Swatch Afghan Knit-A-Long

The backs of the bordered LTKA squares

2007-06-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

Heather asked about the backs of the squares. They aren't as pretty and, in particular, the border looks a lot better from the front. I'm resigned.

My first 4 bordered 'Learn to knit afghan' squares

2007-06-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

I'm knitting this afghan in Brown Sheep worsted. I'll be adding another lilac colour but am not sure about the red. I may replace it. I'm really enjoying the variety of patterns in the 'Learn to knit afghan' book.

Am not familiar with flickr - will take a look at it soon.

More OddBall Sampler Squares

2007-06-15T12:27:00.000-07:00

Four more OddBall Sampler Afghan squares are posted on my blog: ChezKnit

CanadianKiwi

OddBall Sampler Afghan Squares

2007-06-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

Two OddBall Sampler Afghan squares are posted on my blog: ChezKnit
(More to Follow)

CanadianKiwi

Prize gratefully received

2007-06-04T02:40:00.000-07:00

How exciting - a parcel filled with knitting goodies - my prize for posting the most swatches. Lavender scented sweater soap - mmm, Harmony knitting stitches book - I have this great book but I know someone who will really appreciate it - so it will be fun to pass it on. Darning needles - very useful and my particular favourite - the 'Gauge-o-knit' - thoughtfully the metric one. I'm looking forward to trying this out. I think it will be invaluable when I want to use stitches I've learnt in a sweater. This prize was incredibly generous and kind and it felt really good to get it. Thank you, Angela, thank you.

Flickr Group for the KAL

2007-05-29T09:55:00.001-07:00

I just created a Flickr group for our KAL!! Maybe it will give us more exposure!!!

Swatch Afghan Knit-A-Long Flickr Group

Please email me at bigpikachica at sbcglobal dot net --or-- message me on Flickr to join!!!!

Also, Angela, when you respond, I will change your membership to admin for the group.

Sampler Afghan Square #10

2007-05-29T08:33:00.001-07:00

Sampler Afghan Square #10
Originally uploaded by BigPikaChica

I started and completed this one yesterday while having an 8 hour "24" marathon with Erik and Shannon. We had 8 hours left and I used every minute of it knitting and frogging and reknitting this square. It really makes me want to make several more Sanrio squares!

PATTERN: Cross Stitch Pattern Hello Kitty #1 from Sanrio DIY Crafts
YARN: KnitPicks Wool of the Andes
NEEDLES: US 6 Addis

Afghan Square #09

2007-05-27T20:15:00.000-07:00

Sampler Afghan Square #10
Originally uploaded by BigPikaChica.

I just finished this one tonight while watching HEX on BBC America.

Before this show had come over, I had downloaded it but never watched it. So far it is really good!! BBC America is running the whole first season tonight. It is a shame that there were only two seasons total.

Back to the swatch!!

PATTERN: Staggered Fern Lace Panel from The Harmony Guides Volume 2 - 450 Knitting Stitches, page 66
YARN: KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Evergreen
NEEDLES: US 6 Addis

My Summer Challenge

2007-05-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

I am using this Swatch Afghan Knit-A-Long as a Summer Challenge for myself.

My Summer Challenge

I decided to challenge myself to finishing the OddBall Sampler Afghan during the summer - May 2-4 weekend to Labour Day weekend. Details on my blog: ChezKnit

Pics to follow, of the squares I have finished.

CanadianKiwi

Cathy’s Kriss-Kross pattern:

2007-05-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

Here's one of the stitches that I designed - see previous post. I'd love to know whether anyone else knits it. You might want to add the 6 row, 3 sts garter stitch border that I have on mine because it's a bit curly otherwise! The pattern looks more complicated than it is - once you get the hang of crossing the dropped stitch, it's very easy.

