Howdy, Knit-alongers!
How did we all do with clue #1? Here’s what your afghan blocks from pattern clue #1 should look like:
NOTE: Though the block above looks fairly square, it will stretch to 10 in by 8 in when seamed into the afghan. Don’t fret if your block doesn’t measure exactly right! This stitch particular pattern has quite a lot of stretch and the stretch was factored into the final design.
And without further ado, clue number 2!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF FILE OF CLUE #2
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download your PDF. It’s free! You can download it here: If you’re still having trouble, try right-clicking the link, and selecting Save File As… You should be able to open it from your computer. Still having trouble? Email Knitalong@bernat.com for help.
First I’d like to give a big thanks to all those who have answered the questions of fellow knit-alongers! Are you guys the best, or what? The Bernat team and I have tried out best to answer your queries and take all of your comments into consideration. Many people requested that charts should be placed on a separate page so as not to spoil the surprise of the look of the pattern. You asked – we listened!
This KAL is for you and we want to make the process as easy and enjoyable as possible. We have also expanded and will continue to expand our Mystery Afghan FAQ section (link is in the blog sidebar at the top right of your screen). Don’t forget to check the FAQ first if you’ve got a burning question!
Now that we have separated our charts from our written instructions, let’s take a closer look at ‘em shall we? How do these chart things work anyway?
CHART CHAT or HOW TO READ A KNITTING CHART
Knitting charts are a visual representation of your pattern instructions. Each stitch in the chart is represented by a box and each of these boxes contain an instructional symbol.
Here’s the chart from clue #1:
Say, that looks an awful lot like the pattern we just knit, doesn’t it? That’s part of the beauty of charts! Some people (and I’m one of them!) find charts easier to follow than written instructions because it looks like what you are knitting. (Of course, if you want to keep your KAL afghan a complete mystery – avert your eyes from the charts!)
So how do we follow this ‘visual representation’? First of all, you’re going to need a key to unlock this puppy:
That’s better! The “key” tells you what all those little marks in the squares mean. While most charts tend to use the same basic symbols, there is no standard and you should always check the key to see what the symbols in your pattern represent before you start knitting. Before long, you’ll find you will memorize the symbols and won’t need to keep referring to the key. This particular chart uses only two symbols – easy-peasy!
But wait! Knit on RS rows, Purl on WS rows? What’s up with that? Unless otherwise noted, knitting charts always represent the RIGHT SIDE of your work. This is where a lot of people run into trouble. You must remember that the symbols on your chart represent different instructions depending on if you are on a right side row or wrong side row. How do you know if you’re on a right side or wrong side row? The first row of your chart is usually the RS (again, unless otherwise noted). Try marking that right side with a safety pin to help you remember where you’re at.
So now that we know what we’re looking at, where do we start at? Unless otherwise noted, charts are read bottom to top, right to left on RIGHT SIDE rows, and left to right on WRONG SIDE rows. The numbers at the side of the chart tell you which row your are on. If we look at our chart above, the number one is at the bottom right hand side of the chart, so that’s where we start!
Quite often charts only represent a small portion of your final project, such as a pattern repeat. When following written instructions, repeated sections are either noted between asterisks or placed in brackets. When following a chart, the section to be repeated is often outlined with a thick or colored border. Our chart from clue #1 represents the whole width of our knitted block, therefore, does not include a border to note the repeat. There IS however a repeat in the pattern and it could have been noted like in the picture above.
The best way to learn to read charts? Give it a try! Stay tuned for Bernat Mystery Afghan KAL Clue #3 November 18th.
Happy knitting!
Julia
well all i have to say is yay!!! my first blocks look right!!! will get started on the second clue today. kind of cool pattern. thanks again to Bernat and all you helpful knitters out there. good luck everyone!!
My blocks look right. Thanks for the 2nd clue a couple days early. Happy knitting everyone!
Thank you so much for the chart explanation. I now understand how to use a knitting chart! Yay!
You’re so welcome Swanee! Glad to help!
I too want to thank you for the explanation on the charts! — I finally understand how to read them now.
Unfortunately I don’t think I’m going to get to finish the KAL – Someone made an illegal left turn in front of us giving us no time to stop… and now I’ve got a broken left wrist. No knitting for me for a while at least… so sad… I’m laid up and can’t knit! It just isn’t fair!
JanV (NStitches)
Sorry for you injury…good thing is, you still have all the clues and can finish it later. Good luck with your recovery.
yay mine too is right!!! cant wait til i get home from work to start the 2nd clue. have fun everyone….
I am trying and trying to see it, but to me the pattern looks nothing like the actual knitted square. It’s a good thing we have both written instructions and pattern instructions so everyone can do this KAL. I am definitely a written instruction knitter. Thanks for this fun project!
mine looks exactly like it also except in a different color, i am a little behind as i had to order my yarn on line and it took forever to get here,only got it yesterday, but did manage to finish one block and im half way on the second.
Well, since I ran into that “little” problem yesterday, I have half of my first block done, but I am proud to say it is JUST LIKE THE PHOTO!!!! I had never followed a chart for knitting before, so this was really a learning experience! Thanks for the written instructions and the chart, they complemented each other! Since Clue #2 is already in, I guess I will be VERY busy this weekend! I want to have ALL the blocks finished by the time Clue #3 is unveiled! THIS IS FUN!!!
Marcia, in Brazil
Mine looks the same except wider. And it only measured 9 1/2 inches. I have finished the squares yet (knitting all at the same time), got side tracked working on some hats for my grandma for Christmas. But they should be done today. I can’t wait to get started on the new one though. And super excited that all of the rows are written out hehe, less work for my poor brain.
Mine look good too. I just need to finish up my 3rd block. I have 3 teenage kids, and a hectic lifestyle to match, so giving us a couple of weeks to complete the squares works well for me, and I also feel like I am accomplishing something. Thank you for the pattern explanation. Now that I understand it, all I need to do is blow it up so it is bigger and easier to read for my tired eyes at night. Thanks Bernat for doing this.
Good idea with enlarging the instructions. I did that and it is so much easier on the eyes.
I have 20 rows done so far, and it’s pretty simple, neat kind of pattern too. While I was waiting for the second clue I started a scarf in the Bamboo Stitch, it’s pretty cool, if I’m not cleaning or baking I’m knitting, but I need to rest my eyes now lol, have fun all.
what exactly is the bamboo stitch? Is it in one of bernat’s patterns. rynda
Hey Rynda, the Bamboo stitch is cool, you yarn over then knit 2 and pass the yarn over OVER both stitches and just keep going, and you purl on the other side, it looks really neat. If you don’t get it, then go to Utube there’s a demonstration of it there. Happy Knitting
Hmmm, I wrote in 3 different blogs and none have showed up, so I will try again lol . I got 20 rows of Clue 2 done and it looks pretty cool, pretty easy too. While I was waiting for Clue 2 I started a scarf in the Bamboo Stitch, it looks pretty good so far. If I’m not cleaning, baking or doing laundry, I’m knitting, I HAVE to keep occupied, I hate not doing something, have fun all. Crystal Milverton.
Crystal,
Because this is a company website they screen for things like rudeness and people trying to promote other company’s products (intentionally or not). You may type something in and find the post is a little different just to keep it clean. This takes a little bit of time so the posts are not automatic and if you are posting at night it can take several hours as Julia needs to sleep.
AyarnFanatic;
That’s hilarious! Yes, the comments are monitored, so it may take a little while for your comment to show up. We’re generally checking the blog during business hours – eastern time. I do need to sleep!
Julia.
WooHoo!!! Already at row 7 of Clue #2…one of the perks of retirement! Am knitting all 3 simultaneously on circular needles. And this morning the yarn that I ordered for afghan number 2 arrived…a surprise for my daughter and son in law. Was happy to see the photo of Clue #1…it’s a bit lopsided, just like mine! I’m not going to measure any more. I’ve committed to a needle size and that’s that.
Ok, so I am a bit behind too. (You know, life’s little distractions. lol) I had problems with the gauge swatch as I am a VERY tight knitter. (I learned that here, thank you!) I switched needle sizes and didn’t like the looseness of the knitting. I settled on a size 9 needle and I added 10 stitches to the cast on amount. My square isn’t quite 10 inches but it is 9 1/2 inches. I am ok with that. Thank you so much for the tip on knitting all the squares at once on circular needles. I have never done that before and have a couple of unfinished projects because of multiple pieces that have to be worked. It is great to work them at once. I am excited to get started on clue #2 as the blocks for clue #1 are looking like the picture. I have never done a KAL before and I can see this will help me become a better knitter. THANKS!!!
Hope you don’t mind some input. I’m just a little worried about the fact that you added 10 stitches to get it to measure right. That means you will have to be reworking all of the squares and some of them may not be in multiples of 10 and be a lot more difficult to work around. My suggestion is this: since it IS an afghan, as long as all of your squares are done with the same needles and the same yarn, your gauge should be consistent and it doesn’t really matter if it is a half inch or so off from what they give. The most important thing is that YOUR blocks are all the same size, not that they measure exactly the same as the sample given.
Hope I don’t tread on any toes …
Riki in Bangkok (who is doing three of them at once, doing some serious stash-busting!)
