Merrywood Throw

This afghan pattern works beautifully with a semi-solid or kettle dyed worsted- or aran-weight yarn. For a less expensive option, use a workhorse yarn like Cascade 220. Use a minimum of two colors, or as many as you like (great stash-buster!).

Sample shown in Tanis Fiber Arts Green Label (first photo) was knit at 4.5 stitches per 2.5 cm in stockinette on 5.0 mm needles (US 8s). Sample shown in Cascade 220 (photo 2) was knit at 5 stitches per 2.5 cm on 4.5 mm needles (US 7s). At 4.5 stitches per 2.5 cm, the finished blocks are about 35.5 cm square; at 5 stitches per 2.5 cm the blocks measure about 30.5 cm square. Each square uses approximately 160 m on 5.0 mm needles and 120 m on 4.5 mm needles. The scalloped border uses 260 to 330 m.

Blocks are knit individually and seamed together. The optional scalloped garter-stitch edge is knitted on. The Cascade version uses the border from my free Lizard Ridge pattern.

Skills required: knitting, purling, short rows, slipping stitches, decreasing, increasing, and picking up stitches. This pattern has a lot going on and does require some concentration.

NOTE: Because of the short rows, your squares will be lumpy until you block your project. Steam blocking each square makes it easier to seam them together.

Sizes available (in number of blocks): 9, (12, 16, 20). Dimensions available for 5 stitches to 2.5 cm (in cm): 91.5 x 91.5, (91.5 x 122, 122 x 122, 122 x 152.5). Dimensions available for 4.5 stitches to 2.5 cm (in cm): 106.5 x 106.5, (106.5 x 142, 142 x 142, 142 x 178)

Note: Though conversions to the metric system have been made on this page for your convenience, the pattern itself uses American measurements.