Tag: knitting

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Knit-A-Long Baby Blanket: Week 13

Posted on by Jackie B

This week our KAL designer, Yvonne has given us a beautiful leaf design featuring cables, which you can see at the top of the picture above.

First of all lets look at how we got on with last week’s pattern (Yvonne chose a lavender shade for her prototype blanket

L’s was in pink

A loved hers so much she did extra rows

My colour scheme meant this section was in white on my version.

This week’s pattern looks quite complicated at first, but we’ve had a go and asked Yvonne lots of questions, so there are some extra hints which we hope will help.

Yvonne writes,”Hi guys I hope you all managed last week’s waves and may I suggest that the pattern is read carefully especially this week, as it’s a bit tricky again. I think it looks beautiful and is usually worked on larger scale and done like a basket weave pattern meaning the blocks are alternating but we are only doing 10 rows so no need to worry.”

“The pattern is sometimes called leaf stitch and consists of alternating panels of 7 stitches, one set of panels includes twists and in this version cable needles are used to achieve this. Within the four rows of the pattern each 7 stitch group increases then decreases back to 7.”

Week 13

Abbreviations for this week are:-
YO yarn over
SlP slip 1 st purlwise 
K3 tog  knit 3 together 
Tbl  through back of loop
K2tog knit 2 together 

Remember that you begin with a total 141 stitches (including the 8 stitch border at the edges) – so the pattern is worked over the 125 stitches between those garter stitch borders.

Row 1. K3, *(YO, S1P, K1) 3times, YO, S1P, K2, (K1,YO,K1  into next st, K1, (K1,YO,K1) into next st, K2). Repeat from* 8 times, then (YO, S1P, K1) 3 times, YO, S1P, K3.

Row 2. P3, (K2tog, P1) 3 times, K2tog, *P2, slip next 7 sts purlwise, carrying yarn across front (wrong side), P2, (K2tog, P1) 3 times, K2tog, repeat from* 8 times, to last 3 stitches, P3.  

Row 3. K3, *(YO, S1P, K1) 3 times, YO, S1P, Put next 2sts on cable needle leave at back of work K3 tog, K2 from cable needle, K1, put next 3 sts on cable needle leave at front of work, K2, K3tog tbl off cable needle, repeat from * 8 timesto last 10 stitches, (YO, S1P, K1)  3 times,YO, S1P,  K3.


Row 4. P3 , (K2tog, P1) 3 times, K2tog,  *P7, (K2tog, P1) 3 times, K2tog. Repeat from * 8 times to last  3csts P3.


These 4 rows form pattern so repeat 1-4 again.

 
Row 9. K3, *(YO, S1P, K1) rep 3 times YO, S1P, K7, rep from * 8 times, then (YO, S1P, K1) rep 3 times YO, S1P, to last 3 sts K3.


Row 10 as row 4.

That’s all there is to it 
Hope you manage this pattern ok so until next time happy knitting.
Yvonne

I’m enjoying this one very much. After a few issues with the last one I’m reading the pattern and counting very carefully

 A couple of hints that might help: – look out for the asterisks (*) and also, to keep track of the pattern, use stitch markers at * and after every 14 stitches than make up the pattern repeat

Meanwhile the blanket is growing!

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Knit-a-Long Baby Blanket: Week 12

Posted on by Jackie B

Before we look at the pattern Yvonne has set us for this week let’s look at how a couple of the blankets are getting on. This is R’s lovely shades of pink blanket -she added a cream accent this week.

…and my blanket, which used fawn yarn for this one, here in close up

Yvonne had explained how this one, if knitted over a bigger area forms pleats like an accordion. You can see this just starting, even over the 10 rows we knitted,

And now for this week.

Yvonne writes, “Hi guys. Hope you’re all well and enjoying this beautiful blanket.”

” This week is another lacy one but it also resembles waves and I expect with the weather we have had these will be less choppy haha! – Not too difficult I hope. We have had the abbreviations before which are 
YO = yarn over the needle
K2tog = knit 2 together 

Here we go.”

Week 12

Row 1. K
Row 2. P
Row 3. *(k2tog) 3 times, (YO, k1) 6 times (k2tog) 3 times. Repeat from * to end
Row 4. K
Repeat rows 1-4 again then 1 & 2

That’s all there is to it and please remember your garter st border at each end.

