More mitred square knitting - two throws

I suddenly realised I hadn't posted anything since the end of May - I've been too busy knitting to write about it! So I'm making an effort to get some of my patterns committed to paper (or the Internet) before I lose my notes. Having got hooked (or needled) on mitred square kniting, I completed a couple of projects earlier this year - an Autumn Throw in rusty reds to go with my newly-decorated living room, and a Sunshine and Shadow diamond throw for the bedroom.

Mitred Square knitting - Autumn Throw

The throw is made up in sections which are then sewn together - this allows you to work from the outside edge inwards towards the centre, making an even border which looks good whichever way you throw it!

Jake and Harley seem to think I made the throw for them!

Instructions for Autumn Throw

Materials:

100% acrylic DK – 3 balls main colour (MC) – mine is Hayfield Bonus Classic Red

2 balls each of 5 contrast colours (you will only use a small amount from the second ball of each).

One pair 3.75mm knitting needles

3.75mm long crochet or afghan hook (with a hook at one end and a point at the other).

Measurements:

The finished throw measures approximately 48 x 44 inches – to make a larger or smaller throw, simply add or subtract rows of diamonds on the diagram. Small diamonds are about 3 in across the diagonal, large diamonds about 6 in.

Border diamond

Using 3.75mm needles and MC, cast on 26 sts.

Foundation row: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog.

** Next row (right side): K to centre 4 sts, K2tog, S1, K1, psso, K to and.

Next row (wrong side): K

Repeat these two rows until 4 sts remain.

Next row: K2tog, S1, K1, psso

Next row: K2tog, cut yarn and pull through to fasten off.

Make another diamond the same, then join them with a third as follows:

Using MC and 3.75mm Afghan hook, pick up 13 sts along the top left edge of one diamond, then 13 sts along the top right edge of another.

Transfer the 26 sts to a 3.75mm knitting needle from the pointed end of the hook.

Foundation row: K2tog tbl, K tbl to last 2 sts, K2tog tbl.

Continue as for first diamond from ** above.

Continue to make sets of three diamonds until you have enough for the borders (see diagram).

Make a group of 4 of these diamonds in MC for the centre section.

Main diamond – first row

Using 1^st contrast (mine was Hayfield Bonus claret) and 3.75mm afghan hook, pick up 25 sts along the top left edge of a border diamond group, then 25 sts along the top right edge of another group.

Work foundation row as for border diamond.

Continue as for border diamond, working 8 rows in each colour.

Continue as per the diagram, picking up stitches from the previous row of diamonds and reversing the colour sequence on alternate rows as in the photo above.

Join the sections together using over sewing, to obtain a flat seam.  Weave in ends after finishing, sewing them into the seams and picked up stitches.

Unfortunately the diagram lost some lines when transferred from Publisher to PaintShop Pro - I really need a new computer!

Instructions for Sunshine and Shadow Throw

The design for this throw is based on a traditional Amish quilt design, which uses bands of black squares alternating with light and dark shades of other colours.  It is entirely made up of single plain-coloured squares, knitted in four sections and sewn together as per the diagram.  The single centre dark purple square can be knitted onto one of the four sections; it is shown separately here for clarity.

Materials:
To make the throw you will need DK yarn in 9 colours as follows:

3 x 100g balls Black (main colour)

2 x 100g balls in Dark green and Mid green

1 x 100g ball in Dark and Mid Purple, Dark and mid blue and Dark and mid red.

I used 100% acrylic yarns, mainly Hayfield Bonus and Woolcraft New Fashion.

You will also need 1 pair size 3.75mm knitting needles

3.75mm afghan hook (long crochet hook with a point at the other end – you can get a set of 14 different sizes in bamboo from Amazon.co.uk).

The squares are referred to as diamonds in the pattern as they are worked diagonally.

Measurements:
The throw is roughly 45 inches square - diamonds measure about 3 in across the diagonal.

First row of diamonds (outer edge):

Make 14 separate black diamonds as follows:

Using 3.75mm needles and black yarn, cast on 26 sts.

Foundation row: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog.

** Next row (right side): K to centre 4 sts, K2tog, S1, K1, psso, K to and.

Next row (wrong side): K

Repeat these two rows until 4 sts remain.

Next row(RS): K2tog, S1, K1, psso

Next row: K2tog, cut yarn and pull through to fasten off.

When you have 14 black diamonds, work the next band as follows:

Using dark green yarn and 3.75mm Afghan hook, pick up 13 sts along the top left edge of one black diamond, then 13 sts along the top right edge of another (see photo 1). 

Transfer the 26 sts to a 3.75mm knitting needle from the pointed end of the hook. (see Photo 2).

Photo 1 - picking up stitches

Photo 2 - transferring stitches

Foundation row: K2tog tbl, K tbl to last 2 sts, K2tog tbl.

Continue as for black diamond from ** above.

When you have joined all the black diamonds together you will have a band of 13 dark green diamonds.

Continue in this way, following the diagram, and working the single centre dark purple square on one section only.

Weave in the tails of yarn on the back of the work, stitching them into the seams made by picking up stitches. Leave the tails at the edges of the section until you have sewn the sections together.

Stitch the sections together carefully, following the diagram, and using the tails of yarn left from knitting to avoid too many knots.

Finished throw measures approximately 45 inches square.