purlJam

# Umbrella Square – Intermediate Knitting Pattern

**Description:**
A classic $20.5\text{cm}$ ($8\text{in}$) square featuring a cheerful umbrella motif in the centre. This block is worked flat using the Intarsia technique, framed by a textured Moss Stitch border to ensure it lies flat. Perfect for inclusion in a sampler blanket or as a washcloth.

**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate (Requires Intarsia colourwork and reading a chart/written instructions).

**Sizes:**
*   One Size: Approx. $20.5\text{cm} \times 20.5\text{cm}$ ($8\text{in} \times 8\text{in}$) after blocking.

**Materials:**
*   **Yarn:** Worsted / Aran weight yarn ($10$ ply).
    *   **Main Colour (MC):** Approx. $35\text{m}$ (Cream or Sky Blue).
    *   **Contrast Colour A (CC1 - Handle):** Approx. $5\text{m}$ (Black or Charcoal).
    *   **Contrast Colour B (CC2 - Canopy):** Approx. $10\text{m}$ (Red, Yellow, or bright colour of choice).
*   **Needles:** $5.0\text{mm}$ (UK 6 / US 8) straight or circular needles, or size needed to obtain tension.
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, bobbins for colour management.

**Tension (Gauge):**
18 stitches and 24 rows = $10\text{cm} \times 10\text{cm}$ over Stocking Stitch using $5.0\text{mm}$ needles.
*Note: It is crucial to check tension to ensure the square dimensions match other blocks if making a blanket.*

**Terminology & Abbreviations (UK Terms):**
*   **k:** knit
*   **p:** purl
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **RS:** Right Side (public side)
*   **WS:** Wrong Side (inside)
*   **MC:** Main Colour (Background)
*   **CC1:** Contrast Colour 1 (Umbrella Handle)
*   **CC2:** Contrast Colour 2 (Umbrella Canopy)
*   **Moss St:** (US Seed St) Alternating k1, p1; on subsequent rows, knit the purls and purl the knits.

**Pattern Notes:**
1.  **Intarsia Technique:** Do not carry yarn across the back of the work. Use separate balls or bobbins for each block of colour. You will need: 1 bobbin for CC1, 1 bobbin for CC2, and 2 balls/bobbins for MC (one for each side of the umbrella).
2.  **Twist Yarns:** When changing colours, always twist the new yarn around the old yarn on the Wrong Side to prevent holes.
3.  **Reading Instructions:** Instructions in brackets `[...]` denote the number of stitches in that specific colour.

---

### INSTRUCTIONS

**Lower Border**
Using MC and $5.0\text{mm}$ needles, cast on 37 sts.
**Row 1 (RS):** \*K1, p1; rep from \* to last st, k1. `[37 sts]`
**Row 2:** \*P1, k1; rep from \* to last st, p1. `[37 sts]`
**Rows 3–6:** Rep Rows 1 and 2 twice more.

**Umbrella Panel (Intarsia Section)**
*Note: The first and last 4 stitches of every row are worked in Moss Stitch (MC) to create the side borders. The centre 29 stitches form the picture canvas in Stocking Stitch.*

**Row 7 (RS - Setup):** (K1, p1) twice `[Border]`, k29, (p1, k1) twice `[Border]`.
**Row 8 (WS):** (P1, k1) twice, p29, (k1, p1) twice.
**Rows 9–10:** Repeat Rows 7 and 8.

**Begin Umbrella Motif:**
*Prepare bobbins: MC (Left), CC1 (Handle), MC (Right).*

**Row 11 (RS):** Border, k13 MC, k3 CC1, k13 MC, Border. `[Check: 4+13+3+13+4 = 37 sts]`
**Row 12 (WS):** Border, p13 MC, p3 CC1, p13 MC, Border.
**Row 13:** Border, k13 MC, k2 CC1, k14 MC, Border.
**Row 14:** Border, p14 MC, p2 CC1, p13 MC, Border.
**Row 15:** Repeat Row 13.
**Row 16:** Repeat Row 14.
**Row 17:** Repeat Row 13.
**Row 18:** Repeat Row 14.
**Row 19:** Repeat Row 13.
**Row 20:** Repeat Row 14.
**Row 21:** Repeat Row 13. `[Handle shaft complete]`

**Begin Canopy:**
*Cut CC1 leaving a tail. Join CC2 (Canopy).*

**Row 22 (WS):** Border, p6 MC, p17 CC2, p6 MC, Border. `[Check: 4+6+17+6+4 = 37 sts]`
**Row 23 (RS):** Border, k5 MC, k19 CC2, k5 MC, Border.
**Row 24:** Border, p4 MC, p21 CC2, p4 MC, Border.
**Row 25:** Border, k4 MC, k21 CC2, k4 MC, Border.
**Row 26:** Border, p4 MC, p21 CC2, p4 MC, Border.
**Row 27:** Border, k4 MC, k21 CC2, k4 MC, Border.
**Row 28:** Border, p4 MC, p21 CC2, p4 MC, Border.
**Row 29:** Border, k5 MC, k19 CC2, k5 MC, Border. `[Decreasing for top of dome]`
**Row 30:** Border, p6 MC, p17 CC2, p6 MC, Border.
**Row 31:** Border, k7 MC, k15 CC2, k7 MC, Border.
**Row 32:** Border, p9 MC, p11 CC2, p9 MC, Border.
**Row 33:** Border, k11 MC, k7 CC2, k11 MC, Border.
**Row 34 (WS):** Border, p13 MC, p3 CC2, p13 MC, Border. `[Top tip of umbrella]`

*Cut CC2 and extra MC bobbins. Return to single ball of MC.*

**Upper Background**
**Row 35 (RS):** Border, k29 MC, Border.
**Row 36 (WS):** Border, p29 MC, Border.
**Rows 37–44:** Work as established in Stocking Stitch with Moss Stitch borders (Repeat rows 35-36 four more times). `[Total rows so far: 44]`

**Upper Border**
**Row 45 (RS):** \*K1, p1; rep from \* to last st, k1.
**Row 46:** \*P1, k1; rep from \* to last st, p1.
**Rows 47–50:** Rep Rows 45 and 46 twice more.

**Finishing**
Cast off all stitches loosely in pattern (knit the knits, purl the purls) to maintain the square edge.
Weave in all ends on the WS. Use the tails of the colour changes to close any small gaps between the handle and the canopy if necessary.
Block the square to exactly $20.5\text{cm} \times 20.5\text{cm}$ ($8\text{in} \times 8\text{in}$).

### Technical Summary
*   **Total Stitches:** 37
*   **Total Rows:** 50
*   **Motif Centering:** The handle occupies the centre columns relative to the 29-stitch panel, ensuring the umbrella is visually balanced.