9-patch block unfinished

Here is the 2nd block in my "Ode to Quilting" afghan.

It is a traditional 9-patch block, consisting of 4 dark squares and 5 light squares.

Pattern for 9-patch Block:

Recommended Knitting skill level: Easy

Yarn: Lion's Wool by Lion Brand (see my links to the right for Lion Brand's website) or substitute any wool yarn from your stash
1. Color A = Winter White
2. Color B = Cadet Blue
3. Color C = Midnight Blue
4. Color D = Purple
5. Color E = Black

Needles: Lion's Wool recommends size 8 (I used size 5, but I am a habitually loose knitter)

Gauge: 4 stitches and 6 rows is 1 inch in Stocking Stitch
3.5 stitches and 7 rows is 1 inch in Garter Stitch

Stocking Stitch: Knit all stitches on RS (Right Side); Purl all stitches on WS (Wrong Side)

Garter Stitch: Knit all rows

Pattern: In Color B, cast on 18 stitches. Row 1: Knit all stitches. Row 2: K1, Purl 16, K1.
Repeat these two rows until 24 rows have been knit or until piece measures 4 inches.
Bind off.

Repeat the instructions above for Colors C, D and E.

When finished, you will have four dark colored blocks knit in stocking stitch.

Block lightly to measurements of 4 inches by 4 inches. Set aside.

Now for the fun part .... the knitting of the white blocks.

Block #1 (Garter square): In Color A, cast on 16 stitches. Work in Garter stitch for 28 rows or until piece measures 4 inches. Bind off.

Block #2 (Diamond square): In Color A, cast on 16 stitches. Row 1 and all future odd-numbered rows: Knit to end. Row 2: K1, P6, K2, P6, K1. Row 4: K1, P5, K4, P5, K1. Row 6: K1, P4, K6, P4, K1. Row 8: K1, P3, K8, P3, K1. Row 10: K1, P2, K10, P2, K1. Row 12: K1, P1, K12, P1, K1. Row 14: Knit to end. Row 16: Repeat Row 12. Row 18: Repeat Row 10. Row 20: Repeat Row 8. Row 22: Repeat Row 6. Row 24: Repeat Row 4. Row 26: Repeat Row 2. Bind off.

Block #3 (Fools Welt square): In Color A, cast on 16 stitches. Rows 1-3: Work in Stocking Stitch. Rows 4-8: Work in Garter stitch. Work rows 1-8 twice more for a total of 24 rows. Then, work rows 1-3 again. Bind off.

Block #4 (Ridged square): In Color A, cast on 18 stitches. Rows 1-2: Work in stocking stitch. Row 3: K1, P16, K1. Row 4: Knit to end. Rows 5-8: Work in stocking stitch. Row 9: K1, P16, K1. Rows 10-13: Work in stocking stitch. Row 14: Knit. Row 15: K1, P16, K1. Rows 16-19: Work in stocking stitch. Row 20: Knit. Rows 21-24: Work in stocking stitch. Row 25: K1, P16, K1. Row 26: Knit. Rows 27-28: Work in stocking stitch. Bind off.

Block #5 (Step pyramid square): In Color A, cast on 16 stitches. Rows 1-4: Knit to end. Row 5 and all future odd-numbered rows: Knit. Rows 6 & 8: K1, P1, K12, P1, K1. Rows 10 & 12: K1, P2, K10, P2, K1. Rows 14 & 16: K1, P3, K8, P3, K1. Rows 18 & 20: K1, P4, K6, P4, K1. Rows 22 & 24: K1, P5, K4, P5, K1. Rows 26 & 28: K1, P6, K2, P6, K1. Bind off.

Finishing instructions will be provided tomorrow, Tuesday, May 15th.

Forgive me, but I am off to prune more of my "Carrot Top" bush. I recently realized this bush is actually a Fire Thorn bush. I never knew that. Guess how I found out. You betcha. I stuck my hand into the middle of the bush, trying to prune out all the dead twigs and I had the dickens of a time getting my hand back out unmarred. This time I am wearing long sleeves in the hopes it will keep me unscathed. No wonder the birds don't bother it. =)

Other knitting news: The brown yarn from Shelridge Farms arrived on Saturday! I can Finally finish my sleeve. I've already wound it into a ball. It's ready for tonight's baseball game.

Happy Knitting, All!