DIY Network

Family Affair: Family Afghan Quilt Multigenerational knitters share a wealth of combined knowledge. From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-501

It's all in the family as three generations of knitters join forces to create sampler afghans filled with a wide variety of blocks that will inspire generations to come.

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Materials:

Crystal Palace "Iceland" Yarn (100g balls):
  3 balls Fuschia (#1219)
  3 balls Strawberry Pink (#4891)
  10 balls Candy Combo (#7254)
  1 ball Red Cerise (#0008)
knitting needles - U.S. size 10.5 (10") or size needed to obtain gauge of 3 sts = 1" in garter st
crochet hook, size K 10-1/2
tapestry needle

Squares Overview
Make a total of 36, 8" squares. Create 12 square using the garter stitch and 4 squares using each of the additional stitches listed below.

Garter Stitch Square

Garter Stitch Square (Make 12)
Gauge: 3 sts = 1"

Cast on 24 sts using size 10-3/4 needles in Candy Combo (#7254) yarn. K every stitch until piece measures 8". Bind off loosely.

Make 12 alike.

	Loopy Square
	Figure A

Loopy Square (Make 4)
Gauge: 3 sts = 1"
Loops are created every other stitch on both sides of the work over a garter stitch base.

Cast on 24sts using size 10-3/4 needles in Pumpkin (#0022) yarn.
Row 1: K2, * K1 but keep stitch on left needle, wyif wrap yarn around right thumb, wyib K original stitch again, this time letting it off the left needle. Pass the 2nd stitch on the right needle over the 1st stitch, as though binding off. K1. Repeat from * to the end of the row (figure A).
Repeat row 1 until piece measures 8". Bind off loosely.
For variation, you can vary the size of the loop by holding your thumb farther away from the needle or wrapping the yarn around the loop more than once.

Make 4 alike.

Basic Faggotting Square

Basic Faggotting Square (Make 4)
Gauge: 3 sts = 1"

Cast on 24 sts using size 10-3/4 needles in Pumpkin yarn (#0022).
Row 1: K1, *yo, ssk (slip 1, K1, pass slipped st over). Repeat from * to the end of the row. End K1.
Repeat this row until piece measures 8". Bind off loosely.

Make 4 alike.

	Hurdle Stitch Square
	Figure B

Hurdle Stitch Square (Make 4)
Gauge: 3-1/2 sts = 1"

Cast on 28 sts using size 10 ½ needles in 4891 Strawberry Pink.
Rows 1 and 2: K.
Rows 3 and 4: K1, P1 (figure B)
Repeat these 4 rows until piece measures 8". Bind off loosely.

Make 4 alike.

Checkerboard Square

Checkerboard Square (Make 4)
Gauge: 3-1/2 sts = 1"

Cast on 28 sts using size 10 ½ needles in Strawberry Pink 4891.
Rows 1 – 5: K7, P7, K7, P7.
Rows 6 – 10: P7, K7, P7, K7.
Repeat these 10 rows 3 times or until piece measures 8". Bind off loosely.

Make 4 alike.

Popcorn Stitch Square

Popcorn Square (Make 4)
Gauge: 3 sts = 1"
This stitch is easiest to do using two contrasting colors. Make 4 squares alternating the colors used for main and for contrast as follows:
Square 1: Main = Fuschia yarn (#1219) and Contrasting = Candy Combo (#7254)
Square 2: Main = Candy Combo (#7254) and Contrasting = Fuschia (#1219)
Squares 3 and 4: Main and Contrasting = Fuschia (#1219)

Cast on 23 sts using size 10 ½ needles in main color Fuschia (#1219).
Join contrasting color Candy Combo (#7254).
Row 1: Using contrasting color, K.
Row 2: Using contrasting color, P.
Rows 3 and 5: Using main color, K.
Rows 4 and 6: Using main color, P.
Row 7: Using contrasting color, K1, *drop next st down to most recent row in contrast, insert needle in loop of st and under the four threads of the main color and knit the st, K3. Repeat from * to the end of the row. End K1.
Row 8: Using contrasting color, P.
Rows 9 and 11: Using main color, K.
Rows 10 and 12: Using main color, P.
Row 13: Using contrasting color, K3, then repeat from * as in Row 7.
Row 14: Using contrasting color, P.
Repeat rows 3 to 14 until piece measures 8". Bind off loosely.

Bramble Stitch Square

Bramble Stitch Square (Make 4)
Gauge is 3-3/4 sts = 1"

Cast on 30 sts using size 10 ½ needles in Fuschia (#1219).
Row 1: P.
Row 2: K1, * (K1, P1, K1) into next st. Repeat from * to the end of the row. End K1. Repeat until piece measures 8". Bind off loosely.

Make 4 alike.

Finishing
Arrange the squares in a pleasing pattern. There will be 6 rows of squares each. Use a blunt tapestry needle to sew up all squares. Sew 6 squares of each row together first then sew six rows together to complete the blanket. Work the perimeter of the finished afghan in single crochet to finish the edges.

RESOURCES :

Crystal Palace Yarns
Wholesale only; list of distributors on their Website.
Website: www.crystalpalaceyarns.com or www.straw.com

GUESTS :
Betsy McCall
E-mail: betsy@shizknits.com
Website: www.shizknits.com