purlJam

<pattern>

# MACHINE-KNIT GRANNY SQUARE
**An 8" × 8" Colorblock Square in Three Colors**

## DESCRIPTION
This beginner-friendly square adapts the classic granny square aesthetic for machine knitting using concentric color blocks. Three colors radiate from center to edge, creating a modern interpretation of the traditional crochet motif. Perfect for blanket panels, cushion covers, or practicing color changes.

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: DK weight (Light Worsted, #3)
- **Color 1 (C1 - Center)**: 20 yards
- **Color 2 (C2 - Middle)**: 30 yards  
- **Color 3 (C3 - Outer)**: 35 yards
- **Total**: Approximately 85 yards

**Machine**: Standard gauge (4.5mm) machine - suitable for all standard gauge machines (Brother, Silver Reed, Knitmaster, etc.)

**Needles**: Main bed only (no ribber required)

**Tools Required**:
- Waste yarn for cast-on
- Ravel cord (optional)
- Cast-on comb and weights
- Transfer tool (for finishing)
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Blocking mat and pins

---

## GAUGE/TENSION

**Tension Dial**: T6-7 (adjust based on your machine and desired fabric)

**Gauge**: 6 stitches × 8 rows = 1" (2.5 cm) in stockinette stitch

**Swatch First**: Always knit a tension swatch. Adjust tension dial up for looser fabric, down for tighter fabric.

---

## FINISHED SIZE

**8" × 8"** (20 cm × 20 cm) blocked

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

- **RC** = Row Counter
- **COL** = Carriage On Left
- **COR** = Carriage On Right
- **T** = Tension dial setting
- **C1** = Color 1 (center color)
- **C2** = Color 2 (middle color)
- **C3** = Color 3 (outer color)
- **MC** = Main Color (used interchangeably with C1)
- **CC1** = Contrast Color 1 (C2)
- **CC2** = Contrast Color 2 (C3)
- **WY** = Waste Yarn
- **MY** = Main Yarn
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **HP** = Holding Position

---

## PATTERN NOTES

1. **Construction**: Knit as a single flat panel with horizontal color stripes. The color changes create the "granny square" concentric effect.

2. **Stockinette Curl**: This square will curl at edges. Block firmly and consider adding a crochet or hand-knit border after completion, or use for projects where seaming controls curl (like blanket squares sewn together).

3. **Color Changes**: Carry unused colors up the side edge. Do not break yarn between stripes of the same color. Twist yarns at color changes to prevent holes.

4. **Row Counter**: Reset to 000 at start. RC numbers in pattern are cumulative.

5. **Carriage Settings**: Keep carriage set to plain knit (no slip, tuck, or hold buttons engaged) throughout.

6. **Edge Stitches**: First and last needles may be loose. Use edge weights or hang claw weights evenly across the work.

---

## COLOR CHART

Below is a visual representation of the color placement (viewed from right side):

```
CHART: GRANNY SQUARE COLOR PLACEMENT (48 sts × 64 rows)

Rows 57-64 (8 rows):  [████████████████ C3 ████████████████] ← Outer border
Rows 49-56 (8 rows):  [████ C3 ████[■■■■■■ C2 ■■■■■■]████ C3 ████]
Rows 41-48 (8 rows):  [████ C3 ████[■■ C2 ■■[□□ C1 □□]■■ C2 ■■]████ C3 ████]
Rows 33-40 (8 rows):  [████ C3 ████[■■ C2 ■■[□□ C1 □□]■■ C2 ■■]████ C3 ████]
Rows 25-32 (8 rows):  [████ C3 ████[■■ C2 ■■[□□ C1 □□]■■ C2 ■■]████ C3 ████]
Rows 17-24 (8 rows):  [████ C3 ████[■■ C2 ■■[□□ C1 □□]■■ C2 ■■]████ C3 ████]
Rows 9-16 (8 rows):   [████ C3 ████[■■■■■■ C2 ■■■■■■]████ C3 ████]
Rows 1-8 (8 rows):    [████████████████ C3 ████████████████] ← Outer border

Key:
████ C3 = Color 3 (Outer/Border) - Darkest/most contrast
■■■■ C2 = Color 2 (Middle) - Medium contrast  
□□□□ C1 = Color 1 (Center) - Main/lightest

WIDTH: 48 stitches total
- C3 borders: 8 sts each side
- C2 frame: 8 sts each side (within C3)
- C1 center: 16 sts wide
```

**Reading the Chart**: Each row is knit across all 48 stitches. The chart shows which color to use for each section within the row. Since this is stockinette on a machine, all rows are knit in the same direction automatically by carriage passes.

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### SETUP

1. **Machine Preparation**:
   - Set tension dial to T6 or T7 (start at T6)
   - Ensure carriage is set to plain knit (KC II or similar - no pattern buttons engaged)
   - Thread carriage with waste yarn

2. **Cast-On** (Closed edge method with waste yarn):
   - Push 48 needles to working position (center 48 needles, e.g., needles 24L to 24R)
   - Using waste yarn at T8-10, knit several rows (6-8 rows) ending COR
   - Knit 1 row with ravel cord
   - Knit 6-8 more rows waste yarn
   - Change to T6-7 and thread C3 (Color 3)
   - Hang cast-on comb and weights
   - Reset Row Counter to 000

---

### MAIN SQUARE

**SECTION 1: Bottom Border (C3)**
- **RC 000**: COR, C3 threaded, T6-7
- Knit 8 rows, ending COR
- **RC 008**: Stop. Check tension - square should measure approximately 1" tall. Adjust tension dial if needed.