Row 1 (RS): * K2, sl2, k2; rep from * to end
Row 2: * P2, sl2, p2; rep from * to end
Row 3: * sl next 2 stitches, drop next sl st off LH needle to front, place 2 sl sts back on LH needle, pick up dropped st and k it, k2, drop next sl st off LH needle to front of work, k2, pick up dropped st and k it; rep from * to end
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: K2, * K2, sl2, k2; rep from * to last 4 st; k2, sl 1, k1
Row 6: P1, sl 1, p2, * P2, sl2, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2
Row 7: K2, * sl next 2 stitches, drop next sl st off LH needle to front, place 2 sl sts back on LH needle, pick up dropped st and k it, k2, drop next sl st off LH needle to front of work, k2, pick up dropped st and k it; rep from * to last 4 sts, sl next 2 stitches, drop next sl st off LH needle to front, place 2 sl sts back on LH needle, pick up dropped st and k it, k3
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: k1, sl 1, k2 * K2, sl2, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2
Row 10: P2, * P2, sl2, p2; rep from * to last 4 sts, p2, sl 1, p1
Row 11: K1, drop next sl st off LH needle to front of work, k2, pick up dropped st and k it * sl next 2 stitches, drop next sl st off LH needle to front, place 2 sl sts back on LH needle, pick up dropped st and k it, k2, drop next sl st off LH needle to front of work, k2, pick up dropped st and k it; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2
Row 12: Purl

NB. You can use a cable needle rather than dropping the slip stitch, but I haven’t found it necessary.

Stitch designing

2007-05-20T13:59:00.000-07:00

I've had fun designing my own pattern stitches...

Afghan Square #08

2007-05-14T08:33:00.000-07:00

So... This afghan square isn't Project Spectrum, but I really liked the bunny!! Especially since I made it a PINK bunny!!! The chart is the April Block of the Month (May 7 & 8, 2007) from the Knitting Pattern A Day 2007 calendar. The border is a little big, but it can make up for one or two of those accidentally-small squares.

It is also knit in KnitPicks Wool of the Andes.

The pink and dark purple are Kool-Aid dyed. The lilac is... I can't remember the color name!! It's called Hush. I just looked it up! ha ha ha

Contest Winner-Congrats Cathy!

2007-05-11T20:19:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! Sorry I've been neglecting my posting. I meant to post the contest winner announcement days ago, but work has been keeping me away from any of my fun computer time.

So without further ado, congratulations Cathy on winning the contest, with a total of two complete squares. I love the colors and patterns you chose! Please e-mail me your snail mail address so I can mail out your prize.

I'm happy to see the progress everyone is making, and I'll have to think up a new contest soon.

Until Later, Happy Knitting!

FINISHED: Afghan Square #07

2007-05-09T21:06:00.000-07:00

Afghan Square #07
Originally uploaded by BigPikaChica.

Another sampler afghan square. The chart is the May Block of the Month (May 5 & 6, 2007) from the Knitting Pattern A Day Calendar. It is knit in... You guessed it! KnitPicks Wool of the Andes!!

I'm Still Here!

2007-05-07T18:16:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Feeling bad that I have been pretty much non-existent since signing up, but just got back into town yesterday after being away for nearly a month. I see I missed the deadline for the swatch contest, but am glad to share that I completed 4 swatches for my afghan!! Hooray!
Will post pictures later on this week.

Lisa :)

My Swatch

2007-05-06T15:37:00.000-07:00

Finished...

First, the pic of my finished square.

Pattern? Gentle Curves

Where? Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns, page 248

Yarn? KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Worsted, dyed with KoolAid

Needles? US 6 Addi Turbos

One Square 4 One Month

2007-05-02T07:50:00.000-07:00

My ONE swatch/square is finished, but I have to take a picture!!! LoL I bought a new laptop and I have spent 3 days getting it where I like it. YUK! I hate trial software!! To top it off, the main application that I use for work doesn't like Vista.

