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.

 

If you would like a printed out copy of this pattern please send $1.00 US and a

Self Addressed Stamped Envelope to me, request ATTN: Square 1.

Click Here for Order Form for address information.