Bond Buzz, Issue #53
March 20, 2009
Free from Bond America

This month I learned a new stitch from Kathy – it’s a super-easy edging that looks almost like a cable stitch, but it’s created by just pulling down and “wrapping” the edge stitches.  And the stitch is something I’ll be showing the knitters in Rwanda next week when I’m there.  A generous donation from the Dining for Women groups has enabled Rwanda Knits to host a 4-day Sales and Marketing workshop for representatives of the Rwanda Knits knitting cooperatives.  The women are all fired up about opening domestic markets for their knitwear, especially for selling baby items to mothers in the hospital’s new maternity ward.  So this technique will be great to use on those baby blankets the knitters plan to make.  Pictured is Virginie from the Dian Fossey cooperative, with her baby wearing two items she knitted for him.

So, while the Rwanda knitters don’t have the luxury of using Simply Soft for their baby projects, you do.  So here’s a baby blanket pattern you can use to practice your new “mock cable edge” technique.

MOCK CABLE EDGE  

Forms a spiral, non-curling edge that is worked along vertical sides as you knit.

• CO (closed method) the number of sts called for in pattern. COR.  Knit 1 row. COL.

• Transfer 4th and 5th stitches on both sides to adjacent needles and put those needles in NWP. Keep all other needles in WP.

• Work 6 rows.

• From the back of the knitting, insert the latch tool under the first “rung” of the ladder of stitches to the front of your work (facing you) and catch the top rung.

• Pull the rung all the way down and around the edge stitches. Place it on needle #3 from side edge.  There will now be 2 sts on the one needle. 

• Here’s what the two stitches on needle 3 will look like.  Put needles #1,2.3 and 6,7,8 in FWP and knit 6 rows.  COL. 

• Insert the latch tool under the rung of row #13 (which includes the first set-up row) and catch the top rung. 

• Bring the rung down, around and hook it on needle #3 as above.
• Cont from * for total length of piece, ending on 6th row. K 1 R. Bind off.

HEARTS AND SPIRALS BABY BLANKET

designed by Kathy Perry

FINISHED SIZE: Approx 28" X 38" / 71 cm X 96.5 cm

YARN
Caron International’s Simply Soft® (100% Acrylic, 6oz/170g, 315yds/288m):
12 ounces #9721 Victorian Rose

KEY PLATE
USM/ISM KP#3 or appropriate tension to obtain gauge
Suitable for USM/ISM/Bond Classic or 6.5 to 9 mm knitting machine

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
Single prong transfer tool
Latch tool
Yarn needle

GAUGE
In Stockinette stitch, 15 sts and 19 rows = 4”/10 cm

KNIT STITCHES USED
Stockinette stitch (St st): Knit side = right side
Reformed stitch: Place latch tool under stitch. Drop stitch down, reform and replace on needle. Used for Heart Border Design. See Chart.

NEEDLES REQUIRED 115

BLANKET

• Using closed Method, CO 115 sts. COR.
• Start Mock Cable Edge technique: Work Step 1 then set RC to 000. (Follow technique instructions and cont Mock Cable Edge on both sides until piece is completed.)
• K1R. Start Heart Border Design: Work 21 rows of Chart reforming selected stitches. Start by placing one heart in center of piece. There will be 7 hearts across row. AT SAME TIME continue following technique instructions.
• After completing, K to RC=164.
• Start Heart Border Design: Work 21 rows of INVERTED Chart reforming selected stitches.
• After completing, K2R. RC=187.
• Bind off loosely.

FINISHING

• Using yarn needle, weave in ends.
• Steam lightly.

MOCK CABLE EDGE JACKET
You know when you see a jacket or top in a store and it’s marked “One Size Fits Most” and you wonder just how true that is?  Well, this jacket is totally true!  Whether you’re a small or a 3X or more, the drape of the jacket works for everyone.

Enjoy!

Cari Clement
Bond America

P.S. As a subscriber to Bond-Buzz, I'd like to invite you to subscribe to the FREE e-mail newsletter—Caron Connections from Caron® International. Just visit the Caron site (http://www.caron.com) and enter your email address. It's that easy. As a subscriber to Caron Connections, you'll receive monthly emails filled with the latest inside scoop on Caron's new fashion yarns and free patterns.