Traveling Afghans: The First Squares
Update: Square 12 of the Traveling Crochet Afghan and Squares 7, 11, 18, 21, 23, AND 24 of the Traveling Knit Afghan can now be found in this post as well. Scroll down below the patterns for Square 1 of both afghans for these patterns.
The time has come for the Traveling Afghans to officially set sail around the world, and I cannot tell you how excited I am to launch this epic project and kick it off with the first pattern for both the knit and the crochet afghans! Scroll down to find both patterns and more information on this huge collaborative effort.
You can purchase ad-free, printable PDFs of the patterns here.
If you haven’t visited the landing page for the project on my site and/or you have no clue what the Traveling Afghans are, you can get all of the details here. Essentially, Lion Brand yarn is sponsoring a massive group design/blog hop for a knit afghan and a crochet afghan, which will travel around the world from one designer to the next as they each add a 10”x10” square and publish the pattern FREE online for you to make them along with us! We have 49 designers in 7 different countries participating (that’s 25 designers per blanket, since I’m doing a square for both), and all of them are so excited to share not only their patterns with you but also stories about their maker journeys and what yarn means to them as part of Lion Brand’s 2020 campaign, “My Life in Yarn.”
Got questions? I’ve recently added a whole FAQ section at the bottom of the landing page with lots of answers to all of the questions I’ve received thus far so make sure to check that out if you need help!
If you’re following along and making an afghan with us, feel free to save the passport stamp below and share it on your social media! We are encouraging local groups to coordinate KAL/CALs with their maker friends, so if you belong to a group in your area please share this with them as well and don’t forget to use the hashtags:
#travelingafghans #mylifeinyarn #lionbrandyarn #travelingknitafghan #travelingcrochetafghan
This project has been in the works for several months and I’ve put SO. MUCH. WORK. into it but I could not be more proud of the incredible designers who are contributing and all of the crazy coordination it took to get this off the ground. I’ve seen sneak peeks of each of the design concepts and I cannot wait for you all to see them! Each square pattern is suitable for beginner-easy+ level crafters and many of them will come with photo and/or video tutorials (see below for the first ones!) so it’s a great way to learn a new skill if you’re a newbie.
For the first patterns of each afghan, I chose to use matching stitches in each craft. The impetus for the Traveling Afghans project was Lion Brand’s idea for their “My Life in Yarn” campaign for this year. With so much wonderful focus on inclusivity and giving makers of all backgrounds a voice in our community, this project is a way for us to showcase the talent of so many different designers coming from very different places but all sharing a love for yarn. I’m so thankful for all of the friends I’ve met in yarn world and the way this form of art has connected us all, so I chose a basketweave stitch for my squares to represent us all being woven together through yarn, our medium.
I’m rarely able to record and edit video tutorials, but I got into the swing of things after creating several to showcase how I use yarn to decorate for the holidays and wrap presents, so I kept my set up and filmed a step by step tutorial for both squares! When I shared this image on social media I got tons of requests for the blocking mats and camera mount shown in the photo, so if you’re interested you can find both in my Amazon storefront in the “knitting” or “crochet” sections here.
And speaking of shopping, you’re welcome to use any worsted weight yarn you like for the Traveling Afghans squares, but if you’re interested in the full yarn kit from Lion Brand you can grab one here!
Without further ado, let’s get to the patterns!
TRAVELING KNIT AFGHAN SQUARE #1
Purchase an ad-free, printable PDF here.
MATERIALS:
1/2 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease, or approx 100yds/90m of another worsted weight (category 4) yarn
Size US 8 (5mm) knitting needles
Tapestry needle
FINISHED DIMENSIONS:
10" x 10" / 25.5cm x 25.5cm
GAUGE:
17 sts + 24 rows = 4"/10cm in pattern after blocking
ABBREVIATIONS:
*All Two of Wands patterns are written in standard US terms
CO - cast on
K - knit
P - purl
Rep - repeat
RS - right side
St(s) - stitch(es)
WS - wrong side
Are you a beginner who needs help with the basic knit stitches? Watch my in-depth tutorials for all of the techniques used in this pattern:
CO 43.
Row 1 (WS): P across row.
Row 2 (RS): K 3, *P 5, K 3, rep from * to end of row.
Row 3: P 3, *K 5, P 3, rep from * to end of row.
Row 4: Rep row 2.
Row 5: Rep row 1.
Row 6: P 4, *K 3, P 5, rep from * to last 7 sts, K 3, P 4.
Row 7: K 4, *P 3, K 5, rep from * to last 7 sts, P 3, K 4.
Row 8: Rep row 6.
Rows 9-56: Rep rows 1-8.
Row 57-61: Rep rows 1-5.
Bind off. Block to 10" x 10" / 25.5cm x 25.5cm dimensions.
Watch the full video tutorial!
