picket fence afghan

While we can’t explain the technique used to create the stripes in these blocks very clearly in words, when you’ve got the needles in your hands, it’s very simple to perform.

The result is magic. With Julia Farwell-Clay’s ingenious method, there are zero ends to weave in at the color changes. Zero! With this afghan, the knitter gets to perform the magic switcheroo several times in each block. It never gets old.

Notes
Garter stitch stripes in sliding blocks of color are worked from edges inward, leaving just four ends to weave per block.

Materials
Original Denim by Rowan [50 g skeins, each approx 98 yds (90 m), 100% cotton]: 15 skeins Memphis (A), 10 skeins Nashville (B)

NOTE: You can knit 2 blocks from approx 2 skeins of A and 1 skein of B. It takes approx 2 skeins of B to join the blocks and work the edging.

Handknit Cotton by Rowan [50 g skeins, each approx 93 yds (85 m), 100% cotton]: 1 skein each Gooseberry (C), Raspberry (D), Linen (E)

A NOTE ABOUT ROWAN DENIM
Sadly, Rowan Denim has been discontinued. Because this beloved yarn was in production for so many years, you may still be able to find it for sale.

The good news is that Rowan Handknit Cotton is virtually interchangeable as an option for colors A and B of the blanket. You will need the same number of skeins, in two shades, as for Rowan Denim.

Size US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle, 16″ (40 cm), or size needed to achieve gauge
Size US 7 (4.5 mm) short, straight needles or double-pointed needles for I-cord
Safety pin

Knitted Measurements
Blocks: 11″ wide × 11″ long (28 cm × 28 cm), before machine-washing and -drying
Blanket: 42″ wide × 49″ long (106.5 cm × 124.5 cm)

Gauge
17 sts and 29 rows = 4″ (10 cm) Garter st, before machine-washing and -drying

Errata
Page 27, in the section SECOND B STRIPE. The first line of instructions should read as follows, with the correction in bold:
—Row 1 (WS): With B, purl to last 14 sts, etc.

NOTE: Original Denim will shrink lengthwise after machine-washing and -drying.