Building Blocks Blanket — Four New Squares/Free Pattern #2/4

This is the second of four squares we here at Summit Yarn are adding to the Building Blocks Blanket published by Michelle Hunter for Skacel. The pattern is from Barbara Walker Volume Two and is adapted to include the twisted stitch frame which she shows in her photo but does not include in the stitch pattern. This makes for a multiple of nine stitches plus 6 as written in my pattern below. It was a fun stitch pattern and easy to memorize as it was only a four row repeat.

Framed Cross-Stitch Cable Square
Cast on 50 stitches and seed 5 (or 6 rows if you prefer).

Row 1(RS): seed 4, p2, [k1tbl, p2, k4, p2] X 4, k1tbl, p2, (FIRST TIME ONLY– k2tog, p1, k1, p1; ALL OTHER PATTERN REPEATS JUST SEED 4 at the end of this row/ 49 sts).

Row 2(WS): seed 4, k2, [p2, k2, p4 wrapping yarn 2X around ndl for each of these purl sts, k2] X4, last 7 sts: p1tbl, k2, seed 4.

Row 3(RS): seed 4, p2, [k1tbl, p2, slip 4 sts with yarn held at back of work dropping extra wraps, then with point of LH ndl pass 1st two elongated sts over the second two and place all four sts on the LH ndl -- k all 4 elongated sts in this crossed order, p2] X 4, last 7 sts: k1tbl, p2, seed 4.

Row 4(WS): seed 4, k2, [p1tbl, k2, p4, k2] X 4, last 7 sts: p1tbl, k2, seed 4.

Complete fourteen total repeats of rows 1- 4, seed five rows and bind off loosely in seed pattern as established.

In the photos below I have also shown the “seams” as they appear. They are smooth and completed the same way you would knit an edging onto a shawl. The idea worked better than anticipated without any lumpy ugly seams on the wrong side of the fabric.

xx M.E. and Summit Yarn

 

Building Blocks Blanket — Four New Squares/Free Pattern 1/4 UPDATED

Jamie, Kathy and I have been working on the “Building Blocks” blanket, a pattern published by Skacel using their yarn, HiKoo Simplicity. We all, including Robin and Marybeth, love this cushy, true worsted weight superwash yarn. It comes in a myriad of wonderful colors and possesses a great hand. It has been WONDERFUL to work with. While the pattern is beautiful, we tweaked it. We knit each vertical column of squares as one piece — when you change to a new color start with right side facing and knit the first row, then five rows of seed. AND we cast directly on to each preceding vertical row and attached the next vertical row of squares at the beginning of each right side row to the panel before. There are not any seams and every square is precisely the same size. Now we are going to increase from twelve to sixteen squares for a better size blanket. I thought you might be interested in the patterns we come up with as we go. You could use these for washcloths, scarves, blanket squares, cowls, and so much more.

The first is one of my favorite stitches based on any multiple of four stitches plus one more (so if you want four repeats, 4 x 4= 16 + 1 more = 17 sts total. It has been referred to as faux honeycomb, royal quilted stitch, quilted stitch, and more. It is a SLIP STITCH TYPE PATTERN, which is where you will find it in Barbara Walker Volume One.

FAUX HONEYCOMB SQUARE
Cast on 50 stitches and seed 5 rows.
Row 1: seed 4, *yarn forward (yf), slip 3 sts as if to purl, yarn back (yb), k1; repeat x 10 total,
K1, (FIRST TIME YOU COMPLETE THIS ROW ONLY– k2tog, p1, k1, p1 = seed 4 edge
And 49 sts).
Row 2: seed 4, p to last 4, seed 4.
Row 3: seed 4, k1, *put RH needle UNDER carried yarn from previous row — from under up to LH ndl and knit carried yarn together with next st, k3; repeat x 10 total, end seed 4.
Row 4: seed 4, p to last 4, seed 4.
Row 5: seed 4, k2, *yf, sl 3 as if to purl, yb, k1; repeat x 9 total, yf, sl3 as if to purl, yb, seed 4.
Row 6: seed 4, p to last 4, seed 4.
Row 7: seed 4, *k3, k carried strand with stitch above as described before; repeat x 10 total, k1,
Seed 4.
Row 8: seed 4, p to last 4, seed 4.