Curious where the Traveling Knit Afghan is heading next? Check out the itinerary below and visit the landing page here to get direct links to all of the patterns from the individual designers as they are released!
TRAVELING CROCHET AFGHAN SQUARE #1
Purchase an ad-free, printable PDF here.
MATERIALS:
1/2 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease, or approx 100yds/90m of another worsted weight (category 4) yarn
Size US J/10 (6mm) crochet hook
Tapestry needle
FINISHED DIMENSIONS:
10" x 10" / 25.5cm x 25.5cm
GAUGE:
13.5 sts + 8.5 rows = 4"/10cm in pattern after blocking
ABBREVIATIONS:
*All Two of Wands patterns are written in standard US terms
Ch - chain
Bpdc - back post double crochet
Dc - double crochet
Fpdc - front post double crochet
Rep - repeat
Sk - skip
St(s) - stitch(es)
Are you a beginner who needs help with the basic crochet stitches? Watch my in-depth tutorials for the foundation chain and double crochet used in this pattern:
Ch 34.
Note: Turn at the end of each row.
Row 1: Starting in 4th ch from hook, dc across row. (31 sts)
Row 2: Ch 2, sk 1st dc at edge, *fpdc in next 3 sts, bpdc in next 3 sts, rep from * across row, dc in top of turning ch from previous row.
Row 3: Rep row 2.
Row 4: Ch 2, sk 1st dc at edge, *bpdc in next 3 sts, fpdc in next 3 sts, rep from * across row, dc in top of turning ch from previous row.
Row 5: Rep row 4.
Rows 6-21: Rep rows 2-5.
Block to 10" x 10" / 25.5cm x 25.5cm dimensions.
Watch the full video tutorial!
Curious where the Traveling Crochet Afghan is heading next? Check out the itinerary below and visit the landing page here to get direct links to all of the patterns from the individual designers as they are released!
TRAVELING CROCHET AFGHAN SQUARE #12
MATERIALS:
6.00mm Crochet Hook
Approx. 39g OR 100 yards Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Natural Heather (or any weight 4 yarn)
Scissors
Yarn Needle
Scrap yarn
GAUGE:
In Double Crochet Stitch using 6.00mm Crochet Hook, 16sts & 8r = 4”
ABBREVIATIONS:
Ch - Chain
DC - Double Crochet
BPDC - Back Post Double Crochet
Sl St - Slip Stitch
NOTES:
Finished Measurement - 10” x 10” after blocking. Ch2 DOES NOT count as a double crochet stitch.
PATTERN:
Center Spiral Design
Ch4, Sl St into first Ch to create a circle.
R1 - Ch2, work 12 DC stitches into the circle, Sl St to beginning (12)
R2 - Ch2, *2BPDC, Repeat from * around, Sl St to beginning (24)
R3 - Ch2, *2BPDC, BPDC, Repeat from * around, Sl St to beginning (36)
R4 - Ch2, *2BPDC, BPDC into next 2 sts, Repeat from * around, Sl St to beginning (48)
R5 - Ch2, *2BPDC, BPDC into next 3 sts, Repeat from * around, Sl St to beginning (60)
R6 - Ch2, *2BPDC, BPDC into next 4 sts, Repeat from * around, Sl St to beginning (72)
Turning Spiral into a Square
R7 - Ch1, SC into next 7sts, HDC, 2DC, Ch2, 2DC, HDC, SC into next 14sts, HDC, 2DC, Ch2, 2DC, HDC, SC into next 14sts, HDC, 2DC, Ch2, 2DC, HDC, SC into next 14sts, HDC, 2DC, Ch2, 2DC, HDC, SC into remaining 7 sts, Sl St to beginning.
Note - Each Ch2 space will be the corners of the square.
R8-R11- Ch2, *DC up to Ch2 space, (2DC, Ch1, 2DC) into space, Repeat from * around, Sl St to beginning.
Fasten off, weave in all ends. Wet block your square so it measures 10” x 10” before attaching to the afghan.
TRAVELING KNIT AFGHAN SQUARE #7
MATERIALS:
1 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease, or approx 100yds/90m of another worsted weight (category 4) yarn
Size US 8 (5mm) knitting needles
Tapestry needle
FINISHED DIMENSIONS:
10" x 10" / 25.5cm x 25.5cm
GAUGE: 14 sts + 21 rows = 4"/10cm in pattern after blocking
ABBREVIATIONS:
BO – bind off
CO – cast on
Sts – stitches
K – knit
P – purl
PATTERN:
CO 48 sts
Border:
Rows 1-4: K all sts
Diagonal pattern:
Row 1: K4 *K4, P4* repeat * to * to last 4 sts, K4
Row 2: K4 *K3, P4, K1* repeat * to * to last 4 sts, K4
Row 3: K4 *P2, K4, P2* repeat * to * to last 4 sts, K4
Row 4: K4 *K1, P4, K3* repeat * to * to last 4 sts, K4
Row 5: K4 *P4, K4* repeat * to * to last 4 sts, K4
Row 6: K4 *P3, K4, P1* repeat * to * to last 4 sts, K4
Row 7: K4 *P1, K4, P3* repeat * to * to last 4 sts, K4
Row 8: K4 *K4, P4* repeat * to * to last 4 sts, K4
Row 9: K4 *K3, P4, K1* repeat * to * to last 4 sts, K4
Row 10: K4 *P2, K4, P2* repeat * to * to last 4 sts, K4
Row 11: K4 *K1, P4, K3* repeat * to * to last 4 sts, K4
Row 12: K4 *P4, K4* repeat * to * to last 4 sts
Repeat rows 1-12 four more times. Then repeat rows 1-5 once more.
