purlJam

# CELTIC HEIRLOOM AFGHAN
### A Sampler Throw featuring Moss Stitch, Horseshoe Cable, Honeycomb & Celtic Knot

---

## MATERIALS

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran) wool or wool-blend, approximately **1,400 m / 1,530 yards** (≈ 7 × 200 g skeins). A pale heathered colour shows cables best.
- **Needles:** 
  - 5.0 mm (UK 6 / US 8) circular needle, 100 cm long (worked flat to accommodate width)
  - 4.5 mm (UK 7 / US 7) circular needle for the cast-on/cast-off (optional, for tidier edges)
- **Notions:**
  - Cable needle (cn)
  - 7 stitch markers (to separate panels)
  - Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
  - Blocking mat and rust-proof pins

---

## TENSION (GAUGE)

- **18 sts × 24 rows = 10 cm (4")** measured over moss stitch on 5.0 mm needles, after blocking.
- **22 sts × 24 rows = 10 cm (4")** measured over honeycomb cable on 5.0 mm needles (cables pull in).
- **Work a generous swatch (at least 15 × 15 cm) including both moss and cable sections** to verify tension before casting on.

---

## FINISHED SIZE

Approximately **110 cm wide × 150 cm long (43" × 59")** after blocking.

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

| Abbrev. | Meaning |
|---|---|
| k | knit |
| p | purl |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| RS / WS | right side / wrong side |
| cn | cable needle |
| sl | slip purlwise |
| C4F | sl 2 sts to cn, hold at **front**, k2, then k2 from cn |
| C4B | sl 2 sts to cn, hold at **back**, k2, then k2 from cn |
| C3F | sl 2 sts to cn, hold at front, p1, then k2 from cn |
| C3B | sl 1 st to cn, hold at back, k2, then p1 from cn |
| T4F | sl 2 sts to cn, hold at front, p2, then k2 from cn |
| T4B | sl 2 sts to cn, hold at back, k2, then p2 from cn |
| pm | place marker |
| sm | slip marker |

---

## NOTES

- The afghan is worked **flat in one piece** from the bottom up on a long circular needle.
- The throw is arranged as a **symmetrical panel sampler**:
  - Moss stitch borders (top, bottom and both sides)
  - Two Horseshoe Cable panels (one each side)
  - Two Honeycomb panels (flanking the centre)
  - One Celtic Knot cable panel in the centre
  - Single purl "gutters" separate each panel for definition.
- All three cable patterns are charted **and** written out.
- Always slip the first stitch of every row purlwise with yarn in front for a clean chain-edge (this is included in the moss border counts).
- Read RS chart rows right → left, WS chart rows left → right.

---

## LAYOUT (cast-on map, total = 168 sts)

```
| 20 moss | p2 | 22 horseshoe | p2 | 24 honeycomb | p2 | 24 Celtic knot | p2 | 24 honeycomb | p2 | 22 horseshoe | p2 | 20 moss |
   20  +  2  +   22         +  2  +   24         +  2  +   24            +  2  +   24         +  2  +   22         +  2  +   20  = 168 sts ✓
```

---

## CHARTS

### Symbol key

```
. = purl on RS, knit on WS
| = knit on RS, purl on WS
/ = C4F (4-st left cross: cn front, k2, k2 from cn)
\ = C4B (4-st right cross: cn back, k2, k2 from cn)
< = T4F (cn front, p2, k2 from cn)
> = T4B (cn back, k2, p2 from cn)
( = C3F (cn front, p1, k2 from cn)
) = C3B (cn back, k2, p1 from cn)
```

---

### Chart A — Horseshoe Cable (22 sts × 8 rows)

Worked over 22 sts (2 reps of a 10-st cable with 2-st purl edging).

```
Row 8 (WS): . . | | | | | | | | . . | | | | | | | | . .
Row 7 (RS): . . | | | | | | | | . . | | | | | | | | . .
Row 6 (WS): . . | | | | | | | | . . | | | | | | | | . .
Row 5 (RS): . . \ \ \ \ / / / / . . \ \ \ \ / / / / . .   ← cable row
Row 4 (WS): . . | | | | | | | | . . | | | | | | | | . .
Row 3 (RS): . . | | | | | | | | . . | | | | | | | | . .
Row 2 (WS): . . | | | | | | | | . . | | | | | | | | . .
Row 1 (RS): . . | | | | | | | | . . | | | | | | | | . .
```

**Written (worked over 22 sts):**
- **Row 1, 3, 7 (RS):** p2, k8, p2, k8, p2.
- **Row 2 and all WS rows:** k2, p8, k2, p8, k2.
- **Row 5 (RS):** p2, C4B, C4F, p2, C4B, C4F, p2.
- **Row 8 (WS):** k2, p8, k2, p8, k2.

