more 6-inch squares

I've noticed that I'm not the only one who knits blanket squares in anticipation of a future campaign that will include a request for blankets. Now, making it clear that I have no idea what's coming, and emphasizing that blankets may not be requested again for another year or two or even ever (we never know what's going to happen), here are two more patterns in my monthly series of 6-inch blocks. I didn't post them earlier, because I didn't want to introduce any confusion or distract from the youth or baby blanket campaigns.

These squares are great for using up the last bit of a ball of yarn -- each takes about half an ounce of yarn -- or when you're between projects, or when you just want to knit something but nothing you have in progress appeals to you. I'll post these using the name of the month I originally assigned to them, just to help me keep track. And I'll add pictures once I've blocked mine -- right now they're kind of rumpled and/or all curled up. I try to make four of these squares each month, wash them, and then put away in their box. Sometimes all four are the same color, but not always.


Square #2 (October)
Diagonal Rib
multiple of 4 sts +2, 8 rows (but you do can stop on whatever row you need to to make your 6-inch block)
Row 1 (RS): *k2, p2* across, end k2
Row 2: *p2, k2* across, end p2
Row 3: k1, *p2, k2,* end p1
Row 4: k1, *p2, k2* across, end p1
Row 5: *p2, k2* across, end p2
Row 6: *k2, p2* across, end k2
Row 7: p1, *k2, p2* across, end k1
Row 8: p1, *k2, p2* across, end k1
Block directions:
Cast on 30 stitches.
Knit 4 rows (2 ridges).
Keeping first 2 and last 2 stitches in garter stitch (I find it helpful to place a marker to remind me that those 2 stitches are outside the pattern), work in pattern stitch for your magic number of rows– i.e., the number of rows you determined in block 1 would give you a 6-inch block. For me, that’s 42 rows – I will knit 42 rows of pattern stitch for every block I make, in each stitch pattern. For you, it may be 38 or 44; just do what works for you.
Knit 4 rows (2 ridges).
Bind off.

Square #3 (November)
Garter Rib
multiple of 4 sts +2, 2 rows
Row 1 (RS): *k2, p2* across, end k2
Row 2: Purl across
Block directions:
Cast on 30 stitches.
Knit 4 rows (2 ridges).
Keeping first 2 and last 2 stitches in garter stitch (I find it helpful to place a marker to remind me that those 2 stitches are outside the pattern), work in pattern stitch for your magic number of rows– i.e., the number of rows you determined in block 1 would give you a 6-inch block. For me, that’s 42 rows – I will knit 42 rows of pattern stitch for every block I make, in each stitch pattern. For you, it may be 38 or 44; just do what works for you.
Knit 4 rows (2 ridges).
Bind off.

The square for December will be up soon; that one will be easy, too, in deference to the chaos that is December. January and February might be slightly more complex.

Enjoy!