Until next week, happy knitting.

Yvonne x

I’ve had a go and it helped to remember that over the course of the pattern you need to work equal numbers of k2 tog, (which decreases a stitch) and YO k1, which increases a stitch, I love these waves!

Keep sending in those photos!

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Knit-a-Long Baby Blanket: Week 11

Posted on by Jackie B

Before the next set of KAL instructions, here’s a round up of our efforts with the Week 10 arrowheads pattern. Yvonne’s prototype version is in blue below.

Next, we have L’s salmon pink….

…A’s fawn…

R’s pink….

…and a close up of my white stripe.

We were all relieved that this pattern was easier than the intarsia in the previous double pattern and pleased it turned out so well – it’s a really effective design.

This week, blanket designer, Yvonne, writes, “Well guys, it’s that time again, ready for the next part. Again, it’s all about the counting but setting up the pattern is easy enough. Just take care from row 5. There are no special abbreviations, nitting,just k and p.

So eyes down and here we go.

Week 11

Row 1. Remember your edges and then k5, p5, to end of row.
Row 2. P5, k5, to end of row.
Row 3 & 4 rep rows 1 & 2.
Row 5. K1, p5, k5, end with p4.
Row 6. K4, p5, k5, to last st p1.
Row 7 & 8 rep rows 5 & 6.
Row 9 & 10 rep rows 1 & 2.

This pattern, if done on a bigger scale, looks like a concertina but unfortunately 10 rows just starts it off.

Have fun and see you all next week.

Happy knitting 
Yvonne

Some of us have already completed this pattern, and R is first to send a photo of hers. It looks great!

How are you getting on with your blanket? Keep sending the photos.

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Knit-a-Long Baby Blanket: Week 10

Posted on by Jackie B

After last week’s double helping of knitting pattern I did suggest that Yvonne had a week off so we could all catch up. She’s happy to carry on, so you’ll find her next pattern later on in this post.

It’s been quite challenging to do the week 8-9 section. How did you find it? I think it was the combination of intarsia for the words KNIT and CHAT combined with a the central cup and saucer design in plain/purl that stumped us. There are a few things you might want to try that may help. You could use stitch markers to show the position of the 3 sections (KNIT, teacup and CHAT). I find it easier to work from a chart so I tried transferring the teacup design to graph paper – it didn’t look quite the same as Yvonne’s (my saucer is shallower) but I got through it.

Also, if you are getting in a tangle with separate balls of wool for the intarsia colour work you could use one yarn and use plain/purl to work all the designs. Here’s how some of the blankets are looking after the jumbo weeks 8-9 section.

L worked hers in one colour using plain/purl for the words.

R’s pink and white showed up well.

A’s and mine are in pastels so the colour contrast is more subtle.

And now for the next instalment. Yvonne writes, “Here we go – it’s that time of week again when you are all waiting for the next pattern. This one is a bit easier. Initting,t’s called vertical arrow panel and is a bit lacy.

Week 10

Abbreviations are:

Yf yarn forward or round needle 
Sl 2tog slip 2 stitches together off one needle to the other
P2sso pass the 2 slip stitches over

Remember 8 border sts at each end.
Row 1. K9, (Yf, k4, Sl 2tog, k1, p2sso, k4, Yf, k13), rep 4 times then Yf, k4, Sl 2tog, k1, p2sso, k4, Yf, k9
Row 2. And all even rows p.
Row 3. K10, (Yf, k3, Sl 2tog, k1, p2sso, k3, Yf, k15), rep 4 times then Yf, k3, Sl 2tog, k1, p2sso, k3, Yf, k10.
Row 5. K11, (Yf, k2, Sl 2tog, k1, p2sso, k2, Yf, k17), rep 4 times then Yf, k2, Sl 2tog, k1, p2sso, k2, Yf, k11.
Row 7. K12, (Yf, k1, Sl 2tog, k1, p2sso, k1, Yf, k19), rep 4 times then Yf, k1, Sl 2tog, k1, p2sso, k1, Yf, k12.
Row 9. K13, (Yf, Sl 2tog, k1, p2sso, Yf, k21) rep 4 times then Yf, sl 2tog, k1, p2sso, k13.
Row 10. P


That’s all there is to it. Happy knitting guys and until next week have fun.
Yvonne 

Isn’t Yvonne doing a great job designing this?

