Saturday, February 23, 2008

Pattern Block Afghan

Free Pattern: Pattern Block Afghan
I wanted to do something a little different than just seed stitch, and since I don't like working with several different yarns, and I hate seaming, this is what I came up with. Its just very simple blocks of stockinette and seed stitch worked in a variegated yarn. I used a chunky yarn, because of course, I love fast and easy. You can't tell in the picture, but the way the block of pattern sit beside each other, it sort of looks woven. I wasn't trying to do that, but it looks cool.

Supplies:
US #15 circular needles (at least 29" in length)
10 (11*) skeins Bernat Softee Chunky in Harmony (134 yrds or 80 grams per skein)
*note - I only had a few feet left over from the 10th skein. If you join your yarn by color so it looks continuous, an extra skein would be useful. If you don't use the extra skein, see my pattern for Chunky Ankle Socks, here, it uses the same kind of yarn.
6 stitch markers or pieces of contrasting yarn

Finished Measurements:
Approx. 4' X 5' 8"

Gauge:
10.25 sts X 14 rows = 4"

Directions:
Cast on 123 stitches using cable cast on.
Work 7 rows seed stitch border (*k1, p1* repeat to last stitch, k1) - on 7th row, work 4 sts, place marker, *work 23 sts, place marker* repeat between *'s 4 more times, work last 4 sts
Begin pattern rows.

For rows 8-39, 72-103, 136-167, & 200-231:

sm = slip marker

1 - (rs) k1, p1, k1, p1, sm, k23, sm, *p1, k1* 11 times, p1, sm, k23, sm, *p1, k1* 11 times, p1, sm, k23, sm, p1, k1, p1, k1
2 - (ws) k1, p1, k1, p1, sm, p23, sm, *p1, k1* 11 times, p1, sm, p23, sm, *p1, k1* 11 times, p1, sm, p23, sm, p1, k1, p1, k1

Repeat these 2 rows 15 more times (total of 16 repeats)

For rows 40-71, 104-135, & 168-199

1 - (rs) k1, p1, k1, p1, sm, *k1, p1* 11 times, k1, sm, k23, sm, *k1, p1* 11 times, k1, sm, k23, sm, *k1, p1* 11 times, k1, sm, p1, k1, p1, k1
2 - (ws) k1, p1, k1, p1, sm, *k1, p1* 11 times, k1, sm, p23, sm, *k1, p1* 11 times, k1, sm, p23, sm, *k1, p1* 11 times, k1, sm, p1, k1, p1, k1

Repeat these 2 rows 15 more times (total of 16 repeats)

Rows 232 - 238 - work seed stitch border (*k1, p1* repeat to last st, k1)

Bind off in pattern, weave in ends & enjoy!

Tips:
Knittingpatterncentral.com has great instructions for cast on methods.

This pattern is free for personal use only. Please do not use for profit unless all proceeds go to charity.