Block 4 and “Breathe” Block

Good morning!! Block 4 of our “12 blocks of Xmas” blanket is ready. And it is not alone!

Before we dive into knitting

As many of you have noticed, I was renewing my page, ordering articles and doing everything in the site more to my liking and easier to navigate.

That’s why in these last few days some of you stumbled upon out-of-service pages, broken links, or outdated download documents.

I apologize for the inconveniences that I could have caused with my work behind the scenes of OhLaLana!’s website!

Therefore I wanted to thank everyone for their patience. ❤

Are you enjoying this MKAL so far? I updated the “12 blocks for Xmas” post, with photos of each block sorted by date, where you will always be able to find the links to the patterns for each block.

The patterns (yes, plural)

Some of you are struggling with one of the patterns, or are stuck, or knitted and frogged a block several times. I know. We talked about it.

Breathe.

There are times when it is hard for us to focus. Or we are in a moment of our lives in which we have low spirits. Or we are just starting to learn! I believe that in those moments, more than inaction, the best thing to shake off frustration and bad humor is to undertake a simpler task. I find that helps me put the rest of things in perspective. And to lift my spirits, since it is highly probable that I will achieve the purpose of finishing that simple task. Then, with the renewed energy, recharged, I dedicate myself again to the initial one that I was finding impossible.

And most of the time it becomes possible.

It is not an infallible method to achieve any craft, but most of the time it works for me.

That is why I give you a second option today. So that, in case you need it, you can use it. Either to replace today’s block, or any other. Because I do not want any of you to get lost along the way, nor to leave the KAL if you really like it. My goal is that if you want to make the blanket, you make the blanket. The hard work will be yours, but this is my way to help and send good vibes.

All right. Let’s get to it, shall we?

Love,

Cecilia

You just find this MKAL?

Don’t worry, you can start now! Look for more info in the following page: “12 Blocks for Xmas” A new free knitting project to make a blanket in blocks.

You’re also welcome to join our Ravelry group.

BLOCK 4: Diamond Padding

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, Diamond Padding 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 8 times the Diamond Padding pattern complete + rows 1 to 3.

– 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.

Diamond Padding Stitch

(Over a multiple of 4 sts. I added 1 more st to adjust for our needed 41.)

Repeat instructions between brackets as many times as needed. For this block, repeat them a total of 10 times, horizontally.

Row 1) [k1, p1, k1, p1], k1

Row 2) p1, [k1, p1, k1, p1]

Row 3) [p1, k3], p1

Row 4) k1, [p3, k1]

Row 5) [k1, p1, k1, p1], k1

Row 6) p1, [k1, p1, k1, p1]

Row 7) [k2, p1, k1], k1

Row 8) p1, [p1, k1, p2]

Diamond Padding 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 (10 times horizontally in the case of this block).

DOWNLOAD the print-friendly version below:

BLOCK 4 – Printer Friendly

BLOCK 4 ROW BY ROW – Printer Friendly

EXTRA BLOCK: Breathe

☝

Click the link to go to the pattern.