purlJam

<pattern>
# Machine Knitted FFA "Granny Square" Style Blanket

**Difficulty Level:** Beginner (for individual squares), Intermediate (for optional intarsia panel)

This pattern creates a cozy machine-knitted blanket inspired by the "granny square" construction, featuring individual squares joined together, with a central panel incorporating the FFA logo. It is designed for worsted weight yarn on a standard gauge knitting machine.

**YARN:**
*   Worsted Weight Yarn (approx. 5-6 sts/inch)
*   **MC (Main Color):** National Blue (approx. 1000-1200 yards / 914-1097 meters)
*   **CC (Contrast Color):** Corn Gold (approx. 1000-1200 yards / 914-1097 meters)

**GAUGE:**
*   **Essential First Step:** Knit a gauge swatch! Your tension may vary.
*   Cast on 40 needles and knit 60 rows in Stockinette Stitch using MC.
*   Measure a 4-inch (10 cm) square in the center of your swatch.
*   **Target Gauge:** 5.5 stitches per 1 inch (2.2 sts per 1 cm) and 7.5 rows per 1 inch (3 rows per 1 cm).
*   Adjust your tension dial until you achieve the target gauge. Record your tension setting for future reference.

**FINISHED MEASUREMENTS (approximate, without border):**
*   40 inches (101.6 cm) wide x 48 inches (121.9 cm) long

**TOOLS & SUPPLIES:**
*   Standard Gauge Knitting Machine
*   Row Counter (RC)
*   Carriage Latch Tool
*   Transfer Tools (1-prong, 2-prong, 3-prong)
*   Knitting Machine Weights (claw weights, bar weights)
*   Waste Yarn
*   Ravel Cord
*   Tapestry Needle for seaming and weaving in ends
*   Scissors
*   Blocking mats and pins (optional, but recommended for a professional finish)

---

### **ABBREVIATIONS:**
*   **MC:** Main Color (National Blue)
*   **CC:** Contrast Color (Corn Gold)
*   **RC:** Row Counter
*   **COL:** Carriage on Left
*   **COR:** Carriage on Right
*   **St(s):** Stitch(es)
*   **K:** Knit
*   **CO:** Cast On
*   **BO:** Bind Off

---

### **MACHINE SETUP:**
1.  Set your standard gauge knitting machine to Stockinette (Plain Knit) setting.
2.  Set the tension dial to your determined gauge setting (e.g., Tension 6-7).
3.  Ensure all needles are in working position.
4.  Hang appropriate weights throughout knitting to prevent dropped stitches.

---

### **PART 1: INDIVIDUAL SQUARES (Make 26)**

You will knit 13 squares in MC (National Blue) and 13 squares in CC (Corn Gold).

**Each Square: 8 inches (20.3 cm) x 8 inches (20.3 cm)**
*   **Stitches:** 44 stitches (based on 5.5 sts/inch)
*   **Rows:** 60 rows (based on 7.5 rows/inch)

1.  **Machine Setup:**
    *   Bring 44 needles to working position (e.g., N22-0-N22).
    *   Set carriage to **COR**.
    *   Tension Dial: Your determined gauge setting (e.g., Tension 6).
    *   Carriage Levers: Plain Knit.

2.  **Cast On:**
    *   Using waste yarn, CO 44 stitches. Knit 10-15 rows.
    *   Cut waste yarn.
    *   Thread ravel cord through the stitches on the machine.
    *   Change to your chosen working yarn (MC or CC).
    *   Knit 2 rows with working yarn.
    *   Set RC to **000**.

3.  **Knit Body:**
    *   Knit in Stockinette Stitch until RC reads **060**. (This is 60 rows total).
    *   Ensure weights are adjusted as fabric grows.
    *   Carriage will be at **COL** after RC 060.

4.  **Bind Off:**
    *   Knit 2 rows with working yarn.
    *   Cut working yarn, leaving a tail long enough for binding off (approx. 3 times the width of the knitting).
    *   Latch tool bind off: Using your latch tool, bind off all 44 stitches.
    *   Carefully remove the piece from the machine.
    *   Pull out the ravel cord from the CO edge. The loops from the ravel cord cast-on will be your live stitches, ready for seaming.

5.  **Repeat:** Make 13 squares in MC (National Blue) and 13 squares in CC (Corn Gold) for a total of 26 individual squares.

