Hit For Six

I had a couple of squares 'in hand', then knitted two more, so decided to send one of each to Kirsten. She sent me two [by mistake!] 

Top row block #73 – Two Edges
What a boring name! Basically, the finished square has two adjoining edges which include two contrasting stripes , and two edges which don’t.  The square is knitting in a ‘L’ shape – starting with 61 sts all in knit stitch, On every other row, 2 stitches are decreased [one each side of centre , using sl1, k2tog, psso] This creates a diagonal line. The centre stitch on row 1 is the corner between the stripe edges. The final single stitch when all is decreased is the opposite corner. It is the same as K’s “Allsorts” 6 weeks ago. I had a random heathery yarn for the main part, and picked a lilac grey shade and pastel pink for my contrast stripes. On reflection, I think I should have used a much stronger contrast colour for the single row stripe!

Middle Row block #78 – Lattice
Grey/blue yarn left over from a jumper knitting for grandson George when he was much younger! The pattern was easy, simple knit and purl, stocking stitch and garter stitch. Both squares are the same. I like the way that the finished piece looks like a woven lattice. And no slipping, no cables, and no random dye yarns!!   Proving you can create texture with the easiest of patterns.

Bottom Row  Block #54 – Pink Flash
This was a nice, straightforward 4 row repeat, which K knitted originally in purple with turquoise flashes, and then in turquoise with green flashes. She says "The colours remind me of the 1960s, when all kinds of clashing colours suddenly looked fabulous together. Those of us lucky enough to have the new, brightly coloured felt tip pens would infuriate our teachers by underlining dates and titles in our school books three times, in pink and purple, orange and green, etc. I’ve still got my old log tables book from maths lessons, covered in psychedelic paper and stickers. They are no use to me now; it’s just a piece of pure nostalgia." It soon became very clear to her which square she would send me; she was close to binding off when she spotted a mistake about 16 rows back. There were three options; rip out the rows and re-knit? Drop the stitch down to the error and then hook it back up – but – colour work? Or decide it would pass the galloping horse test* and send the other one? It’s hot. Kirsten says she chose option 3! [In fact it was SO hot, she sent both in error]

It has proved too hot for serious knitting this month – but these squares are good for a little bit of relaxing knitting in the evenings. I am surprised how quickly we are both managing to produce our squares, I need to go through my pattern book and note which squares we did when, or we may get repeats. There are dozens more left in the book. I'm avoiding ones with buttons and beads – and still undecided about the lace patterns, and those requiring four 3” square to be stitched together!

*Galloping horse test: would you spot the mistake from a galloping horse? If yes, then Something Has To Be Done About It. If not, then carry on and forget it.
There was a wonderful 'flat gift' in her parcel, which I will reveal tomorrow...thanks K [and I'm  keeping the purple square]