You didn’t “tread on my toes”. I really appreciate any and all help. I didn’t think that adding the extra stitches would make that big of a difference because the pattern repeats throughout the block. I hope that the afghan doesn’t get off because of that. Do you think I should redo the squares or just press onward? Thanks for your help…
I just get a bit concerned when everyone is so very concerned about gauge when we are doing an AFGHAN! I mean, so it is a bit smaller or a bit larger than the ‘master’ afghan – does it really make a huge difference? Sorry – I’ll get off my box!
Adding stitches is fine – IF you’re only doing that one pattern block. But if you think about it, if you added stitches to get this block to be the ‘right’ size – then you’re going to have to do the same for all the subsequent blocks that are all going to be different patterns, most likely – AND, it is doubtful that you will be able to add the same number of stitches – so you’d spend a lot of time figuring out how many stitches to add for each particular pattern. Each block pattern is written to be the same – or nearly the same – size as all the others, so if you just follow the patterns as written, using the same yarn and the same needles for each – you should have the same size blocks, even if they aren’t the ‘perfect’ size!
For now I would press onward – and don’t make any more changes to the stitch numbers – and then at the end if you need to, you can redo the original squares – by that time you’ll be so expert that it won’t take any time at all!
HELP! I knitted my Clue #1 pieces to the stated size in the pattern, 10″ x 8″, and mine are rectangles (2″ wider than long). The picture of Clue #1 looks like a square. Should the pieces be squares? Should I keep what I have, add two inches to the length (which would make them 10×10), or re-knit to 8×8?
mine are rectangles also, as long as they are in the 10×8 ballpark they should work fine from what I’ve read in here. Clue #2 also calls for a 10×8 measurement. happy knitting!!
Hi Zinnia;
Your blocks sounds just fine as the SHOULD be wider than they are tall (10 inches wide by 8 inches tall). The stitch pattern from clue #1 is quite stretchy and the block we photographed was not blocked – I know it looks square!
Julia.
I noticed that the picture of square #1 has quite a few more rows that what i figured. I knitted a total of 48 rows as the gauge is 24 rows to 4″, but it looks as though there’s 60 rows in the sample. Did i figure incorrectly? thanks.
Yahoo, Clue 2! I knitted the three blocks of Clue 1 separately, but this time I think I’m going to try the next three blocks on circs. Thanks for that tip! Also, this is great practice in chart reading — a good skill to have since lots of designer and lace patterns are given as charts. I figure the more practice I have, the less fearful I become. Big chicken here, ha ha.
Hi Zinnia;
Good catch – that photo DOES look square, doesn’t it? All of the afghan blocks for this project should measure approximately 10 inches wide by 8 inches tall. The stitch pattern from clue#1 is particularly stretchy and tends to shrink up a little when lying flat on it’s own. When the block is seamed to the others it will lie a littler flatter and meet the required dimensions just fine. Thanks for pointing out the discrepancy!
Julia.
yay my first block looks right. sad i’ve only got one done though. we’ve been moving and haven’t had a chance to sit down. guess i’ll have to knit fast to get the rest done. can’t wait to start on #2.
I am very excited to be doing this KAL. I finished my first 3 Clue#1 squares and was nervous because I thought I did them wrong. After reading all of the other knitter’s trials and tribulations, I feel confident to continue. My blocks seem to be good.
I am going to try the circular needle technique because I have used circular needles a lot. I make a lot of afghans. I live in Southern California and I really don’t need them all that much(LOL) but they are fun to make.
Happy knitting
Colored in my chart and started the second block. Worked through the first 10 rows. Can’t quite see the pattern yet. Will be better when I repeat the 10 rows again. Enjoy everyone!
YEAH!!!! Clue #2! I am still working on the blocks for clue #1, but like the idea of doing all 3 blocks on one circular needle. I use them anyways as I am more comfortable with them than straight needles. Will do the next 2 at the same time. LOL I am so loving this! I have never done a knit along so this is awesome! Thank you so much! I am doing this in shades of blue. It will be so wonderful!
Thank you for the tips on how to use a chart!
I’ve never used a chart before and part of me is having chart-reading anxiety, because it seems so backward to read it from the bottom right, completely opposite of starting to read text from top left! Maybe if I do try it, I’ll find it works well for me, though, so I’m going to give it a shot.
Hooray for all rows being written out this time! My printer died and I can’t replace it for now; I can’t sit in front of the computer to read instructions while knitting (not very comfy). I’m having a relative print and mail the pattern instructions/ chart to me.
I hope I can make up for lost time over the next week or so and be back on track completely before clue #3 comes out.
I’m glad there are so many others working on this project, too, so when I have questions I can come here to see if there are answers!
Glad to yelp Yarntangle!
Trust me, before long reading a chart right to left, bottom to top will become second nature after a while!
Julia.
this pattern seems really easy to follow. i have to admit i had a tough time with the 1st one, i had to totally concentrate on knitting and nothing else while i was doing it. with this one i was able to find a rhythm really quick and just knitted it. lots of fun.
Same here, this one was much easier to “keep my place.” I’m really enjoying this, and gaining confidence in the process. I can’t wait to learn something new !
Yeeeha. I just finished the Clue #1 blocks today. I had a little snafu while watching TV and learned how to pull very VERY carefully to rip out the oopsie rows (I definitely didn’t want to have to start one block over as they were all almost done). I am taking a break from knitting tonight to crochet some premi hats for the hospital with a bunch of baby yarn I found. But I so can’t wait to start this next clue.
And the circulars, I have no idea why I was so scared of them. They feel SO much better in my hands and I can knit almost twice as fast once i get in the groove.
One question, when does the next clue come out? I would like to know how much time I have to get these next three blocks done as I am also working on many xmas gifts as well.
Hi Ashley;
The next clue will be released Nov. 18th. You’ve got time!
Julia.
Great fun, when I finished the third piece of Clue #1 I had time to finish the back of a sweater, getting more than one project done here
I printed out Clue #2 to use both sides of the paper, one less page to lose. I like having both written and the chart, I work from the written though. These pieces I will do one at a time on a circ. needle – I can imagine I’ll get the yarns tangled if I try three at a time although that is a nice idea. I usually knit while waiting at the computer for downloads etc. so the less complicated the better
Thank you for the second clue.
I’ve got my sister doing it for me, (lazy thing that I am)lol.
I really am going to do the clues, I’ve just had sort out a few things first.
I love reading all the comments.
Well I did the first square of Clue 2, and it doesn’t lay flat very well, it’s a cool pattern though. I am making mine baby pink, seafoam green and white. I prefer light colors because you can see the pattern better. We are Nascar fans and I made a ‘Checkered Flag’ blanket, and I hated using the black, although it does look pretty cool. Crystal in Milverton Ont
YeaH! My blocks look like the picture. When I first saw the finished square I was really disappointed because I didn’t think mine looked the same. Had to get hubby to confirm yes, they are the same. Thank goodness. I’ll start on the second clue this evening. I did try knitting all three squares on circular needles but had such a big tangled mess I gave up on that……..and I usually knit on circulars. How do you keep everything tangle free? And, I usually have my little doggie in my lap and she gets all this yarn on top of her…..
Love the comments, they are helping me a whole lot!
Diane in North Carolina
When I knit on the road (my son has soccer games far from home) I put my yarn in a bag and just pulled to keep the one i was working on loose. They did get tangled my they didn’t knot so it was easy to untwist them. At home I have a bit ottoman that I just set the yarns out in a row and rotated as I was using them. The middle one almost always stayed in the same spot and I just moved the other two around it. Hope this helps.
Hi DianeH;
Yes, knitting from 3 balls of yarn at once can be tricky! You have to be very carefully when you turn each row – not easy with a dog on your lap! I’ve heard two tips, though haven’t tried them out myself: 1) Place the 3 balls of yarn in a freezer bag with the working strands coming out the top and 2) Place the 3 balls in an empty tissue box. All this really does is keep your balls of yarn side by side to prevent any extra twisting. Let us know if you find something that works!
Julia.
I recently asked this same question so thanks for the hints.
I just tried the baggies and they are helping a little to keep the yarn from rolling around and knotting the yarn still gets a little tangled. I am just knitting a little slower as I move between the blocks.
I hope everyone is enjoying clue#2 I am and i can’t wait to see how the blocks look completed.
Hi every one I would like to thank Julie — Shirley —- DonnaLynn — and Juliaknits.. for all the information for clue 1
Did not give up so now i am finished with 1 block and it came out the right size on size 10 needles .. now on to 2 and see whats happens.. hopefully i will get to clue before clue 3 comes out lol..
you all have a wonderful day and happy knitting
Jackie
This is my first knit-a-long and I am very excited. I am a little behind doing clue #1 , I just finished my first block, but will try to finish the next two, so that I can begin Clue #2. I also noticed the may block is rectangle, not square, but it is 10×8 and very stretch. I thought I did it wrong, but after reading,I guess it is OK.
Hmm. Worked clue 2, using the verbal instructions, then looked at the chart to see if I had done it correctly.
Is there an error in Row 6 on the chart, 5th stitch from the right? Shouldn’t it be a – instead of a blank?
