K's Care Square

K’s Care Square

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Designed for the “Kate’s Blankets” group on Ravelry

(http://www.ravelry.com/groups/kates-blankets)

“Making blankets for cancer patients one square at a time”

Skill Level:

Finished size: 6” square

Materials:

Worsted weight acrylic yarn in the following quantities and colors:

(Note: please use an easy-care machine-washable/dryable 100% acrylic yarn, such as Red Heart “Super Saver”)

10 yds. each of three colors: Color A, B, C

10 yds. of Color D (bright white*)

1 yd. contrast color (CC) of choice (for optional embellishment)

*Bright white is a requirement for the last few border rounds of each square so that when joined together into blankets the overall effect will be coordinated.

Set of 5 double-pointed needles (dpns) size US 8 (5 mm)

(Note: non-slippery needles such as bamboo are recommended)

Stitch marker

Tapestry needle

Gauge: 15 sts & 20 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch on size US 8 (5 mm) needles

Pattern notes:

Commentary: It can feel awkward and fiddly working a center-out square on dpns with color stripe changes, but a bit of patience will see you through. Take it step-by-step and round-by-round -- it’s really not too difficult!

Square is worked from center out using four double-pointed needles (dpns), working with a fifth needle.

For ease of working and keeping track of stitch counts, an equal number of stitches is maintained on each needle.

Follow color changes as instructed.

Do not turn at end of each round but continue in same direction throughout.

An optional embellishment may be embroidered in center of completed square.

Special stitches:

Knit front and back (kf&b) increase: Knit in front of stitch, then in back of same stitch (one stitch increased.)

Make one (M1) increase: Make a backwards loop over right thumb and place this new stitch on right needle (one stitch increased.) Knit this new stitch when you come to it on the next round.

Terms/Abbreviations: beginning (beg), bind off (BO), cast on (CO), decrease (dec), increase (inc), knit (k), knit front & back (kf&b), knit two together (k2tog), make one (M1), needle (ndl), pass slipped stitch over (psso), purl (p), remaining (rem), repeat (rep), slip (sl), stitch (st), stockinette stitch (st st), yarn over (yo)

Square

Set-up rnd: Leaving a 12” beginning tail (to be used later) with Color A, CO 16, placing 4 sts on ea of 4 dpns. Join by beginning work on Rnd 1 with fifth needle. Use a stitch marker to note beginning of rounds.

Rnd 1: K.

Rnd 2 (inc rnd): *K2, yo, rep from * around (24 sts)

Rnd 3: K.

Rnd 4: *Sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo twice, rep from * around (24 sts)

Rnd 5: *K1, (k1, p1) in the double yo, rep from * around. Drop and cut Color A (leaving 6” tail for weaving in), join Color B.

Rnd 6: With Color B, k.

Rnd 7 (inc rnd): *K1, yo, k2, yo, rep from * around (40 sts)

Rnd 8 (inc rnd): *K1, M1, k1, yo, rep from * around (80 sts)

Rnd 9: K. Drop and cut Color B (leaving 6” tail for weaving in), join Color C.

Rnd 10 (dec rnd): With Color C, *k1, (sl 1, k2tog, psso)6 times, k1, rep from * around (32 sts)

Rnd 11 (inc rnd): *K1, yo, rep from * around (64 sts)

Rnd 12: K. Drop and cut Color C (leaving 6” tail for weaving in), join Color D (bright white.)

Rnd 13 (inc rnd): With Color D (bright white), *kf&b, (k2tog, yo)6 times, k2tog, kf&b, rep from * around (68 sts)

Rnd 14 (inc rnd): *Kf&b, k15, kf&b, rep from * around (76 sts)

Rnd 15 (inc & edging rnd): *Kf&b, k17, kf&b, rep from * around (84 sts)

BO somewhat loosely in purl, joining up last corner by binding off last knit stitch together with first bound-off stitch.

With beginning yarn tail, close center hole by gathering unused loops of cast-on stitches and drawing gently to close.

Weave in all tails.

Optional embellishment:

With CC, work 8 straight stitches in center of square, bringing yarn up through center hole and down into the space between two “petals” formed by Rnds 1-4. Finish by working a French knot in center of square.

Finishing:

Block to 6” square.

For personal or charity use only. Do not duplicate pattern for commercial purposes.