Hi everyone!

Welcome to the final week of squares for the Royal Baby KAL/CAL! After this week, you should have 12 squares to sew together for your blanket. We will cover the construction aspect of this project in our final blog post next week. For now, enjoy knitting and crocheting your squares for week 6!

Week 6 Knit Square

Knit:

Materials:
100 yds of worsted weight yarn
US 7 needles


New Abbreviations:
yf- yarn forward
yb- yarn back

Directions:


CO 47 sts.

Knit 6 rows in garter stitch.

Row 7 (set-up row): k5, p5, (k3,p5) 4 times, k5


Begin working the following 4 row pattern:

Row 1: k5, yf, sl 5 knitwise, yb, *k3, yf, sl 5 knitwise, yb; repeat from * to last 5 sts, k5

Row 2: k5, p5, (k3,p5) 4 times, k5

Row 3: k7, insert right needle under loose strand and knit next stitch on left needle pulling stitch under the strand to pull the strand up, *k8, insert right needle under loose strand and knit next stitch on left needle pulling stitch under the strand to pull the strand up; repeat from * to last 7 sts, k7.

Row 4: same as Row 2.

*Repeat Rows 1-4 until piece measures 9.25"


Knit 6 rows in garter stitch.

BO all sts and block gently to 10" x 10."


Crochet:






-hdc (half double crochet): Yarn over hook, insert hook under both loops of next stitch, yarn over hook and draw loop through stitch; yarn over hook again and pull through 3 remaining loops on hook.

Border:  With right side facing,work one row of double crochet as follows, working corners as described in note below:

Border Row 1: dc in each stitch on vertical ends of work and in space at end of each row on horizontal sides of work. 

*Work corners as follows: dc to corner stitch, ch 1, dc in corner stitch, ch 1, dc in next stitch and following stitches, to next corner stitch.

After working border rows, fasten off yarn and weave in end.  If needed, block gently to 10” by 10” dimensions.

That's it for this week. Stay tuned for next week when we show you how to put it all together!

Happy knitting and crocheting!
Kristen & Heather

Thanks for joining us for Week 5 of the Royal Baby KAL/CAL!  As many of you may know, the Royal Baby, George Alexander Louis, is here and we can officially say, "it's a boy"!  We still think both of our Royal Baby colors are beautiful, though, and hope you are enjoying working with them as well!


Knit Square: The week 5 knit square features a traditional English Mesh Lace pattern in honor of the arrival of the Royal Baby Boy!

Knit Square #5

Materials:
-100 yds of Worsted Weight yarn
-US 7 knitting needles
-darning needle
-2 stitch markers

Gauge:
17 sts = 4" in garter stitch

Directions:

CO 47 sts

Knit every row for 6 rows

On last row, place stitch markers as follows:
             -K5, pm, K to last 5 sts, pm, K5

Set up row (WS):

K5, P to last 5 sts, K5

Begin working English Mesh Lace pattern as follows:

Knit Square close-up

Crochet Square:

-slip stitch (sl st): Insert hook in next stitch, yarn over hook, pull through both loops on hook.

 -dc (double crochet): Yarn over hook, insert hook under both loops of next stitch, yarn over hook and draw loop through stitch; yarn over hook and pull through two loops on hook; yarn over hook again and pull through 2 remaining loops on hook.

-tr (treble crochet):  Yarn over hook twice, insert hook under both loops of next stitch, yarn over hook and draw loop through stitch; [yarn over hook and pull through two loops on hook] 3 times.

 -tbl (through back loop): Work in back loop of stitch only.

Directions:

Row 1 (WS): With size H/8 crochet hook, ch 40.  Tr in 4th ch from hook; *ch 1, skip 1 ch, tr in next ch; repeat from * across.  Turn.

Week 5 Crochet Square Detail

Row 2 (RS): Ch 3; tr in 1st ch-1 st from row below; *ch 1, skip 1 st, tr in next st; repeat from *across.  (Your treble crochet sts in each row should fall in between the treble crochet st from the last row).

Repeat row 2 until piece measures approximately 8" by 8".  Fasten off yarn and weave in ends.

