Oh La Lana! Knitting Blog
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12 BLOCKS for XMAS: A FREE BLANKET OF BLOCKS
UPDATE 2019
I recently published the revised version of my BEGINNER SAMPLER BLANKET (the one made during my “12 Blocks for Xmas” KAL. All block patterns will remain free in my blog, but you can buy the entire PDF with some additional features in my Etsy Shop (enter coupon code 12BLOCKS for a 50% off price), and here in my blog too.
Hello there, and Happy Halloween!
Today I want to tell you about a new free project: to knit a blanket in blocks. I’m so excited to share my first mystery KAL (Knit-ALong)!! 🙂
Let me explain how it works.
I designed 12 blocks that I will share every Monday and Thursday, for 6 weeks. The first one will be published tomorrow, November 1st. The last one is scheduled to be released on Monday, December 10th. So, whether to make a Christmas gift or to welcome the winter, we will finish with plenty of time to catch up if we fell behind with the knitting. And to assemble the blanket, of course.
What do you think? Would you like to join me? I give you more details…
I named the blanket “12 Blocks for Xmas”.
All the blocks share the same characteristics:
- have the same number of sts
- have the same number of rows
- they’re knitted with the same needle size
- require a skill level of BEGINNER (only use knits and purls!)
Of course, in addition to using them as blocks for the blanket, they are also great patterns to use as dishcloths / washcloths.
Each one is approximately 10” x 10” (25 cm x 25 cm) in size. So, if you only knit 1 of each, at the end of the 6 weeks of work it will be possible for you to assemble a Stroller / Baby size blanket. And, if you want to produce a larger blanket, you can choose your favorite patterns and knit more than one of them.
During the design process, I knitted them in different colors (so that it would not be so boring to see them on the screen 😉 ) but, as I publish them I intend to make all again in white cotton yarn. Because I wanted to make for myself a white blanket for a long time!!
I hope you like the idea and join me in this new project!
If you do, I would love to see your results! You can upload them to Ravelry or share them on Instagram (if you want to follow me, you can find me as @ohlalana.designs) with the tags #ohlalanadesigns #freeblanketofblocks #12blocksforXmas #freeblanketKAL
See you tomorrow here for our FIRST BLOCK!!
GET READY with the following materials
MATERIALS
- 1 straight needle US 8 (5 mm) for Casting on and Binding Off sts.
- 1 pair of straight needles US 7 (4.5 mm).
- For EACH BLOCK: approx. 95 yds (87 m) of worsted / aran yarn. OR 190 yds (174 m) of fingering or sport yarn USED DOUBLE.
- Tapestry needle to weave in yarn ends and scissors.
GAUGE
18.5 sts x 25 rows in stocking st with US 7 (4.5 mm) needles = 4” x 4” (10 cm x 10 cm)
This sounds like so much fun. Can’t wait.
Thank you for joining!!
This will be good
I hope so 😉 I definitely had fun during the design 🙂 See you soon!
I can’t wait!
I’m glad you join us! Just a little bit longer 🙂
Muy interesante tu propuesta !!!
¡Gracias! También podés verla en mi página en español: http://www.ohlalana.com.ar ¡Saludos!
I would like to try this – looks fun
I hope you join us!
Can’t wait
Just a few hours, Cathy, hang in there! 😛
Sounds like fun, I haven’t done a KAL in a long time, life has gotten in my way. I will be slow, I am a lefty and my left wrist up to my thumb is in a cast! But.. my fingers are free and I did manage to cast on 48 stitches! Can’t wait till Monday🙏👍😊
You made me laugh, Marianne! Your fingers being free… that’s the silver lining, right?? Blocks have 47 sts so, spot on!
No need to wait ’till Monday; the first pattern will be released in a couple of hours! Of course, you can start whenever you prefer 😉
See you around!
My first KAL. I have a lot of cotton yarn and have been trying to do a blanket in stripes with light colored yarn and different stitch patterns in each stripe but it is too cumbersome to take along with me. Your KAL sounds perfect. THANKS
Perfect timing, then, I’m happy you’ve found the KAL!
Thank you for joining us 🙂
Cant wait to get started….
Hoping to join this KAL!
Yay! The more the merrier 🙂
It’s like a knitting advent calendar! Love it and will be following along!
That’s right, Catherine! I’m happy you’re joining.
This is perfect
Was just looking for this to make for my father for Christmas. Needles and yarn at the ready!
What a nice gift for your father! I’m editing the photos, hang in there 😉
Thank you. I would love to join up.
Great, thank you for joining!
I’m totally in! 😀 This is how I’ll finally knit that blanket I’ve wanting to knit for years 🤣
Thanks for the opportunity!
One question only, will there be a Ravelry group for this?
Wonderful! Thank you for joining 😀
I never created a Ravelry group before (this is my first KAL), but I think the idea is awesome. Would you like to do it? Or want to guide me to do it?
Sounds fun. How do I make sure I get the directions for each square?
Hi there! You can check the following post: https://ohlalana.com/welcome-to-oh-la-lana-designs/12-blocks-for-xmas-a-free-blanket-of-blocks/
I’ll be updating it every time I publish a block. You can also sign up to the blog and receive the link into your email as soon as it’s released.
Cheers!
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I’d like to join!
Then, welcome! I hope you like the blocks 🙂
I have been knitting for quite awhile but this looks fun for a no brainer knit for me. We need them sometimes!
Yes we do!! And we also have the great opportunity to help others dive in in the wonderful world of knitting 😀
this looks awesome, love the first block and can’t wait to see more
Yay!!! 😀
I love this idea. And I’m glad you mentioned we could use fingering yarn held double, I bought a lot of 50 g skeins of solid fingering when it was on super duper sale and then wished I’d bought 2 of each color. But each skein = 220 yards so they will be perfect for these. Hooray!
Yay, you’re ready to start then! 😉 I hope you enjoy knitting the blocks.
Thank you for this KAL, how will the squares be joined? Is it possible (since all blocks are same number of rows and stitches) to knit it in one piece?
The blocks will be sewn, Pam. You can knit it in one piece, but will have to wait to start (let’s say you want a width of 3 blocks: you’ll have to wait for the third pattern). OR, to minimize the sewing, you can knit in stripes: start with block 1 and, instead of binding off your sts just wait to follow with the next pattern (and the next and the next id each stripe is 4 blocks long).
This sounds like fun – count me in.
Judi
Well, finally got cast on, first time since I started knitting that I can say I prefer purl stitches over the knitted. Cast will be off in 12 more days so hopefully I will be able to catch up quickly. Love the first block, can’t wait to see the next! Awesome work Oh La Lana 👍
Greetings,
Very exciting and inspiring, U R so thoughtful, appreciated your efforts making our moments a bliss, I’m taking opportunity to share this Golden chance among my Hobbites friends, Hope U would love it, Many Thanks for being there, with Lice, Geeta Rane
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