Quick Knit Afghan Pattern #B-377

Knitted in one piece, with variegated yarn, this attractive throw features an interesting butterfly stitch pattern.

COATS & CLARK'S "RED HEART" KNITTING WORSTED, 4 Ply (3½ oz. "Tangle-Proof" Pull-Out Skeins): 9 skeins of No. 971 Palette.

Knitting Needles, 1 pair No. 10½, 14-inch length.

Afghan measures 45 x 63 inches

GAUGE: 5 sts = 2 inches; 5 rows = 1 inch.

Starting at narrow edge, cast on 135 sts. K 5 rows for garter st border, de­creasing 22 sts evenly spaced across last row—113 sts. Now work in pat­tern as follows: 1st row: K across. 2nd row: K 3 for garter st border, p across to within last 3 sts, k 3 for garter st border. Next 3 rows: Repeat first, 2nd and first rows. 6th row: K 6, * insert needle in next st in the 6th row below, slip next st off left-hand needle and unravel 5 rows, place the stitch and the 5 strands on left-hand needle and k as one stitch, pulling st up to meas­ure 1 inch—butterfly made; k 3. Repeat from * across to within last 7 sts, make a butterfly, k 6. Next 4 rows: Repeat 2nd and first rows alternately. 11th row: K 4, * make a butterfly, k 3. Repeat from * across, ending with k 4 (instead of k 3). Repeat 2nd through 11th row for pattern. Work even in pattern until total length is about 62 inches, ending with either 6th or 11th row. Next row: K across, increasing 22 sts evenly spaced—135 sts. Next 4 rows: K across. Bind off in knitting. Block to measurements.

This pattern was originally published in Coats & Clark's #142, Decorator Afghans and has passed into the public domain: the source states these designs "are no longer protected by copyright and you are free to do whatever you would like to do with them." It is reproduced here verbatim, including original vintage terminology, abbreviations, and measurements, which may differ from modern conventions. You can view the original transcription at freevintageknitting.com.