Complete Rows 1-8 a total of 7 times, and rows 1-4 once more. Oblast row just before the seed edge make one to increase back to 50 sts.
Seed 5 rows and then bind off loosely in seed stitch.

 

Undertow Shawlette Part Four: Final Installment

Section C/Final Pattern Repeat
At this point I counted 269 sts; if you have a different count please let me know. My skein was missing 10-20 yards from the yarn tasting we had at the Studio this month. I bound off with a solid turquoise that wound up looking awesome.

HERE IS HOW YOU KNOW HOW FAR YOU CAN PUSH YOUR YARN WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO THOSE LAST TWO ROWS:

Measuring your remaining yarn against the length of the bottom edge of the shawl; if the yarn is FOUR TIMES the length of the bottom edge, you have enough to get across. Any less and no go, not even to bind off.

For those of you using one skein of yarn, here are the final pattern rows:
Undertow –
Row 1: k3, yo, kfb, k4, slm, *[k2tog X 2, (yo, k1) X 3, yo, ssk X 2]; repeat from * X 23, sl m,
K3, kfb, k1, yo, k3.

Row 2: k3, p to last three sts, k3.
Row 3: k3, yo, kfb, k to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 4: k3, p to last three sts, k3.

Row 5: k3, yo, kfb, k3, yo, k1, yo, ssk X 2, make sure there is a marker here,
*[k2tog X 2, (yo, k1) X 3, yo, ssk X 2]; repeat from * X 23, sl m,
K2tog X 2, yo, k1, yo, k2, kfb, k1, yo, k3.

Row 6: k3, p to last three sts, k3.
Row 7: k3, yo, kfb, k to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 8: k3, p to last three sts, k3.

Row 9: k3, yo, kfb, k1, pm, *[k2tog X 2, (yo, k1) X 3, yo, ssk X 2]; repeat from * X 25, pm,
Kfb, k1, yo, k3.

Row 10: k3, p to last three sts, k3.
Row 11: k3, yo, kfb, k to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 12: k3, p to last three sts, k3.

Crest –
Row 13: k3, yo, kfb, yo, k1, yo, ssk X 2, *[k2tog X 2, (yo, k1) X 3, yo, ssk X 2]; repeat from * X 25,
K2tog X 2, yo, k1, yo, kfb, yo, k3.

[These rows 14-18 are only for the one skein shawlette. If you want to continue on see below.]

Row 14: KNIT
Row 15: KNIT
Row 16: KNIT
Row 17: KNIT
Row 18: BIND OFF loosely (use a stretchy bind off or a needle 2 sizes larger than the one you knit with) in KNIT. OR IF YOU ARE CONTINUING –

Large shawl/CREST –
Row 14: KNIT.
Row 15: k3, yo, kfb, k to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 16: KNIT.
Row 17: k3, yo, kfb, k to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 18: KNIT.

IN KNITTING there is always more than one way to get the job done. I see three ways for you to keep making the shawl larger to get the most out of your yarn.

1). You can read your knitting, know how to do this intuitively, probably already are and you don’t need my advice. Elizabeth Zimmerman loves you from the heavens above. Knitters like you are rare and are a lot like my cat Mozzie who believes himself to be invisible to humans…look at him too long and whoosh…he’s gone.

2). THE EASIEST WAY — when you have completed enough increase rows so that you have 15 sts before your first marker and 15 sts after your last marker (WHICH YOU DO AT THIS POINT) you have enough sts to begin a whole new pattern repeat [k2tog X 2, (yo, k1) X 3, yo, ssk X 2] at each end of your shawl.