---

### **PART 2: CENTRAL FFA LOGO PANEL (Make 1)**

This panel replaces four individual squares and is worked using intarsia for the logo. It is **optional** and slightly more advanced due to managing multiple yarn balls. If you prefer a simpler blanket, knit 4 additional plain squares (2 MC, 2 CC) and omit this section, or choose to duplicate stitch the logo by hand after knitting.

**Central Panel: 16 inches (40.6 cm) x 16 inches (40.6 cm)**
*   **Stitches:** 88 stitches (based on 5.5 sts/inch)
*   **Rows:** 120 rows (based on 7.5 rows/inch)

1.  **Machine Setup:**
    *   Bring 88 needles to working position (e.g., N44-0-N44).
    *   Set carriage to **COR**.
    *   Tension Dial: Your determined gauge setting (e.g., Tension 6).
    *   Carriage Levers: Set to **Intarsia Mode** (e.g., Part button pushed for Brother machines, or specific intarsia lever setting). This allows you to knit specific needles with different colors without floats across the back.

2.  **Cast On:**
    *   Using waste yarn, CO 88 stitches. Knit 10-15 rows.
    *   Cut waste yarn.
    *   Thread ravel cord.
    *   Change to **MC (National Blue)**.
    *   Knit 2 rows with MC.
    *   Set RC to **000**.

3.  **Knit Body (Intarsia):**
    *   Knit 20 rows in **MC**. (RC 000 to RC 020)
    *   Carriage will be at **COL** after RC 020.
    *   Now you will start the simplified "FFA" block letter intarsia. **Prepare small bobbins of CC (Corn Gold) for each color section of the logo.**

    **Simplified Intarsia Chart (read right to left on knit side for COR pass):**
    This chart assumes a central 40-stitch wide logo area (N24-0-N24).
    The remaining stitches on either side (88 total - 40 logo = 48 side stitches / 2 = 24 stitches per side) will be knit in MC.

    ```
    Needles (N44-0-N44 for 88 stitches total):
    24 MC | 40 LOGO STITCHES | 24 MC

    Approximate "FFA" Block Letters (adjust for exact centering):
    (Example for 40 stitches wide, 50 rows high logo block, starting after 20 rows of MC)

    Rows 21-25 (5 rows): 24 MC | 12 CC | 4 MC | 12 CC | 4 MC | 8 CC | 24 MC
    Rows 26-30 (5 rows): 24 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 24 MC
    Rows 31-35 (5 rows): 24 MC | 12 CC | 4 MC | 12 CC | 4 MC | 8 CC | 24 MC
    Rows 36-40 (5 rows): 24 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 24 MC
    Rows 41-45 (5 rows): 24 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 24 MC
    Rows 46-50 (5 rows): 24 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 24 MC
    Rows 51-55 (5 rows): 24 MC | 12 CC | 4 MC | 12 CC | 4 MC | 8 CC | 24 MC
    Rows 56-60 (5 rows): 24 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 24 MC
    Rows 61-65 (5 rows): 24 MC | 12 CC | 4 MC | 12 CC | 4 MC | 8 CC | 24 MC
    Rows 66-70 (5 rows): 24 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 24 MC
    Rows 71-75 (5 rows): 24 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 24 MC
    Rows 76-80 (5 rows): 24 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 4 CC | 8 MC | 24 MC

    *Important Intarsia Notes:*
    *   Bring the needles for the new color sections into B position (non-working position) as you switch colors to prevent knitting them with the wrong yarn.
    *   When changing colors, twist the old and new yarns together on the wrong side (back of fabric) to prevent holes.
    *   Keep yarns from tangling. Use bobbins for each color section.

    *   Continue knitting, following your chart.
    *   After the intarsia logo is complete (e.g., at RC 080 following the example above, assuming a 60 row high logo block on RC 21-80), cut all CC yarns, leaving long tails to weave in later.
    *   Knit remaining 40 rows in **MC** until RC reads **120**. (Total 120 rows).
    *   Carriage will be at **COL** after RC 120.

4.  **Bind Off:**
    *   Knit 2 rows with MC.
    *   Cut MC, leaving a tail long enough for binding off.
    *   Latch tool bind off all 88 stitches.
    *   Carefully remove the piece from the machine.
    *   Pull out the ravel cord from the CO edge.

---

### **PART 3: ASSEMBLE THE BLANKET**

1.  **Block Pieces:** For a professional finish, wet block all your squares and the central panel. Pin them to your desired dimensions on blocking mats and let them dry completely. This evens out stitches and makes joining much easier.

