The Block 5 CHAINS of our “12 blocks of Xmas” blanket requires concentration when working in it. This is due to the lack of “rest rows”, as I call rows that are all k stitches or all p stitches. The pattern has 10 rows that demand your full attention. And, it also has the 4-sts edge we encountered before in block 3.
So, as a general advice, I recommend that you do not try to make it while watching the last season of House of Cards. I say it from experience… I tried and failed 4 times before turning off Netflix and going back to my audiobook (“Mythos”, by Stephen Fry, in case you wonder).
Another thing that I wanted to draw your attention to is that this square has an elastic structure. In order to stretch it, you need to iron it or block it. All 12 squares should be blocked before assembling the blanket (a topic that I will cover a little later), but if you are intrigued by the blocking technique and can’t wait for my post, you can read more information in this article by Purl Soho. For now, be aware that you need to stretch it across before measuring its length (to check if it reached 9.25’’ (23.5 cm) and you should knit the top edge).
I hope you’re all enjoying the KAL so far!
xo,
Cecilia
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.
The entire pattern is below.
You can now purchase the the entire “12 Blocks for Xmas” pattern collection (12 different patterns) HERE or in my ETSY shop HERE. The high quality PDF file includes:
ABBREVIATIONS
– 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, 1 STOCKINETTE STITCH, Chains Stitch over 39 sts, 1 STOCKINETTE STITCH, 3 garter sts (see the stitch glossary below) until you have a total length of 9.25’’ (23.5 cm).
I knitted 6 times the Chains pattern complete + rows 1 to 7.
– Knit 4 rows.
– Bind off with US 8 (5 mm) needle. Cut yarn and weave in ends.
k all sts, all rows.
RS: k all sts
WS: p all sts
Alternate those 2 rows.
(Over a multiple of 8 sts. I added 7 more sts to adjust for our needed 39.)
Repeat instructions between brackets as many times as needed. For this block, repeat them a total of 4 times, horizontally.
Row 1) [p1, k1, p2, k3, p1], p1, k1, p2, k3
Row 2) p3, k2, p1, k1, [k1, p3, k2, p1, k1]
Row 3) [p1, k1, p3, k1, p2], p1, k1, p3, k1, p1
Row 4) k1, p1, k3, p1, k1, [k2, p1, k3, p1, k1]
Row 5) [k3, p2, k1, p2], k3, p2, k1, p1
Row 6) k1, p1, k2, p3, [k2, p1, k2, p3]
Row 7) [k3, p2, k1, p2], k3, p2, k1, p1
Row 8) k1, p1, k3, p1, k1, [k2, p1, k3, p1, k1]
Row 9) [p1, k1, p3, k1, p2], p1, k1, p3, k1, p1
Row 10) p3, k2, p1, k1, [k1, p3, k2, p1, k1]