Pattern | Herlacyn Afghan

With its crisp lines, subtle textures and vivid colors, Herlacyn offers unlimited possibilities. Named after an Old English term for harlequin designs, this fast and easy unisex afghan represents a modern take on a traditional form.

Ideal for mini or partial skeins, the geometric shapes require just two color changes per row. Choose related shades for a custom gradient or ombre as shown, opt for classic neutrals, or pair soft gray with a single contrast color for an on-trend look. 

Herlacyn Afghan  | Fast & Easy

Skill Level 2: Easy
Yarn: Worsted weight; adapts to any weight and multi-stranding

Shown: Cotton Fleece (Brown Sheep)

Needles: US 8 (5 mm)
Sizes: 3 sizes (baby, lapghan, throw)

Yardage (approx.): 820 to 1400 yards               

Fast, easy and reversible, this afghan sports a subtle texture on the front and plush texture on the back. Strip construction keeps your project contained and portable, while the modified three-needle technique makes seaming a breeze and preserves drape.

 With Herlacyn, the:

• Crossed stockinette stitch is easy to execute and creates a stable fabric with an appealing texture.
• Color work is a breeze and just two easy color changes per row produce crisp diagonal lines.
• Strip construction keeps your project compact and portable, so you can work on your afghan anytime and anywhere.

• Pattern is simple enough for any moderately experienced beginner. It's concise but complete, and includes a schematic along with directions, stitch counts, yardage and dimensions for three sizes.
• Yarn is worsted weight or its equivalent, so your project grows quickly.
• Design is versatile and unisex, suitable for all ages, and can be worked in different yarns and countless combinations. 

The pattern includes written directions for three popular sizes ranging from baby (28 x 36 ins) to lapghan (35 x 44 ins) and throw (43 x 54 ins). Designed for worsted weight yarn, the pattern readily accommodates other yarn weights and multi-strand strategies. It’s your decision. You can work it as written or use the handy Quick Reference guide, schematic, tips, tricks and easy modifications to customize the result.

Herlacyn is a quick, fun knit suited to anyone who can cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease, ktbl, k2tog, k3tog, slip stitches, pick up stitches and bind off. 

Ready to get started? Click here to buy the pattern now. Happy knitting!

To read more about this design, see FO | Herlacyn Heatwave and FO | Herlacyn Breeze.
To explore possible neutral color schemes, see 9 Nifty Neutral Combos.

Let the Finishing Begin

Turns out, there's nothing quite so potent as making a public promise to finish a few WIPs to prompt some action. It also helps that like a parent waving a lollipop in front of a wayward toddler, my reward for keeping that promise is the opportunity to cast on the rainbow shawl I've been craving. 

This week, I buckled down and wove in the last of the ends on my Herlacyn Breeze. It's soaking now in preparation for blocking, which I hope to tackle this evening.

Dazzling progress? No, but for a project that's been stalled for far too long, it's a start, and I'll take it.

Looking for the pattern? It's in my tech editor's capable hands, so it should be ready for release soon.

Celebrate the Fruits of Our Labor

In the US, this is Labor Day weekend, a three-day national holiday recognizing the millions of hardworking Americans whose labor keeps the economy humming. 

It seems fitting, therefore, that the afghan that's been consuming my knitting attention is red, white and blue. Last weekend, I was working to fix a frustrating fubar. Because I'd skipped several stitches in the seaming process, the two strips didn't line up as intended. You can clearly see these problems below.

This past week, I slowly, steadily and carefully, tackled the seam one section at a time. True confessions, it took me all week to accomplish this feat. (Did I mention slowly?)

The reworked seam is much, much better. It's not perfect, but there are no missed stitches and the color blocks line up properly. (The angled shot below may make that difficult to see, so you'll have to trust me on this.)

Right now, this WIP is spread out on the work table, partly so I can admire the fruit of my labor and partly so I can figure out how to finish the edges. I've always intended to add a border of some sort, but right now, I'm having an intense internal debate. Should I take a minimalist approach and add a one-row edging to stop the curl and stabilize the edges? Or, should I work a deeper border for a more traditional approach?

If you have thoughts or preferences, I'd love your feedback. While I contemplate these weighty matters, I'll be weaving ends in preparation for finishing. 

Meanwhile, wherever you are, take time to celebrate the fruits of your labor, and if you're in the US, have a relaxing, enjoyable Labor Day!

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Small Mistake, Big Consequences

The first rule of blogging about knitting is this: Do NOT crow when a project's going well. Because if you do, all too soon you'll be back at the keyboard eating crow and confessing something (or everything) has gone woefully awry. 

