Day: January 17, 2008

Hourglass Block, 6th in Ode to Quilt series

Marie Haigh3 Comments
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.