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This photo was sent us by Grace.

This is what she wrote on her web site :

Equal Parts – Done!

I’ve always thought that there are two kinds of knitters in the world.  Process knitters love to knit, no matter what.  All they need to hear is the clicking of the needles.  It doesn’t matter if they’ve knitted the same pattern a dozen times before.  They just love to knit.  Project knitters like to see completed projects.  They see a pattern, and the mind immediately goes to “Yes, I want THAT project!”  They can’t be bothered to knit the same pattern again unless they truly want a duplicate (or near duplicate) product.

I’ve known for a long time that I’m a product knitter. My love of stuffies and the way I feel when I finish their faces and see them come alive told me that.  However, I’ve never been so sure of it as I am now.

When I saw “Equal Parts”, all I could see was that it looked like the perfect project for the recipient. I didn’t bother to consider little things like how long it would take to complete the project, how enjoyable the knitting would be, or anything else for that matter.

However, as the months dragged on, I started doing the mental work that I should have done before I started.

Each square averages 66 stitches by 66 rows.  That’s over 4000 stitches per square.

Each square is bordered by 5 rows.  Add another 1,300 stitches or so per square.

There are twelve squares.  Multiply 4300 times 12.  That’s over 50,000 stitches.

The twelve squares are bound together and then bordered by another 5 rows.   Add on another few thousand stitches.

Sigh.  And to make it even happier, it’s almost all garter stitch.  And mostly brown on brown.

Although projects like this are not the most exciting, the big pay-off comes when the project is finished.  As I cast off that last stitch and wove in the last tails, I was ready to dance around the room.

Whoo hoo!  It’s done!  It’s done!

While the actual experience of knitting it wasn’t all that pleasant (and was, at some times, downright mind-numbing), I must admit that there’s no feeling like the one that comes after completing a project of this size!  I spent  three months knitting mostly this.  (I took a short diversion for a couple stuffies.  I NEEDED a finished project BAD!)  But I got through it, and, while it’s not perfect, I’ve been assured by quite a few people that it’s gorgeous and that the recipient is going to be one lucky baby.





I replied to Grace:

You already know I love your blanket.

I’m not sure whether this will make you feel better or worse about your achievement but you have actually knitted twice as many stitches as you think you have. The squares are 66 stitches by 66 ridges, which means 132 rows!

Even though the figures are wrong, I just love your calculations. It’s part of what our teaching is all about.

The design is to be found on the walls of many UK schools as a poster, published by Tarquin Publications.

The afghan came first. It shows fractions from 1 - 12. Each square has a different number of equal pieces.

Scroll down for more information about
Equal Parts

HALF-AND-HALF AFGHANS

Tilting at Windmills
Half Measures
About Turn

HALF-AND-HALF CUSHIONS

Tilting at Windmills
Square is it?

The twelve squares are made in various ways. Some are in a single piece; others need to be stitched.

The pattern gives instructions for making the afghan in DK or Aran weight yarns. Other yarns can be used though the finished afghan, may be bigger, or smaller than the original.

Equal Parts on loan to South Tynedale Middle School for their mathematical knitting project.

The pupils went on to produce their own afghan.