It looks as though it should be a – to me. I haven’t started yet, but I also follow the written instructions. It is faster for my eyes to see what I am supposed to be doing.
Hi Anita – Thanks for catching this! I’ve sent it on to the designers so they can double-check. If it’s an error we should have an updated pdf shortly.
We’ve updated the pdf so that the chart is now correct.
Thanks again to Anita, Ashley, Bess, and any others who caught the error.
I have completed ten rows of clue #2 and find the pattern easy to work. i am using a circular needle to complete all three blocks together. Can anyone suggest a way to keep the three strands of yarn from tangleing. i knit alot on the train going to and from work so I don’t have a lot of space to work.
If you are using your yarn from the center you can set them in a bag in the order that you knit and pull what you need. When you flip it to do the next row either flip the bag or twist your needles in the correct direction to keep the tangling down to a minimum.
That is a great idea. i am currently trying the baggies that Julia suggested earlier but since I do pull my yarn from the middle I can stand the yarn up in my knitting bag and turn the whole bag when i flip the work.
I will still keep the yarn in the baggies as it keeps them from falling over in the knitting bag.
Thank You thank You Thank You for the great idea
I noticed the chart typo too. Two texture patterns so far, I like the feel of the finished surface.
Yeah. Currently I am using a reusable grocery bag, as my current knitting project bag is still a WIP. HEHE. I was working on it ran out of yarn and just plumb forgot about it. Guess, that will be added to my list of things to do or finish.
Has anyone finished a block from Clue #2? I was just wondering how many rows to finish it?
Hi, that would depend entirely on your own knitting tension/gauge. You can either measure or just hold it up against the last clue’s block. And make sure you end with a WS row. As long as all your blocks are roughly the same length, it’s all good! (FWIW, my Clue #2 block is 46 rows, my Clue#1 block was 52.)
Hi Aminca, we must knit with the same tension,it took me exactly the same amount of rows on clue 1 and clue 2 as you. I have finished all 3 blocks in clue 1 and 1 in clue 2. So far have had no problems.
Whew! I also got 52 rows on block #1 and saw the picture with over 60 rows and thought I’d misread the instructions.
Tip for everyone: Write down the needle size (I’m using 7s), specific yarn (if it’s different, I’m using Berella 4), and number of rows required on each square type. If you are a consistent knitter, if you want to knit the afghan again, you can jump right in! If you are knitting one square at a time, it also helps as you can just follow the chart without keeping track of number of rows until you get to the end.
Hi
I also knit 46 rows for Clue #2.
Shelley
I did a little calculating, with Electric Quilt (yes, I’m a quilter, too). It’s great for trying out layouts, and determining sizes and positioning colors. I’ve even used it for trying out furniture placement in a small room.
If the three skeins of a color will give you 8 blocks, with the 4th skein of the one color used for the border, and the resulting afghan is 50×43, in an 4×6 layout, you can make the afghan 62×66 (6×8) by doubling everything. Personally, I don’t care for square (or nearly square) afghans.
Or, if you add 3 skeins in two more colors, you can make the afghan 52×66 (5×8). I’m not to sure how much the border would take for this size, but 2 skeins should work. So, the yarn requirements (estimated) would be 3 skeins of 4 colors, and 6 of a 5th color. You still make 1 block of each color.
Now I need to find two more colors that go with what I have, for I agree that 50×43 is a bit small, definitely child-sized.
Anita you are awesome. I was wondering. I think I am going to add some lighter colors to my mix. This also gives me some idea as to how long this blog is going to be going on. Looks like we are going get the last clue on 1/27/10.
Hey all, I’m just curious as to what colors you’re all using. Mine are baby pink, seafoam green and white. Thanks all, and happy knitting!!
hi I’m using Rouge, Fern and Lavender in the Bernat satin. so essentially pink green and purple, it may sound a little odd but these 3 colors were all lined up at the store and I immediately knew I wanted to use them together. it’s kind of a fun color combo really. I love the way this yarn is working up I never used it before.
Crystal I love the pink white, sea foam combo, I made a granny square afghan (crochet) with those 3 colors for my mom earlier this year and they really look nice together.
Hey Crystal,
I’m using banana, light fern, and flamingo (yellow, green, pink) to match the decor of my niece’s bedroom. She just turned two and got all new bedding to go with her “big girl” toddler bed. As we live very far apart, I used a photo my sister e-mailed me and compared it to the online yarn colors (I ordered yarn from joann’s website). They match nicely!
I’d hoped to be able to give this to her for Christmas (until learning the clues won’t all be out in time for that); I’ll still give it to her, just at a later time.
I love hearing what colours everyone’s using! I think I posted this before, but my colours are silk, lapis and spring (cream, light blue and a soft and really pretty green.)
I’m using Antique Rose (medium pink), Sea Shell (pale pink), White, Lapis (pale blue), and Cobalt (medium pink). Antique Rose is the color with the extra skein (soon to be 2, if I can match the dye lot).
I’m using a soft yellow, a light green, and a darker green, I really like it.
I was thinking, since we’re all going to be here knitting together for the next few months maybe we should get to know each other a little better?? I’ll start. my name is Jodi, I am knitting my mystery afghan in Ohio, I am married and have 3 kids 20 yo daughter, and 2 sons 18 and 14. I work full time as an office manager. I like all kinds of crafts, I started knitting about a year ago (taught myself from a book). this will be my first knitted afghan. up until last year I did mainly crochet (grandma taught me about 30 years ago)
how about you???
Hello. My name is Ashley. I am from Washington. I am 27 with a 10-year-old son (at least until the 29th). My husband and I live with our dog (very needy she is) in a small home on a half an acre. I have known how to knit since 3rd grade (unsure of the years) but only ever made scarfs here and there. I taught myself how to crochet about 4 years ago and enjoyed it because it was so much faster. I went back to knitting because I wanted to make myself a pair of socks (i know funny but true). I’m not every good with small needles yet, but this is the first large anything I have made knitting. And it is going to be my mom’s birthday present as her birthday is July 10th, so close to Christmas. So hopefully it will be done by then.
Hi, I’m Rynda from a northern suburb of Philadelphia. I learned how to knit an crochet( really the basics) when I was in elementary school and my mom was ill- the relatives needed something to keep me busy and I was artsy, craftsey in nature. I didn’t really make many things that I can remember til I was in college and started knitting sweaters for presents and made ( I can’t believe it myself) ski sweaters. The rest is history and I’ve been knitting and crocheting up a storm since then and a husband and 2 grown children and a 2 year old grandson. The grandson of course is the center of my crafts now but I love crocheting afghans and knitting sweaters- I’ve only knitted one other afghan and that was one done in strips- an irish fisherman one- some 15 years ago. I’ve alway been afraid of circular needles but now, with all of your encouragement I think I’m going to give them a try. For the past 7 years I’ve been volunteering at a local nursing facility- we have a thursday morning “knitting club” where the ladies make whatever they want- I offer assistance whenever needed. It is probably the most rewarding and fulfilling thing I’ve done- I’m also a pharmacist by profession- I’ve rambled long enough- back to knitting clue#2.
I am married and I live in New York. My mother taught me to crochet as a child. She tried to teach me to knit but I could not get it. I taught myself to knit three years ago because I wanted to knit sweaters.
I have three children two daughters ages 22 and 15 and a son age 19. My son can crochet and my 15 year old can knit. My husband can also knit but he is no longer interested in knitting.
I knitted a queen size bedspread last year but this is my first KAL. I am reallly enjoying knitting with everyone since I don’t have a regular knitting group anymore
Hi I’m Joyce and live in California. My sister (who lives in Oregon) tough me how to crochet and knit a few years ago. I’m going to turn 40 years old on the 17th of this month. I have been married for 21 years. We have one son (Charles Wayne) who is in college for Graphic Design. This is my first big knitting project. So I’m still learning all the tricks. Oh ya I’ve work for a fundraising company for 7 years. and the most important thing in my life is following Christ. seeking the things above not the thing on earth.
Hi:
I’m a grandmother of 5, been knitting for over 55 years – I can’t remember exactly how old I was when my mom taught me, but I was 10ish.
I live in a small town in Central California. I moved here from Sacramento in 2004, to help my widower son with his children. He has since remarried, so I’m on my own again. Vbg, as raising toddlers is for the young! Best to love them, then send them home.
I teach knitting/crocheting in a local library (free). I’m a member of a quilt guild in a nearby larger town, and I’m Webmaster, BOM Coordinator, and Newsletter Editor. I’m also president of the Friends of the Library here in town.
Good thing I’m no longer working for pay, since I don’t have time to go to work!
Anita H
California
Hello,
I am Charlene and I have 3 grown children and 4 grandsons. My oldest son, the father of 4, is in Iraq. I am keeping busy with the grandkids. I also teach medical transcription and medical language at our local community college. I taught myself to knit and crochet when I was about 10. I bought a book for 35 cents at the 5 & dime and have been making afghans, scarves, sweaters, etc. since then.
This is my first group project ever and I am enjoying reading the blogs and learning more from all of you.
My name is Susanne and I live in London, Ontario, Canada. I have 3 adult children and 2 grandsons (and another grand baby on the way). My grandmother taught me how to knit when I was 11 years old and although I am left-handed she refused to teach me any other way but right-handed. I have been knitting ever since, everything from scarves to lace baby shawls.
