Afghan Squares Project: Square 1  

I will try to incorporate the traditional Aran patterns

in these squares, making each square a lesson in itself.

       If you have my book Aran Knitting for Beginners and have studied

the section on design and diagramming and if you have made the

sweater in the book, you may now want to try something different.

This diamond can be placed in the front panel and down the sleeves

instead of the honeycomb.

       I made this square using the bulky weight yarn # 001 described on

my yarn page and #10 1/2 needles so they work up quickly and measure

approximately 9 by 10 1/2 inches.

       I used the Irish moss stitch to form a frame for the diamond and I

will be using this frame for all the squares. The diamond itself is placed

on a purled background to make it stand out. So study the picture

carefully before you begin. 

       If you have any favorite patterns and they can be made up over

24 sts. You can design your own squares. So come on get creative. 

For an afghan that measures approx. 45” X 54” you will need 7 diamond squares.

 

Materials you will need: 1 pair #10 1/2 knitting needles.

Each square takes approx. 2 oz Bulky weight knitting worsted (see gage below).

Gage: 4 sts = 1 1/2 inch.

Abbreviations: k= knit, p= purl, sts= stitches, C4f= Cable 4 front, Cr3b= Cross 3 back,

Tw3f= Twist 3 front, Tw3b= Twist 3 back, Im= Irish moss.

 

Row 1:  K 1, p 1 across row.

Row 2: P 1, k 1 across row. You will be knitting over purled sts and purling over knits.

C4f = cable 4 front, place next 2 sts on your cable needle.

Knit 2 sts from your left hand needle then knit 2 sts from cable needle.

Cr3b = cross 3 back, slip next stitch on cable needle, k 2 then k 1 from cable needle.

Tw3f = twist 3 front, slip next 2 sts on cable needle and leave at front of work, p 1 from

left hand needle then k 2 from cable needle.

Tw3b = slip next st on cable needle and leave at back of work, k 2 from left hand needle

then p 1 from cable needle.

 

Cast on 32 sts

Row 1: K 1, p 1, across row.

Row 2: P 1, k 1, across row (this is the Irish moss stitch).

Rows 3 & 4: same as rows 1 & 2.

Row 5: Im4, p 1, p 10, c4f, p 10, Im4.

Row 6: and all even numbered rows, Im4, then k over all k sts and p over all p sts, Im

last 4 sts to form frame.

Row 7: Im4, p 9, Cr3b, Tw3f, p 9, Im4.

Row9: Im4, p 8, Cr3b, p 1, k 1, Tw3f, p 8, Im4.

Row 11: Im4, p 7, Cr3b, p 1, k 1, p 1, k 1, Tw3f, p 7, Im4.

Row 13: Im4, p 6, Cr3b, p 1, k 1, 3 times, Tw3f, p 6, Im4.

Row 15: Im4, p 5, Cr3b, p 1, k 1, 4 times, Tw3f, p 6, Im4.

Row: 17: Continue in this manner, decreasing 1 p st on the outer edge of your diamond and

increasing p 1, k 1, in the center till you are within 1p st from frame. You should end with 9 k 1,

p 1 in middle of the diamond.

Row 23: Im4, p 1, Tw3f, k 1, p 1, 8 times, Tw3b, p 1, Im4.

Row 25: Im4, p 2, Tw3f, k 1, p 1, 7 times, Tw3b, p 2, Im4.

Continue in this manner till you have only 1 k 1, p 1 in middle.

Next row Uneven row: Im4, p 9, Tw3f, Tw3b, p 9, Im4.

Next 4 Rows, Im across. Bind Off.

Afghan Square Project: Square 2 - Wheatear and cables  

     This is the second in a series of 4 squares using

traditional Aran pattern stitches. I have framed this

square with Irish moss stitch, the same as the

diamond square.

   This is a simple variation on the use of the cable

needle, with a very pleasing affect. The materials

used and the gage, are the same as for the diamond

square.

   The cables and the wheatear panel are separated

by purl stitches. I added 3 purl stitches on each side

to make my count come out even.

   Theses squares make up quickly and are a pleasure

to work with. I hope you enjoy this one.

 

Abbreviations: k = knit. P = purl.

Im= Irish moss, knit over purls and purl over knits

cb4= cable back 4, (place next 2 sts on your cable needle place at back of your work,

k 2 sts from your left hand needle then k the 2 from your cable needle.)

Cf4= cable front 4, (place next 2 sts on your cable needle place at front of your work,

K 2 from left hand needle then 2 from cable needle.)

C3b= cable 3 back, (place next 2 sts on your cable needle place at back of your

work, k next st from your left hand needle then k 2 from cable needle.)

C3f= cable 3 front, (place next st on your cable needle place at front of your work,

k next 2 sts from your left hand needle then k 1 from your cable needle.) 

 

Cast on 32 sts

 

   Row 1:  k 1, p 1 across row.

   Row 2:  P 1, k 1 across row, you will be knitting over purled sts and purling over knits. 

   Row 3 & 4: repeat rows 1 & 2. Theses 4 rows complete the bottom of the frame.

 

Pattern rows

 

   Row 1: im4, p 3, k 4, p 2, c3f, k 3, p 2, k 4, p 3, im4.

   Row 2: im4, k 3, p 4, k 2, p 6, k 2, p 4, k 3, im4.

   Row 3: im4, p 3, cb4, p 2, k 3, c3b, p 2, cf4, p 3, im4.

   Row 4: im4, k 3, p 4, k 2, p 6, k 2, p 4, k 3, im4.

