purlJam

# AUTHORSHIP COLORWORK BANNER

A quick and compact colorwork project featuring the word "authorship" in a modern pixel-style design. Perfect for using up small amounts of yarn in two contrasting colors, this flat rectangle makes an ideal label, bookmark, or decorative element.

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Chunky weight (#5) yarn in 2 colors
- **Main Color (MC)**: approximately 40 yards (37 m)
- **Contrast Color (CC)**: approximately 35 yards (32 m)

**Suggested yarn**: Any chunky weight yarn with good stitch definition. Sample uses solid colors for maximum contrast and legibility.

**Needles**: US 10 (6 mm) straight or circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions**: 
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Blocking materials (foam boards and pins or blocking wires)

## GAUGE

14 stitches and 20 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, blocked

**Gauge is important** for this project to ensure the letters are proportionate and readable. Take time to check your gauge in colorwork stockinette (with both colors).

## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Width: 18" (45.5 cm)
Height: 2.25" (5.5 cm)

## ABBREVIATIONS

- CC: contrast color
- k: knit
- MC: main color
- RS: right side
- st(s): stitch(es)
- WS: wrong side

## PATTERN NOTES

- This rectangle is worked flat in stockinette stitch with stranded colorwork.
- The chart is read from right to left on RS rows and from left to right on WS rows.
- Carry the non-working color loosely across the back of the work. Floats should not exceed 5 stitches; catch long floats by twisting yarns on WS.
- The word "authorship" is worked in a compact pixel-style font for quick knitting and minimal yarn usage.
- Stockinette stitch naturally curls at the edges. Blocking is essential for a flat finish.
- For a neater edge, consider slipping the first stitch of each row purlwise with yarn in front.

## COLORWORK CHART INSTRUCTIONS

The chart shows all 63 stitches across and 11 rows. Each square represents one stitch. Read RS (odd-numbered) rows from right to left. Read WS (even-numbered) rows from left to right.

**Chart Key**:
- □ = MC (Main Color/Background)
- ■ = CC (Contrast Color/Letters)

## CHART: AUTHORSHIP BANNER (63 sts × 11 rows)

```
Row 11 (RS): □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
Row 10 (WS): □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
Row 9  (RS): □□■■■□■■■■□■■■■□■■□□■■■□■■■■□■■■■□■□■■■■□■■■■□■■■■□□
Row 8  (WS): □□■■■□■□□□□■□□■□■■□□■□□□■□□□□■□□□□■■□■□□■□■□□□□■□□■□□
Row 7  (RS): □□■■■□■□□□□■□□■□■■□□■□□□■■■□□■■■□□■■□■■■■□■■■□□■■■□□□
Row 6  (WS): □□■■■□■□□□□■■■■□■■□□■□□□■□□□□■□□□□■■□■□□■□■□□□□□□■□□□
Row 5  (RS): □□■■■□■■■■□■□■□□■■□□■■■□■■■■□■■■■□■■□■□□■□■■■■□■■■□□□
Row 4  (WS): □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
Row 3  (RS): □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
Row 2  (WS): □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
Row 1  (RS): □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
```

**Note**: The text appears on rows 5-9, centered with 2-stitch borders on all sides.

## INSTRUCTIONS

**Cast On**
Using MC and long-tail cast on method, CO 63 sts.

**Border Rows**
Row 1 (RS): With MC, knit all sts.
Row 2 (WS): With MC, purl all sts.
Row 3 (RS): With MC, knit all sts.

**Colorwork Section**
Beginning with Row 4 (WS), work Rows 4-9 of chart, joining CC as indicated:
- Row 4 (WS): With MC, purl all sts.
- Row 5 (RS): Work Row 5 of chart, reading from right to left. K2 MC, *work chart across 59 sts following colorwork pattern*, k2 MC.
- Row 6 (WS): Work Row 6 of chart, reading from left to right. P2 MC, *work chart across 59 sts following colorwork pattern*, p2 MC.
- Row 7 (RS): Work Row 7 of chart, reading from right to left. K2 MC, *work chart across 59 sts following colorwork pattern*, k2 MC.
- Row 8 (WS): Work Row 8 of chart, reading from left to right. P2 MC, *work chart across 59 sts following colorwork pattern*, p2 MC.
- Row 9 (RS): Work Row 9 of chart, reading from right to left. K2 MC, *work chart across 59 sts following colorwork pattern*, k2 MC.

**Border Rows**
Row 10 (WS): With MC, purl all sts. Break CC.
Row 11 (RS): With MC, knit all sts.

**Bind Off**
Using MC, bind off all 63 sts loosely knitwise on WS.

**Stitch Count Verification**: 
- Cast on: 63 sts ✓
- All rows worked: 63 sts ✓
- Bind off: 63 sts ✓

## FINISHING

1. Weave in all ends securely, working along color boundaries where possible to hide ends.

2. **Blocking** (essential): Soak the piece in lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring). Lay flat on blocking surface and pin to finished measurements (18" × 2.25"), ensuring edges are straight and corners are square. Allow to dry completely before unpinning.

3. **Optional**: If the piece still curls after blocking, you may wish to apply a light steam press on the WS, or sew the rectangle onto a backing fabric for stability.

4. **Use suggestions**: This banner can be sewn onto a bag, used as a bookmark (if blocked stiffly), framed as fiber art, or incorporated into a larger knitted or sewn project.

## DESIGN NOTES

This pattern uses a minimal pixel font designed specifically for quick knitting. Each letter is 5 stitches wide and 5 rows tall, with 1-stitch spacing between letters. The 2-stitch border provides a clean frame while keeping the overall size compact.

For an even smaller version, you could use DK weight yarn at a tighter gauge, though this would increase knitting time. The chunky weight provides the best balance of speed, legibility, and yarn efficiency.

**Colorwork Tips for Success**:
- Maintain consistent tension on both colors to prevent puckering
- Spread stitches out on the right needle before working the next stitch to ensure floats aren't too tight
- Check float tension every few stitches—floats should be loose enough to allow the fabric to stretch slightly
- Block firmly to even out any tension irregularities

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*Pattern designed for intermediate knitters comfortable with stranded colorwork and chart reading. Estimated completion time: 1-2 hours.*