Tournament of Stitches 2021 Knitting Section 1
Welcome to Tournament of Stitches 2021! This is the first section of the knit version of this six week stitch-along.
This is a makealong. You must complete each previous part of the project before you can move on to the next part. You can always visit the original blog post to get all of the details that you need. Plus, that’s where you can find the links to each new section of the knit-along as well as each week’s crochet-along version of the pattern.
Remember, should you have any questions please be sure to post in dedicated thread for Tournament of Stitches Week 1 in the Marly’s Minions Facebook Group!
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MEASUREMENTS
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: You have two options for this knit along:
- Pillow is 19” (48.5 cm) wide by 18” (45.5 cm) tall
- Afghan is 60“ (152 cm) wide by 57“ (145 cm) high
GAUGE: 14 stitches = 4″ in garter stitch. Gauge is not super important as this is a blanket or a pillow. The biggest concern is if you make the blocks too large you might need more yarn.
MATERIALS
Yarn: Sample was made with Red Heart With Love (100% acrylic; Ball size Solids: 198 g/7 oz, 338 meters/370 yards; Ball size Variegates: 141 g/5 oz, 211 meters/230 yards; Ball size Stripes: 141 g/5 oz, 204 meters/223 yards; CYC 4 – Worsted Weight
If you want to make the throw:
- Color A: 325 grams
- Color B: 325 grams
- Color C: 325 grams
- Color D: 325 grams
- Color E: 450 grams
If you want to make the pillow:
- Color A: 125 grams
- Color B: 125 grams
- Color C: 125 grams
- Color D: 125 grams
- Color E: 400 grams
It is possible to choose any worsted weight yarn that gets gauge. Keep scrolling for a list of suggested yarns.
Color Suggestions: I would choose colors that are not too close together in shade but have all of the colors work together. You could go subtle or loud. Totally your choice.
Needles: size 10 (6 mm) straight or 24″ circular needles. (Also, a 40″ or longer circular would be useful for the edging) Or size needed to obtain correct gauge.
Notions: Chenille or Tapestry needle, Stitch markers, 18 x18 Pillow form or size to fit inside your pillow
SPECIAL STITCHES
Sl 1, K2tog, PSSO: Slip 1 stitch as if to knit, knit the next two stitches together, then pass the slipped stitch over the top of the stitch from the k2tog. 2 stitches decreased.
VIDEO
NOTES
- Change color using the intarsia technique of old color over new color when transitioning from one to the other.
- Carry yarn on the wrong side of the work. Meaning when you switch your colors mid row, make sure to move your working yarn to the wrong side. If you are knitting the right side, move yarn to the back. If you are knitting the wrong side, move yarn to the front.
- If you are struggling with the join as you go method, you can make each square individually and seam together in pattern at the end.
Tournament of Stitches 2021 Knit
SECTION 1
Schematic / Layout for Week One
Knit Pattern
This is the first section of both the afghan and the pillow.
Work the blocks in the color sequence in schematic/layout for week 1 (see above). Each block has its own color sequence but most blocks are knitted the same way. Pay close attention and make sure you are using the correct colors.
For all color changes use the intarsia technique when switching from one color to the next. And make sure the floats or links are all on the WS of the blocks.
If you have any questions, remember I did a thorough video tutorial for this entire section so don’t hesitate to watch it.
Row 1
Block 1
For Afghan: With color A (first color), cast on 33, lay down yarn, with color C (second color) cast on 32 — 65 stitched total.
For Pillow: With color A (first color), cast on 13, lay down yarn, with color C (second color) cast on 12 — 25 stitches total.
Note: Moving forward the number of stitches for the afghan will be listed as first in the parenthesis and the number of stitches for the pillow will be listed as second in the parenthesis. Example: (Afghan number, Pillow number)
Row 1 (WS): Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch (see note about Intarsia).
Row 2 (RS): Knit to last two stitches of the first color, slip 1, k2tog, psso, with second color, continue to knit to end of row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 3 stitches remaining.
Cut first color. Continue with second color.
Last row (WS): Slip 1 stitch, k2tog, psso — 1 stitch.
Cut second color and fasten off.
Weave in ends.
Block 2
With RS facing of block 1, starting at the top left corner of block and working down the left edge, pick up and knit (33, 13) stitches with color D (first color), then with color C (second color), cast on (32, 12) — (65, 25) stitches total.
Row 1 (WS): Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch (see note about Intarsia).
Row 2 (RS): Knit to last two stitches of the first color, slip 1, k2tog, psso, with second color, continue to knit to end of row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 3 stitches remaining.
Cut first color. Continue with second color.
