Hints to help the Handmade Afghans Project:Hints to help the Handmade Afghans Project:
Measure carefully. Rectangles that are too small or too large are difficult to work with.
Cutting a 6" x 9" rectangle from a cereal box to use as a template is very helpful.
Use worsted weight acrylic yarn only. We want to avoid causing allergic reactions.
Avoid lacy stitches. They are difficult to join together and not as durable.
Most wounded personnel are men so choose your colors accordingly.
Solids, variegated and neutrals (black, white, beige) are all needed.
Combining colors in one rectangle is not desirable but if you must, please create an attractive pattern.
HAP accepts rectangles, not assembled afghans.
For additional instructions, go to http://www.learntoknit.com/
The following are simple patterns to help get you started.
Feel free to be creative but check your gauge often.
| Pattern 1 | Pattern 2 |
| Using Size 8 needles, cast on 24 stitches Row 1 (K2 P2) repeat to end of row Row 2 (K2 P2) repeat to end of row Row 3 (P2 K2) repeat to end of row Row 4 (P2 K2) repeat to end of row Repeat these 4 rows until the piece measures 9 inches. | Using Size 9 needles, cast on 26 stitches Row 1 (K2 P2) repeat to end of row Row 2 (P2 K2) repeat to end of row Row 3 (P2 K2) repeat to end of row Row 4 (K2 P2) repeat to end of row Repeat these 4 rows until the piece measures 9 inches. |
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| Pattern 3--Basket weave | Pattern 4--Mini Cable |
| Using Size 9 needles, cast on 25 stitches Row 1 (K5 P5) repeat to end of row Row 2 (P5 K5) repeat to end of row Row 3 Same as row 1 Row 4 Same as row 2 Row 5 Same as row 1 Row 6 Same as row 1 Row 7 Same as row 2 Row 8 Same as row 1 Row 9 Same as row 2 Row 10 Same as row 1 Repeat rows 1 through 10 until the piece measures 9 inches. | Using size 8 or 9 needles, cast on 27 stitches. Row 1 P2 *Slip1 K2 PSSO P2, repeat from * to end of row Row 2 K2 *P1 YO P1 K2, repeat from * to end of row Row 3 P2 *K3 P2, repeat from * to end of row Row 4 K2 *P2 K3, repeat from * to end of row Repeat these 4 rows until piece measures 9 inches. |
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Pattern 5 |
Pattern 6--Knit lengthwise |
| Using Size 9 needles, cast on 25 stitches Row 1 (K1 P1) repeat to end of row Row 2 Knit entire row Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the piece measure 9 inches. | Using Size 8 or 9 needles, cast on 35 stitches Knit all rows until piece measures 6 inches |