Oh, how I *heart* Halloween, and now that it’s September, it’s officially time to start crafting for it! While wandering the aisles of my local craft store, I came across these wooden tiles that looked like perfect windows for some spooky swatches. With the help of some paint, black & white chunky yarn, and some knitting needles, I whipped up some decorations for those of us prone to knitterly nightmares. Bonus: this project is a great way to practice new stitches, too! Materials 1 Ball each of Bernat Softee Baby Chunky (or Bernat Softee Chunky or Roving), in colors: (A) Fluffly Cloud White, and (B) Nighty Night Size U.S. 11 (8 mm) knitting needles — or size needed to obtain gauge Tapestry needle Halloween Wooden Cut-out Tiles (I found these at JoAnn Fabric & Craft Stores) Black craft paint & brush (optional) Hot glue & gun Gauge 12 sts x 16 rows = 4″/10 cm in Stockinette Stitch Directions Paint wooden tiles (optional); set aside. Knit swatches as follows: Stockinette (aka Stocking) Stitch Swatch (5″ x 9″/12.5 x 23 cm) With A, CO 15. 1st Row: Knit. 2nd Row: Purl. Join B. 3rd Row: Knit. 4th Row: Purl. Repeat 1st-4th Rows for stripe pattern, until piece measures 9″/23 cm BO. Seed Stitch Swatch (7 1/2″ x 7″/52.5 x 18 cm) With A, CO 17. 1st-2nd Rows: *K1, p1; rep from * to end. Join B. 3rd-4th Rows: *K1, p1; rep from * to end. Repeat 1st-4th Rows for stripe pattern, until piece measures 7″/18 cm BO. Corrugated Stockinette Swatch (7 1/2″ x 8 1/2″/ 19 x 21.5 cm) Note, carry yarn across WS at all times. With A, CO 26. 1st Row: *With A K1, (join B) with B k1; rep from * to end. 2nd Row: *With B P1, with A p1; rep from * to end. Repeat 1st-2nd Rows for stripe pattern, until piece measures 8 1/2″/21.5 cm BO. FINISHING Weave in ends on all swatches. Hot glue swatches to backs of wooden tiles. Here’s to a spooky September! xx, Vickie
