Crafty Diversions: Rio Dances...

Rio Dances in the Sand

by Anne Kuo Lukito

Duran Duran’s “Rio” is one of those songs that lovers of 80’s music practically know by heart thanks to its catchy words and distinctive melody. This blanket was inspired by a member of my local stitch group who just had a beautiful baby girl lucky enough to share a name with this classic song.

Rio Dances in the Sand was originally knit as a group project that my local knitting group made to welcome baby Rio into the world, but it is such a versatile project that it can easily be undertaken by an individual. The blanket is made up of square and triangle pieces that are each knit separately and then sewn together. The individual pieces knit up quickly — each piece is knit in garter stitch, but the mitered style of the square pieces and the multiple colors keep the construction interesting. Once the pieces are done, they are stitched together (it’s great practice for anybody with a seaming phobia!).

$5 (PDF Download)

PATTERN DETAILS:

Sizes / Finished Measurements (2 sizes offered)

Chart A (Rectangle): Height 49”/107cm, Width 42”/107cm

Chart B (Square): Height 42”/107cm, Width 42”/107cm

Materials

Worsted weight yarn , Chart A: 2800-3200; Chart B: 3000-3500 yards. Actual amounts will vary, depending colors chosen and used. (Sample shown used Chart A and 15 skeins of Cascade 220 Superwash, 100% superwash wool, 13 different colors.)

US 7/4.5mm needles, or needles needed to obtain gauge
Darning needle
Stitch markers
1.7 yds/1.6m of 45”/1.2m wide backing fabric, optional. (Sample show used 100% cotton fleece.)
Sewing needle and thread, optional

Gauge

20 sts and 36 rows = 4”/ 10cm in garter stitch

Other Pattern Details

2 Sizes and 2 different designs offered
Detailed knitting instructions in a professionally designed layout
Instructions include US standard and Metric measurements
File size: 957 kb
4 pages, full color
Easy-to-read font

Skills and Techniques Used in Pattern

Simple increasing and decreasing;
Seaming
Light sewing (optional)

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$5 (PDF Download)

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