Play It Again 2024 is an opportunity for knitters to knit my patterns together in Knitting in the Loft starting March 1st. This pattern, along with my others, is being offered at 20% off until March 15, 2024, no coupon code needed. Come join us in the Loft! (Only current clues will be available during the KAL. They will come available as they are released monthly.)

It is good to give thanks to Adonai and sing praises to your name, ‘Elyon, to tell in the morning about your grace and at night about your faithfulness, to the music of a ten-stringed harp and a lute, with the melody sounding on a lyre. For Adonai, what you do makes me happy; I take joy in what your hands have made, How great are your deeds, Adonai! How very deep your thoughts! Psalms 92: 1 - 5

Welcome to another year of learning!

We will be indulging in the incredible resources from Nihon Vogue’s 1000 Japanese Knitting & Crochet Stitches translated by Gayle Roehm. There is a whole lot of mixing and matching going on in this design. You are most welcome to search out the beautiful stitch patterns. There are so many hidden treasures in this book.

The blanket/afghan will be constructed in three columns/strips of four squares (one square per month/aka MKAL). At the end of the year, two seams will complete our blanket. If you would prefer to work each square separately, please allow for more yarn to join the extra seams. There is a whole lot of information in these next pages (This will be included in the January clue, also). No worries! Each monthly clue will include its own specific set of stitch definitions and instructions.

Materials

1640 yards Sport Weight Yarn
US Size 6/4.00 mm needle
OR 2600 Light Worsted Weight Yarn
US Size 7/4.5 mm Needle

Tapestry Needle
Crochet Hook (optional)

Finished Size
41 x 58 inches Sport Weight
45 x 60 inches Light Worsted Weight

Gauge
10 Stitches x 14 Rows = 2 Inches Sport Weight
8 Stitches x 12 Rows = 2 Inches Light Worsted Weight

Special Yarn Offers!

We are honored, once again, to have special pre-order yarn offers for our blanket project.
Helen, from She Sells Yarn and More and Ron, from Beach Bunny Yarns are both offering scrumptious yarns to knit with in a wonderful array of beautiful colors.

She Sells Yarn and More

“She Sells Yarn and More is pleased to support the upcoming MKAL with a 15% discount (code is found on pattern information pdf once purchased and downloaded) on Cascade Heritage 6 sport-weight yarn and their 220 Superwash light-worsted weight yarn. Both are sturdy fibers and give remarkable stitch definition. And you can’t beat the easy-care that comes with superwash wool! Please note that we are offering these as PRE-ORDER items. Offer has been extended to November 30th, 2023 to ensure delivery before the start of the MKAL.”

Beach Bunny Yarns

Island Sport is the Bunny’s latest line of luxurious yarn. 100% superwash Merino wool with a medium twist that keeps it soft and structured. This yarn has quickly become a favorite for wearable knits. We recommend using a tonal solid for this sampler to showcase the lovely stitch work!

Toni estimates the Japanese Sampler Blanket will take approximately 5 skeins of Island Sport, but it’s always good to have a backup! From now until, December 9th, add six Island Sport skeins to your cart and use the code (code available on pattern information pdf once purchased and downloaded) to get $25 off of your total order! It’s a free skein of yarn! No yarn chicken gonna happen here. You can find all the squishy colors here:

https://beachbunnyyarns.com/collections/island-sport

Yarn Stats:
Weight: Sport
Fiber: 100% Merino Superwash
Yardage: approx. 328 yds/100 gm
Care: You can machine wash delicate in a lingerie bag, but we still recommend handwash cold, dry flat

There will be wonderful pattern support in my group, Knitting in the Loft, Ravelry. We would love for you to join us. Happy Knitting!

This pattern has been carefully tested and tech edited. Thank you kendknitter, craftyone51, cpainter, quilterlis, olithia, and MinnesotaNancy for your invaluable observations and input. You are the best!

Errata (End of year consolidated version will show all corrections.)
March, Cable Version, Chart A, Row 30: end of row stitch count should read 6 stitches, not 5; Chart B, Rows 52 and 74, should also read 6 stitches. Row 77, both versions, needs a “no stitch” colored in after the K2tog near the beginning of the row.
May Cable Version: Stitch Count increases are charted correctly to happen in WS Rows 12 and 16, pick up the bar between the stitches and knit through the back loop. Notes will be corrected in Compiled Version (Increases are not on RS Rows 13 and 17). Row 13, Chart A, Cable Version. There are 6 purl stitches at the beginning of the pattern row and 7 at the end, all between the border stitches.

Purchase thoughtfully. Digital patterns, once purchased, are yours and non-refundable.