DIY Network

Felt Backgammon Board Let the games begin with this colorful gameboard. From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-609

Gear up for game day with a fun project that can serve as a gameboard or a tote bag motif!

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This backgammon board is knitted as one piece then felted.

Knitty Gritty guest Tina Whitmore, owner of Knitwhits, knits a backgammon board using short rows to incorporate the gameboard triangles.

Materials:
yarn - Cascade 220 and Cascade 220 Quattro
   2 skeins of Green (#8903) for background (A)
   1 skein of Deep Pink Quattro (#9438) for triangle (B)
   1 skein of Purple Quattro (#5015) for triangle (C)
   1 skein of Pink Quattro (#5012) for game pieces (D)
   1 skein of Orange Quattro (#5011) for game pieces (E)

Gauge
4 sts per inch

Definitions
K = Knit
P = Purl
Slip 1 = slip one stitch from the left needle to the right needle
K wrap (K2 wraps) = Knit wrapped stitch(es) with regular stitch: with right needle pick up next stitch, with left needle pick up wrapped stitch and place on right needle, slide both stitches onto left needle and K2tog (K3tog).
P wrap (P2 wraps) = Purl wrapped stitch(es) with regular stitch: Pick up next stitch with right needle, pick up wrapped stitch with left needle and place on right needle, slide both stitches back onto left hand needle and P2tog through the back loop (P3tog tbl)

Board
Using 6mm needles and yarn A, CO 54 sts.
Row 1: K
Row 2: P
Row 3: K
Row 4: P
Row 5: K48, yarn forward (yf), slip 1, yarn to back (yb), turn.
Row 6: Slip 1, P42, yb, slip 1, yf, turn.
Row 7: Slip 1, K36, yf, slip1, yb, turn.
Row 8: Slip 1, P30, yb, slip 1, yf, turn.
Row 9: Slip 1, K24, yf, slip1, yb, turn.
Row 10: Slip 1, P18, yb, slip 1, yf, turn.
Row 11: Slip 1, K12, yf, slip1, yb, turn.

Figure A

Row 12: Slip 1, P6, yb, slip 1, yf, turn (figure A).
Row 13: Slip 1, K6 yarn A, join yarn C and *K wrap, K5, rep from * to end.

Figure B

Rows 14-23 are worked in yarn C as follows (figure B:
Row 14: P18, yb, slip 1, yf, turn
Rows 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23: Slip 1, K to end
Row 16: P12, yb, slip 1, yf, turn.
Row 18: P6, yb, slip 1, yf, turn.
Row 20: P6, P wrap, P5, yb, slip 1, yf, turn.
Row 22: P12, P2 wraps, P5, yb, slip 1, yf, turn.
Row 24: P18, P2 wraps, P5 with yarn C, break yarn. P6 with yarn A, join yarn B and *P wrap, P5, rep from * to end.

Figure C

Rows 25-34 are worked in yarn B as follows (figure C):
Row 25: K18, yf, slip 1, yb, turn.
Rows 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34: Slip 1, P to end.
Row 27: K12, yf, slip 1, yb, turn.
Row 29: K6, yf, slip 1, yb, turn.
Row 31: K6, K wrap, K5, yf, slip 1, yb, turn.
Row 33: K12, K2 wraps, K5, yf, slip 1, yb, turn.
Row 35: K18, K2 wraps, K5, break yarn B. With yarn A, K12, yf, slip 1, yb, turn
Row 36: Slip 1, P18, yb, slip 1, yf, turn.
Row 37: Slip 1, K18, K wrap, K5, yf, slip 1, yb, turn.
Row 38: Slip 1, P 24, P wrap, P5, yb, slip 1, yf, turn.
Row 39: Slip 1, K 30, K wrap, K5, yf, slip 1, yb, turn.
Row 40: Slip 1, P 36, P wrap, P5, yb, slip 1, yf, turn.
Row 41: Slip 1, K 42, K wrap, K to end.
Row 42: P 48, P wrap, P to end.
Pattern rows 43-82 are worked as pattern rows 3-42, but positions of triangles from yarns C and B are switched to duplicate alternating triangles of backgammon board.
Work rows 3-82 two more times.
Join D, K 2 rows, join E, K 2 rows, alternate 2 rows each in K of D and E once more, finish with 2 more rows in D.
Work rows 3-82 three more times.
Work rows 1-4 one time.
Cast off in yarn A.

Figure D

Game Pieces (make 15 each in yarns D and E - figure D)
Work 7" in 4 st I-cord. Felt cords at same time as backgammon board. They will shrink to about 6" long.

Figure E

Wind each into a flat spiral (figure E) and tack securely into shape.

Before felting, the backgammon board will measure approximately 13-1/2" wide and 42" long. After felting it should measure approximately 12" x 26". To achieve these measurements, form the board to a flat, even shape. The ends may flare and be wider than the center, so stretch and push into shape where necessary. Check measurements as you are felting so as not to over-felt.

Figure F

From Backgammon Board to Tote Bag (figure F)
Complete backgammon board as instructed above.
Make 2 side panels and 2 straps as follows:
Cast on 60 sts in yarn D, work 2 rows in K, join E, and work 2 rows in K, alternate 2 rows each in K of yarns D and E once more, work two more rows in yarn D, cast off. Felt all pieces before attaching to purse edges to ensure accurate sizing.

Align each side panel with central striped panel of backgammon board and board side edges, sew side seams. Attach one strap to board edge and at top to form strap. If desired, make one game piece in either yarns D or E and use as button on outside of tote bag, make one 6" I-cord in contrasting color and attach to tote on opposite top edge to form a loop and closure around button.

RESOURCES :
patterns and kits - Knitwhits
Knitwhits
Website: www.knitwhits.com

GUESTS :
Tina Whitmore
E-mail: tina@knitwhits.com
Website: www.knitwhits.com