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Knit-a-Long Baby Blanket: Week 8-9

Posted on by Jackie B

This week\s pattern is the most complicated yet, featuring colour work – an intarsia design, featuring the words “KNIT” and “CHAT” with a cup and saucer in between – a reference to our knit and natter group!

First of all, let’s take a look at what everyone’s blankets are looking like. Pauline has joined the KAL – here’s her blanket so far.

Here’s A’s blanket in fawn,

R continues her pink and white one.

And here’s L’s salmon pink.

Here’s a close up of the lacy pattern we did last week, on my blanket.

Yvonne’s next design is 20 rows – that’s 2 weeks worth – week’s 8 and 9. It includes charts for the colour work.

Yvonne writes, “Hi guys – here we go again with a double whammy this week and we agreed to do both weeks in one as it’s really all one pattern. This week we have a bit of intarsia so you will need another colour or a few it’s up to you. Personally I love colour so I used a different colour for each part as there are some large parts which are difficult to carry the spare yarn across the back without puckering it. I will write out the rows to set the pattern then follow the charts (A on purl row first, B on knit row first) at the end of the written instructions.

So here we go and if we have previous rows correct we should have 125 sts in the middle to work on not forgetting the 8 sts of border at either end. Ok

Week 8-9

Row 1. K50, P25, K50 
Row 2. P48,  K31, P48
Row 3. K47, P3, K1, P2, K18, P2, K1, P3, K to end.
Now we start the intarsia at the beginning and end of the row in between the edges.
Row 4. P46 as follows:- 1 main (m), 1 contrast (c), 7m, 1c, 2m, 1c, 6m, 2c, 4m, 1c, 7m, 1c, 12m then centre panel of K3, P2, K2, P18, K2, P2, K3, P8, then intarsia again, P37 as follows:- 6c, 2m, 1c, 4m, 1c, 1m, 1c, 11m, 1c, 2m, 1c, 7m.
Row 5. K row as follows:- 7m, 1c, 2m, 1c, 11m, 1c, 1m, 1c, 4m, 1c, 7m, 1c, 6m, centre panel, P3, k3 p2, k18, p2, k3, p3, intarsia 11m, 1c, 7m, 1c, 4m, 2c, 6m, 1c, 3m, 1c, 6m, 1c, k to end.
Row 6. Follow chart A at the end for the sides and this is the centre panel worked over 45sts, p5, k3, p3, k2, p18, k2, k4, p3, k4. Intarsia from chart B.
Row 7. Follow chart B then centre panel k4, p3, k5, p2, k18, p2, k5, p3, k3 follow chart A.
Row 8. Centre panel p3, k3, p6, k2, p18, k3, p5, k2, p4.
Row 9. K3, p1, k5, p1, k2, p2, k18, p2, k7, p1, k3.
Row 10. P2, k1, p8, k2, p18, k2, p2, k1, p5, k1, p3.
Row 11. K8, p1, k3, p2, k18, p2, k11.
Row 12. P11, k2, p18, k2, p4, k1, p7.
Row 13. K7, p1, k4, p22, k11.
Row 14. P17, k1, p5, k1, p9, k1, p3, k1, p7.
Row 15. K7, p1, k2, p1, k8, p2, k4, p2, k18.
Row 16. P20, k2, p4, k2, p7, k2, p8.
Row 17. K16, p1, k4, p2, k22.
Row 18. P24, k1, p2, k1, p17.
Row 19. K21, p2, k22.
Row 20. P20, k2, p23.

Chart A

image0.jpeg

Chart B

image1.jpeg

It’s challenging so do your best! Don’t forget to send pics of your blankets.

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Knit-A-Long Baby Blanket: Week 7

Posted on by Jackie B

It’s Week 7 of the Knit-a-Long!

First of all let’s have a look at how everyone got on with last week’s honeycomb pattern. Wnelcome to blog follower Liz who is knitting her blanket in yellow, aqua and white.

Here’s R’s pink and white…

…and L’s salmon pink

They all look great!

Here’s mine.

This week Yvonne has brought us a lacy pattern – it should look like the yellow stripe in the pic at the top of the post.

