Honeycomb

Simple, homey, and versatile

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/honeycomb-3 • Posted by Nikki V.

Inspired in part by the mitered shaping in Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket, I knit it as a baby blanket, but of course now that it's done, it looks good everywhere, and will in all likelihood spend just as much time on various household laps as wrapped around a baby. It has a comforting but surprisingly modern feel, and knits up very quickly. Worked in stockinette, garter stitch, and an hourglass-looking honeycomb stitch, it changes just often enough to keep things interesting.

You will need

1000 yards worsted weight yarn. Size US 9 dpns Size US 9 circular needles, ranging increasingly length from 20-in to 50-in. (I got by with a set of Denise interchangeables). 5 stitch markers

Project Budget

Time

Difficulty

Description

Inspired in part by the mitered shaping in Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket, I knit it as a baby blanket, but of course now that it's done, it looks good everywhere, and will in all likelihood spend just as much time on various household laps as wrapped around a baby. It has a comforting but surprisingly modern feel, and knits up very quickly. Worked in stockinette, garter stitch, and an hourglass-looking honeycomb stitch, it changes just often enough to keep things interesting.

Instructions

1. Gauge: 16 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch Notes: The blanket is worked entirely in the round, increasing at four points outward to form a giant square.

2. C2F: Knit into front of second stitch on needle, knit into first stitch, slip both stitches off the needle. C2B: Knit into back of second stitch on needle, knit into first stitch, slip both stitches off the needle.

3. Set up: The first step is the hardest; it's all downhill from here. Using dpns, CO 4 sts. Divide onto 4 needles. Join in the round, (k1, yo, k1) into all sts. Place end of round marker. Purl around. (k1, place marker, m1, k1, m1, k1) around.

4. Garter Section: *Purl around. (k to marker, m1, slip marker, k1, m1) 4x, knit to end of round. Repeat from * until there are 116 stitches on the needles, changing to a circular needle when you're ready.

5. Stockinette Section: *Knit around. (k to marker, m1, slip marker, k1, m1) 4x, knit to end of round. Repeat from * until there are 212 stitches on the needles.

6. Honeycomb Section: *(C2F, C2B) around. (k to marker, m1, slip marker, k1, m1) 4x, knit to end of round. IN THIS SECTION, MAKE DOUBLY SURE TO KEEP THE MARKERS IN PLACE, AND DO NOT WORK THE FIRST STITCH AFTER THE MARKER INTO THE CABLE PATTERN. WORK THAT STITCH IN STOCKINETTE, AND WORK INCREASED STITCHES IN STOCKINETTE UNTIL YOU HAVE ENOUGH TO INCORPORATE THEM INTO THE CABLE PATTERN. Repeat from * until there are 284 stitches on the needles.

7. Work stockinette section until there are 340 stitches on the needles. Work garter section until there are 380 stitches on the needles. Work stockinette section until there are 412 stitches on the needles. Work honeycomb section until there are 444 stitches on the needles. Work stockinette section until there are 452 stitches on the needles. Work garter section until there are 548 stitches on the needles. Bind off very loosely (you may want to switch to a larger size needle if you have one handy) in purl. Weave in ends.

8. Finishing: Dunk the blanket in a sink full of lukewarm water, and lay it flat to dry, pulling the corners out to form a square, and making sure that each concentric square is suitably squarish. Don't stretch it out too far--there's no need to force it to be huge (unless you want to), and you don't want to distort the honeycomb pattern. Finished blanket is approximately 3.5 ft X 3.5 ft.