Border:
Rows 1-4: K all sts
BO all sts. Cut yarn and weave in ends.
TRAVELING KNIT AFGHAN SQUARE #11
MATERIALS:
1 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease, or approx 100yds/90m of another worsted weight (category 4) yarn
Size US 8 (5mm) knitting needles
Cable needle or double pointed needle
Tapestry needle
FINISHED DIMENSIONS:
10" x 10" / 25.5cm x 25.5cm
GAUGE: 18 sts + 24 rows = 4"/10cm in pattern after blocking
ABBREVIATIONS:
BO - bind off
CO – cast on
K – knit
KTBL - knit through back loop
P – purl
R - row
RS - right side
Sl st pw wyf - slip one stitch purlwise with yarn in front
WS - wrong side
NOTES
+ Cast-on is a multiple of 3 + 1 stitch, plus 2 selvage stitches for slip stitch edging
+ Slip stitch edge: RS rows (slip first and last stitch pw wyf), WS rows (KTBL first stitch, K last stitch)
+ Stitch pattern is a 4-row repeat beginning with a RS row
PATTERN
CO 45 sts using long tail cast-on
(RS) R 1: Sl st pw wyf, * K1, P2; repeat from * until 2 sts remain, K1, sl st pw wyf
R 2: KTBL, * P1, K2; repeat from * until 2 sts remain, P1, K1
R 3: Sl st pw wyf, K to last st, sl st pw wyf
R 4: KTBL, P to last st, K1
R 5-64: Repeat R 1-4 until it measures approximately 9.75”
R 65-66: Repeat R 1-2
BO knitwise loosely
SEAMING TIPS
+ Place a stitch marker at each corner to hold the square in place
+ Visualize the halfway points and place marker (no need to count the sts since each square has a different number of sts/rows)
+ Divide those sections in half again, and place additional markers
+ Repeat for other edge
+ Flip afghan to the WS
+ Use whip stitch to seam (you may need to skip sts for edges to line up evenly)
TRAVELING KNIT AFGHAN SQUARE #18
MATERIALS:
1 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease, or approx 100yds/90m of another worsted weight (category 4) yarn
Size US 8 (5mm) knitting needles
Cable needle or double pointed needle
Tapestry needle
FINISHED DIMENSIONS:
10" x 10" / 25.5cm x 25.5cm
GAUGE: 18 sts + 24 rows = 4"/10cm in pattern after blocking
ABBREVIATIONS:
CO – cast on
C6B – cable 6 back (Slip first 3 stitches onto cable needle or double pointed needle and place behind your work. Knit next 3 stitches on the left hand needle. Then knit 3 stitches that were held on the cable needle or DPN)
Sts – stitches
K – knit
P – purl
PATTERN NOTES :
You will need to block this square to get it to the proper 10 x 10 size! If you are limited on “official” blocking supplies I suggest dunking in warm water, pressing with a towel, then laying flat to dry. Use any sort of pins or weights to keep your square stretched to the proper dimensions during drying.
PATTERN:
CO 44 sts
Rows 1-6: K44
Row 7: K5, P4, K6, P4, K6, P4, K6, P4, K5
Row 8: K9, P6, K4, P6, K4, P6, K9
Row 9: K5, P4, K6, P4, K6, P4, K6, P4, K5
Row 10: K9, P6, K4, P6, K4, P6, K9
Row 11: K5, P4, K6, P4, K6, P4, K6, P4, K5
Row 12: K9, P6, K4, P6, K4, P6, K9
*Cable Row 13: K5, P4, C6B, P4, C6B, P4, C6B, P4, K5
Row 14: K9, P6, K4, P6, K4, P6, K9
Row 15: K5, P4, K6, P4, K6, P4, K6, P4, K5
Row 16: K9, P6, K4, P6, K4, P6, K9
Row 17: K5, P4, K6, P4, K6, P4, K6, P4, K5
Row 18: K9, P6, K4, P6, K4, P6, K9
Row 19: K5, P4, K6, P4, K6, P4, K6, P4, K5
Row 20: K9, P6, K4, P6, K4, P6, K9
*Cable Row 21: K5, P4, C6B, P4, C6B, P4, C6B, P4, K5
Rows 22-29: Repeat Row 14-21
Rows 30-37: Repeat Row 14-21
Rows 38-45: Repeat Row 14-21
Rows 46-53: Repeat Row 14-21
Row 54: K9, P6, K4, P6, K4, P6, K9
Row 55: K5, P4, K6, P4, K6, P4, K6, P4, K5
Rows 56-60: K44
Bind Off, weave in loose ends using tapestry needle.
