Handilady Crafting Projects

Knitting doesn’t only have to be worn. Simple knitted pieces can be stretched over a canvas or frame and hung on the wall. Here, the op-art paintings of the sixties have been re-invented with simple knitted patterns for interior decoration.

The flower, stripe and block designs are all in graphic black and white, which can be further embellished with chain stitch embroidery. There are three different sizes given here, but it is such a simple principle that you could make hangings to any size or shape. Here they have been worked in cotton for clarity, but they can be made in any yarn, and embroidered, appliquéd or even felted for an extra dimension. You can either work the design into the piece or knit a plain background and Swiss darn or duplicate stitch the pattern on afterwards.

Making the op-art wall hangings

Materials

Rowan DK Cotton

Flower

Colour A: 6 x 50g balls in ecru

Colour B: 2 x 50g balls in black

Colour C: scraps in orange

Stripes

Colour A: 2 x 50g balls in ecru

Colour B: 1 x 50g ball in black

Blocks

Colour A: 2 x 50g balls in ecru

Colour B: 1. x 50g ball in black

Ready-made canvas, frame or plywood cut to size (available from most good craft stores)

1 pair of 3.75mm (no. 5) needles arge sewing needle

Size

Flower 46cm square

Stripes 25cm square

Blocks 15cm square

Tension

20 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm square over stocking stitch on 3.75mm (no. 5) needles. Always work a tension swatch and change needles accordingly if necessary.

Tips

Work the design using the intarsia method, do not strand the yarn across the back of the work as this will distort the image. Use separate lengths of contrasting yarn for the coloured areas and twist the yarns together on the wrong side when changing colours to avoid any holes.

Knitting the flower design

With 3.75mm (no. 5) needles and colour A, cast on 90 stitches. Work 22 rows in stocking stitch — one row knit, one row purl alternately.

Cast on 15 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows and at the same time work the flower from the full chart given starting on the 16th stitch of each row. Read the chart from right to left on right side (knit) rows and from left to right on wrong side (purl) rows. Each square on the chart represents a stitch and each row of squares represents a row of knitting.

You may find it simpler to knit with colour A only, then embroider the flower in colour B afterwards with Swiss darning or duplicate stitch.

Cast off 15 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. 90 stitches. Change to colour A and work 22 rows in stocking stitch. Cast off.

Embroidering with chain stitch

Lay a length of yarn over the knitted design, allowing it to curl and twist, then tack or tape it into position and follow the line in chain stitch. Alternatively, crochet a long chain, lay over the design and stitch into position.

Knitting the stripe design

With 3.75mm (no. 5) needles and colour A, cast on 50 stitches, Work 22 rows in stocking stitch as on flower design. Cast on 15 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows and at the same time work the stripes from the chart starting on the 16th stitch of each row. Cast off 15 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. 50 stitches. Change to colour A and work 22 rows in stocking stitch. Cast off.

Knitting the block design

With 3.75mm (no. 5) needles and colour A, cast on 30 stitches. Work 22 rows in stocking stitch as on flower design. Cast on 15 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows and at the same time work the blocks from the chart starting on the 16th stitch of each row. Cast off 15 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. 30 stitches. Change to colour A and work 22 rows in stocking stitch. Cast off.

Making up the wall hangings

Weave in any yarn ends and press flat with a steam iron. Lay the knitted design over the ready-made canvas, stretch into position and staple securely at the back.

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Op-art Wall Hangings