Magicord Machine Baby Bow Trimmed Afghan©

DESIGNED BY CARA L. BERNHAUSER PRESENTS “TOMORROW’S HEIRLOOMS”

Copyrighted by Cara Bernhauser

Obtained from Cara’s Free Page: www.cara4webshopping.com

FINISHED DIMENSIONS:

• Small: Approx. 24″ x 36″ (61cm x 92cm)
• Medium: Approx. 30″ x 42″ (76cm x 107cm)
• Large: Approx. 36″ x 48″ (92cm X 122cm)

TENSION: 16.67 sts and 25.56 rows = 4″/10cm measured over the pattern using the Classic/ISM Keyplate dot 3.

MATERIALS:

Bond America’s Magicord Machine.

A two-prong tool to hang LL cords.

TECHNIQUES:

• This design is made by hanging the cords on the heads of the knitting loom/machine needles every 10 rows. (to hand knit, on purl rows, pick up a loop from cord and knit both loop and stitch as one.)
• The color order is 2 cords of the Aqua, then 2 cords of the Peach.
• The body of the afghan is knit, afterwards the loops are whip stitched at intervals to form the bows.

TO MAKE MAGICORD LENGTHS:

Small:

1. With the baby yarn make:
2. 12 cords, each color, 30″ long, leaving a 3″ tail at each end. Weave the ends into the cord.
3. This forms the long lengths [LL]
4. 30 cords, each color, 6″ long, leaving a 3″ tail at each end. Knot ends to form a loop.
5. Weave the knotted ends into the cord.
6. (It is easier to knit 16 yards with the magicord machine, then cut these to the finished lengths.
7. (I’ve allowed extra for cutting.)

Medium:

• With the baby yarn make:
• 14 cords, each color, 36″ long, leaving a 3″ tail at each end. Weave the ends into the cord.
• This forms the long lengths [LL]
• 35 cords, each color, 6″ long, leaving a 3″ tail at each end. Knot the ends to form a loop.
• Weave the knotted ends into the cord.
• (It is easier to make 22 yards with the magicord machine, then cut these to the finished lengths.
• (I’ve allowed extra for cutting.)

Large:

• With the baby yarn make:
• 16 cords, each color, 42″ long, leaving a 3″ tail at each end. Weave the ends into the cord.
• This forms the long lengths [LL].
• 56 cords, each color, 6″ long, leaving a 3″ tail at each end. Knot the ends to form a loop.
• Weave the knotted ends into the cord.
• (It is easier to knit 30 yards with the Magicord machine, then cut these to the finished lengths.
• (I’ve allowed extra for cutting.)

TO KNIT THE BODY OF THE AFGHAN:

1. Bring forward to HP:
   1. 100 needles for the small size baby afghan. (cast on 100 sts.)
   2. 126 needles for the medium size baby afghan. (cast on 126 sts.)
   3. 150 needles for the large size baby afghan. (cast on 150 sts.)
2. COR (The carriage is on the right side.)
3. Hang the hem.
4. Hang the Aqua LL cord across the heads of the needles (hand knitters, leave 3 inches of cord loose. Knit one loop of cord with EACH stitch across row. leave excess hang off edge.):
   1. Fold the LL cord in half to find the center.
   2. Insert the two-prong tool into the center of the LL, then hang onto the center two needles. (To reduce bulk, use only one strand of the yarn in the cord (half a stitch).
   3. Work from the center outward to each side, hanging the cord evenly. Hanging two stitches, skipping one, works the best. 3″ or more will be left at each edge. (This will be sewn to the sides later.)
5. Knit ten rows. Knit the first row slowly. It helps to keep the cord beneath the fabric guide as you knit.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for your total length:
   1. 230 rows for the small size.
   2. 270 rows for the medium size.
   3. 310 rows for the large size.
7. Hang your last LL cord.
8. Bind off by back stitch method (or your favorite method).
9. Remove from the machine.

FINISH THE VERTICAL SIDES:

1. Look at the vertical sides.
2. The bottom cord’s ends will go up the sides to where the next cord begins. If it is longer than needed, unravel to the proper length.
3. Sew the cord to the sides.
4. Graft the ends to the new cord at the bend.
5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 until you reach the last cord.
6. Graft the last cord in the corner.

m-fig1.gif

makebow.gif

1. Look at picture m-fig1.gif. There are 2 cords of each color. The bows are made between the cords of the same color.
2. Fold the 6″ loops in half, figure-eight style, with the knot in the center of the bow. (See makebow.gif)
3. Whip stitch the center loops, between the same color cords, for your size:
   1. For the small size, 3 bows, one in the center, the other two centered on each side.
   2. For the medium size, 3 bows, one in the center, the other two centered on each side.
   3. For the large size, 4 bows, evenly spaced, approximately 8″ apart.
   4. Weave in any loose threads as you go.
4. Whip stitch the end loops, to make bows along the edge. Place them only where the centered bows are. (Only between the same colored cords.)

FINISHING:

1. Lightly steam the baby afghan on WRONG SIDE. Do not use iron. Acrylic goes limp with too much heat, so do not let iron touch fabric. Pull lightly into shape as you steam to block square, if needed.