Simple-to-knit squares, the softest yarn and a garden-fresh palette of colours make this the perfect project -- and since each patch is worked separately it's the ideal take-along craft, too. Once the squares are complete, decorative cross-stitches sew them into a cosy afghan.

Please note: Due to a server crash the diagrams mentioned below are not currently available. We are working to locate them but in the meantime please be aware that knitters may have to lay the pattern out on their own. Thanks!

Easy-Knit Afghan
Finished afghan is approx 142 x 127 cm (56 x 50 ins). Squares are knit separately, then sewn together and embroidered. Standard abbreviations are used. Recommended for beginners.

You need:
Patons Classic Merino Wool (100 g) pure wool yarn as follows:
• 3 balls A, No. 240 Leaf Green
• 2 balls B, No. 218 Peacock
• 2 balls C, No. 77734 Too Teal
• 2 balls D, No. 77134 That's Blue
• 2 balls E, No. 77330 That's Purple
• 2 balls F, No. 77732 That's Pink
• 2 balls G, No. 209 Old Rose
• 1 ball H, No. 210 Petal Pink
• 1 ball I, No. 203 Maize

(Click here for a colour chart and for an acrylic yarn option.)

One pair of 4.5 mm needles OR whichever needles you require to produce the tension given below.
Tapestry needle.

Tension
19 sts and 36 rows = 10 cm (4 ins) in garter stitch. Work to exact tension with specified yarn to obtain satisfactory results. TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK TENSION.

To make:
Note:
Make squares as follows:
With A, make 12.
With B, make 10.
With C, make 10.
With D, make 11.
With E, make 8.
With F, make 6.
With G, make 6.
With H, make 6.
With I, make 3.

Square (make 72)
Cast on 30 sts. Work in garter st (knit every row), noting that Row 1 is wrong side row, until work from beg measures 16 cm (6-1/4 ins), ending with wrong side facing for next row. Cast off knitwise.

To finish:
Lay out squares as shown in Diagram 1 (Click here to view Diagram 1). Working with right side facing and using tapestry needle and matching yarn, stitch squares together, edge to edge, in 9 horizontal rows of 8 each, then stitch rows together to complete afghan. Using tapestry needle and colour I, embroider crosses along seams as shown in Diagram 2 (Click here to view Diagram 2).

Photo by Susan Ashukian

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