I taught myself how to crochet about 5 years ago, but keepp going back to knotting.
I am thoroughly enjoying knitting this afghan.
Happy knitting, everyone!!!
Hi! My name is Swanee. I’m married, retired, and live in western North Carolina. My son is married and living near Atlanta. No grandchildren yet, but one never gives up hope.
My mother and grandmother taught me basic crochet when I was about 10 years old. I also enjoy cross stitch and bead weaving. I’ve dabbled with knitting, and this is the first large project that I’ve attempted. My color choices are the same as recommended — silk, banana, and camel — but, I’m seriously considering Anita H’s comments about adding 2 more colors to this combo for a larger afghan.
I was thinking about this as well. I want it to be big enough for my mom to lay under as she loves her naps lol. But I am unsure of what colors would compliment it well. I was thinking maybe a darker brown and something else, maybe green. The colors in her house are all neutral browns and creams so maybe adding an accent color would be nice.
My name is Debbie. I’m married with 3 grown children and 5 grandbabies. We live outside of St. Louis, Missouri and I am a stay at home grandma. My mom taught me to crochet when I was in the second grade(over 40 years ago) and I taught myself to knit in the fifth grade. I have never done a KAL and am enjoying all of the comments.
I am using teal, aqua and white in the satin.
Knitting is a lifelong skill! I love it, and my dad showed me how with string and plastic needles a long, long time ago.
For Clue #2 I was marking each written row with a paper clip at the side of the page, have switched to a sticky ‘arrow,’ easier on the paper. It is a time saver for keeping track, when I get interrupted.
I like this pattern repeat, does anyone else give a small cheer when they reach the easier to remember 5th row?!
My colours are dark green, fern and sage; I’m on Vancouver Island, west coast of Canada.
Hi, my name is maggie I live in Lamar, Co. I’m 21 and I live with my partner, no kids yet, but 2 basset hounds, 2 cats, and 2 guennie pigs, we like to joke and say we’re starting a noahs ark lol. I’ve been knitting sience I was about 7, I learned off on summer trips to my grandmas. I also crochet, I love both but I usually stick to small projects for knitting, socks, hats, scarvs, mittens etc. This is my first knitted afghan and I’m loving it, even though I’m behind (I only have one and a half blocks from the first clue done, but I’m going to do my best to catch up! Love reading everyone’s comments and helpful hints!
Hi, I’m aminca. I live in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. I have 3 kids, a son 21, a son 17 and a daughter about to turn 16. I have been knitting since my grandmother taught me when I was about 7, and crocheting (self-taught) since I was a teen. I also love to needlepoint and do a bit of quilting.
Great idea, Jodi!
Hi, I’m Ellen, retired 2 years ago from the travel industry after 42 years. Learned to knit at 10, but didn’t really get in to it til a few years later. I’m notorious for not finishing projects…anybody want a partially done flame-stitch needlepoint pillow (I still have all the compenents) I started when I was pregnant? My daughter is now 34 and will be the recipient of one of the 2 afghans I’m working on…hers is going to be chocolate, autumn and bone to match her LR furniture (full disclosure: it’s Caron’s Simply Soft – they were having a major sale). My 2 1/2 yr old granddaughter Ella’s afghan will match her new “big girl” bedding and is Sea Shell, Flamingo and Sage (yes, Bernat). Also do charity knitting, mainly preemie hats and blankets, small projects I actually finish! Oh, yeah…I live in Ballston Spa, NY, moved here last year after I retired , to be near daughter and family. Lived in Queens, NY almost all of my life, and am just now learning to drive.
Hi Ellen, wow small world I am in Clifton Park, NY. Hi neighbor. I am from Westbury LI been living here since 1997, we had moved to Greentown ,PA but jobs were hard to find, so we moved here, Hubs works in Albany. you can email me if you want at jan.goetz@gmail.com who knows maybe we can get together and compare afghans.
HiEveryone,
I am still waiting for my yarn to arrive so haven’t begun my afghan yet. I don’t really remember learning to knit so I must have been very young. My grandmother lived with us and she was my teacher-so Mum said.
I knit a lot also crochet. Have made 6 crochetted afghans but this will be my first knit one although I have made many baby ones.
My husband has panceatic cancer so I don’t leave him much in the evenings. Now that it is dark before 4 p.m. here, I hope to get more handwork done. Another passion is Counted cross stitch but my cataract has affected my eyesight and my arthritic fingers don’t work as fast as they used to.
Anyway, it will be fun ‘to knit together.”
Marilyn
New Carlisle Quebec
In the first post, we saw a chart of the afghan and how the colors will be arrayed (diagonally). I am doing a little stash busting with my Berella 4 (lovely stuff for afghans). I am using more than three yarns. I am wondering if maybe we could get a copy of the chart with the square numbers on it. I am thinking that the chart will spread out the colors and separate similar squares. I would hate to end up with the same colored squares adjacent due to separating by pattern.
Hi Karen;
I don’t want to ruin the “mystery” too much, but we arranged the squares first by colour, and then by pattern. I don’t know if our diagram will help you too much as you’ll have to arrange your blocks according to the number of colors YOU are using. Here’s the direct link to the diagram:
http://bernatyarns.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/the-knit-along-begins/
Just note that there are 8 patterns, each knit three times. I hope that helps some!
Julia.
I’m Crystal, I am living very happily with Wayne in Milverton Ontario. I am 39 and a full time homemaker. I am a clean freak of sorts, love to bake, cook, and of course knit. I have a 19 year old daughter who’s name is Shyla. Wayne has two full grown kids too, he’s 52 his kids are 26 and 22, we all get along great too. Anything you want to know about me, just ask. Happy Knitting All
I am a semi-new knitter. I’m slow on my first block but it seems to be looking right. I hope to catch up over the weekend. This is the first time I have used a chart and it really helped me understand the pattern directions.
So nice to meet you all!!! ella’s grammo, i laughed at the story about the unfinished needlepoint and i can totally relate!! my suggestion?? wrap it up with the afghan and give it to your daughter to finish lol.
i love hearing about all of the color combos (and different yarns) being used. i hope there is a gallery or some way to post our pictures when they are all done. it would be so neat to see everyones afghan complete.
i’m about 1/3 of the way done with my 1st #2 clue square hoping to get a big chunk of it done over the weekend. happy knitting everyone!
Hi, folks,
I’m Judy, and I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
I’ve been knitting for over 50 years – when I was a kid, we lived in a lumber camp – not a lot of opportunity for extra-curricular activities, so my mom introduced me to knitting and crochet and embroidery and sewing.
I am recently retired from a 4-decade career as a computer geek, and for the past few years I have taught knitting (and crochet and sewing and quilting and embroidery and tatting) as my post-retirement career.
This is the first knit-along that I have joined. I am writing up my experiences on this knit-along for the subscribers to my own newsletter.
I really enjoy the camaraderie of my fellow KALers.
Judy
And I am glad that my #1 blocks match the photo!
Well I am on the last square of Clue 2 then back to my Bamboo Scarf, not used to having two things on the go though lol.
Hi everyone, I live in small town Iowa. (Go Hawks!!) I am 43 and have two young daughters Soon to be 8 and soon to be 6. I met my husband in high school and waited many years to get married and start our family even though we were together the whole time. I am a self taught knitter but could just never get the hang of knitting fast enough so I took a class when in college (go Hawks)at a local yarn store and that finally got me going.
I am working on afghans for both of my daughters for their birthdays within a month. They are crocheted as I seem to still be faster at that. But work on our new clues first and then when they are completed I work on the crochet to fill the time.
I am a home daycare provider so do most of my crafting while the kids are napping. I did teach two of the school-age children (one my own) to crochet this summer while they were off school so I hope to keep the handiwork going in the younger generations.
Good luck to everyone and hope to see everyone’s beautiful creations at the end. I love the idea of making the afghan biggger with more colors so I think I will have to make another trip to Michaels. (oh Darn!!)
sorry if this is a duplicate post – I think my dsl line dropped while I was writing the first.
re: Karen in Texas – “In the first post we saw a chart of the afghan and how the colors will be arrayed (diagonally).”
I don’t recall seeing a chart like that. I thought this was a “Mystery Afghan”?
While I await a reply, Happy Knitting to All!
Barbara, in Los Angeles, where it is 76 degrees and hazy.
Hi Barbara;
Karen was referring to the introductory KAL post:
http://bernatyarns.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/the-knit-along-begins/
Happy knitting!
Julia.
Hi everyone: My name is Janet and I live in Calgary, Alberta.
My husband and I are proud parents of 2 daughters (25 and 22)
a son (15) and a son-in-law. I learned to knit when I was 7 and crochet at 9. I also enjoy counted cross-stitch. I currently have 5 afghans on the go, but am concentrating on one I started a month ago and this one in the KnitAlong. My colors are Amber, Sable and Camel. I can’t wait to see the finished project!!!!!!
Happy Knitting!
Janet
Hi, All you wonderful ladies!
My name is Bonny and I live in Fort Collins, Colorado. I am 60 and just retired this spring from a banking career. I am blessed – hubby does all the cooking and grocery shopping – so I have more time for projects.
