Afghan Block KAL-Month 9 Illusion Knitting starts Pg 30

[gargoylelib]

Ok, so have been distracted creating a cable pattern and haven't
been online! Given that I started this KAL I should probably at
least check in once a day! I have yet to start my first block
...*hanging my head in shame* haha I just had this "brilliant" idea
to make a dragon out of cables and that has been all I've been
thinking about and working on! Ok, enough excuses...I will start
my Block One tonight...I have yarn and needles---no excuses!!

So how come the Mason Dixon pattern has the decreases changing every other row?

Not exactly sure what you are asking but I do know there are many
ways to achieve the mitered square. The pattern I learned is the
one I posted but since learning that I have seen a few others. The
one Sig linked to has the decreases so that you slip a stitch, k2tog
and then pass the slipped stitch over. I do know that all the patterns
I have seen have a decrease row wherein you decrease a total of
2 stitches in the middle of the row and then a plain knit row alternating
until you reach the end. Did that answer your question or not even
come close?

Libbie

[bajanKnit]

Always wanted to join as KAL hope iam not to late.

Will we be posting pics of finished squares or no???

[bajanKnit]

Also what type of yarn have you settled on washable, wool,cotton????

[evona]

I'm using gargoylelib's method of doing a mitered block, but I'm noticing that in the middle (where my decreases occur and the stitch marker is) the stitches seem loose. Is this normal? Or, how do I fix/stop this?

[Abbily]

I just noticed this thread today, hope it's not too late for me to join! What a great idea!

[gargoylelib]

Always wanted to join as KAL hope iam not to late.
Will we be posting pics of finished squares or no???

I just noticed this thread today, hope it's not too late for me to join! What a great idea!

As far as I'm concerned it's never too late too join in! Welcome to
the KAL And yes, pics of works in progress and finished squares
would be great! Also when we get into more advanced techniques
anyone with questions might want to post a pic of their problem
as it will make it easier for others to help work out a solution.

Also what type of yarn have you settled on washable, wool,cotton????

Yarn is your choice! If you plan to do the block swap at the end of
the year, then it should be washable and you might want to make
a few in cotton or acrylic for swapping with those with wool allergies.
If you are not doing the swap then by all means make your blocks
in any yarn you like!

I'm using gargoylelib's method of doing a mitered block, but I'm noticing that in the middle (where my decreases occur and the stitch marker is) the stitches seem loose. Is this normal? Or, how do I fix/stop this?

Ok, the paired decreases in the middle do create sort of an "odd"
line that will run diagonally across your block. I'm about halfway
done with mine and so will try to take a picture and post it so you
can compare. You can also do a picture search on google and get
a ton of pics of different knit mitered squares. If yours seems extra
loose you might try pulling the yarn particularly tight after your slip
the marker and do the knit2 tog. Oh, another idea...you could look
at raglan sleeve shaping on sweaters knit in the round as they use
the same type of paired decreases and it gives a definite space
between the stitches...actually you can see a pic of the raglan
shaping clearly here. Made this little cardy for dd recently so still
fresh in my mind!

Hope that helps!

Libbie

[gargoylelib]

Here are some pics of my garter stitch mitered square still on the
needles in the pics but I finished it off last night.

2 pics of the over all appearance:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gargoylelib/2253798505/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gargoylelib/2253798489/

Up close of the miter line, unstretched: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gargoylelib/2253798497/

Up close of the miter line, stretched so you can see the gap:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gargoylelib/2253798491/

Libbie

[evona]

Thanks gargoylelib . . . mine are definitely looser. I started tugging my decrease stitches a bit and the line is coming out much nicer, but I think I'll definitely have to make a different one for the swap

[Karina]

Gargoylelib love your square. I started mine thought I would use Stockinette st, but the way you have done yours the mitred line shows up much more defined. I think I will frog mine and start again.

[bajanKnit]

I have started my square but it's very basic st st with a 3 garter stitch border all around. I will try something a little different for the next square as I am doing 2 squares so I can swap one and keep the other one.