Last row (WS): Slip 1 stitch, k2tog, psso — 1 stitch.
Cut second color and fasten off.
Weave in ends.
Block 3
With RS facing of block 2, starting at the top left corner of block and working down the left edge, pick up and knit (33, 13) stitches with color B (first color), then with color A (second color), cast on (32, 12) — (65, 25) stitches total.
Row 1 (WS): Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch (see note about Intarsia).
Row 2 (RS): Knit to last two stitches of the first color, slip 1, k2tog, psso, with second color, continue to knit to end of row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 3 stitches remaining.
Cut first color. Continue with second color.
Last row (WS): Slip 1 stitch, k2tog, psso — 1 stitch.
Cut second color and fasten off.
Weave in ends.
Row 2
Block 4
With color B (first color), cast on (33, 13) stitches. Then, with RS facing of block 1, starting at the top right corner of block 1 and working across the top edge, pick up and knit (32, 12) stitches with color D (second color) — (65, 25) stitches total.
Row 1 (WS): Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch (see note about Intarsia).
Row 2 (RS): Knit to last two stitches of the first color, slip 1, k2tog, psso, with second color, continue to knit to end of row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 3 stitches remaining.
Cut first color. Continue with second color.
Last row (WS): Slip 1 stitch, k2tog, psso — 1 stitch.
Cut second color and fasten off.
Weave in ends.
Block 5
With RS facing of block 4, starting at the top left corner of block and working down the left edge, pick up and knit (33, 13) stitches with color B (first color), then with color E (second color), start at the top right corner of block 2, pick up and knit (32, 12) across the top edge of block — (65, 25) stitches total.
Row 1 (WS): Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch (see note about Intarsia).
Row 2 (RS): Knit to last two stitches of the first color, slip 1, k2tog, psso, with second color, continue to knit to end of row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 3 stitches remaining.
Cut first color. Continue with second color.
Last row (WS): Slip 1 stitch, k2tog, psso — 1 stitch.
Cut second color and fasten off.
Weave in ends.
Block 6
With RS facing of block 5, starting at the top left corner of block and working down the left edge, pick up and knit (33, 13) stitches with color D (first color), then with color C (second color), start at the top right corner of block 3, pick up and knit (32, 12) across the top edge of block — (65, 25) stitches total.
Row 1 (WS): Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch (see note about Intarsia).
Row 2 (RS): Knit to last two stitches of the first color, slip 1, k2tog, psso, with second color, continue to knit to end of row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 3 stitches remaining.
Cut first color. Continue with second color.
Last row (WS): Slip 1 stitch, k2tog, psso — 1 stitch.
Cut second color and fasten off.
Weave in ends.
Row 3
Block 7
With color A (first color), cast on (33, 13) stitches. Then, with RS facing of block 4, starting at the top right corner of block 4 and working across the top edge, pick up and knit (32, 12) stitches with color E (second color) — (65, 25) stitches total.
Row 1 (WS): Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch (see note about Intarsia).
Row 2 (RS): Knit to last two stitches of the first color, slip 1, k2tog, psso, with second color, continue to knit to end of row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 3 stitches remaining.
Cut first color. Continue with second color.
Last row (WS): Slip 1 stitch, k2tog, psso — 1 stitch.
Cut second color and fasten off.
Weave in ends.
Block 8
With RS facing of block 7, starting at the top left corner of block and working down the left edge, pick up and knit (33, 13) stitches with color B (first color), then with color D (second color), start at the top right corner of block 5, pick up and knit (32, 12) across the top edge of block — (65, 25) stitches total.
Row 1 (WS): Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch (see note about Intarsia).
Row 2 (RS): Knit to last two stitches of the first color, slip 1, k2tog, psso, with second color, continue to knit to end of row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 3 stitches remaining.
Cut first color. Continue with second color.
Last row (WS): Slip 1 stitch, k2tog, psso — 1 stitch.
Cut second color and fasten off.
Weave in ends.
Block 9
With RS facing of block 8, starting at the top left corner of block and working down the left edge, pick up and knit (33, 13) stitches with color A (first color), then with color C (second color), start at the top right corner of block 6, pick up and knit (32, 12) across the top edge of block — (65, 25) stitches total.
Row 1 (WS): Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch (see note about Intarsia).
Row 2 (RS): Knit to last two stitches of the first color, slip 1, k2tog, psso, with second color, continue to knit to end of row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 3 stitches remaining.
Cut first color. Continue with second color.
Last row (WS): Slip 1 stitch, k2tog, psso — 1 stitch.
Cut second color and fasten off.
Weave in ends.
