ConnieLene – KnitDesigner

The Wedding Present Throw

Garter Stitch throw.

Yarns – many reds, blacks and silver/greys. I used various mohair, 100% wool, wool mixes, fun faux fur fibres, etc.

Pattern Colour sequence:

I did start it a while back, a long while back. It is now about 6 feet or 2 metres along the 2 sides of the triangle. Soon I shall start to reduce one side of it to create a rectangle of some ridiculous proportion.

Circular needles are a wonderful thing as they enable me to create this throw in one piece. The knitting sits in my lap and is not heavy on the arms. There will be some ends to sew in but no seams. Perfect.

I am glad it is not summer though – it helps to keep me warm while I knit now that it flows down over my legs – could not create such a piece in the summer.

I am also glad to be able to use up all sorts of odd pieces of yarn as they (the young couple) who have seen my orange / silver / black /brown / reds rug and are happy to have their rug created with many yarns and shades of the chosen red / black / silver/grey. When completed it will look and feel great.

Original post here.

It is knitted in garter stitch on the diagonal – increasing 1 stitch at the beginning of every row using Yarn Over 2 stitches in from the edge. When I am happy with the length of one side I will begin the decreases.

We were in Switzerland for Christmas and Best Beloved and I slept under the bed spread / rug I created for our son and his partner for Christmas 2010. It was wonderfuly light and so warm – so think this one will be the same.

Mohair & faux fur throw - for king size bed

Take a punt – look at those yarns you have – Gather together the yarns that you have in the weight you wish to knit, mix fibre, mix colours – and play.

Choose the correct needle size for the average yarn weight.

Play with the yarn – sort it in rows to see how the colours work together, change the order, check that you love the colours together – follow your gut feeling.

Weigh the yarn. Divide your yarn into 2 piles, with 1/2 the weight of yarn in each pile, one pile for each half of the throw. It is important so that you can see how far the yarn goes as you are knitting and be alerted early to the fact you may need more yarn than you have to hand, early enough to add maybe add another colour on the first half if required.

This baby blanket was knitted using yarns left over from other baby projects. It was large enough to be folded over as a pram cover, and when used flat as the correct size for a cot blanket. Because it is knitted on the diagonal it looked great whichever way it was used.

Pattern: the throw is knitted from a corner to opposite corner.

Cast on 4 stitches
K3, YO, K1, turn
Slip 1, K2, YO, knit to end, turn

Slip 1, k2, YO, knit to end, turn – repeat this row until the side is the right width for your throw.

Slip 1 K2 YO Slip 1, k2tog PSSO, k to end, turn (decreases one side only)
Slip 1, K2 YO k to end

Continue with these 2 rows until the side still being increased is the correct length for your throw.

** At this point it is a good idea to weigh the knitting as it is halfway through, if you didn’t at the beginning that is. Check the weight of your remaining yarns and see if you need any additional yarns to complete the piece.

Slip 1 K2 YO Slip 1, k2 tog, PSSO, k to end, turn
Slip 1 K2 YO Slip 1, k2 tog, PSSO, k to end, turn

Cast off 4 stitches.

Continue with the decreases on every row until 4 stitches remain.

Garter stitch throws / afghan

NOTE: note the decreases are on both edges – so that the knitting will converge at the point directly opposite the Cast on point.

I have not provided yarn quantities – as it depends on your yarn weight and the needle size you choose as well as the intended size of the finished baby blanket or throw.

I will set this up later as a formal pattern and provide it as a pdf – in the meantime – just give it a go.

I am to create a mohair throw as a wedding gift for a young couple based in London.

Whatever I create with this lovely brief – it will have fabulous fabulous colours, and being created with lots of mohair this throw will also have a rich silky and luxurious feel. So very perfect as a wedding gift. The colour plan includes red, black, and silver or grey – depending on the yarns I find. I may include some wool and faux fur sections – if the colours are so absolutely right.

I have not been asked to create any specific design, nor have I been asked to be formal in my colour use. Yippee!

What to do?

Looking for the yarns will be the first step.

I am going to New Zealand in 3 weeks – maybe I will source some yarns there.