purlJam

# 8×8 Colourwork Square Chart

A charming small-scale colourwork practice piece featuring a bordered square with a simple central motif. Perfect for sampling colourwork techniques, creating a coaster, or as a motif element in a larger project.

## Materials

**Yarn**: DK weight yarn in 3 colours (small amounts of each)
- Colour A (Border): approximately 5m
- Colour B (Main/Background): approximately 4m  
- Colour C (Motif): approximately 2m

**Needles**: 4mm (UK 8, US 6) straight or circular needles, or size needed to obtain tension

**Notions**: 
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors

## Tension (Gauge)

22 stitches and 30 rows = 10cm (4") in stocking stitch in DK yarn on 4mm needles

*Note: Exact tension is less critical for this small swatch, but will affect finished size*

**Finished Dimensions**: Approximately 3.5cm × 3cm (1.4" × 1.2") in stocking stitch at stated tension

## Abbreviations

- CO = cast on
- K = knit
- P = purl
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- st(s) = stitch(es)

## Pattern Notes

- This square is worked flat in stocking stitch with stranded colourwork
- Chart is read from bottom to top: RS rows (odd numbers) are read from right to left; WS rows (even numbers) are read from left to right
- Carry unused colour loosely across the back of work
- For this small piece, weave in floats longer than 3 stitches to avoid snagging
- The chart shows a simple cross/plus design in the centre

## Chart Instructions

### Chart Key
- □ = Colour A (Border) - shown as white/empty squares
- ■ = Colour B (Main) - shown as grey squares  
- ● = Colour C (Motif) - shown as black circles/dots

### 8×8 Colourwork Chart

```
Row 8 (WS): □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □
Row 7 (RS): □ ■ ■ ● ● ■ ■ □
Row 6 (WS): □ ■ ■ ● ● ■ ■ □
Row 5 (RS): □ ● ● ● ● ● ● □
Row 4 (WS): □ ● ● ● ● ● ● □
Row 3 (RS): □ ■ ■ ● ● ■ ■ □
Row 2 (WS): □ ■ ■ ● ● ■ ■ □
Row 1 (RS): □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □
            1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
```

**Visual Chart with Symbols:**

```
8 |□|□|□|□|□|□|□|□|
7 |□|■|■|●|●|■|■|□|
6 |□|■|■|●|●|■|■|□|
5 |□|●|●|●|●|●|●|□|
4 |□|●|●|●|●|●|●|□|
3 |□|■|■|●|●|■|■|□|
2 |□|■|■|●|●|■|■|□|
1 |□|□|□|□|□|□|□|□|
   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
```

## Instructions

**Setup:**
Using Colour A and 4mm needles, CO 8 sts.

**Row 1 (RS)**: K all 8 sts in Colour A.
*Verification: 8 sts on needle ✓*

**Row 2 (WS)**: P all 8 sts in Colour A.
*Verification: 8 sts on needle ✓*

**Rows 3-6**: Following chart rows 3-6, work in stocking stitch (K on RS, P on WS), joining in Colours B and C as indicated:
- **Row 3 (RS)**: K1 in A, K2 in B, K2 in C, K2 in B, K1 in A. (8 sts)
- **Row 4 (WS)**: P1 in A, P2 in B, P2 in C, P2 in B, P1 in A. (8 sts)
- **Row 5 (RS)**: K1 in A, K6 in C, K1 in A. (8 sts)
- **Row 6 (WS)**: P1 in A, P6 in C, P1 in A. (8 sts)

*Verification: Each row maintains 8 sts ✓*

**Rows 7-8**: Continue following chart:
- **Row 7 (RS)**: K1 in A, K2 in B, K2 in C, K2 in B, K1 in A. (8 sts)
- **Row 8 (WS)**: P all 8 sts in Colour A. (8 sts)

*Verification: Total of 8 rows worked, matching 8-row chart ✓*

**Finishing:**
Cast off all 8 sts in Colour A.

## Finishing

1. Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side, taking care to follow colour lines to keep the back tidy
2. Block gently to even out stitches if desired - wet block or steam block according to yarn requirements
3. Allow to dry flat

## Design Variations

**Alternative Motifs for Centre**: You can substitute the cross design with:
- A diamond: Place Colour C at corners and centre
- A heart: Adjust rows 3-6 for a simple heart shape
- Initials: Chart a simple letter in the centre space

**Border Variations**: 
- Try a 2-stitch border by adjusting the interior design
- Use striped borders by alternating colours in border rows

## Tips for Success

- **Tension with Colourwork**: Don't pull the carried yarn too tightly; spread stitches out on the right needle before bringing the next colour across
- **Colour Changes**: Twist yarns at colour changes by bringing new colour under the old colour to prevent holes
- **Reading Charts**: Place a ruler or magnetic board under the row you're working to keep your place
- **Swatch Purpose**: This makes an excellent reference swatch for testing colour combinations before a larger project

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*Pattern Verification Complete:*
- *Cast on: 8 sts ✓*
- *Rows worked: 8 rows ✓*
- *Chart dimensions: 8 sts × 8 rows ✓*
- *All stitch counts consistent throughout ✓*
- *Three colours incorporated as requested ✓*