This block is an adaptation of a stitch pattern chronicled by Barbara G. Walker.
I chose this particular stitch because the seeded pattern reminds me that each small thing we do can bear fruit beyond our imagination.
The love and care we put into our work for Knit a Square may be the seed of self-belief in one of the recipients, and knowing that strangers cared enough to create just for them may be the beginning of them caring for others.
Materials and Details:
Yarn: 1 ounce/29 grams (about 61 yards/56 meters) Wharfedale Woolworks
Dales Aran weight in 'Oceanic' colourway. generously donated by Kirsty Clarke
of www.wharfedalewoolworks.folksy.com and www.woolworks.coriandr.com
Needle: US #9 (5.5 mm) or needle needed to obtain gauge. See methods of
using alternate weights of yarn in 'Notes' on page 3
Notions: 2 stitch markers
Gauge: 13.5 stitches and 19 rows in 4 inches, in main pattern stitch
Stitches used: knit, purl, cast on and bind off. See abbreviations on page 3.
© 2009 by Diana Troldahl Otterwise Designs http://otterwise.blogspot.com
Directions:
Cast on 27 stitches.
Rows 1 through 5: *k1, p1* across, end k1. On row five, place a stitch marker
after the first 4 stitches, and another before last 4 stitches
Row 6: (k1, p1) twice, sm, k3, *p1, k3* until you reach second marker, sm, (p1,
k1) twice.
Row 7: (k1, p1) twice, sm, k1, *p1, k3* until 2 stitches remain before marker, p1,
k1, sm, (p1, k1) twice.
Row 8: repeat row 6
Row 9: repeat row 7
Row 10: repeat row 6
Row 11: repeat row 7
Row 12: repeat row 7
Row 13: repeat row 6
Row 14: repeat row 7
Row 15: repeat row 6
Row 16: repeat row 7
Row 17: repeat row 6
Repeat rows 6 through 17 one more time, then repeat rows 6 through 11 once
more. (if using different weight of yarn, or different row gauge, see 'notes' on
page 3)
Work rows 1 through 5 again, creating the top seed stitch border.
Bind off in seed stitch pattern.
Block to 8 inches square
NOTES ON CHANGING GAUGE:
Stitch Gauge: If you wish to make this 8-inch square with a different weight
of yarn and needle size (and thus a different gauge), you can easily adapt this
pattern by adding or subtracting a multiple of 4 stitches to the cast on row.
Row Gauge: If using a different yarn, or even if just your row gauge is
different than mine, measure the depth of the bottom seed stitch border (rows 1
through 5) on your square. Repeat rows 6 through 17 until your entire square
from top to bottom measures 8 inches MINUS the depth you measured of rows
1 through 5. It is fine to stop before reaching row 11 or 17 again, just switch to
the seed stitch border when the measurement (entire square minus depth of
border) is correct.
For example, if your first five rows of seed stitch measure 1/2 inch deep, you
would knit in pattern until your entire square measures 7 1/2 inches high, then
change stitch pattern to make the top seed stitch border no matter what row of
the pattern stitch you were on.
Abbreviations:
*...* repeat instructions between * and * across row
(...) repeat instructions between ( and ) the number of times indicated
k -knit
p -purl
sm -slip marker
Page 3
© 2009 by Diana Troldahl Otterwise Designs http://otterwise.blogspot.com
otterwise@gmail.com
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