering piece available in three finished sizes: a small 26" square perfect for car seats or strollers, a medium 40" square suitable for cribs or preschool use, and a large 52" square ideal for picnics or living room throws. The blanket combines simple garter stitch stripes with strategic short rows to build stacked triangle wedges, offering a fresh interpretation of traditional striped blanket construction.

Techniques and Stitches Used

Garter Stitch forms the foundation of this blanket, creating a reversible, textured fabric with consistent visual interest on both sides. Garter stitch is achieved by knitting every row, making it an excellent choice for beginner knitters seeking reliable, forgiving results.

Short Rows are the signature technique in Dive In, creating the stacked triangle wedges that distinguish this pattern from conventional striped blankets. Short rows involve turning the work before completing a full row, building dimensional shaping and visual complexity while maintaining the beginner-friendly garter stitch base.

Color Work is incorporated through simple stripe sequences using multiple yarn colors rather than complex colorwork techniques. The pattern suggests flexibility in color selection, allowing crafters to customize their blanket with preferred hues.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Dive In blanket is worked in Berroco Weekend, a practical blend of 75% acrylic and 25% cotton offering durability and easy care. Yarn requirements vary by size: the smallest blanket requires 4 total skeins (approximately 820 yards), the medium requires 7 skeins (approximately 1,435 yards), and the largest requires 8 skeins (approximately 1,640 yards). An additional 60 to 120 yards are needed for an optional border, depending on blanket size.

The pattern specifies three color options: C1 Cornflower, C2 Seedling, C3 Marigold, and CC Camp Stove as a contrast color. Quantities for each color are provided for all three sizes.

Construction requires US size 8 (5.0 mm) circular needles measuring 40 inches, which accommodate the growing width of the blanket comfortably. Additional supplies include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and securing the optional border.

Yarn Weight and Gauge

Dive In is worked in DK, worsted, and heavy worsted yarn weights, providing options for different fabric densities and finished textures. The pattern establishes a gauge of 16 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch, blocked, which should be verified before beginning to ensure proper finished dimensions.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner project, Dive In is accessible to knitters new to the craft. While short rows may be unfamiliar to absolute beginners, the straightforward garter stitch construction and clear pattern guidance make this an excellent introduction to shaping techniques. The repetitive nature of garter stitch provides rhythm and meditative knitting, while the visible progress of stacked wedges offers satisfying visual feedback throughout the project.