  

Repeat theses 4 rows till work measures 9 1/2 inches or same as Diamond Square to 

beginning of top frame. Then finish with 4 im rows to make top of frame. Bind off.

Afghan square Project: Square 3  

   This is the third in a series of 4 squares; you will note I have framed

this with the Irish moss the same as the diamond and the wheatear and

cable square.

   This is a great little stitch to use in any project, such as a sweater as

a filler or panel design you can even use it as an all over design.

    This stitch is worked over 4 sts, over 4 rows, starting with a purl row,

followed in the next row with a k 1, p 1, k 1, all in the first st then p 3 sts

together as 1. Row 3 is a purl row, followed by a p 3 together as 1 st then

k 1, p 1, k 1, in the next st.

   Tip: as the p 3 together makes the stitches rather tight on your needles

try to work your purl rows a bit on the loose side or you may find it difficult

to do the p 3 together in the next row. Also as row 2 and 4 start by

alternating between p 3 together and k 1, p 1, k 1, you may want to keep a

piece of paper and pencil handy so you can keep your place in the work.

 

Abbreviations:  k = knit, p = purl, st = stitch

Im = Irish moss, knit over purls and purl over knits.

Trinity st: 

Row 1: P.

Row 2: K 1, p 1, k 1, all in the first st, p 2 together.

Row 3: P.

Row 4: P 3 together, k 1, p 1, k 1

 

Cast on 32 sts:

Row 1: K 1, p 1 across row

Row 2: P 1, k 1 across row you will be knitting over purled sts and purling over knit sts.

Row 3 & 4: repeat rows 1 & 2 theses 4 rows are Irish moss and make the bottom of the frame.

 

Pattern rows:

Row 1: Im4, k 2, p 20, k 2, im4.

Row 2: Im4, p 2, (k 1, p 1, k 1, all in the next st on your left hand needle, p 3 tog, repeat this 4

           times for a total of 20 sts) p 2, im4.

Row 3: Im4, k 2, p 20, k 2, im4.

Row 4: Im4, p 2, (p 3 tog, k 1, p 1, k 1, all in next st repeat 4 times) p 2, im4.

 

Repeat theses 4 rows till work measures 9 1/2 inches or same as other squares to beginning of top frame,

work next 4 rows in im and bind off.

Afghan Square Project: Square 4 -HoneyComb Square

 

This is the last in the afghan square series. It is framed with Irish moss

with an inner frame of purled stitches to make it stand out. It is the same

pattern stitch used as the center panel for the sweater in my book so if you

have done up the sweater this will be very familiar to you. It is one of my

favorites. The honeycomb is worked over 8 stitches over 8 rows.

The materials used and the frame is the same as the previous squares.

See square 1, for materials etc.

 

Abbreviations: k = knit, p = purl, st = stitch(es), Im = Irish moss, knit over knits

and purl over purls, C4b = cable 4 back, slip the next 2 stitches onto your cable

needle leave at back of work. Knit next 2 sts. From your left hand needle then

knit the 2 sts from cable needle. C4 f= cable 4 front, slip next 2 stitches unto

your cable needle leave at front of your work, knit 2 sts from your left hand

needle then knit the 2 sts. from your cable needle.

     

 

Cast on 32 sts.

Row 1: K 1, p 1 across.

Row 2: P 1, k 1 across, you will be knitting over the purls and purling over the knits.

Row 3 & 4: repeat rows 1 & 2 these 4 rows complete the bottom of the outer frame.

Row 5: Im4, p 24, im4.

Row 6: Im4, k 24, im4, these 2 rows complete the bottom of your inner frame.

 

Pattern rows:

Row 1: Im4, p 4, k 16, p 4, im4.

Row 2: Im4, k 4, p 16, k 4, im4.

Row 3: Im4, p 4, cb4, cf4, cb4, cf4, p 4, im4.

Row 4: Im4, k 4, p 16, k 4, im4.

Row 5: Im4, p 4, k 16, p 4, im4.

Row 6: Im4, k 4, p 16, k 4, im4.

Row 7: Im4, p 4, cf4, cb4, cf4, cb4, p 4, im4.

Row 8: Im4, k 4, p 16, k 4, im4.

 

Repeat these rows till work measures 9 inches then begin top frame.

Next row: Im4, p 24, im4.

Finish with 4 im rows to make top frame. Bind off.

Putting it all together

 

Below is an illustration of how I put my squares together. However you can change this order to suit yourself. As I have said before nothing on theses pages is written in stone. For instance, if you really like one square you could make the whole afghan in just one square or any combination you prefer.

 

I crocheted mine together but you can sew them together if you want. The crochet makes a ridge I like when worked on the front side of the afghan. It will give a smooth appearance to the backside. If you prefer the smooth side on the front just work the crochet from the back.

 

 

I used a size I (as in Ida) crochet hook.

 

Study your square, you will notice that along the sides it appears as a little knot and a loop, a knot and a loop all along the side. I crocheted through the loops placing my needle under both strands of the loop for more strength. 

With wrong sides together, run your crochet hook through the first set of stitches on your square. Bring through a loop. Then crochet 1 stitch in the loop, Wrap your yarn around the needle 1 time and go into the next loop of your square. Bring the yarn through you will now have 3 strands of yarn on your needle. Crochet off 2 you will have 2 strands left, crochet off theses 2 strands, continue in this manner to end of square and bind off by cutting the yarn and bringing it through the last loop on your needle.

If you would like a printed out copy of any of these patterns please send $1.00 US and a
Self Addressed Stamped Envelope to me, request ATTN: Afghan Square 1, 2, 3 or 4
.

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