Undertow
Row 1: k3, yo, kfb, knit to first marker, complete pattern repeat [k2tog X 2, (yo, k1) X 3, yo, ssk X 2]
across to last marker, knit to last four sts, kfb, yo, k3.
Row 2: k3, p to last three sts, k3
Row 3: k3, yo, kfb, knit to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 4: k3, p to last three sts, k3.
Rows 5-8: see rows 1-4
Rows 9-12: see rows 1-4
Crest
Row 13: k3, yo, kfb, knit to first marker, complete pattern repeat [ to ] as in row 1, knit to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 14: KNIT.
Row 15: k3, yo, kfb, knit to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 16: KNIT.
Row 17: k3, yo kfb, knit to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 18: KNIT.

The last time you complete the Crest, leave out the increases (kfb) in rows 15 and 17. If you want to, feel free to add more garter rows at the end for a wider border.

3). As I wrote out the second way, I realized it rendered the third way of explaining this unnecessary and felt an enormous rush of relief. However, to be complete, as you repeat the rows listed just above, when you have 10 stitches at the beginning and end of your piece you have enough sts to do a HALF PATTERN at the beginning and the end OF ROWS 1/5/9/ OR 13 as follows:

Beginning of Row 1, 5, 9, or 13: k3, yo, kfb, k1, yo, k1, yo, ssk X 2, sl m, work across all full pattern repeats (as [ to ] above), end with k2tog X 2, yo, k1, yo, kfb, k1, yo, k3.

I did this throughout the pattern for the small size, and it just requires you keeping an eye on how many sts you have at each end of your shawl…which you are doing anyway.

What you choose is entirely up to you because this, as is ALL YOUR KNITTING, is your Artwork. It only matters that you are enjoying the process. If you need help I can be reached here at the blog, through my email and on Ravelry. I will do my best to be useful. If you find a mistake in this post please just let me know, I’m human and I mess up regularly.

God Bless and Good Knitting!
xx M.E. and Summit Yarn

 

Undertow Shawlette Part Three: Section B

On Ravelry, in the notes section for this project, I have been posting the dates each part of the pattern is released here on the blog. Please use this as a reference if you are having trouble finding a part. Please, if you are enjoying this pattern, take time to go click the favorite button on Ravelry — there’s nothing like a little click love to make a designer smile.

Welcome, to those of you who are new to this blog! Knitwear design is my passion and my Art. A recent adventure taught that how I make my whole life is my Art as well, so you will have to sift through the random stories, videos and photos as part of the experience of this blog. If you need a funny story just look back in the archives under posts entitled: Confessions…I have a tendency to get into the most baffling and embarrassing situations. However, I can also laugh at myself so I share.

This blog is read in 129 countries around the world (66% of the worlds countries). We have just passed the 200,000 views EVER landmark which was a real thrill for me in just four years. I extend my whole hearted gratitude to each and every viewer who made this rapid growth possible. Future plans, now that video is possible here, include both knitting and crochet instructional videos. Please send questions and suggestions for topics of interest, so we can share in this space together.

UNDERTOW SHAWLETTE — NEXT CLUE:
Section B: (consider: this could be done in a contrasting color!)
Row 1: k3, yo, kfb, k3, yo, k1, yo, ssk X 2, slm, *[k2tog X 2, (yo, k1) X 3, yo, ssk X 2]; repeat from * X 19, sl m, k2tog X 2, yo, k1, yo, k2, kfb, k1, yo, k3.

Row 2: k3, p to last three sts, k3.
Row 3: k3, yo, kfb, k to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k 3.
Row 4: k3, p to last three sts, k3.

Row 5: k3, yo, kfb, k1, pm, *[k2tog X 2, (yo, k1) X 3, yo, ssk X 2]; repeat from * X 21,
Kfb, k1, yo, k3.

Row 6: k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 7: k3, yo, kfb, k to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 8: k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.

Row 9: k3, yo, kfb, yo, k1, yo, ssk X 2, slm, *[k2tog X 2, (yo, k1) X 3, yo, ssk X 2]; repeat from *
X 21, sl m, k2tog X 2, yo, k1, yo, kfb, yo, k3.

