I’ve been seeing a lot of knitting projects lately — whether they are new or older — that include elements that look like quilt blocks and I am here for it. My aunt is a quilter but I’ve never been much of one, but I love the look of classic quilt blocks incorporated into different media. Whether that’s painted on a barn or worked into a knitting project, it’s a fun way to give a nod to other traditional ares while sticking within your comfort zone.
The Stella Quilt Blanket by Laura Penrose uses a traditional nine-patch star pattern converted into modular knit garter stitch squares in a rainbow of colors. The squares are worked in short rows and are joined as you go so despite all the different colors and pieces used it’s actually worked as one piece. You star from the bottom right corner and then add the next piece to the side of the first.
There’s also an option to work each square separately and sew them together when you’re done knitting. This makes the project more portable, and if you’re using stash it might be easier for you to determine the placement of your squares once they’ve all been knit.
The idea is that you can use DK weight yarn or fingering weight held double, so it’s a great way to use mini skeins or leftovers from other projects. There are also two sizes of motifs you can use depending on the quantity of yarn leftovers or skeins you have on hand.
The project includes general sizing and needed motifs for four sizes of blankets, ranging from a lap blanket that use four motifs to a throw rectangle that is made from three by four rows of motifs. Choosing to use larger or smaller squares also changes the size, and of course you can keep adding to make an even bigger blanket if you want.
This project is suited for intermediate knitters who are comfortable with picking up stitches and working German short rows.
You can find the pattern on Ravelry.
[Photo: Laura Penrose]
