Checkerboard Knitted Bedspread Pattern #517

   A knitted bedspread is unusual in itself, but for the woman who prefers to knit, this checkerboard design offers a simple and pleasing idea. A knitted spread can give a very solid effect without having the weight that a similar design in crochet would entail. Should you prefer to alternate blocks of color with those of ecru or white you will find that you can create an idea in keeping with the old- fashioned and now revived mode of patchwork quilt making.
   Because of laundering, some persons prefer to omit the fringe, and in this case, the bedspread is equally attractive and quite modern in design when so done.

Materials: Clark's O.N.T. Knitting and Crochet Cotton, for double size spread, 16 x 19 blocks (finished size about 88 x 104½ inches), 39 balls or hanks of White or Ecru, not including fringe; for single size spread, 13 x 19 blocks (finished size about 71½ x104½ inches), 32 balls or hanks, not including fringe. 5-inch fringe requires about 26 yards of thread for each 12 inches. Steel knitting needles, 2½ mm. size.

Gauge: Blocks are 5½ inches square. (Each block requires 52 yards of thread).

   Cast on 49 sts. 1st row: K 1, p 1, ending with k 1. 2nd to 6th rows incl: Same as 1st row. (This is the moss st). 7th row: K 1, p 1 for 13 sts, (thread over, k 2 together) 4 times, p 1, k 1 for 8 sts, (thread over, k 2 together) 4 times, p 1, k 1 for 12 sts. 8th row: K 1, p 1 for 12 sts, k 9, p 1, k 1 for 7 sts, k 9, p 1, k 1 for 12 sts. 9th row: K 1, p 1 for 12 sts, (k 2 together, thread over) 4 times, k 1, p 1 for 8 sts, (k 2 together, thread over) 4 times, k 1, p 1 for 13 sts. 10th row: Same as 8th.

11th to 18th rows incl: Repeat 7th to 10th rows incl. twice. 19th row: K 1, p 1 for 5 sts (thread over, k 2 together) 4 times. * P 1, k 1, for 8 sts, (thread over, k 2 together) 4 times, repeat from * once, p 1, k 1 for 4 sts. 20th row: K 1, p 1 for 4 sts, * k 9, p 1 and k 1 for 7 sts, repeat from * 2 times, ending with p 1 and k 1 for 4 sts. 21st row: K 1, p 1 for 4 sts, (k 2 together, thread over) 4 times, * k 1, p 1 for 8 sts, (k 2 together, thread over) 4 times, repeat from * once, k 1, p 1 for 5 sts. 22nd row: Same as 20th row.

23rd to 30th rows incl: Repeat 19th to 22nd rows incl. twice. 31st to 54th rows incl: Repeat 7th to 30th rows. 55th to 66th rows incl: Same as 7th to 18th rows. Finish block with 6 rows of moss st. Bind off but do not break thread, but crochet around block as follows: * S c in each of next 4 sts, ch 3, s c in same st as last s c. Repeat from * around, making a loop of ch-5 at each corner. Join adjacent blocks by the ch-3 loops. If desired, knot fringe in each picot loop around spread.