The Clairvaux Baby Blanket is knit all in one piece but gives the effect of being worked in four blocks, like a quilt. The seed stitch borders and a lifted twist pattern in each square make it seems like an extremely complex design, but it is not too challenging to navigate for intermediate or experienced knitters; the adventurous beginner also shouldn’t hesitate to try it. This baby blanket can be worked as written for a 30”x30” blanket or could be adapted for a larger size. Pattern includes both written directions as well as a chart for the block pattern (which is also written out).
About the Name
In the twelfth century, Bernard of Clairvaux was a Cistercian monk. He was sent to found a monastery which he named Claire Vallée (which became Clairvaux). Bernard was an important figure for the Cistercians as well as for Christianity in general. He was a judge between the rival popes in a great schism of the Church. He supported Innocent II and met with important figures of the times such as Henry I of England to secure their support for this pope. Most of Italy supported the rival pope, and Bernard worked tirelessly to get them to change their support to Innocent and was able to convince several key figures to do so.
Bernard’s theology rested heavily on stressing the importance of the Virgin Mary, with her serving as intercessor. He was instrumental in the founding of numerous other monasteries and wrote several theological works as well as many letters, for which he is known as an eloquent writer. He even found a place in literature when Dante used Bernard as the final guide in the Paradiso (the last part of the Divine Comedy).
I designed this baby blanket for a good friend’s baby and couldn’t resist using the Clairvaux name for the pattern after finding out what they named the baby.