I learned to knit and crochet as a child. I have crocheted a lot,and I quilt a lot, but knitted little, until I read the “Blossom Street” series of books by Debbie Macomber. She inspired me to pursue knitting this year and I love it.
I am learning a lot, especially with this KAL and all your help and advice. I now can see mistakes and have learned to unknit and correct. I hope with more practice I will have fewer mistakes!
We had 22 inches of snow last Thursday, but yeasterday and today were in the high 70′s – good thing – we had a lot of tree limbs to clean up. Now I can knit.
It is great to meet you all.
Stupid question – the yarn requirements have one color needing one ball more than the other two colors. But in the FAQ, it says that each clue will be knit once per color. Why, then, do we need the extra yarn in one color? Is it for a border of some sort? Or will that spoil the mystery?
My guess is that the extra is used for a border?
Hi Everyone… My name is Sue and this is my first KAL. In fact I have been knitting only a year or so but have crocheted more. I am enjoying this and the blog so much. I have always made very plain one or two stitch afgans and have never followed a pattern. I am very excited to finish my third block from clue 1 and start clue 2. I was a bit sidetracked when I fell and broke a rib and badly bruised the rest. I just could not find a comfortable position to sit and knit. Enjoying the comments and help. Thanks for the written out rows for Clue 1
Hi there,- I too decided that 24 squares was not a large enough afghan and am using some rather unusual(to my kids) colors- banana, fern, soft fern,,teal and plum wine mist(heather) I have been making afghans and baby things with bernat’s satin for years now- from when there were only a few pastel colors and I thought a 5 color, 40 square – 5 squares by 8- would make a great size throw- not quite sure how I will arrange them yet- will probably need some help from all of you when the times come.
Although my squares/rectangles are measuring slightly smaller than the 10 x 8 recommended, I’ve decided to make them up as is, and if the afghan seems too small, I’ll add border(s) to increase the size if necessary.
I’m already thinking about how I could make it again, when we know what it is supposed to look like. For instance, cast on for all the blocks of a row, as mentioned by others, on the circular needle, but instead of keeping the pieces separate, join them as they are knit. Would be interesting if the textures of blocks next to each other are different.
Just a point of interest, my Clue #2 block is slightly wider than the Clue #1 blocks.
Hi there. I live in Saskatchewan Canada. I am single, no kids or pets. I am using Camel, Mocha and Sable. They were the three colours that I could find the day before the KAL started that went well together. They are nice browns that will go pretty well with my Green room.
Having read the other posts I am thinking maybe the finished size might be a little on the small side and I am thinking if finding another colour or two might not be a bad idea.
I admit for some reason this second clue is noting going a easy as the first one. I got through the first two and half repeats of the pattern then my fingers just stopped working. For every row I finished I have to pull the row out at least once.
I am still knitting the blocks one at a time. I can’t find the yarn storage bag I got as a free gift with knitting magazine. I guess is a good thing with how often I have pulled the rows out in this first block. I am still having fun and Can’t wait to see what the next clue is.
This is one time two weeks will feel very long and very short.
My name is Anita. I live in Northeast Wisconsin. My mother and grandmother taught me to crochet when I was a child. My sister-in-law taught me to knit about 3 years ago. Since I learned to knit I have made several hats and socks. Socks are addictive. I always have a sock project in my bag. I am married and I have a dog and 2 cats. This is my first knitting project on the straight needles. I have tried scarves in the past but always had trouble in the turn. I am currently unemployed but I was working in residental remodeling for the last 12 years.
Ok, so this post is about two issues.
First of all. *cry* I’m in the process of knitting my first block of pattern #2 and I’ve done 3 repeats of the pattern. On my 4th round, I made a small mistake where I did K5, P3 on one of the repeats. I’m not done knitting the block yet, but I’ve already knitted 5 rows past this mistake. It’s only a tiny mistake in one section, not the whole row and I doubt I’d be able to tell once the Afghan is joined together. But, I’m such a perfectionist that it’s bugging me. My question is, is it possible for me to fix this without having to undo the last 5 rows? I didn’t thread in a lifeline for this project so there’s no way I can easily go back.
My other issue is with my knitting style. I never learned how to knit ‘properly’, meaning I don’t know how to do continental or english style knitting. Basically I do everything with my right hand with my left one just scooting the stitches along. I use my right hand needle to thread into the loop and then actually let go of the needle to wrap the yarn around the stitch. During this process, my right needle is usually balancing on my shoulder or being steadied in my mouth. It makes other people raise their eyebrows when they see this. My question is: does my technique actually have a name? Or am I just an uber fail? How will doing this affect my knitting projects? And how can I learn to knit properly? I’ve been watching videos online, but I just can’t seem to get my fingers to work correctly, they seem so clumsy.
Sorry this post is so long.
Ok, so I decided to frog it. I had a little sit down chat with myself and realized, for the sake of my obsessive-compulsive sanity, that it was best to redo that row. So… *face plant into frog pond*
Btw, my name is Barbara and I am unemployed recent college grad living in Los Angeles. I’ve been knitting for about a year and have made mostly scarves for friends and family. This is my first afghan.
Barbara Hu,
I have never seen or heard of your technique. It sounds like you have added steps. My suggestion would be to see if there is a knitting group in your town. I learned most from watching others.
The way you hold the yarn in your left hand makes a big difference. My sock teacher taught me how to cross my index finger over to control the tension when I purl. I wish I had a way to make a video for you. Maybe someone with that capability can do that for us.
Hey, Barbara Hu! I think I knit similarly to you, but I use my left index finger to hold the right needle when I wrap the yarn. Hope this helps.
Hi all, I’m yarntangle and I live in NY, single, mid-30s, with no kids (just one cat that thinks she’s a kid most of the time).
Ella’s gramoo, I’ve been to Ballston Spa (I have a sister and brother-in-law who were stationed there while in the USN). Those are the parents of my niece who my afghan’s for!
I have worked in many career fields, with the most recent being radio/media the past 10 years until my position/hours were cut last winter. I’ve been looking for work, which exhausts and frustrates me. No one in my family really crochets or knits, so I didn’t know how to do anything other than art and some sewing until recent years. I tried teaching myself to crochet ten years ago and that didn’t go well! I thought I’d try teaching myself to knit about four years ago, because I had a goal of doing charity projects. By then, my grandmother had been a self-taught knitter for a few years and helped me tweak a few things in person (but this was difficult as we lived a few hundred miles from each other at the time).
I feel like I mainly do very simple things (mostly scarves and some basic hats)- but I’ve made a baby blanket-all one piece with no cables or piecing together, a stuffed bunny, a shoulder bag, some wrist warmers, and recently got into trying simple dishcloths. I’m excited about this project because I need to make myself follow and stick to patterns so I can venture into more complex designs and projects that include cables, yarnovers, etc. I have supplies to start learning socks but I haven’t been successful with them yet.
I live alone and don’t have a local knitting group that I feel comfy being part of for now, so I’m very glad to have this KAL group to socialize with and learn from!
I noticed that the picture of square #1 has quite a few more rows that what i figured. I knitted a total of 48 rows as the gauge is 24 rows to 4″, but it looks as though there’s 60 rows in the sample. Did i figure incorrectly? thanks.
I knitted 50 rows. I figured 48 was right but had been doing 10 rows a night so just ended when I got to 50. Pam
Barbara Hu you can use a crochet hook to fix a small mistake. Knit to the stitch row in question then pull the stitch loose down to the wrong stitch. Pull the thread through the stitch so it is corrected and then pull work the loose loops back through the stitch up till you have all the loose loops worked through the stitch and you are back to your working row. I hope this makes sense. It is hard to describe it in written word. But that way you don’t have to frog the whole five rows. Check out youtube. They may have a video on it.
Oh wow, I didn’t know I could do that. But now that you’ve suggested it, that totally makes sense. Thank you so much! I’ll keep this in mind on any future mistakes I make.
I had to work exactly 5 chart repeats to get my 8 x 10 block. On to the next two colors. Good luck E1.
Here is a video to help with dropped stitches or it is used to correct a stitch in a lower row.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkJRO_I7d3Q
Hi again Knit-Alongers -
Just a quick reminder to read the Terms of Use (the link is available on the top right of the blog, or go here http://www.bernat.com/termsofuse/ ). Any content you post here at the blog must be your own content, or content that you own the rights to.
Happy posting! It’s great to read about everyone!
Sorry, someone else had posted a video so I thought it was OK.
Ok…dumb question..pattern says end with a WS row. So after I knit the last WS row I will then bind off on the RS. Do I bind of in pattern or just knit the bind off?
Yes you bind off on the R side. I bound off in the stitch that was facing me.
I personnally bound off according to the pattern but I think either way is acceptable for this project.
Some patterns call for a particular bind off method which is integral to the overall look, but I don’t think that is the case here since no particular method is called for.
Also, bind off according to the stitch of the last row — if it is a knit stitch, do a knit bind-off, a purl stitch, do a purl bind off. Do not bind off in the pattern of the next row. Hope this helps!