Last week, I was wallowing in the pleasures of working on a project that was moving forward at a fast (for me) pace. In a handful of weeks it progressed from casting on the first strip to finishing all the strips and starting the seaming process. 

The first seam went together easily, without a hiccup and with each section lining up as intended. 

The second seam did not, and it's my own fault. It was late after a long, demanding work day, but I decided to push ahead and finish the final seam. It was a bad call, and the orange stitch marker marks the spot.

Somehow, someway, I'd managed to skip not one but several stitches during the three-needle bindoff, and that small mistake had big consequences. If you look at the picture above, you can see it. The left corner of the upper white triangle is supposed to align with the right corner of the red section, but clearly it doesn't.

The only way to fix an error of this magnitude is to frog it and redo it. So that's where things stand. I've ripped out the bindoff and the stitches are sitting there ready to be returned to the needles, so I can try again.

Fast Forward

This afghan is in fast forward, moving ahead so quickly, I only have a few quick shots to share. I managed to grab one in a brief moment of semi-organization right after I finished the second strip.



It's difficult to decipher the hot mess below, so you'll have to trust me when I say it shows all three strips heaped unceremoniously on the work table.

After sorting things out and restoring some semblance of order, I've started picking up stitches in preparation for joining the strips.

It's always gratifying when a project moves forward at such a rewarding pace, but I'm determined keep things in perspective. With seams to complete, borders to work and ends to weave, there's still plenty of work to be done, but you'll hear no complaints from me. It's all part of this crazy craft we call knitting, so it's okay with me.

Connecting with the linkups in the sidebar.

Geometry

When I was a kid, geometry was one of my favorite classes. In fact, I distinctly recall completing a rather complex project where we were charged with representing a series of geometric shapes in a way that demonstrated our understanding of the underlying mathematical principles.

I used pins and colored string to create swirling, dimensional shapes that impressed my teacher (known for his tough standards) and won me a top grade. This was a very long time ago, and while I've seen similar things since then, at the time it was seen as fresh and innovative.

Clearly, my love of textiles and geometry can be traced back to my childhood, so I guess it's no surprise that color, texture and crisp geometric shapes regularly surface in my knitting designs.

All of this is a long way of saying I have another afghan on the needles, and it's moving forward at a steady, satisfying pace. The first strip is finished, and it's patiently waiting in the background while I tackle the next one.



I confess, I'm rather excited by this project. It's fast and easy, a quality I treasure at times like this, when work (and life) are so complicated there's nothing more enticing than a simple, straightforward knit. 

It's also a true stashbuster. I'm using Four Seasons, a lovely cotton-wool blend by Classic Elite, yarn I've held in my stash until the right project came along. This project will put quite a dent in that precious reserve, but it will also move a fair amount of yardage out of stash, which is an ongoing goal.

Finally, I once wrote that in the US, red, white and blue where the true colors of summer, so it seems only fitting to be working on a project that features these iconic colors. And if all goes well and time permits, I may have it completed just in time for Labor Day, the last big blowout of the summer season. We shall see.

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Connecting with the linkups in the sidebar.

Monogamous Me

Years ago, I was a fully monogamous knitter, but those days have been gone for a long time. I'm not sure exactly what prompted the shift, but somewhere along the line, I began weaving small projects and quick knits into the active project mix. 

That's all well and good, but as you know, I'm a slow knitter with very limited knitting time, so it takes very few projects to go from manageable to overwhelmed. When that happens, even less knitting occurs, because there are too many projects clamoring for attention or I succumb to temptation and cast on even more.

Technically, I have three projects on the needles, but for some reason, I've been focusing all my energy on the Herlacyn Breeze afghan. As a result of this happy but unexplained quirk, progress has been (relatively) swift and quite visible.

Just a few weeks ago, I cast on and began working the first strip:

Since then, I've managed to complete it ...

start and finish the second ...

and cast on the third (and final) one.

Things have advanced so steadily, in fact, for one fleeting moment I fantasized about having Breeze completed by the end of the month. As unlikely as that is, it's fun to think about. Meanwhile, I'm simply relishing the progress produced by the delightfully unexpected and undoubtedly temporary monogamous me.


Connecting with the linkups in the sidebar.

WIP | Herlacyn Breeze

After a brief foray into whimsy world, I've cast on another afghan and am making headway. In one short week, Herlacyn Breeze has progressed from this ...

To this.

