Saturday, January 11, 2014

Free Pattern: Ally Square

Okay, folks.  I finally have the itch to offer something as a design.
It's a colorwork chart!  (What?! I know.)  There's lots of talk going on about the Olympics being held in Russia next month, what with their human-rights-violating legislation...  SO in support of the LGBTQ community worldwide (especially any brave LGBTQ athletes competing in Sochi this year -- some protests are about being visible):

ALLY SQUARE 
Intermediate colorwork chart from the straight ally flag
©2014 Big Knitting Trouble. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


MATERIALS 
  • approx 65-100 yards of worsted weight plied yarn in the appropriate colors: black, white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple + additional color of choice for text
  • US #8/5mm knitting needles (straight OR 16-inch circular)
  • Tapestry needle (for weaving in all the ends!)
Gauge: 15 sts/22 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Recommended needle size and gauge suggestions are for achieving an 8” x 8” square; your mileage may vary.

Please note: the square, as knit according to the instructions below, will curl a LOT; please take this into consideration when planning its final destination (seaming it into a blanket with other squares, edged in garter stitch or single crochet border for a stand-alone thing, etc.). 

DIRECTIONS
Cast on 31 stitches using a long-tail cast on.  Follow 44-row colorwork chart. Bind off.
  • The “ALLY ” text is loosely stranded using any contrasting color (aqua in the sample)
  • The rainbow sections alternate with striped black and white, achieved through intarsia
click to embiggen
Approximate yardage for each color:
Red: 1-2 yards; Orange: 3-5 yards; Yellow: 5-8 yards; Green: 8-12 yards; Blue: 8-13 yards; Purple: 8-13 yards; White: 8-13 yards; Black: 21-30 yards; Text:  4-7 yards

FINISHING
Block gently.  Weave in all ends.

3 comments:

Chrissy said...

What a fabulous design. I think it would make a great centre panel for a bag.

Cecilie said...

My friend, who has a transson, just asked me to make a set of potholders for her ... I think I will try it out with this, substituting the rainbow with the transgender colours.
Only, a potholder should be equally neat on both sides, so will have to think about backsides. ..
Maybe knit four squares and sow them together two and two?

And another pair of potholders to symbolize her daughter. A cat, maybe. She loves cats. (who doesn't?)

Cecilie said...

And to avoid curl, I will just use garter stitch-