Yvonne writes, “Hi guys, it’s that time of week again and ready for the next part. I hope you all enjoyed last week’s instalment and didn’t find it too hard. This week we are changing the tempo and having a bit of lace and no cable needles in sight but we still have to count very carefully. Not that much to it but we do have long rows, it’s done over 4 sts and in 4 rows repeat so have fun.”

Week 7

The abbreviations for this week are:
Yf yarn forward which means put yarn round the needle.
Sl slip one so you slip the next st onto the other needle.
K2tog knit 2 together which I think is self explanatory.
PSSO pass slip st over again I think it explains itself.

Here we go.

Row 1. K2, (yf, sl, k2tog, psso, yf, k1) repeat what’s in brackets as far as you can remembering the 8 garter st at beginning and end.
Row 2. P.
Row 3. K1, k2tog, yf, k1, (yf, sl, k2tog, psso, yf, k1) repeat to end.
Row 4. P.
These 4 rows form pattern so repeat rows 1-4 again then the first 2 and that’s all there is to it.

Just remember to count carefully and also the borders and I will speak to you next week. Happy knitting guys.
Yvonne

How are you getting on with your blanket? Do keep sending in your photos.

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Knit-A-Long Baby Blanket: Week 6

Posted on by Jackie B

The KAL blanket is growing! Before I share the next instalment of Yvonne’s design, here are what some of the other group members are looking like. If you’ll remember, last week’s pattern was for a 5×5 check effect.

Here’s mine so far

…and L’s salmon pink…

…along with R’s pink and white

This week, Yvonne introduces a honeycomb pattern.

She writes,”Hi guys. Hope you are all well and managed last week’s pattern without too much trouble!

This week’s pattern consists of a 4 row repeat and uses a cable needle, it’s a little tricky but remember it’s all in the counting.

Week 6

We will be using abbreviations so here is the explanation for this pattern 
TW2R Twist 2 right which means put next st on cable needle and hold at back of work, knit 1, then knit 1 from cable needle.
TW2L Twist 2 left which means put next st on cable needle and hold at front of work, knit 1 then knit 1 from cable needle.

Ok here we go.
Row 1, (TW2R, TW2L) repeat to last st k1.
Row 2 and all even rows purl.
Row 3, (TW2L, TW2R) repeat to last st k1.

These 4 rows form pattern so repeat rows 1 – 4 again and then rows 1 & 2 again.

That’s all there is to it, good luck and happy knitting.
See you next week.

Yvonne.

I love a bit of cable so I’m looking forward to getting on with this one. To see what it should look like, look at the photo of Yvonne’s blanket at the beginning of the post – it’s the purple stripe at the top.

Keep on knitting and sending photos of your blanket so far!

Posted in knitting

Knit-A-Long Baby Blanket: Week 4

Posted on by Jackie B

Welcome to Week 4 of the KAL – that means that when you’ve done this week’s section you are a quarter of the way through!

First of all let’s look at what those of us taking part have been up to.

Here’s mine. My alternating colour/white combo meant week 3 was in white yarn.

Here is L’s lovely pink one……

…and A’s cosy soft fawn.

Now for the Week 4 instructions. This week we are back to casually counting stitches like Week 2. Over to you Yvonne…..

Week 4 Instructions

Yvonne writes, “Well guys it’s that time of the week again and time for the next 10 rows. I’m sorry to say that it’s a little bit harder. Also please remember that the first and last 8 stitches are in garter stitch throughout. So here we go.”

Row. 1, knit.
Row. 2, p6, k1, to end finishing with a p6.
Row. 3, k5, (p3, k4) to end doing last st as k before border.
Row. 4, p4, (k5, p2) to last 4 sts p to end.
Row. 5, k4, (p5, k2) to last 4 sts k to end.
Row. 6, p4, (k2, p1, k2, p2) to last 4 sts p to end.
Row. 7, k4, (p2, k1, p2, k2) to last 4 sts k to end.
Row. 8, p5, (k1, p1, k1, p4) to last 5 sts p to end.
Row 9, k to end.
Row 10, p to end.

“This is my variation of a row of hearts as I have put lots into the blanket. Good luck everyone and happy knitting until next week.”

I’d love to hear about your progress on the KAL… with photos if possible. How did your Week 3 go? What colour(s) are you using?

Good luck with Week 4. The next instalment will be posted next week.

