UPDATE January 2020
The entire pattern is below.
You can also purchase the pattern in a high quality PDF file for $1 HERE or in my Etsy Shop HERE. Use code OHLALANA in my Etsy Shop to get a 50% off discount (because is $2 there). The PDF file includes:
- gauge/tension info and materials
- written instructions
- charted instructions
- row-by-row CONTROL TABLE: specially prepared for novice knitters, with integrated instructions for the block pattern AND edge stitches, to avoid confusion. You can use the table cells to check each row as you finish it, and there is a column for every repeat of the pattern you need to make according to the instructions. A great resource to print and check your progress as you knit.
You can also purchase the entire “12 Blocks for Xmas” collection (12 different patterns) for $9 HERE.
Happy Monday!!
Did you have a good weekend? I did, beautiful. In addition to knitting and planning some new things, I played a lot with my son, mostly to volleyball and soccer. My waist did not thank me very much, but we had a lot of fun 😊 I also dedicated myself to work on the design for my new logo. I still have to finish it, but for now it seems to be on track. And I saw many # 1 blocks out there, both in Ravelry and Instagram! It is exciting that so many people have joined my “12 blocks for Xmas” project, I feel overflowing with gratitude.
I received several questions about how I plan to joining of the blocks when they are all finished. So, I bring the query to this post where there are probably more people reading. I have planned two ways: simple sewing and crochet union. If someone has more ideas, they can share them in the comments below. You might already realized that I read them all! 😉 I will try to summarize here the ones I received regarding construction and/or sewing of the blanket, in case you decide to adopt some:
- Don’t close the blocks and make 3 needle bind off two by two. Less sewing at the end.
- Knit the blanket in strips, instead of blocks. That is, instead of closing the stitches of block 1, leave them waiting on the needle to continue with block 2 there. I recommend in this case to add an odd number of k rows (1, 3, 5… your choice!) between blocks to replace the binding off and casting off rows lost.
- Make the blanket in one piece, without seams. In this case, you would have to wait for the blocks 1, 2 and 3 to be published, and make them at the same time.
As more ideas come up, I will also share them here to you reach you all.
Happy knitting!
Cecilia
BLOCK 2: ROOF TILES
ABBREVIATIONS
- CO: cast on
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- st: stitch
- k: knit
- p: purl
INSTRUCTIONS
– CO 47 sts with US 8 (5 mm) needles.
– With US 7 (4.5 mm) needles, knit 4 rows.
– Continue working as follows:
3 garter sts, Roof Tiles Stitch over 41 sts, 3 garter sts (see the stitch glossary below) until you have a total length of 9.25’’ (23.5 cm).
I knitted 4 times the Roof Tiles pattern complete + rows 1 to 11.
– Knit 4 rows.
– Bind off with US 8 (5 mm) needle. Cut yarn and weave in ends.
STITCH GLOSSARY
Garter Stitch
k all sts, all rows.
Roof Tiles Stitch
(Over a multiple of 12 sts. I added 5 sts more to adjust for our needed 41)
Repeat instructions between brackets as many times as needed. For this block, repeat them a total of 3 times, horizontally.
Row 1) k all row
Row 2) p5, [(k1, p5) x 2]
Row 3) k all row
Row 4) k5, [k1, p5, k6]
Row 5) k all row
Row 6) idem 4 —> k5, [k1, p5, k6]
Row 7) k all row
Row 8) idem 2 —> p5, [(k1, p5) x 2]
Row 9) k all row
Row 10) idem 2 —> p5, [(k1, p5) x 2]
Row 11) k all row
Row 12) p5, [k7, p5]
Row 13) k all row
Row 14) idem 12 —> p5, [k7, p5]
Roof Tiles Stitch – CHART
- Read all odd rows from right to left, and all even rows from left to right.
- Repeat the grey painted part as many times as the pattern calls for (3 times horizontally in the case of this block).
