Backing nine fair isle squares to cover loose strands of yarn

How-to Questions
1

I am making Kristin Nicholas’ design of a fair isle heart blanket for baby.
I think it is important to cover the backs of the 9 heart squares so the baby does not pull on the loose strands of yarn on the back of the blanket.
I am thinking of sewing cotton backing (fabric) to each square and leaving one row of stitches open to be able to attach each square to the other (s)…
Does this sound like a doable solution to you? Or do you have any other suggestions?
Thanks.
Lynn

2

You could cover the entire back and tack the corners of the squares down kind of quilt-style. Or you could knit a back of textured squares so it’s a two-sided blanket.

3

Ingrid, thank you for your speedy response to my question.
I was thinking of making it like a quilt, so I think I will indeed use a cotton backing and will tack it at the corners of the nine squares!
This should wash in the machine up just fine right? The yarn is Lion Brand woolese and I have made washable sweaters with it.
I recall my grandmother making a knitted blanket for my son 47 years ago when he was born and it too had a cotton backing and binding. Now I am making this blanket for that son’s child to be.:heart:
Sweet!
Also, I remember YOU responding to my queries five years ago just as quickly. Then I was just beginning to teach myself to knit for two other grandchildren! (twins who are now six years old).

Thanks again so very much! Lynn

4

Hi Lynn, I like Ingrid’s suggestion to line the back of the entire blanket. It’s a good idea to wash the lining once before stitching it to the knitting just in case it shrinks slightly.
How nice to be able to continue this tradition of baby blankets!

5

The nine heart squares measure 20" square when put together.
And then I am to knit in the round several more rows of wide garter stitch stripes around that square.
What do you think of the idea of only backing the 20" square with cotton, but leaving the border stripes alone, as there will be no loose strands of yarn on that area?

Thank you Salmonmac for your suggestion to wash the fabric first.
Will do. I am thinking of using flannel. OR I may use cotton and transfer photos of baby’s family members to it.