Learn to Knit Afghan: June 2010

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Krystal's Square 26

I just realized I never posted this one... LOL

I don't remember much about it, but it was quick to do and easy to remember the pattern.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

For the border I opted to use Priscilla Hewitt's Blanket Binding Afghan Edging. I changed the final sc round to just slip stitches as I was happy with the width at that point. The afghan is quite large and is shown on a full size bed. This blanket has been quite the learning adventure.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Sherri's Final Assembly

All that is left at this stage is to add the border. Before then, I wanted to talk a bit about joining the squares together and the design layout.

Different joining methods are briefly mentioned in the book, leaving the knitter to choose which they might like the best. The original afghan was put together in a striped diagonal setting.

I knew before beginning this project that I wanted an Around the World setting. Because all of the large scale two-color patterned blocks were worked in two shades of pink, I opted to edge each square with 2 rounds of single crochet before joining. To make the blocks read the lighter pink I edged the square in that color. To make them read as the darker color, I used the darker yarn. Each of my squares have 33 single crochet stitches along the sides and 3 stitches in each corner for the first round. The second round has 35 stitches along the sides and 3 stitches in each corner. The two color yellow/gold squares were edged in gold and the solid color blocks were edged in whichever color they were knit. I used a size H hook for the crocheting. I then sewed the blocks together through all single crochet loops.

Sherri's Assembly Continued

Sherri's Assembly

Sherri's Square 63

The last block in the book is Increasing Seamless Square. Unlike the previous block which was knit from the outside in and in stockinette, this block is knit from the center out and in garter stitch.

Beginning a square on dpn's (double pointed needles) is also a bit awkward. But after about 4 rounds it gets easier.

Sherri's Square 62

Decreasing Seamless Square was a little disconcerting for me at first. This is one of the blocks in which you need circular needles and also stitch markers. You will cast on however many stitches are in the outer most round, and then proceed to decrease until you reach the center.

Sherri's Square 61

The block on the right is called Parquet Squares. It was an easy block to knit, however, it ended up being quite a bit larger than all my other blocks. Instead of hunting for smaller needles or doing the math for smaller sections, I decided I would find a suitable replacement. The block on the left is titled Pinstripes and is from Jan Eaton's 200 Knitted Blocks. It was a sloooow knit. Lots of slip stitches.

Sherri's Square 60

This one is called Short-Row Stripes. If you look closely you will see tiny holes where I did not "wrap" my stitches. Make sure you read the directions that come after the Row information in the book. I think it is on the following page. I did not and therefore, the block is not as nice looking as it could be.

Short rows are what gives the heel of a sock it's shape, or how you make knitting fit over a curvy shape. This block does not lie flat. There are little mounds of pink and magenta in my blanket.

Sherri's Square 59

Dip-Stitch Check

Sherri's Square 58

Blister Stitch

Sherri's Square 57

Star Stitch is a really nice textured pattern.

Sherri's Square 56

This is Elkhorn and Fleurettes.

Sherri's Square 55

This is Single-Strand Lace.

Sherri's Square 54

This is the Seafoam Pattern. It you are not fond of lacey/holey blocks you might want to find a substitute block. As you can see from the picture on the left, knitting the required number of repeats does not give you an 8 inch square. The picture on the right shows what the pattern looks like blocked. (sort of) It actually looks nicer in the finished afghan than just pinned to the carpet. I've seen some beautiful scarves made in this stitch, but I will just admire them for the beauties they are. I can't say that I was particularly fond of knitting this one, but I am keeping it in my blanket.