You were asking about joining. I know there twelve squares. my plan is to make strips with a plain block in a contrasting color in stockinette between them
Great, Pam, you’ll end up with a big blanket.
Tomorrow I need to buy yarn and get my white cotton. I think I’ll also knit my second one in strips, I’m happy to skip some sewing 😀
Please forgive my ignorance but what does idem stand for?
I’m glad you asked, Stephanie, more people could be also wonderning… “Idem” is latin for “the same”. We use the expression here a lot, maybo not so much in other places 🙂
So, when I say “idem 2” it means “do the same as row 2”.
Thank you for your question!
*maybe 😀
Thank You for the explanation.
ow, wow! that IS funny! yes, a coincidence!!on today’s pattern, row 14:
Row 14) idem —> p5, [k7, p5] it should say “idem 12 — p5, [k7, p5] is that right?I hadn’t used the term before, but I believe I got the hang of it!thanks so much for letting us use your pattern – I’m excited to have something so original to share with our group!thank you,Linda!
| OhLaLana! posted: “Happy Monday!!Did you have a good weekend? I did, beautiful. In addition to knitting and planning some new things, I played a lot with my son, mostly to volleyball and soccer. My waist did not thank me very much, but we had a lot of fun I also dedicate” | |
Well spotted, Linda!! I’ll correct it right away.
And thanks to you for sharing 🙂
Novice knitter checking in again. I’m finding it difficult to follow the pattern because you give instructions for the roof tile stitch below the pattern instructions. I would think it would be easier to follow if you put it all together: Row 1 — 3 garter sts; k all sts; 3 garter sts. Row 2 — 3 garter sts; p5; etc. Why not just list the 3 garter sts as k3. Also, I find it confusing to see “idem 2” and then having the row instructions included. Maybe by the end of the series I’ll find it easier to jump around the page but, for now, it’s very confusing to me. Still appreciate the opportunity to knit along!
Thanks for the feedback, Sandra. It is true what you say. I’ve been knitting so long ago that I forgot how confusing it was to have to follow several instructions at the same time. Right now I’m going to put together the file row by row for all those who find it useful. And I’ll go back here to let you know that I uploaded it.
Thank you!!
All set! I just uploaded the new document. It’s at the end of this post.
Hi – I like the idea of knitting in strips. Is there anything to the pattern that would make this a problem? Thanks 🙂
No, nothing that I can think of.
The only advantage of knitting the blocks separately is that you can then decide their distribution before sewing them.
Thank you for the nice idea and pattern…Are you releasing only one pattern per week? The knitting goes fast…I was hoping to complete the whole blanket way before Christmas :0(
Hello there! I’m releasing 2 per week (every Monday and Thursday). You can find more info in the introduction: https://ohlalana.com/2018/10/31/12-blocks-for-xmas-a-free-blanket-of-blocks/
Thank you!
I am confused by the X 2 on rows 2, 8 and 10. Aren’t there more repeats to end of row than 2?
I also wonder if there shouldn’t be an extra row 2 to get the garter block end half way up the next block? All of the other pattern rows have 2 repeats.
Just checking!!
Thanks for these interesting blocks!! My gauge is way off from yours. I had to,go down a needle size and am still way big!!
Hi Paula! x2 means “do 2 times what is between parentheses”. It’s a contracted way of writing [k1, p5, k1, p5]. It’s good to know that you find it confusing; I won’t use it in the following patterns 🙂
You lost me at your second question, I’m sorry. Where do you think it should be another row 2? I tested the pattern and didn’t find any mistakes…
You’re welcome!! Thank you for joining my KAL community!! 😀
Yes, gauge / tension is so very particular to each knitter! You’ll notice than even using same yarn and needles your own tension will vary over the years.
Thank you so much for providing the row-by-row pattern for the Roof Tile block. It is so helpful (to me!) to have the pattern instructions in one place.
You’re welcome, I’m happy you find it helpful 😀