Before I delve into finishing my Grandma’s blanket, I needed to test knit the pattern to make sure I understood all the notations and how it goes together. It took me a couple goes to get the stitch count correct (take the pattern repeat and add the edge stitches, so I remember for next time), but once the number was right, it came together well.

Swatching seems to be a hated or loved knitting activity. I fall on the love side. I would rather see how the pattern or yarn behaves on a small scale before delving into a large project. I used a stocking weight wool yarn, and size 6 circular needle, which is a far cry from the bulky yarn and size 11 needles used for the blanket, but it was the pattern I was investigating.

I see why my Grandma liked this pattern, and why she made it so many times. It looks complicated, but it flows well, and it is easy to “read” the prior row of stitches to figure out where you are. Then the back row just follows the previous row’s stitches, and goes in twos or fours predominately, which makes checking for errors easy. The swatch came out OK, and I feel comfortable with the pattern. I do think I will finish off this small piece with a suitable edging, and it can join the doll house blanket army.