Shark Blanket - Knit edition

Hi everyone, So I have to admit I have tried to learn to crochet but there is just something about the postion of holding the at working yarn that I can not get a great tension and I get frustrated and I have learned that my yarn work is now done with 2 needles :)

So needless to say I have come across many patterns that I love that are done in crochet and am getting better with invisioning my project in knitting lingo. Of course when the shark blanket appeared everyone need to have one but its crocheted.

 

Here goes my attempt at a knit version and I hope you enjoy.  This pattern is made for an average adult size.

Shark Knit Lapghan

Yarn
Bernat Blanket 2.5 - large skeins dark grey
Bernat Baby Blanket 1 - white
Loops and threads Impeccable - red
 
Needles
US size 13 Circular
US size 11 Circular

 
Body
Cast On 64 stiches 
Work in stockinette stitch for approximately 40 inches or when it reaches the knees or just below join work in the round.
First row in the round  - K3, KFB , repeat to end of row. This will increase 16 stitches. (total 80 stitches).
Knit 12 rows. (every row now knit because in the round)
Decrease row (K6, K2tog), repeat to end of row (70 stitches)
Knit 10 rows
Decrease row (K5, K2tog), repeat to end of row (60 stitches)
Knit 5 rows
Decrease row (K4, K2tog), repeat to end of row (50 stitches)
Knit 5 rows
Decrease row (K3, K2tog), repeat to end of row (40 stitches)
Knit 5 rows
Decrease row (K2, K2tog), repeat to end of row (30 stitches)
Knit 6 rows
Decrease row K2tog (K1, K2tog) Repeat parenthesis to end. (22 stitches)

Switch to US 11 Circular needles and Knit 3 rows and then time to start the tail.
 
Next Round - K17; place last 11 stitches worked on small stitch holder. First half of tail will be worked back and forth over remaining 11 stitches on needles (last 5 stitches of current round and first 6 stitches of next round).
Row 1 - (K1, kfb) 5 times, k1. 16 stitches.
Even-Numbered Rows -  P all stitches.
Row 3 - (K1, kfb) to end. (24 stitches)
Row 5 - K1, kfb, (k3, kfb) 5 times, k2. (30 stitches)
Row 7 - K1, kfb, (k3, kfb) to end of row (38 stitches)
Row 9 - 28 work in stockinette stitch
Row 29 - K1, k2tog, k to last 3 stitches, ssk, k1 (36 stitches)
Row 30 - P all stitches
Rows 31-38 - Work as for Rows 29-30 (28 stitches)
Row 39 - K1, K2tog x2, knit to last 5 stitches and do SSKx2 K1. (24stitches)
Row 40 - P all stitches
Row 41-48 - Work as for rows 39-40 (8 stitches)
Row 49 - K1, K2tog, K2, SSK, K1
Row 51 - K1 K2tog, SSK, K1
Row 53 - K1, K2tog, K1
Row 54 - K1, K2tog
Row - 55 Bind off.  Leave your self a long tail and fold this piece in half with outer edges together and seam together. This is one half of the tail.

Replace held stitches on needle and rejoin yarn with RS facing. Work Rows 1-55 as for first half of tail.

Once both halves of tail are complete I made it more of a fin by sewing down the middle of the two to join them together about 1/3 of the way.

 
Using US Circular needles size 11 and the white yarn, I picked up stitches along the open edges of the body one side at a time and simply did 5 rows of garter stitch to make the appearance of the belly.

Along the edges of the top I then used US Circular needles size 11 and the red yarn (doubled to get a chunky weight) and simply did a garter stitch for 4 rows.

 Teeth

Cast on 5 stitches with white yarn using US11 circular. 

Row 1: K1, yo, k2tog, yo, k2
Row 2 and every even row:  Knit
Row 3: K1, *yo, k2tog* repeat twice, yo, k1
Row 5: K1, *yo, k2tog* repeat twice, yo, k2
Row 7: K1, *yo, k2tog* repeat three times, yo, k1
Row 9 : Bind off 5, 1st on right needle, yo, k2tog, yo, k1 (5 stitches left on needle)
Row 10: Knit

Start over and repeat these ten rows until you reach your desired length then bind off and weave in the ends. Mine had 12 teeth in total.

Using White yarn I simply stitched the teeth along the edge of the red at the top of the blanket.

Fins

Top fin
US 11 Circular needles - and grey yarn.
Cast on 36
Knit 2 rows
Row 3 - K1, K2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, SSK, K1
Row 4  - Knit
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until you reach the tip and bind of last stitches.
Using grey yarn attach to middle of the blanket. 


Side Fins (make 2)
US 11 Circular needles - and grey yarn.
Cast on 18
Knit 2 rows
Row 3 - K1, K2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, SSK, K1
Row 4  - Knit
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until you reach the tip and bind of last stitches.
Using grey yarn attach one to each side of the blanket.














Eyes

I used black and white felt and cut out circles and just tack stitched them on. Nothing too fancy. I couldn't get a nice duplicate stitch with the kind of yarn I was using.