Ancient Runes Blanket In progress

by Nyssareen

image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2022 Nyssareen
image ©2023 Nyssareen
image ©2023 Nyssareen
image ©2023 Nyssareen
image ©2023 Nyssareen
image ©2023 Nyssareen
image ©2023 Nyssareen
image ©2023 Nyssareen
image ©2023 Nyssareen
image ©2024 Nyssareen
image ©2024 Nyssareen
image ©2024 Nyssareen
image ©2024 Nyssareen
image ©2024 Nyssareen
Craft
Knitting
Pattern
Various
Tools
US Size 8 (5.0 mm) 5" needle tips, US Size 7 (4.5 mm) 5" needle tips, US Size 6 (4.0 mm), US Size 5 (3.75 mm), US Size 4 (3.5 mm), US Size 3 (3.25 mm) 5" needle tips, 37" cable for magic loop
Notes
I will be making 24 differently patterned squares for the Ancient Runes assignment at FiberKind's Ilvermorny campus. I am using different colors of Lion Brand's Heartland yarn. Most of my stitch patterns are from those in a book I have owned for many years, called "Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns" which was published in the US in 2005 by the Sterling Publishing Co. Inc. I have also found stitch patterns on a few stitch library websites, each of which is linked in the description of the square.

Project journal

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

2024-03-04 09:55:06 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

This is my final rune and the only one I haven’t represented yet is Ansuz, which means “a god, communication, and inspiration,” among other things. I chose to go with “inspiration” for this rune. I went through my remaining yarns and different pattern books and sites until I found a pairing that inspired me. Square #23 is the “Cable Panel” pattern from the Knitting Bee website, paired with a beautiful tan yarn with just a hint of pink to it. The yarn is Lion Brand Heartland in the colorway Wolf Trap worked on US size 4 (3.5 mm) needles. The square is 59 sts by 80 rows and measures 10¼” by 10”, using 51.85 gr/91.65 yds of yarn.


2024-02-27 21:47:38 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #23 is the “Tulip Lace stitch” pattern from the Knitting Kingdom website. I chose this pattern to represent the rune Nauthiz, which represents “need, necessity, constraint.” I did some further research into this rune and found that is a reflection of your needs. At this point, after what has felt like an incredibly long, cold, dreary winter, what I really need is some pretty flowers. Tulips are my favorite flower and I love this beautiful pink yarn so I thought the combination was the perfect way to reflect what my heart needs right now. The yarn is Lion Brand Heartland in the colorway Lassen Volcanic, worked on US size 4 (3.5 mm) needles. The square is 53 sts by 70 rows and measures 10” x 10”, using 46.00 gr/81.31 yds of yarn.


2024-02-15 22:27:20 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #22 is an alteration of the “Knitted Butterfly Lace Panel” pattern from the Knitting Kingdom website. The original pattern was for a shorter, more squat butterfly and was too small to fit my square size with just one repeat but two repeats would have been too tall. I added a few rows to the pattern to extend the height so the butterfly would fit without having 15 rows of stockinette at both the top and bottom to make the square the same size as my other ones. I made this square for the Superstitions - Mirrors extracurricular activity because the halves of the butterfly are mirror images of each other. I chose to align this square with the rune Ingwaz, which stands for “the god Freyr, fertility, peace, and plenty,” because the rune is also two joined mirror images. The yarn is a beautiful pale green that I thought was a good choice for this pretty little butterfly because it conjures up images of early spring and the return of animals and insects like butterflies, which most of us are eagerly awaiting once February rolls around. The yarn is Lion Brand Heartland in the colorway Channel Islands, worked on US size 5 (3.75 mm) needles. The square is 45 sts by 73 rows and measures 10” x 10”, using 40.76 gr/72.05 yds of yarn.


