Because it's December and most of us have little time/ability to concentrate, here's another 6-inch square. I know we'll hear specifics about the new campaign very soon, but right now I'm much better off doing things that are small and easy! This one is just enough more interesting than garter stitch to keep you awake. I'm sure the stitch has a name, but I don't know it.
Square #4 (December)
multiple of 2 sts, 4 rows
Block directions:
Rows 1 and 2: *k1, p1* across
Rows 3 and 4: knit
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.
Showing posts with label 6-inch squares. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 6-inch squares. Show all posts
Friday, December 4, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
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!
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!
Friday, September 11, 2009
6-inch squares project
In the continuing, apparently futile, attempt to take control over my stash, I'm starting yet another project. Each month, I'll pick a stitch pattern and knit 4 6-inch squares from that pattern. Sometimes they'll all be the same color; sometimes I'll mix and match to use up little bits of yarn. This first square weighs just 15 g, or 1/2 ounce, so it won't make a big dent in the stash, but visible progress is valuable. I thought some of you might like to knit along with me, so I'm going to post each month's pattern here. No picture yet of September's square (although I'm on my third) because it is raining cats and dogs and correspondingly dim over here. But I will post a photo soon.
I'm using "standard" worsted -- like Cascade 220, Paton's Classic Wool, or Galway -- this time around, at a gauge of 5 stitches per inch. Because each square is just 6 inches wide, and I'm keeping 2 on each side in garter stitch, that leaves only 26 or 27 stitches to work with. So the patterns will be, for the most part, simple textured patterns. By knitting 4 each month, I'll have enough squares by the end of May for a blanket that measures 30 by 42 inches, just right for an A4A campaign.
The squares will be there ready and waiting for the next time CURE Hospital needs baby blankets. Of course, we have no idea what A4A will need next May, or even from one campaign to the next, but baby blankets do seem to be a recurring theme, and are likely to come up again in the rotation in the next year or two.
If you want to use thicker or thinner yarn, you can either adjust the stitch count or just make larger or smaller squares. (If a crocheter wants to start a similar block-of-the month endeavor, go right ahead. I am not good enough at your sport to do that one.)
Here are guidelines and this month's pattern:
Andalusian stitch
a multiple of 2 stitches plus 1 extra
Row 1 (RS): knit
Row 2: *p1, k1* repeat between stars until last stitch, p1
Row 3: knit
Row 4: purl
Cast on 31 stitches.
Work 4 rows (2 ridges) in garter stitch.
Keeping first and last 2 stitches in garter (i.e., always knit these stitches) -- you might want to use markers to remind yourself -- work in pattern until you need just 2 ridges (4 rows) of garter stitch to complete your 6-inch block, Bind off.
Now measure. If your block is perfect --you're done. If it's 6.5 inches or 5.5 inches, RIP IT OUT AND FIX IT!! This one will be the template for all the others, so you want it to be right.
Now, count how many rows you worked (garter ridges along the edge times 2). You will make every other block the same number of rows, making it oh so easy to sew them together.
These blocks are fast and easy, and satisfy the urge to cast on for a new project. I look forward to watching my stack get taller and taller.
I'm using "standard" worsted -- like Cascade 220, Paton's Classic Wool, or Galway -- this time around, at a gauge of 5 stitches per inch. Because each square is just 6 inches wide, and I'm keeping 2 on each side in garter stitch, that leaves only 26 or 27 stitches to work with. So the patterns will be, for the most part, simple textured patterns. By knitting 4 each month, I'll have enough squares by the end of May for a blanket that measures 30 by 42 inches, just right for an A4A campaign.
The squares will be there ready and waiting for the next time CURE Hospital needs baby blankets. Of course, we have no idea what A4A will need next May, or even from one campaign to the next, but baby blankets do seem to be a recurring theme, and are likely to come up again in the rotation in the next year or two.
If you want to use thicker or thinner yarn, you can either adjust the stitch count or just make larger or smaller squares. (If a crocheter wants to start a similar block-of-the month endeavor, go right ahead. I am not good enough at your sport to do that one.)
Here are guidelines and this month's pattern:
Andalusian stitch
a multiple of 2 stitches plus 1 extra
Row 1 (RS): knit
Row 2: *p1, k1* repeat between stars until last stitch, p1
Row 3: knit
Row 4: purl
Cast on 31 stitches.
Work 4 rows (2 ridges) in garter stitch.
Keeping first and last 2 stitches in garter (i.e., always knit these stitches) -- you might want to use markers to remind yourself -- work in pattern until you need just 2 ridges (4 rows) of garter stitch to complete your 6-inch block, Bind off.
Now measure. If your block is perfect --you're done. If it's 6.5 inches or 5.5 inches, RIP IT OUT AND FIX IT!! This one will be the template for all the others, so you want it to be right.
Now, count how many rows you worked (garter ridges along the edge times 2). You will make every other block the same number of rows, making it oh so easy to sew them together.
These blocks are fast and easy, and satisfy the urge to cast on for a new project. I look forward to watching my stack get taller and taller.
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