On Edge

Some of my readers may remember my Lenten project.  Well, I have finally made it to the edge!  All six strips have been knitted and slip stitched-crochet style together.  I have had somewhat of an ordeal with the border.  I kept getting an undesirable warped edge, where the blanket did not lie flat or square.  I think it was because all the strips are probably not exactly the same size.  I do careful work, but I am not EXACT.  Also, the blanket is big, knit, and well, it just stretches.

After several attempts, I figured out my border.  The first round ended up being a  green single crochet.  The second round was an extended single crochet in two stitches, skip the third.  Corners consistently were 1 stitch in the corner, chain two, and another stitch in the same corner space.  The third round I had wanted to do this awesome new border I discovered that looks like a braid.  Only I adapted it to a twist using red and blue.  I figured out the twist and was on my way, until my two yarns became completely twisted, the blanket was totally warped, and then way too hole-y.  I tried skipping stitches, chaining more or less between stitches, and different sized hooks.  I don't give up easily, but I gave up.   In the end, I chose a reverse single crochet using red and blue yarn, with a size K.  A very large hook. This way, 1 reverse single crochet and then skip the next stitch worked well.  This gave the blanket a twisted look with sort of a corded texture.  Overall I am happy with all rounds of the border.  

I am still on the edge, so my final opinion is yet to be. e So . . . very . . . close!  It's similar to reading the last 10 pages of the best book you've ever read.  You cannot wait to find out how it ends, but don't really want it to end.

Simon is pleased and likes the blanket; he has taken an interest in my progress.  Norah declared with surprise "I didn't know Mommy's blanket was so big".  She saw me knitting away, for a very long time.  I suppose she just thought I was always on the same strip!  Six strips, eight squares each.  It took me 2+ hours to complete one colored square.  Then I joined the strips.  The borders came next.  Once I am off the edge, hiding the loose yarn tails on the back is the only task left.  I know there is a way to seamlessly knit different pieces together.  I ended up slip stitching the strips together as I think that makes a stronger join.  A ridge is visibly present on the back, but that is okay with me.  This blanket will get washed a ton.