2.  **Arrange Pieces:**
    *   The blanket is 5 squares wide x 6 squares long.
    *   The central FFA panel replaces a 2x2 grid in the middle.
    *   Example Layout:
        *   Row 1: MC | CC | MC | CC | MC
        *   Row 2: CC | (Top Left of FFA) | (Top Right of FFA) | CC
        *   Row 3: MC | (Bottom Left of FFA) | (Bottom Right of FFA) | MC
        *   Row 4: CC | MC | CC | MC | CC
        *   Row 5: MC | CC | MC | CC | MC
        *   Row 6: CC | MC | CC | MC | CC
    *   (Note: The FFA panel is a single piece, but conceptually it replaces 4 squares in the grid. Arrange the 26 small squares around it.)

3.  **Joining Method (Whip Stitch):**
    *   **Preparation:** Lay two pieces right sides together, aligning edges and rows. Use pins to hold them in place if needed.
    *   **Technique:** Using a tapestry needle and a length of matching yarn, insert the needle into the first stitch loop on one piece, then across into the corresponding stitch loop on the second piece. Continue across the seam, making neat, even stitches. Work through the *edge loops* of the knitted fabric for an almost invisible seam.
    *   **Step-by-step:**
        1.  Join the 5 pieces of each row together (4 horizontal seams per row).
        2.  Once all 6 rows are assembled, join the rows together (5 vertical seams).
        3.  Work slowly and ensure your seams are consistent.

4.  **Weave in Ends:** Securely weave in all loose yarn ends from color changes and binds off using your tapestry needle.

---

### **PART 4: OPTIONAL BORDER**

A simple machine-knitted garter stitch border can provide a neat finish.

1.  **Preparation:** With the right side of the blanket facing you, pick up stitches evenly along the entire perimeter of the blanket using a latch tool, starting from one corner. Aim for approximately 3 stitches picked up for every 4 rows, and 1 stitch per edge stitch.
    *   **Calculation:** Total stitches along width (40 inches * 5.5 sts/inch) = 220 sts. Total stitches along length (48 inches * 5.5 sts/inch) = 264 sts. So, total perimeter stitches to pick up approx. (220+264)*2 = 968 stitches. This is too many for a single machine bed.

    *Self-correction*: Picking up stitches around an entire blanket is impractical on a machine for a beginner. A better "machine knitted" border for a beginner is to knit separate strips and seam them, or to rehang the entire edge if the machine can handle the width, which it cannot for a full blanket. For a beginner, a simple latch-tool bind off *without a border* or a simple crocheted border (not within this pattern's scope) is more realistic. I will simplify this border instruction to suggest a *separately knit* border if desired, or skip it for beginner friendliness.

    **Revised Border (Simplified Option):**
    Instead of picking up around the entire blanket, you can knit separate garter stitch strips and seam them onto the blanket edges.

    **To Knit Border Strips (Make 2 for Width, 2 for Length):**
    *   **Width Strips (2 pieces):** Each should be approximately 40 inches (101.6 cm) long.
        *   CO 8 stitches (N4-0-N4).
        *   Knit in Garter Stitch (e.g., knit 2 rows with carriage, then transfer stitches to alternate needles and knit 2 rows, or use a specific garter carriage if available, or hand manipulate).
        *   For beginner, a simple Stockinette with curled edges (if not blocked) or a 1x1 rib would be easier. Let's suggest 1x1 rib for a flat edge.

    **Easier Border: 1x1 Rib (for a less curling edge)**
    1.  **Machine Setup:** Main bed and Ribber setup (if available), or knit separate Stockinette strips. Assuming main bed only for beginner.
    2.  **Knit 4 Strips:**
        *   **Needles:** 8 stitches (N4-0-N4).
        *   **Tension:** Match blanket tension (e.g., T6).
        *   **Rows:**
            *   For Width Strips (2 pieces): Knit (40 inches * 7.5 rows/inch) = 300 rows.
            *   For Length Strips (2 pieces): Knit (48 inches * 7.5 rows/inch) = 360 rows.
        *   **Method:**
            *   Cast on 8 stitches with waste yarn.
            *   Change to MC.
            *   Knit specified number of rows in Stockinette.
            *   Bind off with latch tool.
    3.  **Attach Strips:** Using a tapestry needle and whip stitch (or mattress stitch), sew these 4 strips around the perimeter of the blanket. This will give a simple, clean edge.

---

### **PART 5: FINISHING**

1.  **Final Blocking/Steaming:** Gently steam or re-block your entire assembled blanket to even out seams and relax the fabric.
2.  **Display:** Drape your beautiful, machine-knitted FFA-inspired blanket!