Border:  Rejoin yarn to work with right side facing and work border as follows, working corners as described in note below:

Border Row 1: sc in each stitch all the way around work. 

*Work corners as follows: work in pattern to corner stitch, ch 1, work pattern stitch in corner stitch, ch 1, work pattern stitch in next stitch and following stitches, to next corner stitch.

Crochet Square 4 Front

Hello everyone and happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend! We are really excited about this week's squares. Heather explores a ribbing pattern with the crochet square giving it a different look on either side. For the knit square, we will work a modified diagonal lace that is knit from one corner out, and then back into a point. Lets get started!

Crochet Square:




Knit:

Knit Square Week 4

Materials:

-Approximately 100 yds of a worsted weight yarn (We are using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted)

-US 7- 24 or 32" circular needle.

-Tapestry needle

-1 stitch marker (Ring is fine but a locking/removable marker is better)

Gauge:

22 sts and 24 rows = 4" in stitch pattern

Abbreviations:
k- knit
p- purl
ssk- slip slip knit (I slip my first stitch knit wise and second stitch purl wise)
k2tog- knit 2 together
yo- yarn over
sk2p- slip 1 stitch, knit 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over
pm- place marker
sl m- slip marker
co- cast on
bo- bind off
st(s)- stitch(es)
m1r- make 1 right
m1l- make 1 left

Close up (straight view)

Directions:

Set up:

co 3 sts
Row 1: knit
Row 2: k1, m1l, k1, m1r, k1 (5 sts)
Row 3: knit
Row 4: k2, m1l, k1, m1r, k2 (7 sts)
Row 5: knit
Row 6: k3, yo, pm (to mark center stitch), k1, yo, k3 (9 sts)
Row 7: knit (sl m as you come to it)

**Errata** 

Addition of Row 8 & 9:
Row 8: k3, (yo, k1) 3 times, yo, k3 (13 sts)
Row 9: Knit

Begin working increasing stitch pattern as follows:


**Please Note: A regular ring stitch marker may get in the way during the decreases. You may choose to switch to marking the center stitch with a removable marker instead to make this easier. Either way, it still helps to mark the center stitch somehow. Do what works for you. :)

Row 1: k3, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to 1 stitch before marker, yo, k3, yo, **ssk, yo; repeat from ** to last 3 sts, k 3.

Close up (diagonal view)

Row 2: k3, p to last 3 sts, k3

Row 3: k3, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to marker, yo, k1, yo, **ssk, yo; repeat from ** to last 3 sts, k3.

Row 4: same as row 2.

*Repeat these 4 rows until there are 61 sts on the needles.

Begin working decrease stitch pattern as follows:

Row 1: k2, ssk, *yo, ssk; repeat from * to marker, k1, k2tog, **yo k2tog; repeat from ** to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 2: k3, p to last 3 sts, k3

Row 3: k2, ssk, *yo, ssk; repeat from * to 1 st before marker, yo, sk2p, **yo, k2tog; repeat from ** to last 2 sts, k 2.

Row 4: same as row 2

*repeat these 4 rows until there are 7 sts left on the needles and you have just finished an even row.

Finishing:

Row 1: k2, sk2p, k2 (5 sts)

Row 2: knit

Row 3: k1, sk2p, k1 (3 sts)

Row 4: BO all remaining 3 sts and weave in ends. Block to 10"x10"


There you have it folks, week #4! We hope you've enjoyed these squares and of course if you have questions, be sure to post them to the group on Ravelry!

I hope you all have a great week!

Happy knitting and crocheting,
Kristen (and Heather)

Hi everyone!

We are one week away from the start of our Royal Baby Blanket KAL/CAL and Heather and I are getting excited! We've been working away like crazy on the squares, and are really excited to reveal the first ones to you next week!




I thought I would use this week's blog post to give you some preparatory info and general FAQ's about the KAL/CAL in case you missed it on Ravelry. If you are just joining us, make sure to read through this post for all of the info so that you are prepared for next week! Also, it's not too late to join! Just in time to order your yarn so you'll receive it by next Monday (assuming you are in the US.) So welcome everyone to the Royal Baby KAL/CAL. Here are the FAQ's I've been getting on the Ravelry group:

1) How do I "join" the KAL/CAL?

