Domino Knitting and Knit to be Square by Vivian Høxbro

Both of these books concentrate on knitting basic square modules and contain clear instructions on how to produce them.

In the first book there are a lot of simple designs mainly using garter stitch modules, whereas the second book contains more ambitious projects including producing holes by not completing squares.  It also contains some very attractive designs for throws and stoles.

In Knit to be Square, knitters are encouraged to use wool so that they can felt their work.  This seems a good technique to use if you are making a bag and want it to be stronger.  It also creates an interesting effect when the modules appear to blend together.

Vivian has a website which can be found at www.viv.dk   I have tried to read it using Google translation but the result is rather odd.  However, I do recommend looking at the pictures!

Modular Knitted Jumper – Progress Report

It has been a very busy week but I have managed to knit several more L-shapes.  I have done most of the front.  I intend to knit this jumper in 2 pieces – a front including the front of the sleeves, and a back including the back of the sleeves.   I know some people like to avoid seams but I like to keep things simple.

I also sew the ends in as I go along – not on the edges, but as soon as a shape has been surrounded by others - if you see what I mean.  Again I know some people like to knit ends in but I find that this makes the fabric bulky or lumpy.  I can also use the ends to darn any holes that have appeared when I was picking up stitches!

I started with a big pile of yarn but I have gradually thrown out yarns that were too thin or did not look quite right with the other colours.  Generally I am going for a dull look with the odd highlight.

 

This photo shows the current state of this project.  

Modular Knitted Glasses Case

A few years ago I wrote a pattern for a modular knitted glasses case which consisted of 4 modular knitted squares which were used to cover a commercially bought sheathe style case.  Last week, a work colleague asked me to make her a glasses case which would protect her glasses because the case she had was very flimsy.

I produced the case shown below from 5 modular knitted squares – 2 each side and one for the flap.  I even managed to make a button hole in the middle of the last square.

 

I lined the case with a small piece of fleece fabric which I had left over from another project.   I was pleased with the result.   I probably don’t need to say but I used Colinette Fandango!

First Row of L-shapes for Modular Knitted Jumper

 

I have finished a row of modules for the jumper.  I like the way the colours are turning out.  Now I have to get on with some other knitting that needs to be done, but I hope to get back to this jumper before the end of the week.

Second Knitted L-shape Sample

I have had another go at the sample.  This one is much better.   It fits the template jumper better and I like how it looks.

The L-shape has been knitted using 4mm needles and most of the yarn is double knitting or 4 ply used double thickness.  I have decided on a size which is 11 + 1 + 22 + 1 + 22 + 1 + 11 (69 stitches to cast on or pick up).

The details are as follows:
Row 1: With main colour, cast on 69sts.
Row 2: Knit.
Row 3: K10, K3tog, K20, K3tog, K20, K3tog, K10.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: Change to main colour and K9, K3tog, K18, K3tog, K18, K3tog, K9.
Row 6: Knit.
Row 7: Change colour and K8, K3tog, K16, K3tog, K16, K3tog, K8.
Row 8: Purl.
Row 9: K7, K3tog, K14, K3tog, K14, K3tog, K7.
Row 10: Purl.
Row 11: Change to main colour and K6, K3tog, K12, K3tog, K12, K3tog, K6.
Row 12: Knit.
Row 13: Change colour and K5, K3tog, K10, K3tog, K10, K3tog, K5.
Row 14: Purl.
Row 15: K4, K3tog, K8, K3tog, K8, K3tog, K4.
Row 16: Purl.
Row 17: Change to main colour and K3, K3tog, K6, K3tog, K6, K3tog, K3.
Row 18: Knit.
Row 19: Change colour and K2, K3tog, K4, K3tog, K4, K3tog, K2.
Row 20: Purl.
Row 21: K1, K3tog, K2, K3tog, K2, K3tog, K1.
Row 22: Purl.
Row 23: Change to main colour and K3tog 3 times.
Row 24: K3tog and fasten off.

 Unlike other modular knitting which I usually work in vertical strips, I am going to knit all the modules across the bottom of the jumper to make sure that it will fit the template reasonably closely.  I can always change the finished length of the jumper by adding a few more rows or a longer rib.  I could widen the jumper by knitting some side pieces, but I want to avoid that if can.

First Knitted L-shape Sample

I have knitted my first L-shape sample and used it to work out whether I have got the right size.

 

Unfortunately – it is too large and I don’t like how it looks!  This sample consists of 12 + 1 + 24 + 1 + 24 + 1 + 12 (75 stitches to cast on or pick up).  I have pinned it to my template jumper and have worked out that it is too big.  I am now knitting a sample with fewer stitches: 11 + 1 + 22 + 1 + 22 + 1 + 11 (69 stitches to cast on or pick up).

I am also not keen on how this sample looks – I think if I do each shape with just 2 colours – the finished result will look bitty, so I now intend to use a different colour yarn for each bit of stocking stitch.

Yarn for a Modular Knitted Jumper

 

I have collected together various odd balls of mainly grey, green and mauve yarn.  Originally I intended to make a scarf in the style of Sophie Digard.  I crocheted a few shapes and then lost interest – or more likely was asked to knit something as a matter of urgency!

Now that I have realised that at the moment my red L-shaped jumper is too tight, I want to knit another one – and there is enough of this yarn to make a jumper.

If I am not too busy this week I hope to make a start by knitting a few sample modules.

Knitted Poppy Tea Cosy - Version 2

 

This tea cosy was knitted to remember the soldiers lost in the First World War – on both sides – but particularly my great grandfather Thomas Wade who was killed in 1917.

The tea cosy is very simple – a basic green tea cosy with 5 knitted poppies on top.  I have used buttons for the centres to add a bit of texture.

It is likely that I will come up with some more poppy-based designs during the next 4 years!