Section VI finished. Only two sections left to complete.

June 28, 2013

Square 41
Bias Stripes
Backside

Square 41
Bias Stripes
Frontside

Bias knitting may be used with any sort of pattern. Bias squares worked in mosaic patterns, for example, make interesting pillows and bags; bias stripes make attractive neckties, scarves and stoles. Whole garments can be shaped with bias knitting. The principle is always the same: beginning at one corner, single increases are made every other row on both sides until one edge is the desired width; then, to maintain the bias, one side is decreased, the other continues to increase, to the desired length; then both sides are decreased for a straight edge at the top. Any kind of single increases or single decreases may be used.

June 30, 2013

Today is Sunday and the last day of the month. I finished another square just before bedtime. I didn't knit yesterday at all because Steve and I spent the whole day together working on building the deck. So I actually knitted the square over a two day period.

Square 42
Ripple

Ripple knitting is almost a separate technique in itself. The basic increase-and-decrease pattern can be varied with any sort of color combination and with wrong-side rows either knitted or purled, or some of each; and the number of stitches to a repeat may be different. There could be, for instance, 4 stitches between the double increases and the double decreases (a multiple of 12), or 5 stitches (a multiple of 14), or 6 stitches (a multiple of 16), etc.; there could be some repeats wider than other in the same piece.

Patterns of this type cause the cast-on and bound-off edges to form scallops. This might create a bit of a problem in joining this square into the afghan, but it can be flattened out well enough.

July 1, 2013

Square 43
Trinity Stitch

 Trinity Stitch, also known as Cluster Stitch, Bramble Stitch, Blackberry Stitch and several other names, is a classic Aran texture pattern often used along with cables in fisherman sweaters. It makes interesting panels in otherwise plain garments, and has become one of the most popular of the "nubby" increase-and-decrease patterns.

July 2, 2013

Square 44
Cocoon Stitch

 Although the knit ribs in this handsome texture pattern are worked straight up, notice how the 5-stitch increases and decreases draw them into graceful curves framing the purled "cocoons".

July 3, 2013

Square 45
Bobble and Leaf

 This square demonstrates two popular increase-and-decrease formations: the bobble, which is worked by increasing in one stitch and making several short rows over the increased stitches before decreasing; and the embossed leaf, which is worked by increasing at one spot throughout several rows, then decreasing throughout several more. Both formations have many variations. A bobble, requiring only one stitch and one row for its completion, can be placed anywhere. It is often used as a decoration for cable patterns. The embossed leaf can be used in panels or in border bands, as well as all over the fabric.

Not all the rows in this pattern maintain the same number of stitches You'll find that Rows 5 through 9 and 15 through 19 have 2 stitches less per repeat, reducing the multiple to 12. This is not at all uncommon in increase-and-decrease patterns; in fact, it is more usual than not. If starting or stopping such a pattern on one of its off-count rows, it must take into consideration this kind of a change in multiple.

July 5, 2013

Square 46
Reverse Fern Stitch

 Double increases arranged in a continuous vertical line, as shown in the lower half of each diamond-shaped motif in this pattern, make the best kind of shaping for the raglan "seams" of a seamless sweater yoke worked form the neck down. There are at least a dozen different methods for shaping such a raglan yoke with different kinds of increases but this pattern, showing stitches fanning out from the increase lines, gives you the basic idea.

July 6, 2013

Square 47
Inchworm

 This a good example of the type of pattern that increases a lot of stitches al at once, then gradually decreases them away on subsequent rows. This is what causes the bunching - thus the "inchworms".

July 7, 2013

Square 48
Vine Leaf Panel

This beautiful increase-and-decrease panel makes a striking decoration for a sweater front or sleeve, and you can place it anywhere, just by setting two markers 26 stitches apart as shown in this square. Notice that the Stockinette edge stitches that adjoin the panel are knitted in back every right-side row, as directed in Row 2. This is a designer's trick to prevent these stitches from becoming too loose, as they are sometimes inclined to do when placed next to purl stitches in this way. It's worth remembering for future projects.

This completes Section VI. And now I'm ready to start Section VII - Lace, the first of the last two sections required for finishing all the squares required for the afghan.