TRAVELING KNIT AFGHAN SQUARE #21
MATERIALS:
1 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease, or approx 100yds/90m of another worsted weight (category 4) yarn
Size US 8 (5mm) knitting needles
Tapestry needle
FINISHED DIMENSIONS:
10" x 10" / 25.5cm x 25.5cm
GAUGE: 14 sts + 20 rows = 4"/10cm in pattern after blocking
ABBREVIATIONS:
Beg - beginning
BO - bind off
CO – cast on
K – knit
P – purl
Rep - repeat
RS - right side
Sts – stitches
WS - wrong side
PATTERN:
CO 38 sts.
Row 1 (RS): K38.
Row 2 (WS): P2, *k2, p2*, rep from * to end of row.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you reach row 50.
BO 38 sts.
Block to 10" x 10" / 25.5cm x 25.5cm dimensions. Weave in ends with tapestry needle.
TRAVELING KNIT AFGHAN SQUARE #23
MATERIALS:
1 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease, or approx 100yds/90m of another worsted weight (category 4) yarn
Size US 8 (5mm) knitting needles
Tapestry needle
FINISHED DIMENSIONS:
10" x 10" / 25.5cm x 25.5cm
GAUGE: 18 sts + 24 rows = 4"/10cm in pattern after blocking
ABBREVIATIONS:
Beg - beginning
BO - bind off
CO – cast on
K – knit
P – purl
Rep - repeat
RS - right side
Sts – stitches
WS - wrong side
PATTERN:
CO 48.
Rows 1 & 2: K6, P6 across.
Rows 3 & 4: *P1, K5, P5, K1 across.
Rows 5 & 6: K1, P1, K4, P4, k1, P1 across.
Rows 7 & 8: P1, K1, P1, K3, P3, K1, P1, K1 across.
Rows 9 & 10: (K1, P1) twice, K2, P2, (K1, P1) twice across.
Rows 11 & 12: P1, K1 across.
Rows 13 & 14: K1, P1 across.
Rows 15 &1 6: (P1, K1) twice, P2, K2, (P1, K1) twice; across.
Rows 17 & 18: K1, P1, K1, P3, K3, P1, K1, P1 across.
Rows 19 & 20: P1, K1, P4, k4, P1, K1 across.
Rows 21 & 22: K1, P5, K5, P1 across.
Rows 23 & 24: P6, K6 across.
Rows 25 & 26: P5, K1, P1, K5 across.
Rows 27 & 28: P4, (K1, P1) twice, K4.
Rows 29 & 30: P3, (K1, P1) 3 times, K3 across.
Rows 31 & 32: P2, (K1, P1) 4 times, K2 across.
Rows 33 & 34: (P1, K1) across.
Rows 35 & 36: (K1,P1) across.
Rows 37 & 38: K2, (P1, K1) 4 times, P2 across.
Rows 39 & 40: K3, (P1, K1) 3 times, P3 across.
Rows 41 & 42: K4, (P1, K1) twice, P4 across.
Rows 43 & 44: K 5, P1, K1, P5 across.
Repeat rows 1-44. *Note you will reach 10” | 25.5cm before you finish your second repeat. Measure as you knit.*
Bind-off and steam block gently or soak to measurements.
TRAVELING KNIT AFGHAN SQUARE #24
MATERIALS:
1 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease, or approx 100yds/90m of another worsted weight (category 4) yarn
Size US 8 (5mm) knitting needles
Tapestry needle
FINISHED DIMENSIONS:
10" x 10" / 25.5cm x 25.5cm
GAUGE: 15 sts + 24 rows = 4"/10cm in pattern after blocking
ABBREVIATIONS:
CO – cast on
Sts – stitches
K – knit
P – purl
BO - bind off
PATTERN:
Cast on 38 stitches.
1. (RS): K4, P2, *K6, P2; repeat from * to end.
2. P1, K2, *P6 K2; repeat from * to last 3 stitches, P3.
3. K2, P2, *K6, P2; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.
4. P3, K2, *P6, K2; repeat from * to last stitch, P1.
5. P2, *K6, P2; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, K4.
6. Purl across.
7. Repeat these six rows, until your work measures 10 inches.
Bind Off, weave in loose ends using tapestry needle.