Strip one is well underway. I've completed the first color segment (Sugar Plum) and am halfway through the second (Lapis). With a bit of luck and some uninterrupted knitting time, I may be able to finish this section and start the next (Caribbean Sea) before the weekend is over.

I'm approaching this as a stashbusting project designed to use scraps and partials leftover from other projects such as Valere Summer Rainbow and Valere Vivid Rainbow. And while the exuberant spontaneity of random scrappy projects can be so appealing, a more controlled approach tends to work best for me. 

Because this is about leftovers, the challenge, of course, is the rather significant variance in yardage, as you can see by the different yarn cake sizes. This prompted a flurry of weighing, calculating and experimentation in an effort to pin down yardage and a color sequence. 

In the end, this version will feature a diagonal gradient similar to Herlacyn Heatwave, worked in a cool palette progressing from deep purple to soft mint green against an offwhite background. I'm eager to see how this all plays out, so I'd better get back to my knitting.


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FO | Herlacyn Heatwave Afghan

Last week, I promised you a proper FO post for my Herlacyn Heatwave afghan. I love how it looks, now that blocking has worked its usual magic. The stitches relaxed, the bumps disappeared, the seams are much straighter, and the borders lay flat.

As you can see, it features a warm gradient created using six shades ranging from pale yellow to red, and against the rich black background, the colors pop. The colors are arranged on the diagonal from the lower left to upper right, so they were worked in this order (bottom to top):

• Left strip: Provincial Rose, Tropical Coral, Buttercream, Banana
• Center strip: Cherry Moon, Provincial Rose, Tropical Coral, Buttercream
• Right strip: Barn Red, Cherry Moon, Provincial Rose, Tropical Coral

Herlacyn was designed with stashbusting in mind, so I was determined to work with yarn on hand. In the end, however, I had to order more Cherry Moon, because there was so little left after last year's rainbow Valere afghans and I wasn't in the mood to play yarn chicken.

Herlacyn Heatwave

Yarn: Cotton Fleece (Brown Sheep)
Needles: US 8 (5.5 mm)
Size: Small / baby
Dimensions: 27 x 35 ins
Yardage: ~670 yards

The back side is attractive, but it has a different look and feel. Because of the wrapped stitches, the colored triangles resemble appliques and almost appear stitched on rather than worked as part of the fabric.

Don't tell the other afghans, but Heatwave is my new favorite. It has fantastic drape, and the strong geometric shapes and cheerful colors delight my simple heart. It's also the perfect weight for our chilly spring weather and it will transition well into summer and fall, when a soft, light afghan is welcome on a cool morning.

I'm itching to cast on another in cool blues and greens, but that may have to wait. A shawl, a pair of mitts, and a vivid rainbow afghan are already on the needles, and they're all crying out for some well-deserved attention.

Looking for the pattern? You can find it here or read more about it here. Enjoy!

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WIP| Herlacyn Heatwave	Ombres & Gradients: What's the Difference?

WIP | Herlacyn Heatwave

Slowly but surely, Herlacyn Heatwave is making headway. The last time we talked about this afghan, the first strip had just been completed.

As soon as that strip was done, I cast on strip two. It looks an awful lot like the first one, doesn't it? It's true, all three strips are quite similar, but each one features a slightly different mix of colors worked against a black background, which creates an interesting ombre or gradient effect once all the elements are assembled.

Speaking of finishing, let's cut to the chase. After a bit more knitting, all three strips were ready for seaming. Normally, I wait until the end and weave ends once the entire blanket is finished, but knitting time is so scarce these days, I decided to try something different, and weave ends as I seamed.

If you look closely below, you can see as I picked up stitches along the strip edge, I wrapped (trapped) the contrasting color with the black working yarn during the pick up process. This created a tidy braided effect, and it will definitely save time during the finishing process.

Now the seams are completed, and it's waiting patiently for the next stage. So far, I like how things are coming together. 

Mornings and evenings have been slightly cool, a reminder that fall is right around the corner, so I'm eager to get this finished. I confess, I'm already fantasizing about greeting each fall day sipping a steaming cup of coffee, watching the sun rise with this happy harlequin afghan draped over my legs. All it needs is a simple border, so I'd better get busy. 

Looking for the pattern? It's in development and will soon be heading to the tech editor for review.

Meanwhile, I'm connecting with the linkups in the sidebar.

Angles Are Attitude

From a dashing hat worn at a slant to knit items worked in triangles and diamonds, there's something jaunty and appealing about angles. That may explain why lately I've been captivated by this quote:

Cock your hat, angles are attitude. ~Frank Sinatra

Once I started thinking about it, I began seeing angles in some way, shape or form in a slew of projects past, present and in the planning pipeline. 