2024-02-06 08:18:58 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #21 uses the “Candle Flame Lace” pattern from the Knitting Stitches website. This square represents the rune “Dagaz” from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for “day, clarity, revelation.” I chose this yarn and pattern to represent the candles and flames that are central to the Imbolic celebration and thought it was a good match with the rune that stands for the day. The lace pattern is shaped like rows and columns of flames, just as each house in an Irish village would have its own flame in the hearth for this celebration. I chose this warm, golden orange which I thought was a beautiful representation of a candle or hearth flame. The yarn is Lion Brand Heartland in the Gateway Arch colorway, worked on US size 3 (3.25 mm) needles. The square is 49 sts by 75 rows and measures 10” x 10”, using 47.22 gr and 83.47 yds of yarn.


2024-01-29 12:17:43 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #20 uses the “Snowdrop Lace” pattern from the Knitting Bee website. This square represents the rune “Wunjo” from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for “joy and pleasure.” I chose this yarn and pattern to represent the snowdrop flowers which are the first flowers to bloom at the end of winter, often peeking up through the last of the winter snow. The lace pattern resembles the flowers and I chose this very light purple as it is almost white like the flowers, but with a little touch of color. The yarn is Lion Brand Heartland in the North Cascades colorway, worked on US size 7 (4.5 mm) needles. The square is 39 sts by 64 rows and measures 10” x 10”, using 33.2 gr and 58.68 yds of yarn.


2023-10-11 04:28:38 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #19 uses the “Gnome Hats” pattern from the Knitting Bee website. This square represents the rune “Hagalaz” from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for “hail, disruption, destructive, and creative forces.” I decided to use a deep brown yarn, like the Wizarding World knows gnome skin to be, but combined it with this stitch that represents the pointed hats Muggles think gnomes wear. Most wizarding families know that gnomes can be an extremely destructive force if they invade your yard; there are a few wizards, however, who believe that gnomes, specifically their saliva, can cause a sudden and dramatic increase in creative abilities. I have managed to never get bitten by a gnome, so I can’t say for sure whether a gnome bite makes one more creative, and I don’t think I would like to test it to find out! The yarn is Lion Brand Heartland in the Sequoia colorway, worked on US size 5 (3.75 mm) needles. The square is 47 sts by 82 rows and measures 10¼” x 10”, using 48.0 gr/84.85 yds.


2023-09-25 23:19:04 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #18 uses the "Spkiy Arches" pattern from the Knitting Kingdom website. This square is a representation of the rune Sowilo from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "The sun, good fortune." I chose this stitch and yarn to represent the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark for the Ilvermorny Wampus House Challenge field trip to Denmark. I thought this stitch and yarn combined beautifully to represent this palace, which is obvious evidence of the “good fortune” of the Danish royal family. The Lion Brand Heartland Grand Canyon Colorway was a lovely match for the color of the walls of this palace and the Spiky Arches stitch shows the feel of the arched roofs and domes. The square is made using 44.45 gr/78.57 yds of yarn using US size 5 (3.75 mm) needles. It is 47 stitches by 80 rows and measures 10” x 10”.


2023-09-11 20:16:29 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #17 uses the "Diamond Trees Lace" pattern from the Knitting Bee website. This square is a representation of the rune Eihwaz from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "Yew tree, toughness, stability." I chose this stitch because it was perfect to represent the yew tree, or any other evergreen tree for toughness and stability. I chose the Lion Brand Heartland colorway Rocky Mountains as it is a beautiful green, very reminiscent of the evergreen trees the stitch is representing. The square is made using 39.00 gr/68.94 yds of yarn using US size 6 (4.0 mm) needles. It is 43 stitches by 72 rows and measures 10” x 10”.


2023-08-19 20:17:06 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Passion Flowers have long been seen as a sign of regal strength, versatility, and an ability to overcome challenges. As one of the meanings of the ancient rune, Uruz is “strength,” these beautiful purple and white flowers seemed like the perfect inspiration for my Uruz square. I used the Passionflower stitch from page 197 of my stitch book and the gorgeous Hot Springs colorway from Lion Brand’s Heartland line to make this beautiful purple square. The square measures 10” X 10” and is 47 sts X 80 rows, including the border of 5 stitches on either side and 7 rows on the top and bottom. I used US size 6 (4.0 mm) needles and 47.00 gr/83.08 yds of yarn.


