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Square for a Quilt

Lace square for a knitted blanket

This pattern was originally published in “The Knitted Lace Pattern Book” c1870. I have updated it into modern knitting terms, checked it for errors and test knit it.

The original pattern used number 12 knitting cotton and needles old UK 13/US 1/2.25mm and Old UK 14/US 0/2mm
For a modern afghan or blanket, use fingering weight, or sock weight wool or cotton and 3.25 and 3.75mm needles

The sample I knit with the yarn and needle sizes stated in the original pattern measures 17.5 cm/7″ square.
I think this pattern would also look great knit in a fingering weight cotton or wool for a chunkier, modern style blanket.

Pattern

The “cast on 1” in the pattern is an e-wrap cast on. In other words, twist a loop in your thread and put it on the needle. You can substitute a yarn over if you wish, then knit into the back of it on the following row.

Using the smaller needles, cast on 2 sts and work as follows.

Row 1 (RS): K1, CO 1 st, k1 (3 sts).
Rows 2 to 19 : K1, CO 1 st, knit to end (21 sts).

Row 20: P1, CO 1 st, purl (22 sts).
Row 21: K1, CO 1 st, knit (23 sts).
Row 22: K1, CO 1 st, knit (24 sts).

Row 23: P1, CO 1 st, purl (25 sts).
Row 24: K1, CO 1 st, knit (26 sts).
Row 25: K1, CO 1 st, knit (27 sts).

Row 26: P1, CO 1 st, purl (28 sts).
Row 27: K1, CO 1 st, knit (29 sts).
Row 28: K1, CO 1 st, knit (30 sts).

Row 29: P1, CO 1 st, purl (31 sts).
Row 30: K1, CO 1 st, knit (32 sts).
Row 31: K1, CO 1 st, knit (33 sts).

Row 32: P1, CO 1 st, purl (34 sts).
Row 33: K1, CO 1 st, knit (35 sts).
Row 34: K1, CO 1 st, *yo, k2tog, repeat from * (36 sts).
Row 35: K1, CO 1 st, knit (37 sts).

Row 36: P1, CO 1 st, purl (38 sts).
Row 37: K1, CO 1 st, knit (39 sts).
Row 38: K1, CO 1 st, knit (40 sts).

Row 39: P1, CO 1 st, purl (41 sts).
Row 40: K1, CO 1 st, knit (42 sts).
Row 41: K1, CO 1 st, knit (43 sts).

Row 42: P1, CO 1 st, purl (44 sts).
Row 43: K1, CO 1 st, knit (45 sts).
Row 44: K1, CO 1 st, *yo, k2tog, repeat from * (46 sts).
Row 45: K1, CO 1 st, knit (47 sts).

Row 46: P1, CO 1 st, purl (48 sts).
Row 47: K1, CO 1 st, knit (49 sts).
Row 48: K1, CO 1 st, knit (50 sts).

Row 49: P1, CO 1 st, purl (51 sts).
Row 50: K1, CO 1 st, knit (52 sts).
Row 51: K1, CO 1 st, knit (53 sts).

Row 52: P1, CO 1 st, purl (54 sts).
Row 53: K1, CO 1 st, knit (55 sts).

Change to the larger needles and work the centre blackberry pattern.

Row 54: P1, (k1, p1, k1) in next st, *p3tog, (k1, p1, k1) in next st, repeat from * to last st, p1 (57 sts).
Row 55: P1, M1L, purl to last st, M1L, p1 (59 sts).

Row 56: P1, (k1, p1, k1) in next st, *p3tog, (k1, p1, k1) in next st, repeat from * to last st, p1 (61 sts).
Row 57: P1, M1L, purl to last st, M1L, p1 (63 sts).

Row 58: P1, (k1, p1, k1) in next st, *p3tog, (k1, p1, k1) in next st, repeat from * to last st, p1 (65 sts).
Row 59: P1, M1L, purl to last st, M1L, p1 (67 sts).

Row 60: P1, (k1, p1, k1) in next st, *p3tog, (k1, p1, k1) in next st, repeat from * to last st, p1 (69 sts).
Row 61: Purl.

Row 62: P1, p3tog, *(k1, p1, k1) in next st, p3tog, repeat from * to last st, p1 (67 sts).
Row 63: P2tog, purl to last 2 sts, p2tog (65 sts).

Row 64: P1, p3tog, *(k1, p1, k1) in next st, p3tog, repeat from * to last st, p1 (63 sts).
Row 65: P2tog, purl to last 2 sts, p2tog (61 sts).

Row 66: P1, p3tog, *(k1, p1, k1) in next st, p3tog, repeat from * to last st, p1 (59 sts).
Row 67: P2tog, purl to last 2 sts, p2tog (57 sts).

Row 68: P1, p3tog, *(k1, p1, k1) in next st, p3tog, repeat from * to last st, p1 (55 sts).

Change back to the smaller needles and work the remaining rows.

Row 69: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (54 sts).

Row 70: Purl to last 2 sts, p2tog (53 sts).
Row 71: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (52 sts).
Row 72: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (51 sts).

Row 73: Purl to last 2 sts, p2tog (50 sts).
Row 74: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (49 sts).
Row 75: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (48 sts).

Row 76: Purl to last 2 sts, p2tog (47 sts).
Row 77: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (46 sts).
Row 78: K2tog, *yo, k2tog, repeat from * (45 sts).
Row 79: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (44 sts).

Row 80: Purl to last 2 sts, p2tog (43 sts).
Row 81: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (42 sts).
Row 82: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (41 sts).

Row 83: Purl to last 2 sts, p2tog (40 sts).
Row 84: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (39 sts).
Row 85: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (38 sts).

Row 86: Purl to last 2 sts, p2tog (37 sts).
Row 87: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (36 sts).
Row 88: K2tog, *yo, k2tog, repeat from * (35 sts).
Row 89: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (34 sts).

Row 90: Purl to last 2 sts, p2tog (33 sts).
Row 91: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (32 sts).
Row 92: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (31 sts).

Row 93: Purl to last 2 sts, p2tog (30 sts).
Row 94: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (29 sts).
Row 95: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (28 sts).

Row 96: Purl to last 2 sts, p2tog (27 sts).
Row 97: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (26 sts).
Row 98: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (25 sts).

Row 99: Purl to last 2 sts, p2tog (24 sts).
Row 100: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (23 sts).
Row 101: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (22 sts).

Row 102: Purl to last 2 sts, p2tog (21 sts).
Row 103 to 120: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (3 sts).

Row 121: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (2 sts).
Row 122: K2tog (1 st). Cut yarn and fasten off.

Knit as many squares as you need for your desired size blanket, and sew them together, forming a diamond design.

Edge with a lace edging for a vintage look, or bands of moss stitch for a modern afghan.