Afghan square for school class

#1

I’m so excited to begin teaching a knitting elective class! I will have about twenty 12-13 year olds in my class, and all but one is a brand new knitter. As a class project, I’d like to have them knit one square for an afghan. Okay, that’s easy enough. But, I want them to knit a two-color square on the diagonal. They would begin with one stitch, increase each row until they have about 25 stitches, switch colors, and decrease each row until the bind off with one stitch. These squares, made of two different colored triangles, would be assembled together to make a really neat pattern. The squares would be in garter stitch only.

My question: what increases would you teach the kids? I tried casting on with one stitch and then knitting into the front and back of the stitch. This comes out fairly even, but that maneuver is going to be hard for some of the kids. I tried make one away, but that is leaving big gaps.

I’m not concerned (yet!) about the overall size of the square. I can adjust that later.

So, you experts…if you were going to write up the pattern for this, what would it look like?

Rebecca

#2

For myself, I’d probably do a M1–knitting into the little loop in the back, but that might be too hard for beginners.

I think that kfb would be easiest. You might have to help them with the first one, but since it’s on the end, the stitch will be a little loose, anyway.

Fantastic idea, by the way!

#3

I knew you’d have an answer!

To make the triangle, would I have them increase at both the beginning AND end each row? Just the end? Beginning and end, but every other row?

What do you recommend?

I wish I could take credit for the idea, but it came from www.woollythoughts.com. They have a great interactive afgan generator there, where you can rearrange the triangles into a multitude of designs. My plan is to have each student submit a design and we’ll vote on the one they like the best.

#4

:?? I looked at some discloth patterns, and they seem to increase at the beginning of each row.

I’d probably try different ways to see which one will give me a square with the yarn and needles I’m using.

#5

Love that site. I would love to do an afghan class at my son’s school. Too bad this is only in the UK. THey give away free yarn to schools!!!