Gina,
I think Zinnia1 is correct in stating that this project probably doesn’t matter how you bind off. We will be binding these squares to other squares and the stretch really doesn’t matter. Some yarns are less resilient than others so the stitches really don’t matter but if you are binding off the neck of a sweater you would want the pattern to remain the same so you maintain flexiblity. You really want the purls to draw in like the pattern in square 2. If you do not use as plyable a yarn you may knit off the entire row resulting in the edge looking already stretched out. I learned this by having to make the rim of a hat. It took me several try’s to get it right.
I love this blog because I am learning a lot from the different suggestions.
Hey Gina, I did all my squares for both clues, and I just knitted mine off, they look fine. Now I am working on a scarf in the mean time, I hate not knitting lol.
I think that it looks nicer to be bound off in the pattern of the next row.
With a straight knitted bind-off, the purl-2 ribs can get pulled to the front, instead of staying tucked away as in the rest of the block.
If your 8 inches ends in the middle of that slanted purls section, and you bind off using the stitch that you see, then you will get an extra set of bumps in the wrong place.
If your 8 inches ends at Row 10 (like mine did and like a several others did), then binding off using the stitch that you see is equivalent to binding off in Row 1.
Judy
Hi everyone! My user name is after my favorite flower to grow, Zinnias, and live in Clinton Twp, MI. Besides knitting. I also like to geocache (a recent hobby), garden (MI Master Gardener), test recipes (for a cooking magazine – not sure if I can call it by name here), bike, and golf.
I took up knitting while in college. One of my college friend’s Mother owned a yarn shop in the small town. Her mother knitted the most beautiful, amazing items! The two of them taught me to knit and I found it very relaxing (especially when trying to get through my Electromagetics course) and have been knitting ever since.
Right now I am knitting some Xmas gifts in between knitting the afghan squares. So far I have finished a pair of fingerless gloves and am in the middle of a scarf. I think my next project will be the Side Button Hooded Cape on this site, looks very cool and very wearable.
Hi. I’m Debbi & I live in a suburb of St. Louis MO. This is my 1st KAL. I taught myself to knit with some videos & the Knitting for Dummies book about 2 years ago. I’ve actually finished all the blocks in both clues. Working on multiple projects as it’s time for Christmas presents. I have 1 daughter & 2 dogs.
I’m using Banana, Fern & Rouge (yellow, green, rosey red) to go with my living room decor. I thought clue #1 was easier to read the chart & clue #2 easier to read the words.
I’m enjoying seeing all the tips everyone has. This is fun.
The finished afghan size is shown as 50″ x 43″. Does that mean that there are 40 blocks in all? I am curious to know the total number.
Joan,
There is a graph of the squares in a previous KAL post showing just the color pattern (so the texture layout will remain a mystery)- that showed 4 blocks across and 6 blocks down, equalling 24 total blocks. Going by the measurements so far, this seems it would be 43″ wide by 50″ high
I’m sure the finished size figures in an estimate for joining, and possibly a border of some sort.
Hope that helps!
Thank you. That makes sense. I figured there would be a border also. Second block is nice and adjustable.
Hi Everyone, I am Sue from Michigan and I have a question re Clue #2. I just started and I see we cast on 4 addt’l stitches doesn’t this automatically make the piece longer than the first set? I am running longer than the 10″ it calls for.
Sue,
There are vertical ‘ribs’ of two purl stitches ecvery eight stitches. This draws up the width a bit, just like cuff ribbing on a sleeve or sock. So, the extra stitches do not create a wider block.
Hi Sue;
The cast on number will vary from pattern to pattern in our afghan. Sometimes the number is different because of the spread/elasticity of the stitch and sometimes it’s to complete a pattern repeat. If your block is more that 1/2 inch too wide or too narrow, I’d suggest adjusting your needle size. Hope that helps!
Julia.
If stretched, the pieces for clue #2 are a bit longer but relaxed they are the same size. There is some elasticity in the texture of #2. Interesting.
Hi everyone, I am DianeH and live in western North Carolina. We have two grown children and two teenage grandchildren. Our daughter is expecting her first baby next month. I’ve knitted, sewn and have been crocheting all generic colors as we don’t know what she is having. Baby won’t cooperate during ultrasounds. I taught myself to crochet and knit while in high school using the little green book. I recently retired so now have more time to do all the things I’ve been waiting to do. My husband said now I can use up my stash….funny it seems to be growing! I am thoroughly enjoying the KAL and reading everyones comments. My colors are Forest Mist Heather, Banana and Cameo (green, yellow, rose). I hope these go together, the store I shop at didn’t have much of a selection.
Hi everyone. I’m from Cedar Falls, Ia. I was excited to see at least one other Iowan (GO HAWKS) posting. I’m a stay at home mom with three boys 6yrs, 3yrs and 11 months. I taught my self to crochet when I was expecting my first and now consider myself and experienced crocheter. I started knitting this past winter and this my first knitting project other than practice swatches. So far I haven’t had any problems other than finding enough time and having to re-knit when I leave my stuff out and my baby unravels 10-15 rows, grinning happily the whole time! My colors are lapis, camel and sable.
So far I am halfway done with the set of blocks for Clue #2. I stopped to check the sizes as I was curious if they were measuring up and they are
. So my width is identical at 9.5 inches, and my rows seem to be about the same amount needed as Clue #1. I believe I did about 50 rows for that, I have it written on the clue and I think that I will be at just about 50 rows with these blocks as well. I am curious to see if my knitting has come out like it’s supposed to because it is looking funny to me. But we will see.
Also I am in the middle of Christmas Gift overload for this year (haha running out of time again). So I am trying to keep concentrated on one project at e time. With the first clue I knitted it in between other things. With this clue I am bearing down and getting it all knit out, and then I will work on that scarf for my father.
I really like the feel of this yarn but I found that my camel and banana colors are softer and feel slightly thinner than the silk which is soft, but almost feels like a worsted weight yarn. I’m not sure if it is supposed to be like that I ran back to Joann’s to see if they had any from another dye lot and to Micheal’s but they didn’t. Has anyone else ran into the same problem just out of curiosity?
I finished all three of my blocks on the circular needle I bound off at row 50. It was surprisingly easy once I got started with the help of all of you. The blocks did look slightly bigger than clue number one but once they were off the needle they were actually the sam size.
I am starting on my second set of three blocks as I plan to double the size of the original afghan.
I like the pattern alot and received many compliments from fellow passengers on the train I plam to make a scarf using the pattern.
Happy Knitting Everyone
I just realized a post I thought I submitted is not in here. I am using Forest Mist Heather, Sultana, Plum Mist Heather, Admiral and I have not chosen my last color yet *maybe Grey Mist Heather or Banana. I would really love a medium rust color but…
I really love the Mist Heather line. The picture on the website do not capture the intricate color changes becasue of the mix of colors. Plum mist is a mix of Sultana and a little darker blue than the Admiral.
Hi there- I was just checking out colors at ac moore and there is beautiful medium rust bernat satin that would go beautifully with your other colors- and that is Amber- wine mist heather is also a neat color ( very sophisticated. rynda
Thanks I think I will look for it online because the last time I was to Michael’s the shelves had been raided. Satin seems to be a hot item this week.
Thanks Karen and Bess. I did keep going and saw the ripple effect. I really
like this pattern and it seems to go much faster than #1. Of course it could be that I just have more confidence. Love the blogsand learn a lot a lot from all the questions and comments. Wish I could invite you all for an afternoon of knitting and chat.
I finally finished Clue 1 WOO HOO!!! I finished yesterday, but I didn’t like how the black was looking with the white and “ocean”, so I ran out and got lavender, its in a different brand than my other two colors but thank god, you cant even tell what a find! Well I’m ready to start clue 2 on my brand new circs (I had some in the right size, but one of my cats chewed through the wire lol). Happy knitting every one!
I was wondering about blocking. Should we block the squares now or wait until all of them are finished and block right before we seam them together? I don’t have much experience with acrylic yarn.
Hi Arlene;
I’m a big fan of blocking! Whether you block now or later (or not at all) is up to you. A little birdie tells me there will be a blocking tutorial in the future though, so stay tuned!
Julia.
Thank you Julia. That will be very helpful. I am all finished with all my blocks for clue#2. It’s been fun so far. Looking forward to clue #3.
Finished clue #2. All 6 are the same size so that is good. I think I will block the ones I have finished so far so I don’t have to do them all at once.
Generally acrylic – which the yarn suggested is – doesn’t need blocking, so unless you’re using wool, you wouldn’t have to block at all. I’ve found that acrylic ‘blocks’ best when it is all done and then thrown in the washer and dryer …
got 2 squares for clue #2 done. i couldn’t find my circular needles. everything is packed away but the ones i have are long and i could fit 2 on them. LOL. now to just wait and see if i did them right. =-).well actually, now to catch up and get my 2 from #1 done.