**SECTION 2: Second Stripe (C3 borders + C2 middle)**
This section introduces C2 but maintains C3 at sides. For simplicity at beginner level, we'll knit in solid C2 across full width.

- **RC 008**: COR, change to C2 (Color 2). Break C3 or carry up side.
- Knit 8 rows
- **RC 016**: COR, still C2

**SECTION 3: Third Stripe (C2 borders + C1 center)**
Introduce C1 for center section. Continue C2 across full width for beginner simplicity.

- **RC 016**: COR, change to C1 (Color 1). Carry C2 up side.
- Knit 32 rows (this creates the visual "center" block)
- **RC 048**: COR, still C1

[MATH CHECK: 32 rows at 8 rows/inch = 4" center height ✓]

**SECTION 4: Return to C2**
- **RC 048**: COR, change to C2
- Knit 8 rows
- **RC 056**: COR

**SECTION 5: Top Border (C3)**
- **RC 056**: COR, change to C3
- Knit 8 rows
- **RC 064**: COR

[MATH CHECK: Total rows = 64 rows. At 8 rows/inch = 8" height ✓]

---

### BIND OFF

**RC 064**: COR, C3 threaded
1. Change tension to T10 (looser for bind-off)
2. Knit 1 row COL at T10
3. **Manual bind-off method**:
   - Using a transfer tool or latch tool, work from left to right
   - Take stitch from needle 2, place on needle 1
   - Push empty needle 2 to non-working position
   - Take combined stitches from needle 1, pull through in a chain
   - Continue across all stitches
   - Pull last stitch through to secure, cut yarn leaving 6" tail

**Alternative bind-off**: Use waste yarn and latch off later if preferred.

---

## FINISHING

1. **Remove from Machine**:
   - If you used waste yarn cast-on: carefully unravel waste yarn and ravel cord to reveal live stitches
   - Thread tapestry needle with C3, work a sewn bind-off through the live cast-on edge stitches
   - OR: Use a crochet hook to work a chain bind-off for matching edges

2. **Weave in Ends**:
   - Use tapestry needle to weave all yarn tails along color-change edges
   - Weave at least 2" and trim excess

3. **Blocking** (CRITICAL for this project):
   - Soak square in cool water for 10-15 minutes
   - Roll in towel to remove excess water
   - Pin square to blocking mat, stretching gently to 8" × 8"
   - Ensure all corners are square (90° angles)
   - Pin edges every 1" around perimeter
   - Allow to dry completely (24 hours)
   - Stockinette curl will be minimized but may return - consider this square as part of a larger joined project

4. **Optional Border**:
   - For a finished square that lies flat, add a hand-crocheted border (single crochet or crab stitch around all edges)
   - OR: Pick up stitches around perimeter with circular needles and work a garter stitch or seed stitch border (2-3 rows)

---

## DESIGN VARIATIONS

**True Granny Square Effect**:
For a more authentic "granny square" look with defined color blocks, use intarsia bobbins:
- RC 000-008: Full width C3
- RC 008-016: 8 sts C3 | 32 sts C2 | 8 sts C3 (use 3 separate yarn sources)
- RC 016-048: 8 sts C3 | 8 sts C2 | 16 sts C1 | 8 sts C2 | 8 sts C3 (5 separate yarn sources)
- RC 048-056: 8 sts C3 | 32 sts C2 | 8 sts C3
- RC 056-064: Full width C3

This requires manually laying yarns for each color section per row - suitable for intermediate knitters.

**Multiple Squares**:
- Make 12-20 squares for a baby blanket
- Use same 3 colors or vary color placement
- Join with mattress stitch or crochet slip-stitch seams
- Add final border around complete blanket

**Size Adjustments**:
- For 6" × 6" square: Cast on 36 sts, knit 48 rows total
- For 10" × 10" square: Cast on 60 sts, knit 80 rows total
- Adjust color stripe proportions to maintain visual balance

---

## TROUBLESHOOTING

**Square measures too small**: 
- Increase tension dial by 1 number (T6 → T7)
- Re-knit with adjusted tension

**Square measures too large**: 
- Decrease tension dial by 1 number (T7 → T6)

**Edges are too loose**: 
- Manually push edge needles to holding position every few rows, then return to working position (creates a tighter edge stitch)
- Ensure weights are evenly distributed

**Uneven color stripes**: 
- Count rows carefully using RC
- Mark RC checkpoints on a notepad as you complete each section

**Extreme curl**: 
- This is normal for stockinette - blocking is essential
- Consider knitting in a textured stitch (tuck or slip pattern) for reduced curl on future squares
- Plan to use squares in a seamed project where edges will be secured

---

## YARN NOTES

**Suggested Color Combinations**:
- Classic: Cream (C1), Gray (C2), Charcoal (C3)
- Bright: Yellow (C1), Orange (C2), Red (C3)
- Coastal: Aqua (C1), Teal (C2), Navy (C3)
- Autumn: Butter (C1), Rust (C2), Brown (C3)

**Fiber Recommendations**:
- 100% cotton: Minimal curl, excellent blocking, machine washable
- Acrylic: Budget-friendly, easy care, good for blankets
- Wool blends: Superior blocking, warm, may felt slightly with steam

---

## SKILL BUILDING

This pattern teaches:
✓ Waste yarn cast-on and removal  
✓ Color changes and yarn management  
✓ Row counting and RC tracking  
✓ Bind-off techniques  
✓