Can you believe it, it’s finally here! The Traveling Knit Afghan sponsored by Lion Brand Yarn and organized by the wonderful Alexi of Two of Wands has been in the works for an entire year, and now it’s my turn to add my little contribution! Keep scrolling down for the free pattern.
The Traveling Knit Afghan is a collaborative effort amongst 49 knitwear designers and bloggers from seven different countries.
Starting in January, the Traveling Afghans set sail from NYC and has been traveling to a new designer every two weeks. Each designer has created a 10″ x 10″ square to add to either the knit or the crochet blanket before sending it off to the next person to add theirs.
I just received the gorgeous afghan from Jewell at North Knits, and next I’ll be sending it to Nathan at Loop’n Threads.
Here’s how you can participate:
1. Purchase a yarn kit now for either the knit or crochet Traveling Afghan so you have everything you need for the whole afghan. Note that you do not need to purchase a kit to join – you’re welcome to use any yarn you like, including what you already have in your stash! You’ll need worsted weight yarn and size US 8 (5mm) knitting needles or a J/10 (6mm) crochet hook.
2. Visit Two of Wands for the itineraries of the afghans along with the master list of all designers and links to their sites so you can follow along as they travel around the world and new patterns get released.
3. Follow the designers on social media to get updates on their pattern releases and learn about their maker journeys. There may even be some giveaways to enter!
4. Host a CAL or KAL with your maker friends! Get together online to add your squares or share your progress. We would love to see YOUR life in yarn too, so make sure to tag Lion Brand Yarn and My Life in Yarn in your posts and use the hashtags #travelingafghans #lionbrandyarn and #mylifeinyarn and either #travelingknitafghan or #travelingcrochetafghan. You can also post your projects to Ravelry.
There are just a few more stops on this afghan’s journey. Follow along through the designers listed below!
#1 – 1/1-1/13 – New York City, USA – Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands
#2 – 1/15-1/28 – Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria – Sandra Gutierrez of Nomad Stitches
#3 – 1/29-2/11 – Dublin, Ireland – Katie Moore of The Queen Stitch
#4 – 2/12-2/25 – Nova Scotia, Canada – Kelly Brooks of Knitbrooks
#5 – 2/26-3/10 – Alberta, Canada – Stephanie Lau of All About Ami
#6 – 3/11-3/24 – Alberta, Canada – Chantal Miyagishima of Knitatude
#7 – 3/25-4/7 – BC, Canada – Christie Bodden of Christie Bodden Designs
#8 – 4/8-4/21 – Oregon, USA – Makenzie Alvarez of Hanks and Needles
#9 – 4/22-5/5 – California, USA – Phanessa Fong of Designs by Phanessa
#10 – 5/6-5/19 – California, USA – Angie Bivins of Whistle & Wool
#11 – 5/20-6/2 – California, USA – Jane Tsou of Gorilla Knits
#12 – 6/3-6/16 – Nevada, USA – Chenoa Wilcox of jellyKNITTING
#13 – 6/17-6/30 – Utah, USA – Rachel Misner of Evelyn & Peter
#14 – 7/1-7/14 – Colorado, USA – Jessica Potasz of Mama in a Stitch
#15 – 7/15-7/28 – Kansas, USA – Jerica Tompkins of Yarn Hook Needles
#16 – 7/29-8/11 – Kansas, USA – Mary Lee of Fifty Four Ten Studio
#17 – 8/12-8/25 – Minnesota, USA – Kaitlin Barthold of Originally Lovely
#18 – 8/26-9/8 – Minnesota, USA – Julia Anastasi of Northern Loop Knitwear
#19 – 9/9-9/22 – Winona, MN, USA – Trista Ziemendorf of While They Dream
#20 – 9/23-10/6 – Illinois, USA – Heidi Gustad of Hands Occupied
#21 – 10/7-10/20 – Illinois, USA – Jewell Washington of Northknits
#22 – 10/21-11/3 – Michigan, USA – Destiny Meyer of Knifty Knittings
#23 – 11/4-11/17 – Virginia, USA – Nathan Bryant of Loop N Threads
#24 – 11/18-12/1 – Rhode Island, USA – Jake Kenyon of Kenyarn
#25 – 12/2-12/16 – New Jersey, USA – Vanessa Coscarelli Black of Vanessa Knits
On to square #22…
I hope that when you’re knitting my square, you find a bit calm and peace in the meditative stitches. I don’t think this year has turned out to be anything that any of us have expected. For me, nothing has been more therapeutic than knitting during the peaceful (late) evening hours when the house is quiet. So basically, I’ve been staying up way too late for far too long. 😂
Square #22 features a mitered construction, knit diagonally, with centered decreases and simple eyelets placed throughout. It uses garter stitch for the overall pattern to add a bit of texture while making for an enjoyable knit.
Keep scrolling for the free pattern, or purchase the ad-free printable on in my shop or Ravelry.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Yarn
63 yds/58 m Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Fisherman
Needles
US 8/5.0 mm knitting needles
*or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle
Gauge
13 sts and 28 rows = 4 in/10 cm in garter st blocked
Sizes
10 in/25 cm by 10 in/25 cm blocked
Abbreviations
CDD – centered double decrease: slip 2 sts knitwise, k1, pass slipped sts over
CO – cast on
k – knit
k2tog – knit 2 sts together
pm – place marker
sm – slip marker
st(s) – stitch(es)
yo – yarn over
Pattern
CO 69 sts using the long tail cast on method.
Set up row (WS): k33, pm, knit to end of row.
Row 1 (RS): k to 3 sts before marker, CDD, remove marker, k1, pm, knit to end of row. [2 sts decreased]
Row 2 (WS): knit to end of row.
Row 3: k1, *k2tog, yo, repeat from * until 4 sts before marker, k1, CDD, remove marker, k1, pm, *yo, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1. [2 sts decreased]
Row 4: knit to end of row.
Repeat rows 1-4 until 7 sts remain.
Next row: k2, CDD, remove marker, k2. [2 sts decreased]
Next row: knit to end of row.
Next row: k1, CDD, k1. [2 sts decreased]
Next row: CDD. Cut yarn and draw through remaining st.
Weave in ends and block to 10 in/25 cm by 10 in/25 cm.
And that’s it! Seam your square to the afghan using the horizontal invisible seam (for top and bottom) and mattress stitch (sides). Then head over to Nathan’s blog to grab the next square pattern!
