Michael’s Afghan 2021

This is an afghan knitted on the Sentro 48 circular knitting machine.  There are nine tubes, sized to fit a 60” x 72” piece of magenta polar fleece that I picked up at the local Idea Store.  The tubes are sewn together using mattress stitch, then tacked ‘stitch in the ditch’ to the backing.  Finally, all four edges are turned over and whipstitched to make the borders.

Do experiment with colors, yarns, and every other part of this pattern!  For example, my next one will be in shades of teal, turquoise, and deep rich blues, with teal backing, made on the Addi 46 with slightly longer tubes to fit a larger piece of polar fleece.

Materials:  I used acrylic yarns because I had them;  of course you can use whatever you like!

• Big Twist Value yarns from JoAnn.com: each ball is 6 oz / 170g, 380 yards / 347meters

• Brava 500 from Knitpicks.com: each ball is 17.6oz / 500g, 1,090 yards / 997 meters

Color A:  1/3 ball Brava 500 Magenta – 7.5 oz for the single central tube

Color B:  Three balls Big Twist Value in Purple – 7.5 oz for each tube, 15 oz total

Color C:  Three balls Big Twist Value in Grape – 7.5 oz for each tube, 15 oz total

Color D:  Three balls Big Twist Value in Varsity Navy – 7.5 oz for each tube, 15 oz total

Color E:  One ball Brava 500 in Peacock – 7.5 oz for each tube, 15 oz total

One 60” x 72” piece of flannel or polar fleece;  matching thread, and a very sharp needle

Method:

1.   For each tube, using your Sentro 48:

      1.   Cast on using waste yarn, and knit 5 rows.

      2.   Change to Color A, and knit 300 rows.

      3.   Change to waste yarn; knit 5-6 rows.

      4.   Cast off, using an open cast off.

      5.   Stretch the tube width-ways and spread out on the floor to relax overnight.

 2.  Repeat for remaining eight tubes:

       1.   Make two tubes @ 300 rows in Color B.

       2.   Make two tubes @ 300 rows in Color C.

       3.   Make two tubes @ 300 rows in Color D.

       4.   Make two tubes @ 300 rows in Color E.

3.   Spread out the polar fleece on the floor, and position the tubes on it, side by side, to make sure you have the right placement and proportions. Use the loose ends to attach tubes to each other at top and bottom.

4.   Starting with the middle tube, and the various yarns you’ve used to make the tubes, sew tubes together using mattress stitch and a darning needle. This creates flat hidden seams.

5.   When all tubes are sewn together, position the entire piece on the polar fleece. Using a long, very sharp needle and magenta thread (or whatever you require to match the polar fleece), tack between the tubes to fix the knitting to the backing cloth.  You will want the knitted pieces to be affixed correctly to the backing before doing the edges.

6.   When you have finished this hand-sewing and tacking– and it will take longer than you think – start by turning over the backing on one edge and sewing it in place using whip stitch. I started on the longer side, stitching down the entire edge, and then did the opposite side.  Trim the fabric at 45° before folding and pinning the corners, then whip stitch the remaining edges.

7.   Although I didn’t wash or block this afghan, you can (if desired) machine wash it with cold water on a delicate cycle, and either spread it out to dry flat or run it through the dryer on low.

Here is the printable .pdf file for Michael’s Afghan 2021.