2023-06-17 21:27:59 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #15 uses the "Horseshoe Lace" pattern from the Knitting Bee website. This square is a representation of the rune Ehwaz from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "horse, loyalty, pilgrimage." I chose this stitch for the Celtic Mythology 2: Rhiannon challenge at Ilvermorny. I chose the “horseshoe lace” stitch and this beautiful silvery-white yarn to represent the snow-white horse Rhiannon rode in many of the myths about her. The yarn is Lion Brand Heartland colorway White Sands and the square is made using 35.93 gr/63.51 ydss of yarn using US size 7 (4.5 mm) needles. It is 41 stitches by 67 rows and measures 10” x 10”.


2023-06-10 08:09:45 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #14 uses the "Flame Chevron" pattern from https://www.knittingkingdom.com/free-flame-chevron-knitting-stitch/. This square is a representation of the rune Kenaz from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "torch, fire, light." I thought the “flame chevron” was perfect for the rune representing various types of flames. I chose the Lion Brand Heartland colorway Mount Reinier Tweed because the grey with bright flecks in it made me think of a campfire with various sparks flying up from it. The square is made with 39.86 gr/70.46 yds of yarn on US size 6 (4.0 mm) needles. It is 49 stitches by 63 rows and measures 10” x 10”.


2023-04-22 06:27:45 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #13 uses the "Snakes & Ladders" pattern from https://loveknit.ru/patterns/spicami/uzor-azhurnyy-no1810. This square is a representation of the rune Perthro from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "board game, friendly competition, initiation." I chose this stitch for the second Quidditch match of 2023 at Ilvermorny which was in honor of the Horned Serpent house. I decided this square would represent Perthro as Snakes & Ladders is a children’s board game loved for generations. I chose the Lion Brand Heartland colorway Great Smoky Mountains because it is a deep charcoal grey and the House colors for Horned Serpent are black and ice blue. The square is made using 47.66 gr/84.24 yds of yarn using US size 4 (3.5 mm) needles. It is 53 stitches by 78 rows and measures 10½” x 10”.


2023-02-05 00:25:08 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #12 uses the "Droplets" pattern from page 179 of my book. This square is a representation of the rune Gebo from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "gift" I chose this stitch to represent this rune because I have lived in the desert my whole life, and any time we get rain, even just a few droplets, it is a great gift. I chose the Lion Brand Heartland colorway Virgin Islands because it is a gorgeous Caribbean blue that perfectly portrays water. The square is made using 33.36 gr/58.97 yds of yarn using US size 4 (3.5 mm) needles. It is 41 stitches by 63 rows and measures 10” x 10”.


2022-11-28 20:37:40 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #11 uses the "Floral Lace" pattern from https://www.knitting-bee.com/knitting-stitch-library/charts-only/lace-knitting-charts/knitted-floral-lace-chart. This square is a representation of the rune Raido from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "journey, riding" I chose this stitch to represent this rune because I made this square for the Pukwudgie House Challenge 2022 to Sanremo, Italy. I chose the Lion Brand Heartland colorway Kobuk Valley because it is a beautiful purple that matched the bougainvillea I found growing on walls throughout the city. The square is made using 43.58 gr/77.03 yds of yarn using US size 4 (3.5 mm) needles. It is 45 stitches by 78 rows and measures 10½” x 10½”.


2022-11-07 01:05:39 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #10 uses the "Falling Leaves" pattern from page 178 of my pattern book. This square is a representation of the rune Berkana from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "birch, birth, beginnings" I chose this stitch to represent this rune because birch trees are deciduous trees whose leaves change color and fall in the autumn, just like the stitch represents. I chose the Lion Brand Heartland colorway Yosemite because it is a gorgeous fall orange color that worked perfectly for the falling leaves image. The square is made using 36.23 gr/64.04 yds of yarn using US size 8 (5.0 mm) needles. It is 39 stitches by 64 rows and measures 10” x 10”.

I was feeling like absolute crap all weekend while working on this square, so I was surprised that I didn’t make any glaring mistakes! I did, however, make a mistake when I pinned it out. When I was editing the pictures to post, I was so frustrated because none of them showed the beautiful leaves, then I finally realized that I had pinned it out wrong-side-up! I shared the wrong-side-up picture too, just to show that it is passably pretty on the wrong side too, though it is MUCH prettier right side up!


