[ Esther's Knitting Page ] [ Esther's Patterns & Articles ]

Afghan Squares to Knit in Variegated Yarns

Copyright 2000 Esther S. Bozak. All rights reserved. This article may be copied and freely shared with others so long as it remains fully intact, including this copyright notice, and no profit is made from its distribution or use.
One problem associated with variegated yarns is the "stripe" effect one often gets when working back and forth in rows. The longer each section of color, the longer the stripe. Pattern stitches which involve some texture via knit-purl combinations, slipped stitches, elongated stitches, or even knitting in the row below can help to break up these stripes.

The following afghan squares use pattern stitches which are useful in this regard. Use worsted weight yarn and the appropriately sized needle to give you the required blocked gauge. Each square includes a 3-ridge (6-row)/3-st garter stitch border. After finishing and neatly hiding any ends, each square should be blocked to 12".

NOTE: These squares can also be knit with solid colors. Doing so with empasize the texture of the pattern stitch.

Seed Stitch Square
Cast on 51 sts and work 3 ridges (6 rows) of garter stitch. Next row: K3, *p1, k1; rep from * across to last 4 sts, p1, k3. Rep this row until square's length is 11.25". Discontinue pattern stitch and work 3 ridges (6 rows) of garter stitch, binding off on last row.

Tiny Bowknot Square
Gauge: 4.5 sts/ 1" in pattern, blocked.
Cast on 51 sts and work 3 rdiges (6 rows) of garter stitch. Beg patt: 

Row 1:  (WS) k3, purl across to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 2:  Knit.
Row 3:  K6, * p3, k3; rep from * to last 3 stst, k3.
Row 4:  K6, * p1, knit into next st in row below, p1, k3; rep from * to  
        last 3 sts, k3.
Row 5:  Rep Row 1.
Row 6:  Rep Row 2.
Row 7:  * K3, p3; rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 8:  * K3, p1, knit into next st in the row beloew, p1; rep from *
        to last 3 sts, k3.
Rep these 8 rows until square's length is 11.25". Discontinue patt and work 3 ridges (6 rows) of garter stitch, binding off on last row.
Copyright 2000 Esther S. Bozak. All rights reserved. This article may be copied and freely shared with others so long as it remains fully intact, including this copyright notice, and no profit is made from its distribution or use.
Last Updated: March, 28 2000
Comments & questions to: Esther S. Bozak, ebozak@cs.oswego.edu
URL: http://www.cs.oswego.edu/~ebozak/knit/tscny/variegated.html