Tension squares

Tension square showing six stitches to the inch.

Message from the Team Leader.

I have had a fiddle with the 4 ply yarn and knitted a tension square to bring all our knitting together, and make the blankets take on a uniform look.

I would suggest everyone start with this square first so we can get all the tensions the same.

Start with the below instructions and then adjust your needles according to the instructions.

For the complete blanket each square will be 11 cm x 11 cm.
The blanket will 7 squares wide and 13 squares long. Total 91 squares per blanket.

This is approximately the size of a cot mattress and I have done the measurements so that we have uneven numbers which will work nicely for aesthetics.

Lenore is going to start a blog to keep track of where we are and we can load instructions directly onto the blog for the different patterns so we know how many stitches to use etc.

I have added the photos of the tensions square so you can see how I have measured the tension.

Tension Square
Using 3 1/4 needles (10)

Cast on 25 stitches
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: K1 Purl to last stitch K1
(This keeps the edge neat without loops)
Repeat for 10.5 cm
Cast off

Prior to cast off check your tension is 6 stitches per inch as above pictures indicates.
This will also adjust the wide of the square once you have the right tension.

If you have more stitches to the inch you will need to change to the next size thicker needle 3.5 mm.

If you have less stitches you will need thinner needles to bring more stitches into the inch. Try a 3 mm.

Let me know if you need help with this and I will guide you through the process.

                                                                                               Yvonne

It has been agreed that the grandmother will decide on the colour and pattern of the wool.  If we have 10 knitters, we will only need to knit 9 squares each.  The squares are quite small, so the task will not be an arduous one.  When sufficient squares are completed, we will have a G&T night to stitch the blanket together.  The Team Leader is investigating the best way to do the stitching.  Experts are being consulted.