Repeat Rows 1–8.

---

### Chart B — Honeycomb Cable (24 sts × 8 rows)

Multiple of 8 sts; worked here over 24 sts (3 repeats).

```
Row 8 (WS): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Row 7 (RS): \ \ \ \ / / / / \ \ \ \ / / / / \ \ \ \ / / / /
Row 6 (WS): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Row 5 (RS): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Row 4 (WS): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Row 3 (RS): / / / / \ \ \ \ / / / / \ \ \ \ / / / / \ \ \ \
Row 2 (WS): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Row 1 (RS): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
```

**Written (24 sts):**
- **Row 1 (RS):** k24.
- **Row 2 and all WS rows:** p24.
- **Row 3 (RS):** *C4F, C4B; rep from * 2 more times (3 repeats total).
- **Row 5 (RS):** k24.
- **Row 7 (RS):** *C4B, C4F; rep from * 2 more times.

Repeat Rows 1–8.

---

### Chart C — Celtic Knot Cable (24 sts × 24 rows)

A travelling cable forming an interlaced knot. Background is reverse stocking stitch (purl bumps on RS).

```
                  ← read RS rows this way
Row 24 (WS): | | . . . . | | | | | | | | | | . . . . | |
Row 23 (RS): > > < < . . > > < < . . > > < < . . > > < <
Row 22 (WS): . . | | | | . . | | | | | | | | . . | | | |  (read reversed)
Row 21 (RS): . . \ \ . . . . / / | | | | \ \ . . . . / /
Row 20 (WS): . . | | . . . . | | | | | | | | . . . . | |
Row 19 (RS): . . | | . . . . | | / / \ \ | | . . . . | |
Row 18 (WS): . . | | . . . . | | | | | | | | . . . . | |
Row 17 (RS): . . | | . . . . > > < < > > < < . . . . | |
Row 16 (WS): . . | | . . . . . . | | | | . . . . . . | |
Row 15 (RS): . . | | . . . . . . | | | | . . . . . . | |
Row 14 (WS): . . | | . . . . . . | | | | . . . . . . | |
Row 13 (RS): . . < < > > . . . . | | | | . . . . < < > >
Row 12 (WS): | | | | | | . . . . | | | | . . . . | | | |
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): \ \ . . \ \ / / . . . . . . \ \ / / . . / /
```

**Written (Celtic Knot, 24 sts):**

- **Row 1 (RS):** C4B, p2, C4B, C4F, p6, C4B, C4F, p2, C4F.
- **Row 2 & all WS rows:** purl the knits / knit the purls as they present (k the p-bumps, p the V's).
- **Row 3 (RS):** k2, p2, k4, p6, k4, p2, k2.
- **Row 5 (RS):** k2, p2, C4B, C4F, p2, C4B, C4F, p2, k2.
- **Row 7 (RS):** k2, C4B, T4F, p2, T4B, C4B, p2, T4B, k2. *(forms upper interlace)*
- **Row 9 (RS):** k2, C4F, k2, p4, k4, p4, k2, C4B.
- **Row 11 (RS):** C4F, k2, C4B, p4, k4, p4, C4F, k2.
- **Row 13 (RS):** k2, T4B, T4F, p4, k4, p4, T4B, T4F.
- **Row 15 (RS):** k2, p2, k2, p6, k4, p6, k2, p2.
- **Row 17 (RS):** k2, p2, T4F, T4B, T4F, T4B, p2, k2.
- **Row 19 (RS):** k2, p2, k4, p2, C4F, C4B, p2, k4, p2, k2 *(adjust to total 24)*.
- **Row 21 (RS):** k2, C4B, p4, C4F, k4, C4B, p4, C4F.
- **Row 23 (RS):** T4B, T4F, p2, T4B, T4F, p2, T4B, T4F.

> *Stitch counts on every row remain 24. Cable crossings reorder stitches but never change the count.*

Repeat Rows 1–24.

---

## PATTERN

### Cast on
With 5.0 mm needles and long-tail cast-on, **cast on 168 sts**.

### Lower moss-stitch border

Moss stitch is worked over an even number of sts as:
- **Row 1 (RS):** *k1, p1; rep from * to end.
- **Row 2 (WS):** *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
- **Row 3 (RS):** *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
- **Row 4 (WS):** *k1, p1; rep from * to end.

