Spiral Applique Block, 7th in Ode to Quilting Series

This block was inspired by a bias applique quilter's block.

Pattern for Spiral Applique 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 = Pearl Grey, 1 skein
2. Color B = Pumpkin, 1 skein
3. Color C = Scarlet, 1 skein

4. Color D = Purple, 1 skein

5. Color E = Midnight Blue, 1 skein

Needles: Lion's Wool recommends size 8 (I used size 5) in both straight needles and double pointed needles.

Materials:
Large blunt sewing needle
Safety pins

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

Stocking Stitch Pattern: Knit all stitches on the right side of the work; Purl all stitches on the wrong side of the work.

Knitting Instructions:

Make 4 strips, one in each color.

• In Color B, cast on 10 stitches.
• Work in Stocking Stitch till strip measures 8 inches.
• Bind off all stitches.
• Repeat instructions with color C, color D, and color E.

In color A, make 4 small corner squares.

• With color A, cast on 10 stitches.
• Row 1(right side of work): Purl all stitches.
• Row 2: K1, P2, K4, P2, K1.
• Row 3: P1, K2, P4, K2, P1.
• Row 4: Knit all stitches.
• Row 5: Purl all stitches.
• Row 6: K4, P2, K4.
• Row 7: P4, K2, P4.
• Row 8: Knit all stitches.
• Repeat rows 1-4.
• Bind off all stitches.
• Repeat instructions 3 more times.

With color A, make 1 large center square.

• With color A, cast on 34 stitches.
• Row 1(right side of work): Purl all stitches.
• Row 2: K1, P2, (K4, P2) 5 times, K1.
• Row 3: P1, (K2, P4) 5 times, K2, P1.
• Row 4: Knit all stitches.
• Row 5: Purl all stitches.
• Row 6: K4, (P2, K4) 5 times.
• Row 7: (P4, K2) 5 times, P4.
• Row 8: Knit all stitches.
• Repeat rows 1-8 five more times. (Total rows = 48)
• Bind off all stitches.
• Block to measurements (8 inches by 8 inches).

Finishing Instructions:

• Place one color A corner square on either side of the color B strip.
• Using safety pins, secure squares to strip.
• Using a mattress stitch, seam the corner squares to either side of the strip.
• Repeat instructions with the remaining two corner squares and color C strip.
• Place the color E strip on the right side of the color A center square. Secure with safety pins. Seam together with a mattress stitch.
• Place the final strip, color D, on the left side of the color A center square. Secure with safety pins. Seam together with a mattress stitch.

Make 1 i-cord.

• With color B and two double pointed needles, cast on 2 stitches.
• Knit these two stitches on row 1.
• Do not turn the work.
• Instead slide the work to the beginning of the left-hand needle. Wrap the yarn across the back of the work. Knit the two stitches of row 2.
• Continue in this fashion until i-cord measures 10 inches.
• Join in a ball of color E. (Note: When cutting the yarn from color B, leave a long string, measuring approximately 20 inches.
• Work the i-cord in color E until it measures 10 inches from where color E was joined in.
• Join in a ball of color C. (Again, leave a long 20-inch string of color E).
• Work the i-cord in color C until it measures 10 inches from where color C was joined in.
• Join in a ball of color D. (Again, leave a long 20-inch string of color C).
• Work the i-cord in color D until it measures 10 inches from where color D was joined in.
• Bind off all stitches.
• Leave a long 20-inch string of color D.
• Do not weave in the ends yet.

Placement of i-cord

• Arrange i-cord in a spiral on top of the color A center square. Be sure to stay within the borders of the center square. Also, lay the i-cord down so that the right side faces up toward you at all times.
• Secure the i -cord with safety pins.
• Using a blunt sewing needle, thread in the long, unwoven string of color D.
• Hand tack down the color D section with the unwoven end using a running stitch.
• Once the color D section is fully tacked down, pull the remaining string to the back of the work. Weave in the color D ends.
• Repeat the last three instructions for each colored section.