Row 10: k3, p to last three sts, k3.
Row 11: k3, yo, kfb, k to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 12: k3, p to last three sts, k3.

Row 13: k3, yo, kfb, k4, yo, k1, yo, ssk X 2, sl m, *[k2tog X 2, (yo, k1) X 3, yo, ssk X 2]; repeat from * X 21, sl m, k2tog X 2, yo, k1, yo, k3, kfb, k1, yo, k3.

Row 14: KNIT.
Row 15: k3, yo, kfb, k to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 16: KNIT.
Row 17: k3, yo, kfb, k to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 18: KNIT.

Please let me know of any errors. I sat quietly at the studio, but we all know stuff happens. Here’s hoping you all have a happy knit and a great weekend. The Studio will be closed Sunday and Monday (my 24th wedding anniversary AND my husband has the day off!). I will continue to blog and will reopen the studio on Tuesday of next week! It looks like the next and final installment will appear here next Wednesday….I have to give some thought to the wording. Sometimes it is easier to see concepts silently inside my head than to write or speak them. I thank you for your patience in advance!

Oh, in celebration of our anniversary we gave each other a new fridge and a new mattress. The cats think–no, believe, the mattress is some fabulous new cat tree and are loving it while it is propped in the hall. This is only the second refrigerator we have ever purchased, and in fact my father-in-law bought us our first which was just taken away today. Where does TIME get to anyway?

xx M.E. and Summit Yarn



 

Undertow Shawlette Part Three: Section A

The next part of the pattern is my own variation on an antique Shetland Lace stitch called: Crest of the Wave (a close relative of Old Shale aka Feather and Fan/a Victorian renaming of Old Shale). If you read about these old Shetland stitches, the stories are amazing and the stitches were very much inspired by the world around these past knitting relatives of ours — as we all of course, belong to each other in one big family of Knitters and Fiber Artists. Old Shale mimicked the waves of the ocean on a beach of shale, spider lace looks just like little wee spiders that must have been up in the ceiling corners of the cottages they lived and knit within. There’s so much more to this heritage. Sharon Miller is the best source I can think of. Martha probably will put other citations/authors in the comment section so take a look in a day or so.

Getting back to the business at hand, the next part of the shawl will draw down all those eyelets you just made in the garter section into a ripple that looks like the bubbles at the top of a wave; just as the undertow in the flow of the ocean would draw a swimmer down into its own natural movement. The technique uses what are called delayed decreases…all the increases are together in one place and all the decreases that balance out the increases (keeping the stitch count the same) come later all in one separate section. Depending on how you use delayed decreases you can bend a fabric in many ways; creating a bias (slanted) fabric, or zig zags, or wavy ripples as we are in this lively shawlette. (Thanks to Maggie Boga for the illustrative photograph!)

SECTION A:
Undertow–
Row 1: k3, yo, kfb, k1, pm, *[k2tog X 2, (yo, k1) X 3, yo, ssk X 2]; repeat from * X 17, (consider placing a marker between each 11 stitch repeat because the number of pattern repeats will increase as the shawl enlarges), pm, kfb, k1, yo, k3.

Row 2: k3, p to last three sts, k3.
Row 3: k3, yo, kfb, k to last 5 sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 4: k3, p to last three sts, k3.

Row 5: k3, yo, kfb, k to first m, sl m, *[k2tog X 2, (yo, k1) X 3, yo, ssk X 2]; repeat from * X 17, sl m, k to last 5 sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.

Row 6: k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 7: k3, yo, kfb, k to last 5 sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 8: k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.

Row 9: k3, yo, kfb, k4, yo, k1, yo, ssk X 2, sl m, *[k2tog X 2, (yo, k1) X 3, yo, ssk X2]; repeat from * X 17, sl m, k2tog X 2, yo, k1, yo, k3, kfb, k1, yo, k3.

Row 10: k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 11: k3, yo, kfb, k to last 5 sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 12: k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.

Wave Crest–
Row 13: k3, yo, kfb, k2, pm, *[k2tog X 2, (yo, k1) X 3, yo, ssk X 2]; repeat from * X 19, pm, k1, kfb, k1, yo, k3.