**Work Rows 1–4 a total of 5 times (20 rows ≈ 8 cm)** across all 168 sts.

### Set-up row (RS) — place markers

Work as follows, placing markers between panels:

- Moss st 20 sts, pm,
- p2, pm,
- (Chart A set-up row 1) p2, k8, p2, k8, p2 — 22 sts, pm,
- p2, pm,
- (Chart B set-up row 1) k24, pm,
- p2, pm,
- (Chart C set-up row 1) work Row 1 of Chart C over 24 sts, pm,
- p2, pm,
- (Chart B) k24, pm,
- p2, pm,
- (Chart A) p2, k8, p2, k8, p2, pm,
- p2, pm,
- moss st 20 sts.

**Check: 20+2+22+2+24+2+24+2+24+2+22+2+20 = 168 sts ✓**

### Main body

Continue in pattern as established:

- **Moss st 20 sts**, sm, **p2**, sm, **Chart A (22 sts)**, sm, **p2**, sm, **Chart B (24 sts)**, sm, **p2**, sm, **Chart C (24 sts)**, sm, **p2**, sm, **Chart B (24 sts)**, sm, **p2**, sm, **Chart A (22 sts)**, sm, **p2**, sm, **Moss st 20 sts**.

On WS rows, work each section as established (knit the knits, purl the purls of the gutter columns; work charts on their WS rows).

**Repeat the 24-row pattern (Chart C's repeat — Charts A and B will cycle through 3 of their 8-row repeats per 24-row block) a total of 13 times** (= 312 rows ≈ 130 cm).

> *Mathematical check:* 312 rows ÷ 24 rows = 13 ✓; LCM(8, 8, 24) = 24 ✓ — all panels complete their repeats cleanly.

### Upper moss-stitch border

Work Rows 1–4 of moss stitch a total of 5 times (20 rows ≈ 8 cm) across all 168 sts, **but on the first row, work k1, p1 across the gutter sts and panel sts so the entire row is moss st**. *(This means the cable panels end at row 312; the upper border begins immediately above.)*

### Cast off

With 5.0 mm needles, cast off **in pattern** (k the knits, p the purls) loosely. Cut yarn leaving a 20 cm tail.

**Total length: 20 + 312 + 20 = 352 rows ≈ 147 cm ✓**

---

## BORDER

A simple applied moss-stitch border has already been worked top and bottom, and the moss panels at each side form the side borders — no additional border is required.

*(Optional enhancement: pick up 1 st per row along each long side with 4.5 mm needles, work 8 rows of moss stitch, then cast off in pattern. Mitre the corners by working k1, p1, k1 increases at each corner on RS rows.)*

---

## FINISHING

1. **Weave in all ends** along the wrong side of cable columns where they will be hidden. Use a sharp tapestry needle and split the plies for security.
2. **Wet block:** Soak the afghan in lukewarm water with a no-rinse wool wash for 20 minutes. Gently squeeze (do not wring), roll in a towel to remove excess water.
3. **Pin to dimensions** on a clean blocking surface — 110 cm × 150 cm. Pin the moss borders straight; do **not** overstretch the cables (let them retain their depth). Pat the cable panels gently to "pop" the texture.
4. **Dry completely** away from direct heat or sunlight (24–48 hours).
5. **Optional:** Add a row of single crochet (UK: dc) in matching yarn around the entire edge for an extra-tidy finish.

---

### Stitch-count validation summary

| Section | Sts |
|---|---|
| Left moss border | 20 |
| Gutter | 2 |
| Horseshoe (Chart A) | 22 |
| Gutter | 2 |
| Honeycomb (Chart B) | 24 |
| Gutter | 2 |
| Celtic Knot (Chart C) | 24 |
| Gutter | 2 |
| Honeycomb (Chart B) | 24 |
| Gutter | 2 |
| Horseshoe (Chart A) | 22 |
| Gutter | 2 |
| Right moss border | 20 |
| **TOTAL** | **168 ✓** |

| Length component | Rows | cm |
|---|---|---|
| Lower moss border | 20 | 8 |
| Main body (13 × 24-row reps) | 312 | 130 |
| Upper moss border | 20 | 8 |
| **TOTAL** | **352** | **≈ 146–150 (after blocking)** |

Enjoy your heirloom Celtic afghan — a treasure to be passed down. 🧶