Diamond-Clematis Strip by Mary Walker Phillips

Diamond-Clematis Strip

Knitting
January 1989
Thread ?
US 1 - 2.25 mm
English

The Diamond-Clematis Strip actually includes a diamond strip, a feather and fan strip, a clematis strip, and a cable strip. These may be worked separately and seamed or in some cases worked in one piece to make for fewer seams.

There is a separate border pattern, made with both knitting and crochet, that may be crocheted or seamed onto an assembled blanket.

The clematis strip is charted; all is written out.

This counterpane is worked in lengthwise strips which are crocheted or sewn together. Counterpanes were traditionally worked on thin cotton yarn (“bedspread cotton”) on US size 0, 1, or 2 needles. Estimating quantities is difficult; the author recommends working up one entire ball, counting the number of motifs, and dividing that into the total number of motifs needed for the intended size of the counterpane.

The dominant Diamond Strip consists of a large double diamond on a background of double seed stitch. The center of the diamond contains 4 raised leaf motifs on a reverse stockinette ground.

The Clematis pattern is a continuous vine, alternating between one and two downward facing leaves, on a stockinette ground. This is flanked on either side by pair of simple 6-stitch cables. An unusual Feather and Fan pattern is placed between the Diamond Strip and the double cables.

When the counterpane has been assembled and measured, the border is knitted separately, beginning at the outer edge and working inward. The first section repeats the Feather and Fan pattern; this is followed by a band of reverse stockinette with the raised leaf motifs from the Diamond Strip, then a narrow band of YOs and right slanting decreases.

The outer edge of the border is finished with a row of shells in double crochet before the border is crocheted or sewn onto the counterpane.