Community Afghan by Susan Alain

Community Afghan

Knitting
October 2005
Aran (8 wpi) ?
1 square = 5"
US 7 - 4.5 mm
2200 - 3000 yards (2012 - 2743 m)
Approximately 40" wide by 60" long.
English
This pattern is available for free.

Pattern description from Handknit Holidays: “Winter holidays are a time of generosity–a time of sharing not only with those who mean the most to us, but also with those less fortunate. In some European countries, the old traditions call for lighting candles in windows to invite in the wandering and hungry, and some historians believe that folks in Britain and Canada honor Boxing Day, December 26, as the day parish church alms boxes were opened for the poor. The blanket featured here–ideal for a group to knit for a needy family or to raffle off as a fundraiser–is composed of 96 squares and is worked in simple garter stitch. The squares are portable and don’t take long to make; arranging them into the final design is fun and satisfying. Try assembling squares so like colored corners form triangles along the border, place them to form solid-color squares, or let chaos reign and fashion them into a crazy quilt.”

Materials: Harrisville Highland Style (100% wool; 200 yards/100 grams): 2 skeins each
#17 Bermuda blue
#7 tundra (gold/green)
#8 hemlock (mossy green)
#23 magenta
#4 gold
#48 dove gray
#13 peacock (turquoise)
#40 topaz (rusty orange)
#18 aubergine (dark purple)

*Note: If using stash yarn, approximately 2200 yards worsted-weight yarn in several different colors are needed.*

Needles:

  • One pair straight needles size US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Crochet hook size US 6/G (4.5 mm) for edging
  • Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge

Gauge: 1 square = 5 inches.

Notes from Handknit Holidays:

  • When changing colors, choose a new color with high contrast to the last, especially for the wide stripes across the center of each square.
  • Stitch count will be the same as the row number through Row 30.

This pattern also is available on-line at the source noted.