Row 14: KNIT
Row 15: k3, yo, kfb, k to last 5 sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 16: KNIT
Row 17: k3, yo, kfb, k to last 5 sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Row 18: KNIT

end of Section A.

You will begin with a piece of fabric that looks like this:

And end with a much wider piece of fabric that looks like this:

I think I might have been interested in physics and engineering if someone had only pointed out how the basic principles work in knitting! Instead, now it will always be some Higher Form of Magic.
And maybe that’s not such a bad thing either…

xx M.E. and Summit Yarn

 

Undertow Shawlette Part Two

Undertow Shawlette Part Two
Next RS row: k3, yo, kfb, k to last five sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Next WS row: knit

Repeat these two row twice more for a total of six rows (you will have three garter ridges, 97 stitches total).

Next RS row: k3, *(yo, k1); repeat from * to last three sts, yo, k3.
Next WS row: knit (189 sts).
Next RS row: k3, yo, kfb, k to last 5 sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Next WS row: knit (193 sts).
Next RS row: k3, yo, kfb, k to last 5 sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.
Next WS row: knit (197 sts).

The next part of the pattern is where the UNDERTOW magic happens. I am working on a lace weight yarn from Araucania called: Nuble on US4 needles. You, of course can choose your own yarn weight with appropriate needles. If you work in lace to sock weight, budget 400-600 yards of yarn, or more for a larger shawl. This will be crescent shaped, but the shaping is a new idea which will keep the shawl on your shoulders nicely. If you find any math errors, please let me know. More tomorrow! ;-D

xx M.E. and Summit Yarn

 

Undertow Shawlette Part 1: Cast On

UNDERTOW SHAWLETTE

Cast on 3 sts and knit six rows.

Turn the garter tab you have just knit 90 degrees and pick up/knit 3 sts along this long edge, the pick up/knit 3 sts along the cast on edge.
You will have 9 stitches.

Row 1: k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 2: k3, yo, kfb, k to last 5 sts, kfb, k1, yo, k3.

Repeat these two rows until you have 3 edge sts, 79 body sts, and 3 edge sts (85 sts total).

 

Juneberry Triangle Shawl Continues and Happy Mother’s Day

Had a lovely busy day at the studio today. Everybody is very busy with their latest projects and Jamie is mostly busy with kittens — everybody send her blessings because without her those little sweet souls would have perished.

Nikkers and I spent the afternoon having a lovefest…at least until the thunder and lightning gave the dogs the idea that maybe they could fit in my lap as well — everyone all at the same time. That didn’t work so well.

Finished the final shawl chart this evening for Juneberry. Would suggest doing a combination of right and left hand knitting for the bobbles so the whole shawl doesn’t have to be flipped over and over for each bobble. My gauge would never be even for regular knitting this way but its good enough for bobbles. I love this shawl — in this green it looks like curly lettuce and pea pods!

Wishing Everyone a very Happy and Serene Mother’s Day!
xx M.E. and Summit Yarn

 

Sunny Days Shawlette

If you look at trending patterns (the top 20) on Ravelry, you will see one called: Sunny Days Shawlette by my favorite hand dyer, Carle’ Dehning of South Africa. It is a wonderful knit, one that you can do while visiting or being mentally available in any way. I began mine today in some of Carle’s yarn — greens and blues for Spring, even though in South Africa it is Autumn moving into Winter. More, for the month of May, the pattern is free and there is a KAL on the Nurturing Fibers Forum. The code for the pattern is on the pattern page — when you go to get the pattern hit use code and follow the prompts. If I could manage that bit of technology, anyone can!

 

Blocking Makes Beauty

Last night I posted a photo of a very ugly lump. Then after I blocked it I took a picture, and more photos this morning now that it is dry. It takes me forever to knit plain stockinette stitch. It is fine for the movies or, as I discovered this past week, for when I am feeling demoralized and without focus. The finishing of this scarf helped me get my act together. Here is the photo story: