The Big Five O

No I am not talking about the old TV show if you remember that show or your age if you are at that point in time, but where we are with our squares. We are on Square 50 - 52. If anything comes up that isn't clear or a question write me a comment at the end of this post. Have fun learning.

(Square 50) Lacy Leaf Pattern

Co 26

K 3 rows

Row 1: k across row

Row 2: k3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 twice more to equal 6 rows in stockenette stitch

Row 7: k7, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k5, slip 1, k1, psso, k7

Row 8 and all wrong side rows: k3, p to last three sts, k3

Row 10: k7, k2tog, k1, yo, k3, yo, k4, slip 1, k1, psso, k7

Row 12: k7, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, k3, slip 1, k1, psso, k7

Row 14: k7: k2tog, k5, yo, k1, yo, k2, slip 1, k1, psso, k7

Row 16: k7, k2tog, k4, yo, k3, yo, k1, slip 1, k1, psso, k7

Row 18: k7, k2tog, k3, yo, k5, yo, slip 1, k1, psso, k7

Repeat Rows 7 – 18 once more

Next row: k across row

Next row: k3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Repeat the last two rows once more

Next row: k across row putting the next row on the wrong side

K 3 rows

Bind off, weave in ends

(Square 51) Little Arrow Stitch

Co 27

K 3 rows

Row 1 (RS): k4, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, k3, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, k4

Row 2: k3, p1, k2, p2, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, p1, k1, p2, k2, p1, k3

Row 3: k4, p1, k1, p1, k5, p1, k1, p1, k5, p1, k1, p1, k4

Row 4: k3, p1, k1, p1, k2, p3, k2, p1, k2, p3, k2, p1, k1, p1, k3

Repeat Rows 1 – 4 to 5 ½”

K 3 rows

Bind off, weave in ends

(Square 52) Staircase cables

Co 27

K 3 rows

Row 1: k3, p6, K4, p1, k1, p1, cable 2 right (slip 2 to cable needle and hold in back of work, k2, k2 from cable needle), p6, k3

Row 2 and all even numbered rows: k3, work rest of stitches as they appear to the last three sts, k3.

Row 3: k3, p6, cable 2 left (slip 2 to cable needle and hold in front of work, k2, k2 from cable needle – this gives you a left twist), p1, k1, p1, k4, p6, k3

Repeat rows 1 – 4 to 5 ½” (approx. 9 cable twists)

K 3 rows

Bind off, weave in ends

Plastic Bags - Another Usage

We all can play a part in recycling. I try to recycle newspaper, papers and cardboard, bottles and plastic bags. But wait! There is something else you can do with your plastic bags. Did you know that you can be even more creative and make a bag that is both durable and rain resistant. Yes, that was my contribution to the overwhelming usage of plastic bags.

It takes a lot of bags and I lost count as I got really into cutting up the strips. I will be making one for crochet so I will count the bags for that project and report back. I made the bag all in the round by using circular needles and it was fun to make. As I have mentioned in other posts, I like breaking up a task in smaller pieces so that I don't feel so overwhelmed. You can do the same with this project. As you come home with your plastic bags from shopping cut up the bags right away and you can start interlocking them together also. Before you know it you can be knitting creatively with your plastic and helping with the recycling at the same time.

You too can create one of these fabulous bags made out of plastic. Just do a search on the web for sites that show you how to cut the bags and put the strips together to make a ball of plastic yarn. It is that easy.

For me I wanted to put my own touches to the bag so I added a flower and made some I-cord straps alternating the two colors to make stripes and used buttons to attach them to the bag. Also, I crocheted the top edge which made it easier for me to make the loops for the straps to go through.

Try it you will like it. Have fun.

Up To Forty-Six Squares

We are more than half way to our 63 square blanket project - Yah! I am giving you Squares 47 - 49. If there are any questions or problems with the squares you can submit a comment at the end of this post. Enjoy.

(Square 47) Climbing Frame (another way to use cable twists)

Co 26

K3 rows

Row 1: k across row

Row 2: k7, p2, k8, p2, k7

Row 3: k6, C2B, C2F, k6, C2B, C2F, k6

Row 4: k3, p to last three sts, k3

Rep these four rows to 5 ½” (Do nine repeats of the pattern which is four rows for each repeat. On the ninth repeat only do Rows 1 – 3 so that you will knit on the wrong side across the row which will count as 1 row of knit

Finish off with K 2 more rows

Bind off, weave in ends

(Square 48) Staggered Eyelets (more practice with yarn over's to increase and knit two together for decreases)(note: variegated yarn can be used for this square)

Co 25

K 3 rows

Row 1: k across row

Row 2: k3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Row 3: k3, *k2, k2tog, yo, rep from * to last 6 sts, k6

Row 4: k 3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Row 5: k across row

Row 6: k3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Row 7: k3, *k2tog, yo, k2, rep from * to last 6 sts, k6

Row 8: k3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Repeat these 8 rows for three more repeats which should be approx. 5 ½” (RS) k across row to get to wrong side row

K 3 rows

Bind off and weave in ends

(Square 49 ) Long and Short Stitch (knowing how to keep on track as you go back and forth from knits to purls to create a different rib affect)(note: variegated yarn can be used for this square)

(Note: This is a ribbing so it will not be 6” across but less. We will stretch this square to bring out the ribbing.)

Co 27

K 3 rows

Row 1: k3, *k1, p1*. Continue from * to * to the last three sts, k3

Row 2: k3, *p1, k1*. Continue from * to * to the last three sts, k3

Rows 3 & 4: Repeat Rows 5 and 6

Row 5: k3, k1, p1, k1, *p3, k1, p1, k1*. Rep from * to * to last three sts, k3

Row 6: k3, p1, k1, p1, *k3, p1, k1, p1*. Rep from * to * to last three sts, k3

Row 7 & 8: Rep Rows 5 & 6

Row 9: k across row

Row 10: k3, p across row, k3

Row 11 & 12: Rep Rows 9 & 10

Repeat Rows 1 – 12 for pattern to 5 1/2 “

K 3 rows

Bind off and weave in ends

Next Three Squares

These next three squares will help you further to insert the seed stitch in between stockinette stitch to change what would be a plain background into a stripe affect, practice more yarn over's and alternating the knit and purl stitches to form a design of diamonds. Have fun.

If there are any questions or problems type it in the comment box at the end of this post.

(Square 44) Garter Stitch Rib

Co 27

K 3 rows

Row 1: k across row

Row 2: k3, p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k1, p1, k1, p5, k3

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 for pattern for 5 ½” ending on a right side row

K 3 rows

Bind off and weave in ends

(Square 45) Oblique Openwork Stitch

Co 24

K 3 rows

Row 1: k3 *k1, yfwd., sl 1, k1, psso, k1, yfwd, sl 1, k1, psso*; rep from * to * to last three sts, k3

Row 2 and alt rows: k 3, p across row to last three sts, k3

Row 3: k3, *k2, yfwd, sl 1, k1, psso, k2*; rep from * to * to last three sts, k3

Row 5: k3, *k3, yfwd, sl 1, k1, psso, k1*; rep from * to * to last three sts, k3

Row 7: Rep from row 1

Repeat these 8 rows for 5 ½” (note: complete a repeat before doing the last 3 rows of knit)

K 3 rows

Bind off and weave in ends

(Square 46) Diamond Within a Diamond

(Note: This square tests your concentration. You are so use to knitting the rows that you will automatically go back to knitting the stitches and creating a garter border. So without thinking you will go back to knitting that border or knitting where you need to be purling. Most of the square is purled so be careful.)

Co 27

P 13 rows

Row 1 (RS): p9, k3, p3, k3, p9

Row 2 and all wrong side rows: p across row

Row 3: p8, k3, p2, k1, p2, k3, p8

Row 5: p7, k3, p2, k3, p2, k3, p7

Row 7: p6, k3, p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k3, p6

Row 9: p5, k3, p2, k2, p3, k2, p2, k3, p5

Row 11: p4, k3, p2, k2, p5, k2, p2, k3, p4

Row 13: p5, k3, p2, k2, p3, k2, p2, k3, p5

Row 15: p6, k3, p2, k2, p1, k2, p2, k3, p6

Row 17: P7, K3, P2, K3, P2, K3

Row 19: p8, k3, p2, k1, p2, k3, p8

Row 21: p9, k3, p3, k3, p9

P 13 rows

Bind off in pattern (this means that you have been purling the stitches and that is your pattern stitch that you are ending with so you would bind off in purling)

Weave in ends

Sixty-Three Square Blanket Project

It has really been fun gathering and tweaking these knit and purl stitches for our 63 square blanket. You have also expressed your enjoyment with this special project. Doing this project, as I have been going through the different stitch pattern books, really showed me again how many stitch patterns there are that haven't been used. A lot of creating can still be done - YAH.

I currently gave you 40 squares during these weeks to work on. As I stated in class, I will be giving you at least three squares per week on Friday. We will continue into July and then meet to put our masterpieces together. I can't wait to see the end results of all your hard work.

As always if there are any problems please bring them to my attention. There is a Post A Comment box at the bottom of this post and you can type it in and I will see it. Have fun.

(Square 41) Gathered Stitch

Co 20 (using two needles to make a loose cast on - this means holding both knitting needles together and casting on then removing one after casting on number needed)

Rows 1 – 6: k across row

Row 7: (RS) k3, inc 1 k in each st, k3

Rows 8, 10, 12: k3, p to last three sts, k3

Rows 9 and 11: k across row Row 13: k3, *k2tog, rep from* to last three sts, k3

Rep rows 2 – 13 for two more repeats and repeat rows 2 – 6 once more

Bind off very loose, weave in ends

(Square 42) Diagonal Rib

(Note: Notice that when you are doing the rows the stitches shift over one. You are still doing k2, p2 but with row three it starts with only a k1 so that it shifts the stitches over one to create the diagonal and the row ends with only a k1 and not a k2 so be careful.)

Co 26 K 3 rows Row 1 (RS): k3, *k2, p2, rep from * to last three sts, k3

Row 2: same as row 1

Row 3: k3, *k1, p2, k1, rep from * to last three sts, k3

Row 4: k3, *p1, k2, p1, rep from * to last three sts, k3

Row 5: k3, *p2, k2, rep from * to last three sts, k3

Row 6: same as row 5 Row 7: k3, *p1, k2, p1, rep from * to last three sts, k3 Row 8: k3, *k1, p2, k1, rep from * to last three sts, k3 Rep these 8 rows for pattern to 5 ½” K 3 rows Bind off, weave in ends

(Square 43) Feathery Lace Stitch

Co 27

K 3 rows

Row 1: k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skp(slip as if to knit, k1, pass slip stitch over knit stitch), k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skp, k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, skp, k3

Row 2: k3, p5, k3, p5, k3, p5, k3 Repeat Rows 1 & 2 for 5 ½”

K 3 rows

Bind off, weave in ends