On the accessory front, for example, there's Alaris, which features four diamond panels and can be worn multiple ways.

Dojeling, on the other hand, combines triangular wings with a center diamond panel for a classic triangle shawl worked in an easy but non-traditional manner.  

Then there's the Grey Daze wrap, with its off-kilter kite and angular wing shapes, which produces a longer, more shallow triangular profile that's versatile and easy to wear.

Angles abound in afghan world, as well. Angletyn, for instance, features a series of classic chevrons writ large ...

while Flashpoint is composed of over-sized triangular components accentuated by raised seams and trim.

With its bright, cheerful rainbow shades, Valere sports a parade of triangles that resemble colorful banners ready to wave in the next breeze.

Then of course there's Herlacyn Heatwave, my current afghan WIP, which uses a series of diamonds and triangles to create a modern take on the classic harlequin design. Here it is, in all its unblocked glory:

With so many angular projects in use or underway, you'd think I'd be over this obsession, but subtle and sweet or bright and bold, it's hard to argue with Sinatra. Angles do indeed have attitude, which is precisely what makes them both fascinating and fun.


Looking for the patterns? Valere, with its cheerful rainbow banners, has been released, and Herlacyn and the Grey Daze shawl are in development. To see all available patterns, click here.

WIP | Heatwave is Growing

We've experienced a few hotspells this summer, but so far nothing on the weather front has come close to a true heatwave. The same can't be said on the knitting front, where my Herlacyn Heatwave is coming along slowly but steadily. 

The last time you saw it, the first strip was less than half completed:

Since then, that strip has been finished. I know, I know. It doesn't look like much yet, but so far I'm pleased with how it's shaping up. From experience, I know blocking will cure the curl, relax the stitches and smooth out the wayward bumps.

Overall, the colors are also playing well together and the black background helps them pop, but there have been a few surprises. The original scheme included a partial skein of Cherry Moon (bright pink below), which turned out to be just a few yards short of what I needed. Because I wasn't in the mood for yarn chicken, I set Herlacyn aside, ordered more yarn and waited for it to arrive.

I get antsy if I don't have something on the needles, so while I waited, I made swatches for upcoming projects and the ombres and gradients series. Now the new yarn is in hand, strip two is on the needles and I'm back on track. (No photos yet, it's too gray and overcast to get a decent shot.)

A real heatwave saps strength and makes everyone generally miserable. The cheerful colors in my knitterly version, on the other hand, consistently make me smile. so I'm happy to say this particular heatwave is growing.

Looking for the pattern? Herlacyn is in development and the upbeat rainbow Valere is nearly ready for release.

Connecting with the linkups in the sidebar.

Afghans Anytime Anywhere

People often ask, How on earth can you make afghans in the middle of summer?

It's a logical question and the answer is simple: Modular construction.

Herlacyn Heatwave

Modular construction keeps projects compact and portable. When time is short, it allows me to work a few quick rows because rows are short, too. And, it makes it possible to knit afghans anytime and anywhere without the weight of a full blanket in my lap (or dangling from my wrists).

Yarn choice makes a difference, obviously. As you know, I'm a big fan of Cotton Fleece (Brown Sheep). It contains a touch of wool (20%) but has a soft cottony feel, so it's an especially good option for summertime knitting. As an added plus, that little bit of wool helps my stitches stay even and adds the spring cotton needs to keep from stretching out of shape during use. Win-win.

Drumlin Brights

Four Seasons, another cotton-wool blend, was one of my favorites, but sadly it's been discontinued and I'm still searching for a comparable substitute. Very similar to Cotton Fleece, it has a higher wool ratio (30% wool, 70% cotton), but retains a cottony look and feel.

Breidan Berry

Wool-silk and wool-bamboo blends are also good choices. A couple summers ago, I spent a very hot and sweltering July knitting this wool-silk version of Flashpoint, but thanks to modular construction, it was no problem whatsoever.

Flashpoint Blue

There are several small and light weight projects on the needles and drawing board, but contrary to logic, much like last spring and summer many others feature wool. Luckily, the wools I'm working with are merino, so they're light and lofty, not fuzzy and hot. I'm still swatching for an afghan-to-be, but in an ideal world, it will be on the needles before the month is out.

It's hot, humid and the height of summer, so I'm sure it sounds crazy, but yep, I'm still happily knitting afghans.

If you're in the US, I wish you a fun, fiber-filled and very happy Independence Day. And happy Canada Day to our neighbors to the north.