Happy Holidays!

The time has come to deck the halls and spread good cheer.  What better way can there be for us yarnie enthusiasts than creating a square with rows of candy canes dancing their way across it?  Of course, this stitch will be terrific during all other times of the year as well, as it also resembles fish hooks, or shepherd’s crooks. 🙂

In this monthly column we’re going to be working on some exciting new stitch patterns, as well as a few new techniques thrown in for good measure.  My intention for our yarn play is to provide all the know-how for you to be able to work the new stitch; any charts, photos, or videos you may need; as well as a pattern to create an 8” x 8” square.  As we go along in our looming journey, we should be able to create lovely pieced afghans with our squares, as I like to know that we’re going somewhere while swatching, don’t you?  You can think of it as our Stitch Sample Afghan—a stitch dictionary right at your fingertips, keeping your legs warm, lol. 😉

Candy Cane Square

Items Needed

Loom: Authentic Knitting Board Adjustable Hat Loom: 2 rounded pieces + 3 peg connectors, with pegs in all holes for a 3/8” gauge.  The Sock Loom 2 or the All-n-One Loom could also be used.

Yarn: approx. 75 yards Worsted Weight (Sample uses Berroco Vintage in Mochi)

Notions: Loom tool, yarn needle, scissors.  (Also helpful: peg markers, row counter)

Pattern Notes:

This versatile stitch pattern would apply itself very nicely to pretty much any type of project.  To work this pattern in the round for a hat, use the Repeating Pattern Rows chart, and make sure to read it from right to left for each row, rather than alternating sides each time.  Also, cast onto your loom in a clockwise direction, using a number of pegs that is divisible by 8—the number of stitches required for each pattern repeat.

For flat pieces of a greater size, begin with the Set Up Rows, then simply increase the number of Repeating Pattern Rows inside the garter stitch border for the length and width required, then complete with the Finishing Rows.

When the pattern uses the term “knit” or “k”, please use the true knit stitch or the u-stitch, not the e-wrap.

To work a s1, k1, psso (in the case of this pattern, a right leaning eyelet), please see this tutorial by Isela Phelps:

*For ease in reading the pattern’s directions below, this step is placed inside brackets [ ] to let you know that these steps are all accomplished on just two pegs.

To work a ssk (a left leaning eyelet), please see this tutorial by Isela Phelps:

*For ease in reading the pattern’s directions below, this step is placed inside brackets [ ] to let you know that these steps are all accomplished on just two pegs.

Repeating Pattern Rows

Here is the entire pattern chart for the 8” x 8” square:

Everything you need to know about knitting your square is included in the above chart.  Believe it or not, you can actually create your square without looking at another thing!  For help with reading charts, please see the Stitchology I post for a detailed explanation, and you’ll be ready to go!

But, don’t worry…I am also providing you with the step by step instructions below. 😉

Step by Step Instructions:

Cast onto your loom from left to right, using a total of 37 pegs. (Sample uses Chain Cast On)

Set Up Rows

Row 1:  p37

Row 2:  k37

Row 3:  p37

Main Pattern Rows

Row 4:  k37

Row 5:  p2, k2, [s1, k1, psso, yo], k1, [yo, ssk], *k3, [s1, k1, psso, yo], k1, [yo, ssk], repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k2, p2.

Row 6: k37

Rows 7:  p2, k1, *[s1, k1, psso, yo], k3, [yo, ssk], k1, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k1, p2.

Row 8: k37

Row 9:  p2, k4, [s1, k1, psso, yo], *k6, [s1, k1, psso, yo], repeat from * to last 5 stitches, k3, p2.

Row 10:  k37

Row 11:  p2, k3, [s1, k1, psso, yo], *k6, [s1, k1, psso, yo], repeat from * to last 6 stitches, k4, p2.

Row 12:  k37

Row 13:  p2, k2, [s1, k1, psso, yo], *k6, [s1, k1, psso, yo], repeat from * to last 7 stitches, k5, p2.

Row 14:  k37

Row 15:  p2, k1, *[s1, k1, psso, yo], k6, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p2.

Row 16:  k37

Row 17:  p2, k33, p2

Row 18:  k37

Row 19:  work as Row 5

Row 20:  k37

Row 21:  work as Row 7

Row 22:  k37

Row 23:  p2, k3, [yo, ssk], *k6, [yo, ssk], repeat from * to last 6 stitches, k4, p2.

Row 24:  k37

Row 25:  p2, k4, [yo, ssk], *k6, [yo, ssk], repeat from * to last 5 stitches, k3, p2.

Row 26:  k37

Row 27:  p2, k5, [yo, ssk], *k6, [yo, ssk], repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k2, p2.

Row 28:  k37

Row 29:  p2, *k6, [yo, ssk], repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k1, p2.

Row 30:  k37

Row 31:  p2, k33, p2

Rows 32-58:  Repeat Rows 4-30.

Finishing Rows

Row 59:  p37

Row 60:  k37

Row 61:  p37

Bind off all stitches loosely. (Sample uses the Basic Bind Off)  Weave in ends and trim close to work.

Block to an 8” x 8” measurement.

Afghan Notes:

If you are intending this square to be part of an afghan, you may wish to make up to 3 or 4 additional squares.  We will be sharing at least 12 of these patterns for you to use in your blanket.  Use the following general measurements to decide how many of each of the 8″ x 8″ squares you will need, rounding up as necessary:

• Baby Blanket: 30″ x 36″
• Children: 42″ x 48″
• Lapghan: 36″ x 48″
• Twin Bed Afghan: 60″ x 85″
• Queen Bed Afghan: 90″ x 95″