Hourglass Block, 6th in Ode to Quilt series

The 6th block in the Ode to Quilting panel:

This block is very similar to the "9-Patch Block". The only difference is that two of the blocks are made by sewing two right-angled triangles together. Additionally, as with each of the blocks, I used a different stitch pattern. Diagonal ribbing is featured in the Hourglass Block.

Pattern for Angled Nesting Squares Block:

Recommended Knitting skill level: Easy

Yarn: Lion's Wool by Lion Brand or substitute any wool yarn from your stash that meets the below gauge specifications.

1. Color A = Midnight Blue, 1 skein

2. Color B = Cocoa, 1 skein

3. Color C = Cadet Blue, 1 skein

Needles: Lion's Wool recommends size 8 (I used size 5)

Materials:

Row counter

Large blunt sewing needle

Safety pins

Gauge: 4 stitches and 6 rows is 1 inch/2.5 cm in Stocking Stitch.

4 stitches and 7 rows is 1 inch/2.5 cm in Diagonal ribbing.

Stocking Stitch Pattern: Knit all stitches on the RS; Purl all stitches on the WS.

Diagonal Ribbing Pattern: Work rows 1-6 in instructions to make ribbed squares.

Glossary:

K = Knit

K2og = Knit 2 stitches together

K3tog = Knit 3 stitches together

P = Purl

P2tog = Purl 2 stitches together

P3tog = Purl 3 stitches together

St = stitch

Knitting Instructions:
In Color B, make 4 ribbed squares.

• Cast on 18 sts.
• Row 1 (Right side of work): K2, (P2, K4) twice, P2, K2.
• Row 2: P1, (K2, P4) twice, K2, P3.
• Row 3: (K4, P2) thrice.
• Row 4: K1, (P4, K2) twice, P4, K1.
• Row 5: (P2, K4) thrice.
• Row 6: P3, (K2, P4) twice, K2, P1.
• Repeat rows 1-6 three more times.
• Repeat rows 1-4 once more. Total rows = 28.
• Bind off all stitches.
• Do NOT block.
• Repeat these instruction three more times to make a total of 4 squares.

In Color A, make 1 square.

• Cast on 18 stitches.
• Work in Stocking stitch for 24 rows.
• Bind off all stitches.

In Color A, make 2 right-angled triangles.

• Cast on 18 sts.
• Row 1 (Right side of work): K all stitches.
• Rows 2-3: Work in Stocking stitch.
• Row 4 (Wrong side of work): P to last three stitches, P3tog.
• Rows 5-6: Work in Stocking stitch.
• Row 7: K3tog, K to end.
• Repeat Rows 2-7 two more times.
• Rows 20-21: Work in Stocking stitch.
• Row 22: P to last three stitches, P3tog.
• Row 23: K all stitches.
• Row 24: P2, P2tog.
• Bind off the 3 remaining stitches.
• Repeat instructions once more to make 2 triangles.

In Color C, make 2 ribbed squares.

• Cast on 18 stitches.
• Row 1 (Right side of work): K2, (P2, K4) twice, P2, K2.
• Row 2: P3, (K2, P4) twice, K2, P1.
• Row 3: (P2, K4), thrice.
• Row 4: K1, (P4, K2) twice, P4, K1.
• Row 5: (K4, P2) thrice.
• Row 6: P1, (K2, P4) twice, K2, P3.
• Repeat Rows 1-6 three more times.
• Repeat Rows 1-4 once more. Total rows = 28.
• Bind off all stitches.
• Repeat instructions once more to make 2 squares.

In Color C, make 2 ribbed triangles.

• Cast on 18 stitches.
• Row 1 (Right side of work): K2, (P2, K4) twice, P2, K2.
• Row 2: P3, (K2, P4) twice, K1, K2tog.
• Row 3: P1, K4, (P2, K4) twice.
• Row 4: K1, (P4, K2) twice, P2, P2tog.
• Row 5: K2, (P2, K4) twice, P2.
• Row 6: P1, (K2, P4) twice, K1, K2tog.
• Row 7: P1, (K4, P2) twice, K2.
• Row 8: P3, K2, P4, K2, P2, P2tog.
• Row 9: K2, (P2, K4) twice.
• Row 10: K1, P4, K2, P4, K1, K2tog.
• Row 11: P1, (K4, P2) twice.
• Row 12: P1, K2, P4, K2, P2, P2tog.
• Row 13: K2, P2, K4, P2, K2.
• Row 14: P3, K2, P4, K1, K2tog.
• Row 15: P1, K4, P2, K4.
• Row 16: K1, P4, K2, P2, P2tog.
• Row 17: K2, P2, K4, P2.
• Row 18: P1, K2, P4, K1, K2tog.
• Row 19: P1, K4, P2, K2.
• Row 20: P2, K2, P2, P2tog.
• Row 21: K2, P2, K4.
• Row 22: K1, P4, K1, K2tog.
• Row 23: P1, K4, P2.
• Row 24: P1, K2, P2, P2tog.
• Row 25: K2, P2, K2.
• Row 26: P3, K1, K2tog.
• Row 27: P1, K4.
• Row 28: P2, P3tog.
• Bind off remaining 3 stitches.
• Do NOT block.
• Repeat instructions once more to make 2 triangles.

Finishing Instructions:

• Take one Color A triangle and one Color C triangle. With right sides facing up, line the diagonal edges of the triangles together. The points of the triangles should meet. Secure with several safety pins. Using a mattress stitch, sew the triangles together. Remove pins.


• Repeat these instructions.

• Lay out all the squares on a table. Move them around until you have obtained the Hourglass design (the Color A square should be in the center with the two Color A triangles meeting at the top right and bottom left of the Color A square).



• Using mattress stitch, seam the squares into three columns.



• Then, seam the columns into one block, taking care to match the seams up.
• Weave in any loose ends.