Questions posted in comments here on the blog or via email (cauchycomplete at gmail dot com) are welcome at all times. I’ll answer most of them in a timely fashion. Here’s a collection of recent frequently asked questions. Seems like it’ll be good to do one of these posts every so often.
A. When will you post a pattern for the Synchopated Blanket?
Never. If you visit the link, you’ll find all the info you need to knit a one-of-a-kind improvisational blanket of your own. If you can knit garter stitch and sew a seam, then you have all the necessary skills. Use your imagination and follow your instincts.
B. Is the title of the post the pattern for the bias square blanket? And how do you make it smaller?
Yes. Here is a detailed recipe. You’ll need your row and stitch gauge to be about the same to make a square.
1. Gather up a ton of yarn.
2. CO 4 st.
3. sl1wyif, kfb, k to last st, ktb
4. Repeat step 3 until the side length is the final length desired.
5. For two rows: sl1wyif, k to last st, ktb
6. sl1wyif, ssk, k to last st, ktb
7. Repeat step 6 until only 4 st remain.
8. Bind off.
9. If desired, add an applied i-cord.
10. Snuggle up.
C. What is a “usable” yarn scrap? In particular, how much yarn does each square take in the scrappy square blanket? And how do you organize your yarn scraps?
It depends. I use scraps that are at least 12″ long in this blanket, but I am also knitting scrappy squares. To make a solid 10st mitered square using Knitpicks Wool of the Andes worsted wool and US5 sticks, it takes me 2g or 4.5yds of yarn. But generally speaking, I’ll use any scrap that’s at least 6″–in a variety of projects. I tend to knit them up quickly, so I don’t have to manage a “collection” of yarn scraps at all. (I really wish using fabric scraps could be as efficient.)
Any other questions?
What’s so fascinating to me is that I find using fabric scraps easier to wrap my head around than using yarn scraps. Hm. Maybe I should just send all my yarn scraps your way. I’m sure you don’t mind being BURIED IN SCRAPS. Heh.
Love the first sentence of your first answer: NEVER. :)
I agree with Julie, fabric scraps are much easier for me to understand. 12 inches of yarn. How would you keep little yarn bits like that from getting into a big snarl.
Never – such a great answer! almost as good as your improvisation blankets.
I love your never answer too. I never really understand why one would want a pattern for something improvised. Much easier to improvise than trying to follow a pattern for something like that. All that said I do have one question…….what type of seaming did you use(this probably shows my lack of knitting expertise)? Again, I just love your blanket.
Wonderful post.
But then, most of yours are.
yrs fannily,
gale
ps as fannily as in “fan club”, not as in “like my ass”.
Ha ha, I’m in Gale’s fanninly club too. You and your blankets are awesome.
>>Use your imagination and follow your instincts.
My favourite kind of recipe.
Fannily votre, in QC, Canada, –KAF
so does this mean there is no pattern for the syncopated blanket? heh.
can you point me to any links that explain the system you have for dealing with yarn ends on your scrappy square blanket? i’m intrigued!