Welcome to our little bit of knitterly Heaven- I'm so glad you found your way here!
Our goal is to teach beginning knitters some tricks of the trade as well as to work enough swatches to have a finished afghan by the end of the year! Join along with us as we learn about patterns, cables, lace, and some other handy techniques! A new pattern will become available each month ranging from newbie to adventurous. So stop on by, pick your pattern and knit along with us!

All patterns can be found here as well as on Ravelry.com!

FAQ

1.  Where are these patterns coming from?
     The stitch patterns are coming from a number of sources.  However, most stitch patterns are coming from one of the three Interweave Press Harmony Guides: Knit & Purl, Lace & Eyelets, and Cables & Arans) or Beautiful Knitting Patterns by Gisela Klopper.  Most of the patterns are then ''written'' by me.  If a different source is used (ie- another book or Ravelry.com), I will site where these patterns are coming from on the individual pattern.  If you'd like to know about a specific pattern, please email me (yearofswatches@gmail.com) and I will give you some more information. 

2. How much yarn do I need?
     Each swatch takes approximately 2 ounces of yarn.  Depending on how many swatches you are planning on completing will determine the amount of yarn you'll need.  For example, if you are doing one swatch a month you'll need about 2 ounces x 12 months= 24 ounces of worsted weight yarn (2 swatches per month will equal 48 ounces and 3 swatches per month equals 72 ounces of yarn).  You can find out how many ounces of yarn on a skein on the label.

3.  What is the gauge and is it important?
      The gauge for this pattern is 4.5 stitches per inch using size US 7 needles and worsted weight yarn.  As a rule, gauge is always important.  BUT, since the finished fabric is not going to be a garment, as long as you use the same brand of yarn and the same needles though-out, you should be get the same size square.  Please note that if you aren't measuring gauge, you may need more or less yarn then the ''recipe'' calls for.


4.  I really prefer to knit from a chart, are they available?
    


5.  What yarn are you using in your samples?
      My samples are knit in Caron's Simply Soft Yarn.  I bought it at Wal-mart and a skein runs less than $3.  It is an acrylic yarn that lives up to its name.  It washes well and doesn't have a dye-lot, so I can go back for more later.