There is no official "sign up" with our KAL/CAL's. We keep it pretty informal around here. We don't clog up your inbox with excessive e-mails or require you sign anything to say your are in. If you are knitting with us, you are in. Feel free to create a "project" on Ravelry and link it to the Royal Baby Blanket KAL pattern page. This will make it easy to share your progress updates with other in the JBW group. Feel free to save the yarn photo we've posted for the picture and use that for your "pre KAL/CAL" project photo. Be sure at least read through the KAL/CAL threads on the JBW Ravelry group. This is the community we use for the KAL/CAL and will help you feel like you are actively participating with the group, even if you don't chime in.

2) Do I have to use the Royal Baby yarn?

No, purchasing the Royal Baby yarn is not required for this project. However, now is the time to decide on the yarn you will use so that you can order it in time if needed. Whether or not you are using the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted Royal Baby yarn, you'll still need a worsted weight for this project and about 1,350 yards just for the squares. That equals 6 skeins of the Lorna's Laces or 7 skeins if you'd like to add a border. That part is optional.

3) What is the gauge for this project?

The gauge for this project may vary from square to square, but the gauge we are aiming for to start is as follows:

-Knitted gauge: 20 sts = 4" in stockinette stitch on US 7 needles.

-Crocheted gauge is 16 sts = 4" in half-double crochet on a US H-8 crochet hook.

You'll want to count on using the gauge swatch yarn for the blanket so don't bother with blocking your swatch too much. Just make sure to have some other sizes of hooks and needles on hand in case your gauge varies with each different stitch type. I would say as long as you have a size smaller and a size larger, you should be fine. The gauge for each swatch will be provided with each week's directions.

4) When and where will the instructions be posted each week?

The instructions for both the knit and crochet squares will be posted each Monday morning, between 6am-8am PST, starting July 1st (that's next week!) right here on the Jimmy Beans Wool Blog.

5) How will I know what the square is supposed to look like when I'm done knitting/crocheting it?

This KAL/CAL is not set up as a complete mystery KAL/CAL like most where you have no idea what you are making. We will post a picture of each square with the directions for each one so that you can see what that set of directions are supposed to look when you are finished. I think this will help to quell any confusion that often comes with Mystery KALs and CALs.

6) Do I have to be able to knit AND Crochet to participate?

No, if you prefer to knit the whole thing or crochet the whole thing, that is totally fine. Each week we will release one crochet square and one knit square pattern. If you prefer one craft over the other, simply make two of the square of your choice. You'll still have the 12 squares needed in the end to make your blanket.

7) How can I get help with my project if I have questions?

If you haven't already, be sure to join the Jimmy Beans Wool Ravelry Group. In the group, there will be a new thread for each clue where you can ask questions. If you are too shy to post in the group or are worried your question will be missed, you can e-mail Heather and I directly depending on which square you are referring to. For knitting square questions, e-mail Kristen (at) jimmybeanswool.com and for crochet square questions, e-mail Heather (at) jimmybeanswool.com. Be sure to remove the "(at)" and put in the @ symbol. I change it for blog posts to keep spambots away. :)

You can also send a private message to JimmyBeansWool on Ravelry and the correct person will answer you, or leave a comment on the blog post itself. Either way, we are available to answer any and all questions. If your question comes to us over the weekend, you'll receive a response the following Monday since Heather and I both work Mon-Fri during JBW's business hours.

Even if you don't plan on commenting on Ravelry, I encourage all of you to at least read through the posts in the JBW Group on Ravelry before asking your questions as a lot of people do post the same questions and often the answer is already on there. If you aren't a member of Ravelry--it's free to join and even if you only use it for this KAL, it's worth it. It's definitely not required though, so no pressure. :)

8) If I plan on doing a contrasting border with my Royal Baby Yarn, what colors should I pick and how much extra yarn do I need?

This is entirely up to you depending on what yarn you choose. If you are knitting with the Royal Baby colors, here is a key of all of the colors in the two Royal Baby yarns:

P.S. Have you seen our latest catalog yet? It’s 48 pages of pure, 100% Rowan.

Visit www.jimmybeanswool.com/catalog to sign up for your free copy!