Hi Everyone! My name is Dianne, and I am from a suburb north of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. I am married to my husband for almost 20 years, hit the big 4-0 this year, and all my children are having monumental birthdays this year. My oldest son is 18, followed by 2 girls ages 16 and 13. My mom taught me to knit when I was little, and and older neighbor taught me to crochet when I was in my 20′s. I really am into quilting, but as this can get to be an expensive hobby, and not real portable, I picked up the yarn. I have ventured a little farther with the crocheting, and have kept the knitting to the basics, but have recently dabbled in socks, and feel like I’m taking a big leap with this project, as it will have to be put together when it is all done. My color choices are: admiral, mocha, and tapestry. I have run into a snag though. After 2 blocks, I am out of tapestry, and went to JoAnn’s to get more and they don’t have it. I originally ordered it online, and am now wondering if I should change colors to something that they have in stock. I didn’t think this would be a problem when I ran out. I didn’t want to buy it all at once, nervous that I wouldn’t complete the project, and would have to add that yarn to my growing stash from unfinished projects. I am enjoying reading everyone’s blogs as much as I am enjoying the knitting. It’s nice to hear where everyone is in the project, and know that I am right in the middle. Happy knitting to everyone! I will be enjoying this warm Minnesota November for a few more days and then it sounds like it will be perfect knitting weather.
I have my pieces so far piled on top of each other (not a big pile, 5 of 6!). I would wait until they are all done to see if blocking is needed.
Just now finished the second piece for this clue in beautiful dark green, but a note to myself, the dark green was not the wisest choice for seeing to knit, on dull wintry days without strong light.
Hi, everyone. I live in Pantego, Texas (a one-square mile township in the middle of Arlington – real home of the Dallas Cowboys.) I am 21 with 31 years experience, married for almost 29 years, have one daughter (almost 24), one son-in-law (love him!), one step-daughter (32), and one step-son (33.) I also have 2 shih-tzu puppies (10 months), and 7 cats – although a kitten showed up 3 days ago and won’t leave!
ACK! (Did I mention that I hate frogs?)
I had a brief crochet lesson when I was 14 and loved it so much I bought books and taught myself the rest. Now I teach crochet whenever I can, and just started teaching a class at the Girl’s Club.
A friend gave me a learn-to-knit kit (as a joke, I think), and I decided it was high time I learned! The instructions on the kit are woefully incomplete, and say nothing about changing color (even though the pattern calls for it), so I hit the bookstore (Amazon.com actually.)
This is my first knit afghan, and it is beating me up. I had a lot of trouble with gauge on pattern #1, finally got it with size 9 needles, and tried pattern #2 with 9′s. NO
I am currently re-doing #2 with size 8′s and it seems to be coming out to gauge. arrrrggggghhhhhhh I guess I have to re-do #1.
I am behind because my step-daughter flew in from NC and just had to have a crocheted scarf I had done (in a different color, of course), so I dropped everything and made it. When I went back to pattern #2, I was flying along until I noticed that my needles were different colors.
I am almost finished with the first block of #2, and it looks good. I am using flamingo, sea shell, and silk (pink, light pink, and white.)
As far as the afghan being small and square, I rather like it. It gets very hot here and I seldom need more than my feet covered. Also, if this is for charity, a small, square afghan is perfect for wheelchairs!
Thank all of you for all the help and advice you have given me!
Love you all! >
I set a goal for myself to do one #1 with each set until they are done because I decide to use these colors late. I will have #1 finished with set 4. I think this is better than me trying to fit it all in on one set section of time. Maybe if the patterns are easy I can finish early. Actually I am starting my second #1 this week as I have some time.
Hi
I also have 4 kids and (a wonderful son-in-law): 26, 22, 17, 13 and 4 dogs. So relaxing is what I need to do and knitting fits the bill.
I love that Donna Lynee from Texas says that she is 21 with 31 years experience. That’s how old I am too. I also have been married 29 years. I live in Southern California about 30 miles east of LA. So it doesn’t get that cold here either. but I still love to knit and crochet. I think my Mom tried to teach me, but I wasn’t a very good student. I taught myself a few years ago. It really helps me to unwind in the evening. I am a middle school teacher and if you know middle school kids…then enough said
I found this KAL while I was off work, sitting with a cast because I fell in September. I was headed for an evening walk(I live half a mile from a national forest)when I fell and broke my right foot. I was told to completely stay off and take off work and school had just started! Even though I missed the students, I loved having so much time to knit! I was able to finish many projects and decided to try the KAL. So everything has a positive side!
I am back at work after 8 weeks and miss knitting during the day but look forward to the KAL blog everyday.
I have completed 5 of the 6 squares and really love the patterns. I am using silk, banana, and mocha.
Good luck to everyone
This is random, but I love that we have the little icon squares of different colors/patterns on our posts. It makes it easier for me to come here and scroll down to where my last post was (and to catch up, reading what was posted after that).
Almost done square 3 – of pattern 1! For some reason I’m having a hard time following this pattern and I’m looking forware to pattern 2.
I know it’s bad to “assume” things but… it is ok to darn the ends in as we go?
Two light shades of green and a soft white are the colours I chose. I think someone else mentioned that different colours feel and work up different. My white doesn’t feel as soft either in the ball or worked up – so different that I re-checked the ball bands. It is the same so I’m hoping the difference is
(a)all in my head
(b)will disappear when washed
(c)won’t be noticed because of the patchwork pattern when it’s put together.
I really enjoy reading everyone’s comments – keep ‘em coming.
Eva
Re darning in the ends as you go along.
My recommendation is twofold:
1. Make sure that you have longish ends.
2. Use those ends to sew the blocks together, and only then weave in the excess length.
This minimizes the number of ends that will have to be woven in.
Judy
That is usually how I do a patchworked project too. Then yo have a least the same color of one block you are next too and it isn’t as noticeable.
I haven’t got started on block two yet. I’m trying to finish a crochet afghan for my daughter’s birthday nwxt week. I only have about 5 rows left and weaving the ends in then I will get caught up on my KAL. that seems to be how my life goes. Finshing one project at the last minute so I can move to another that neds to be finished at the last minute.
Eva
I had the same experience with the different colors of my yarn. The off white feels thicker than the other two colors. I imagine that the fact that it is a sampler that you wont see the difference in the yarn once they are placed. I am using Bernat country wool so i can use yarn from my stash. I have never used the Satin to know how it washes.
I finished my three #2 blocks yesterday. I’m using Snow, Sapphire, and Sage.
I am not worrying about the finished size of my afghan – I’m going to knit the 24 squares, and accept how it comes out. I am primarily going to use this afghan as an inspiration in the knitting classes that I teach.
And when I get older, it will help to keep my knees warm!
One of my goals when I get a pattern like this is to figure out what it is all about so that I don’t have to look at the instructions any more. I found this pattern really easy to do, by just keeping an eye on the 2-stitch rib and what I call the travelling bumps on the 6-stitch-wide rib. (I’m on a right-side row, the bumps are there, and they have to move one stitch to the left. Or I’m on a wrong-side row, the vee stitches, or the bumps on the other side, are there, and they have to move one stitch to the right.)
I am definitely enjoying this project.
Judy
I am a little confused about when the clues will be coming out. At first I thought it stated every 2 weeks so i marked the calender for every other friday, becuase the first one came out on a Friday. The second clue came out “early” according to what i thougt the schedule was. When will the next one come out and what is the planned release for the rest of the clues?
Thanks,
Beth in Pennsylvania
Hi Beth -
The clues are going to come out ever 2 weeks, on Wednesdays. So the next clue will come out this coming Wednesday (Nov 18). Another way to find out is to look at the post for the last clue. We’ll usually mention when to expect the next one.
Hope this helps!
Now I have a little pile of 6 pieces. I placed them on the couch and realized there is a definite diagonal direction, so that was fun to try an arrangement. Then did something nerdy, weighed one of the pieces, about 30 grams, and weighed the leftover yarns, each about 40 grams. So, let’s see that is 3 pieces per ball of yarn so still using the first ball of each colour for Clue #3.
I’ll knit some of a sweater in the meantime. gee this is great knitting time management :p
AHHH! I didn’t even see the mistake in the chart and I’ve finished all 3 blocks. Oh well, I’ll undo them and re-knit them. It’ll keep me busy until the next block is posted.
Chart mistake? There’s a chart mistake? My squares all look fine…. More info please?
I echo Karen in Texas – what mistake? My copy of the chart looks just fine.
I printed the pdf chart on the day it was posted. Unfortunately there was an error in the chart – they have since corrected it (on Nov. 5th), so if you printed after that date, your chart will be fine. So frustrating, but they’ve all been re-done so I’m patiently waiting for the next clue. Have started another project to keep myself busy.
HELP!
I just got to a huge slub in my yarn! How do I get around it? Do I cut it out and tie on the rest of the ball? Won’t that leave a knot? Is there a way to re-join the yarn without a knot?
Yes you would cut the slub out. You will then overlap the new strand over the old one, work with the double strand for just a few stitches to lock them in place, then continue with the new strand. If possible arrange for this to happen at an edge of the piece, work the ends in along the edge later.
Bess: Ive been crocheting and knitting for years, and have always knotted my yarns in the middle of a project. I never tried the overlapping method that you spoke of. Does it really not come apart without the knot? I guess the longer the overlap the better it holds? Thank you for the tip. Never too old to learn new tricks! Joan
Bless you, Bess! I reached the edge and have about 4 inches before the slub, so your suggestion looks like it will work. But I still have a question. Will that area of the piece be too thick?
