Seed-Bordered Lovey
A 12 in comfort square with a seed stitch frame. Small enough for a first gift, soft enough for a baby.
- Yarn
- DK (3) soft, machine-washable yarn (cotton, bamboo blend or superwash wool).
- Needles
- US 6 (4 mm)
- Sizes
- Lovey 12 × 12 in (30 × 30 cm)
- Example gauge
- 22 sts and 30 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette
- Yarn needed
- About 160 yd (150 m) DK, one skein.
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast on | width × sts per in, rounded to odd | 12 × 5.5 = 66 → 67 sts | Cast-On Calculator |
| Stockinette centre | cast-on − 14 border sts | 67 − 14 = 53 sts | By hand |
| Rows | length × rows per in | 12 × 7.5 = 90 rows | By hand |
Materials
- DK (3) yarn (see yarn needed)
- US 6 (4 mm)
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Stockinette swatch with a few seed stitches at each edge, to check the border doesn’t flare.
Instructions
Bottom border
Cast on (example: 67 sts). Seed row: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end. Work 10 seed rows.
Centre
RS: K1, (p1, k1) × 3, knit to last 7 sts, k1, (p1, k1) × 3.
WS: K1, (p1, k1) × 3, purl to last 7 sts, k1, (p1, k1) × 3.
Repeat these 2 rows until the piece is 10 rows short of your total (example: row 80).
Top border
Work 10 seed rows. Bind off in pattern.
Finishing
- Weave in ends securely.
- Block square.
Designer’s notes
- Baby safety: no buttons, beads or loose ribbons.
- Scale up with the same maths for a receiving blanket: 36 × 5.5 = 198 → 199 sts.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: rows (goal = total rows from the math box).
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Tools for this pattern
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Cast-On CalculatorEnter your width and gauge; it rounds to the stitch multiple for you.
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Size ChartsLook up the finished measurements for the size you are making.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.