Mitered Square using Yarn Overs

Rachel demoed this block at December's meeting, and we're using it to make a blanket for the family of Officer Crouse, the officer who was killed at VT in December.

The mitered (or mitred) square block is formed such that there's a diagonal lined running from corner to corner.  Each row looks like it "turns the corner" along this diagonal.  There are many variations on the mitered square, but the one we've chosen for our afghan uses increases -- specifically yarn overs -- on every other row.

Mitered Square afghan block:

Size US 8 needle
Please use a slip stitch edge.  An easy way to do this is to slip the first stitch of every row purlwise with yarn in front, then bring the yarn to the back to continue knitting the row.  (You can learn more about slip stitch edges here.)

CO 3
Row 1: k1, pm, k1, pm, k1
Row 2: k1, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1
Row 3: knit across
Row 4: knit to first marker, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, knit to end
Row 5: knit across

Repeat rows 4 and 5 until the piece measures 8" on a side (approximately 25 repeats).
Bind off loosely.
Weave in ends and block to 8" square.

Some Notes:

• Your block might look more like a kite when you cast off.  This is okay, and I might say even normal.  Blocking helps, and so does sewing these squares together into a larger project, like an afghan.
• One benefit of using increases to create a mitered square is that you can keep knitting until it's the size you need.

If you're interested in exploring mitered squares more, they can be used to create some dazzling effects, such as in Mason-Dixon Knitting's Mitered Crosses Blanket, their striped Mitered Square Blanket, or something simpler like a coaster made of scrap yarn.

It's the Holiday Season

I know it says that we're the New River Valley Knitting Guild, but I want to share the love with those of us who do other crafts. Right now I'm talking about crocheting. Here's an easy and fun project that anyone with a basic handle on a few stitches can do.

Just a reminder, you can come see a live example at out Holiday Social on Sunday! Or, at the Block Party tomorrow at Mosaic. (Though their garland is nowhere near as cool as mine. Chunky yarn is the way to go!)

Spiral Garland

Basically what you do is chain however many stitches you need to make the garland as long as you want. You go back and single crochet in each chain. The next row you make two half double crochets in each single crochet. The third row you make two double crochets in each half double. It spirals all by itself.


Since I was making a garland for my Christmas tree, I used Berroco Vintage Chunky in green, white, and red, but you can do it with any yarn in any color for any event. You could also make a cute scarf, similar to a knitted potatochip scarf, if you used a lighter weight yarn. 

When you're starting, a word of caution. I got a little carried away and made mine way too long. Like, several feet or so too long. I kept running out of my other colors of yarn, so I'd recommend making no more than 3 yards of chain stitch. With that you should be able to buy just one skein of color 1, one of color 2, and two of color 3. If you're making this as a scarf, your guess is as good as mine. Let me know how it turns out, if you try it!

If you need help with stitches, try some videos on YouTube or some of the images from the Crochet Guild of America.