Joan: It doesn’t come apart! Just a couple of stitches with yarns held together is all that’s needed. The overlap is in two directions, with the tails leading away from each other (does that make sense? It is hard to describe in words!).
Donna Lynne: It will be slightly thicker, yes, but because it is at the edge, when you sew the blocks together you won’t notice the joining.
Bess is 100% correct.
The last thing that you should want is a knot in your knitted fabric.
By overlapping the yarn ends and knitting a few stitches together – and then weaving the loose ends into the fabric for a least an inch and perhaps two inches, the yarn ends will not come out.
And yes, there will be a degree of thickness at the double-yarn stitches, but in the end it won’t be noticeable.
Of course, the purist would split the two yarn ends in two, and twist together a strand from each end, using that as the yarn to knit, and then weaving in the remaining halves. That would give the least bump in the fabric.
Judy
I am so going to give this a try the next time I change from one skein to the next and see if it works. Thank you so much!
If you use this method, you can tug on the loose ends after you have knit a few more rows to reduce the bulk – one of the double thickness stitches will diappear behind the other.
Joan, I am a very experienced crocheter (but am just now teaching myself to knit), and I never tie a knot to change color in crochet.
To change color in crochet, just finish the last stitch of the old color with the new color – whatever the last step is. For instance, in sc – insert hook through stitch, yo, pull up loop (2 loops on stitch), yo with new color, pull through both loops. In dc – yo, insert hook in stitch, yo, pull up loop (3 loops on hook), yo pull through 2 loops, yo with new color, pull through remaining 2 loops. Then just carry both the old color and the loose end of the new color along WORKING OVER THEM with the new color for a few stitches, then cut the old yarn. The only time you would not work over the old color like this would be if the old color would show badly through the new. Ususally, it will blend into the previous row, but if you are changing colors frequently, it might not. The yarn holds very well – I have never had a problem with it.
Thanks for all the tips about starting a new skein without knotting. I tried the overlap method and it worked fine, does look much better. Pulling both ends slightly after its done thinned out the slight bulk nicely.
I’ve had so many snags so far, with trying to sit at the computer and knit (not ideal for me, anyway, but really doesn’t work while also shooing the cat away), not grasping the first clue pattern the first several times around, then being sick, and having my printer break, not being able to print the clues out…
Good news, my relative’s mail finally arrived, with the clues #1 and #2 printed out for me.
I’m so behind, but I’m hopeful that I’ll get caught up by the time #3 comes out on Wednesday.
Hang in there, this isn’t a race. Enjoy the process!
If you havent started yet, I would recommend starting with #2 then doing #1 in the smae color. This will give you confidence until you complete the #1′s. The pattern is easier than #2 but really frustating if you loose your place. It takes experienced knitters a square and a half to get the pattern down. Dont get frustrated. This is turning out really cool so far. Good luck.
My goal is to figure out the underlying structure of the pattern as soon as possible, so that I don’t have to look at the pattern at all.
For me, this pattern is a simple 6×2 or K6P2 ribbing pattern, with purl bumps travelling up the 6-stitch knit section. The 2-stitch section is always reverse stocking stitch, and is very visible as a “knit-type” strong and long rib on the reverse. The 6-stitch rib section is stocking stitch, and the purl bumps just move to the left one stitch in each row that has them. They move to the right on the wrong side.
The chart is useful, but it doesn’t show that the 2-stitch rib section is pretty well hidden from the right side, while the purl bumps on the right side are really visible.
Judy
Yeahhhh! Finished the 3 squares for clue #2 on Thursday. While waiting for clue #3 I’ve started a sweater for new baby due next month. I love hearing about everyone’s color choices! I too am seeing a big difference in the yarns I am using. The green is nice and thick, while the cameo seems to get really thin. The yellow is so-so. Someone told me once that the different colors used in the dye process makes a big difference in the end product especially lighter colors. Has anyone else heard that?
I am so loving this! I finished one of the blocks from clue #1 tonight. Yes, I am behind, but I had to finish a cpap hose cover. I am trying knitting 2 blocks on one circular needle. I am so liking it. I will hopefully finish the other 2 blocks for clue #1 and then do all 3 blocks for clue #2 before Wednesday. We shall see how that works. LOL with cats and dogs and kids, I never truly get time to work on knitting unless it is 2 am. LOL It took me 52 rows for clue #1. I am so looking forward to the next round. Thank you so much for this KAL and take care!
I have elected to make each square in four shades of brown and am using Bernat Berella 4: Dark taupe, soft taupe, soft heather, and winter white. If I spread out to 5 squares by 7 squares, I will need three additional squares and have elected to do that at the end so I can mix up colors and textures.
Knit notes:
Using short circs , size 7, making one square at a time. Portable!
Leaving long tails for seaming.
Will not block (it’s acrylic and will retain shape)
If you are a newer knitter, I recommend that you pay attention to gauge and size as this is a great learning experience. It’s true that gauge is not as critical on an afghan, but enforce good knitting habits regardless of the project. Also, the amount of yarn is predicated on your knitting to gauge. Better to frog a square than an entire sweater…
WOOHOO. Just finished all three blocks on clue #2. It took me 40 rows. I was hoping to finish them all yesterday (in one day) but I got caught up in a movie and soccer. So I woke up early and finished them up today. Now back to the scarf and hooded cape i am making for christmas presents.
Quick question, because I’m noticing people said it took them an even number of rows for both clue 1 and clue 2 blocks.
But the instructions say end on a Wrong Side row (which would be an odd number)– so for example, would 40 rows equal 39 of the pattern (which would mean doing the last one as a WS row) plus 1 that’s the bind off row, or ?
I’m finally starting today, and hope to get all blocks done over the next few days, so having this info will help me a lot, the sooner the better!
Thank you.
Hi, yarntangle,
When patterns say to end with a WS row, they mean to completely work the WS row. In this case, the WS rows are the even numbered rows.
The cast off / bind off should be done with the right side facing you. And as I noted earler, it should be done in pattern.
Judy
Hi Yarntangle
I ended on an even row because that was my bindoff row. The last row of the pattern was row 49 then on row 50 I bound off in the pattern.
Hope that helps
When joining mid-row I work in one of the ends of the overlap as I go, as we do when carrying a second colour (e.g. for Fair Isle work). If it is a knit row, knit stitches, that is – so put the needle in to start the knit stitch, flip the tail of the outgoing yarn over needle, wrap the new yarn around the needle and flip the tail yarn off the needle, thus trapping it with the new yarn, finish making the stitch. The tail end is woven into the knitting for that stitch. I do this on alternate stitches until the tail is nicely included in the work.
That being said I will still use a knot if the knitting is firm enough that the knotted part will stay in place on the wrong side, and won’t affect the wearing or use of the item. For some knitters, tying a knot is easier than trying to manipulate thread ends; whatever works for the individual, and it is *your* work after all
Oh- duh to the WS= the even rows- thank you Judy.
I get confused by the little things at times, but this really helps me out.
Hi everybody, I am a self taught knitter and this is my first kal. I really am enjoying it. I can’t wait for clue #3. I do have one question. When you say bind off should be done in pattern, what does that mean? I’ve been binding off by doing a knit stitch all the way accross.
What they mean is to knit off in the pattern of the next RS row. So I ended on the last row (10) done for the fourth time. I bound off in the pattern for row 1. Purl one, knit six, purl two and so forth.
I bind off in knit all the way too. Have to admit can’t be bothered to do it in pattern
and when the seam is stitched it will be fine. What I do though is bind off with one of the loose methods.
For this project, I flip the outgoing stitch over the live stitch but leave the outgoing stitch on the needle, knit in to the next stitch and transfer to the other needle, thus dropping the outgoing stitch under less tension than the usual bind off.
When I laid out the pieces to have a look at the group, the plain knit bind off helped me find the ‘top’ of each square. This is when I noticed there is a definite up and down/diagonal to the pattern (which of course is obvious in the charts! hadn’t made the connection – duh :p )
But, I need all the helpful aids and reminders I can get LOL.
I have completed 5 out of the 6 possible squares and have cast them all off using the knit stitch. I thought that as rule, unless the patterne says to cast off using the pattern, one should cast off using the knit stitch as in most patterns the last row is the WS row. Just my opinion that is all!
Also, I only used the graph for the 1st clue as for the 2nd clue, the pattern for the WS rows was easier to follow than in the 1st one.
Happy knitting everyone! Wish I was doing that now instead of working!!!
Casting off in knit will make the end look like the other end (cast on). when you cast off in pattern you get a bump on the purls.For an afghan it probably does not matter because we are joining the squares together.
Neither here nor there – my cast on knit looks different from the bound off, I cast on from the left with reverse loops to counteract twisting of the yarn, which I get with the simple loop cast on from the righthand on to left needle.
I don’t suppose that interests anybody LOL but thought I’d mention it. I’m sure there is a sneaky way to deal with the bump on the purls in the usual bind off.
Here it is a stormy day and perfect for knitting, if I could I’d camp right here at the computer just working on my sweater until the next clue is posted!
Thanks for the help. Just got clue #3. Can’t wait to get started on it.
I am just doing the border now it looks great I am so pleased with it.
thanks
Marion
HELP I am having trouble finding Clue #3 Not sure if its a computer problem or it hasn’t been posted yet?