As most of you know, my Grandfather passed away this month. In addition to being a really fantastic grandpa, he was also a Veteran. During the time that I was growing up, my grandfather spent a majority of his post-retirement time volunteering at the Veterans Hospital. He was an “escort”. Yes, we had many hours of teasing and laughing about this title. Anyway, he would accompany anyone who had to go from their room to physical therapy, or to x-ray or wherever. He’d bring magazines and papers.
Well he also spent a great deal of time in the hospital himself. He was a wiry old guy and had made it through many physical hardships, starting with being in a military truck that went off a bridge in europe during WWII. A few months ago, I went to see him in a Veterans nursing home and posted this story about it. I started a blanket that weekend, and unfortunately didn’t finish in time to give to my grandpa. So I have decided to get it done, and to start this KAL to try and inspire anyone who has the extra time and yarn to make these lapghans for veterans.
A LAPGHAN IS NOTHING MORE THAN A NARROW BLANKET MEANT TO GO FROM THE LAP, TO THE ANKLE, AND NOT MUCH WIDER THAN THE LEGS. This is so that it can be used in wheelchairs and hospital beds without being in the way. Measurements could be about 24-30 inches across and about 3 to 3 1/2 feet long. With double or triple stranding, it works up pretty quickly.
Here is what I made, although you could make whatever you want!
I am using either double or triple worsted weight yarn so that it works up quickly and is warm and cozy. I am using the last of my acrylic stash, although you can use whatever you like. You can use any number of colors, indeed, you can do random stripes of leftovers! This is just one idea.
Cast on any multiple of 11
Row 1-6: Knit
Row 7: *K2tog, k2, k into front and back of next 2 stitches, k3, sl1, k1, psso, repeat from * across the row
Row 8: purl
Row 9: Same as row 6.
Row 10: purl
Row 11: same as row 6.
Row 12: purl