Posted in knitting

Knit-A-Long Baby Blanket: Week 3

Posted on by Jackie B

It’s KAL time! As you’ll have realised if you are taking part, this is a MYSTERY KAL. This means that Yvonne, who designed our baby blanket is not showing us what the finished item will look like, only revealing it gradually, week-by-week as each section of the pattern is released. Before I post her next set of instructions, here’s where we are up to before Week 3’s knitting starts. This is L’s pink blanket so far……

…and R’s which combines a pink border with a pink and white yarn for the Week 2 pattern. The colours go beautifully.

Here is mine, which has a white border.

The Week 2 pattern was not without its challenges. One wrong stitch threw the rest of the row out and I had to start this bit again. Yvonne has been a little more lenient with us this week!

Week 3 Instructions

Yvonne writes, “Hi All. Week 3 already. I can’t believe it! Hope everyone managed to sort out the mishaps from last week but we are having an easier one this week.”

So here we go, remembering that the first and last 8 sts are in garter stitch.

Row 1, K to end.
Row 2, P1, K1, repeat to end.

These 2 rows form this week’s pattern so repeat rows 1 and 2 until 10 rows have been done in total.

“Until next week, happy knitting.”

This is mine in close up. I hope it shows clearly enough what Week 3’s design looks like. As I’ve mentioned previously, mine has a white garter stitch border. I’ve decided to alternate white and coloured sections for the body of the blanket. What colour next week I wonder?

I’d love to hear about your progress on the KAL… with photos if possible. Did you run into any problems with Week 2? Are you using a contrasting border? One colour or stripes?

Good luck with Week 3. The next instalment will be posted next week.

Posted in knitting

Knit-A-Long Baby Blanket: Week 2

Posted on by Jackie B

All of us at our Knit and Natter Group are really enjoying the KAL designed by Yvonne. Part of the fun is the anticipation of waiting for her next set of instructions. Welcome to blog follower Liz and everyone else who is joining us for the KAL.

We all got off to a great start with Week One – the garter stitch border, which should look like this.

I’ve chosen white yarn for the border, as did Yvonne for her prototype blanket pictured at the top of the post. It looks great in a colour too – L chose this lovely pink.

As Yvonne explained last week, the blanket should look good whether it is knitted in one colour or you change colour for each instalment of 10 rows. She broke us in gently with Week One, but the next instalment requires a little more concentration.You will end up with diagonal stripes of double moss stitch.

Week 2 Instructions

Yvonne writes, “We have already done our bottom edge and as we go we will do the side edges also.
From now on the first and last 8 stitches will be in garter stitch throughout the rest of the blanket and we will have different patterns in the middle of the blanket.”

So here we go.

The abbreviations for this are: K=knit, P=purl, sts= stitches 

Row 1. Knit the first 8 stitches and begin this week’s pattern, K3 *P1, K1, P1, K4 repeat from * to last 3 stitches K to end.
Row 2. After the garter stitch of 8 stitches continue as follows, P3, *P4, K1, P1, K1 repeat from *to last 3 stitches P3 and garter stitch last 8.
Row 3. K3 *(K1, P1) twice, K3 repeat from * to last 3 sts K3
Row 4. P3 *P3, (K1, P1) twice rep from * to last 3 sts P3
Row 5. K5, P1, K1, P1, *K4, P1, K1, P1 rep from * to last 5 sts K to end
Row 6. P5, K1, P1, K1, *P4, K1, P1, K1 rep from * to last 5 sts P to end 
Row 7. K6, P1, K1, P1, *K4, P1, K1, P1 rep from * to last 4 sts K to end
Row 8. P3, (P1, K1) twice, *P4, K1, P1, K1 rep from * to last 6 sts P to end
Row 9. K3, *K4, P1, K1, P1 rep from * to last 3 sts K to end
Row 10. P3, *K1, P1, K1, P4 rep from * to last 3 sts P to end

This is a vertical zigzag moss st 
Hope you enjoy this pattern and happy knitting until next week.

Yvonne

The garter stitch border carries on up each side so you could continue the 8 stitch border up the sides in the same colour and you did week one – that’s what I’ve decided to do.

You’ll need a separate ball of wood for each side border plus one for the coloured central pattern if you decide to do that. Remember to twist the strands of yarn together at the colour change before and after the 8 stitches of garter stitch to avoid getting a hole.

Enjoy Week Two. I’d love hear how you are getting on with your blanket..