Grandi’s Quilt Blocks

My paternal grandmother was a skilled fiber artisan. She knit and crocheted – skills she taught me at a young age. Later in life, she expressed her creativity through quilt making. This cowl showcases some of the motifs she used to fashion warm and beautiful objects for her family to sleep under. The main motif, a Norwegian Star, is loved by both knitters and quilters and it made perfect sense to include it in the design. A border of diamonds, 9-patch and zigzags completes my tribute to the art of the woman who ignited my love of creating with fiber.

Worked in the round from the bottom up, this cowl is best suited to an intermediate stranded knitter or adventurous beginner, as there are a few rounds with long floats that require catching.

Techniques:
Crochet cast on
Two color stranded knitting in the round
Lace bind off

Materials Needed:
Yarn:
200 yards each of background and motif colors in fingering weight yarn. Sample knit using Madelinetosh TML (dark red) and TML + Glitter (silver).

Needles:
Size 4 US/ 3.5 mm 16” (41 cm) circular needle (or size needed to achieve gauge)

Notions:
Stitch markers (at least one for marking beginning of round and more if desired to mark pattern repeats)
Crochet hook about the same size as knitting needles
Tapestry needle

Finished Measurements:
Gauge: 29 sts and 30 rounds equals 4”/ 10 cm in stranded knitting after light blocking
Circumference: 22” (56 cm)
Height: 14” (36 cm)