Ok... I will have pics posted this evening or tomorrow! LoL

Contest Reminder

2007-04-26T15:26:00.000-07:00

Hi All. I just wanted to remind you that there is still time to post your squares for the contest. Right now Cathy is in the lead with two squares. You have until May 1st to get those sqaures posted, and again, I will send a goodie package to the knitter who posts the most squares.

Happy Knitting!

Hi there!

2007-04-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

Hi! Love the squares you've been knitting. Here are a couple that I've knit for Friendship Afghan Swap #85 that I'm in.

Seed stitch square:

This pattern was from Afghan Squares to knit in variegated yarns.

Bells and bell ropes

Pattern from the Harmony Guides, 450 knitting stitches, vol 2. page 45.

Sampler Afghan Square #06 - WIP

2007-04-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since I have worked on any squares!! LoL This pattern is from the Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns. The stitch pattern is called Gentle Curves and it is on page 248.

With a simple 14 + 1 stitch repeat, I have cast on 49 stitches. This includes a 3 stitch border on each side.

The photo doesn't really show the detail, but blocking should help that!

Three New Squares

2007-04-09T16:49:00.000-07:00

I finally had time to post my three new squares! I have one in the works now that I am hoping to finish up this week, but in the meantime, check these out:

Broken Slip Stitch (#18 Vogue Stitchionary):
Snakeskin (#221)
Seed Stitch (just because it's my favorite stitch):
Hope to see everyone else's progress soon!

TTFN!

Contest Announcement!!!

2007-03-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, it's been a little quiet around here (me included), so maybe a little contest would get everyone swatching!

Starting on April 1st, and ending May 1st, I will send a prize package to the knitter who manages to post the most swatches on this blog. The prize package will consist of some goodies to help you assemble your final blanket, as well as a few other suprises.

I will also have an update for you all by this weekend. I've finished 3 more squares for my afghan, but just haven't had time to photo them.

Until later, happy knitting!

I started a little already!!

2007-03-09T08:39:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to say hi and show you guys what I have made so far. First is the button to the left. Please take it and post it on your blog!!

Next are my afghan squares!!

Pattern for Square #01:
http://knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/afghans/madeby.htm

Pattern for Square #02:
http://knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/afghans/cables/cl4.htm

Pattern for Square #03:
http://knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/afghans/cl9.htm

Pattern for Square #04:
http://knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/afghans/allmylove.htm

Pattern for Square #05:
http://knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/afghans/log-cabin-square.htm

First Swatches

2007-03-04T08:27:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! I am so happy to be able to show off my first swatches. All of these patterns are from the Vogue Stitchionary Volume One.

The first is Stockinette Window Pane (#160 in the book if you are following along):

Next is the Diagonal Slip Stitch (#55):

This one needs a little blocking as you can see. The last one I finished is the Woven Herringbone (#52):

Basically, I decided to make each square 4x4 inches, and adjusted the needle size or number of stitches until I got to the proper size, or at least close to it. I figure that I can block them all to the same size if I need to.

Wendy had a question about yarn recommendations (from the previous post), so please chime in if you have any advice. I chose wool for my blanket just because it is so warm. The Knit Picks Wool of the Andes is also very affordable, which influenced my decision. A natural fiber should also work well if I need to block these out to make them the same size. The one thing I did not consider is that hand washing an entire afghan could be a challenge, so if washing is a concern, you might consider a yarn such as an acrylic or superwash wool that you can throw in the washing machine. That's my two cents, but I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks as well.

Until later, happy knitting!

Ciao!!

2007-03-01T08:25:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!! I've made it back from Italy, and with three swatches already completed for my afghan. I promise to post pictures of them by this weekend when I recover from my jetlag!! For now, welcome to Lisa, Lia and Wendy, our three new members! I can't wait to see everyone's progress.

In the meantime, if you need some inspiraton for stitches, may I suggest Lion Brand's Stitch Finder. They seem to adding new stitches frequently. I'm planning on linking websites on the side bar, so if anyone else knows of a good resource for stitch patterns, let me know and I will add it.

Until later, happy knitting! :)