Ricky's Blanket

When my husband and I bought our condo I told him that I really wanted to tile the backsplash in our kitchen. I found out that every May, Contempo Tile has a psycho sale to get rid of discontinued tile and tile from deals that went south. We went last May and found the most beautiful travertine tiles. We walked away with 50 square feet and supplies for installation spending only $80. The only problem is that we do not own a tile saw. So, we contacted a guy my husband works with, Ricky and not only did he let my husband borrow it, but he showed up to help. Below is a picture of the end product, which I must say turned out even better than I had hoped!

Anyway, as a thank you to Ricky, I made him an afghan. I really don't like to make blankets because it seems to take forever, but Ricky had mentioned he was looking to get one (his house is REALLY cold). My inspiration for the general design of the blanket came from a bathroom mat by Thomas O'brien. I kept the stripe pattern, but changed the colors to go with Ricky's house, then added a wide binding. The final measurements are 72" x 64", so really I guess it is more of a blanket than an afghan. Originally, I had planned on just knitting the blanket, but it was taking forever, so I ended the madness and attached a fabric binding to get the final size.

Materials:
* 2-3 Skeins Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Charcoal Gray
* 2-3 Skeins Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Fern
* 2-3 Skeins Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Beige
* 2-3 Skeins Loops and Threads, Impeccable in True Gray
* Size 13 Needles
* Blue Courderoy, two strips measuring 76" x 30" each and two strips measuring 44" x 18" each (Prewash before using)
* Sewing machine and thread

Abbreviations:
CG = Charcoal Grey
CO = Cast On
K = Knit
STS = Stitches

Gauge:
8 Rows and 5.5 Stitches = 2" in Stockinette Stitch

Instructions:
* With a double strand of CH and using a long tail cast on, CO 180 STS. Follow stripe pattern knitting every row with a double strand. Bind off and weave in ends.
* Fold each fabric strip in half lengthwise and iron (two 15" x 76" strips and two 9" x 44" strips)
* Open the fold, then fold up each long side 3" and iron (two 12" x 76" strips and two 6" x 44" strips)

Complete the following steps fully with each strip one at a time, it will be MUCH easier.
* Pin along the fold  and every so often in the middle to secure the binding folds while you attach the bindings to the blanket
* Lay the blanket out on the floor, it will have some stretch, start with the short sides and adjust the blanket to match 2" shy of the 6" x 44" strip on each side, then pin with long pins being careful to get
through all layers
* Take it to the sewing maching and do a straight stitch with a 3/8" seam allowance

For the long strips:
* Fold over and iron 2" on each of the short sides of the long strips
* Roughly, line up the centers of the stip and the blanket and pin from the center to the ends, adjusting the blanket as you go, matching up the edge of the blanket to the fold just made
* Tuck the short strips into the 2" fold of the long strip ends
* Sew the strip to the blanket
* Repeat with remaining strip

Finishing:
* Sew along the folds/edges of the strips