2022-10-10 00:33:28 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #9 uses the "Gothic Arches" pattern from page 184 of my pattern book. This square is a representation of the rune Isa from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "ice, standstill" I chose this stitch to represent this rune because this square is also my entry for the Wampus House Challenge - Alaskan Inside Passage Fiber Crafts Cruise. The square is made using 42.85 gr/75.74 yds of Lion Brand’s Heartland yarn in the color Glacier Bay, which is a very pretty greenish blue that mimics the colors of the Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. I used US size 6 (4.0 mm) needles and the square is 47 stitches by 76 rows for a final measurement of 10¼” x 10¼”.


2022-09-10 23:03:16 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #8 uses the "Little Roses" pattern from page 238 of my pattern book. This square is a representation of the rune Thurisaz from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "giant, thorn, focused power" I chose this stitch to represent this rune both because it bears a resemblance to the rune, but also because thorns and roses go together. The square is made using 46.54 grams or 82.26 yards of Lion Brand’s Heartland yarn in the color Badlands, which is a lovely deep rose, bordering on burgundy. This is another color that did not photograph well, but is really quite stunning and makes me think of beautiful, dark red roses. I used US size 6 (4.0 mm) needles and the square is 47 stitches by 76 rows for a final measurement of 10½” x 10½”. There is a pretty obvious mistake in the last pattern row, but since I didn’t notice it until I was unpinning it from the blocking board, it is there to stay!


2022-06-16 22:40:42 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #7 uses the "Ostrich Plumes" pattern from page 223 of my pattern book. This square is a representation of the rune Algiz from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "self-defense, protection." I chose this stitch to represent this rune both because I thought it looked similar to the rune, but also because ostriches are very good at self-defense and protection. The square is made using 40 grams or 70.7 yards of Lion Brand’s Heartland yarn in the color Black Canyon, which is a gorgeous deep black (which does NOT show the detail of this pretty stitch well in pics!). I used size 6 (4.0 mm) needles and the square is 43 stitches by 74 rows for a final measurement of 10¼” x 10¼”.


2022-06-06 00:48:12 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #6 uses the "Overlapping Waves" pattern from page 209 of my pattern book. This square is a representation of the rune Fehu from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "wealth, money, and cattle" but I chose this stitch for the rune because I thought it looked similar to the design of the rune. The square is made using 41.24 grams or 72.9 yards of Lion Brand’s Heartland yarn in the color Olympic, which is a beautiful, deep blue. I used size 7 (4.5 mm) needles and the square is 43 stitches by 76 rows for a final measurement of 10¼” x 10¼”.


2022-05-31 11:40:34 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #5 gave me a lot of trouble! I was intending to use this square for the Ilvermorny Thunderbird House Challenge trip to South Africa. I had originally intended to use the “Cluster Stitch” as a representation of the South African national tree, the Real Yellowwood. As you can see from the picture, that didn’t work out very well! I did a gauge swatch but didn’t take into account how much each additional pattern repeat would cause the square to “suck in” the square. I tried a couple of other patterns, but couldn’t find one I liked for the “tree” look I was after in my book. I ended up using the “Pinecone” stitch from The Knit Stitch Pattern Handbook Chapter 2 Page 25. This pattern is a representation of the rune Tiwaz from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "the god Týr, self-sacrifice, and justice.” I used the Heartland yarn color Joshua Tree, which is a beautiful dark olive green with a strand of gold running through it. The square is 10¼” x 10½” and 39 stitches x 66 rows with a border of 5 stitches and 7 rows for a total of 1" on each side, using US size 8 (5.0 mm) needles and 34.29 grams and 60.61 yards of yarn.


2022-05-15 12:56:21 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #4 uses the "Lacy Mock Cable" pattern from page 191 of my pattern book. This pattern is a representation of the rune Mannaz from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "the self, humanity, and culture." I used Heartland yarn color Capitol Reef, a very pretty dusty pink. The square is 10½” x 10½” and 43 stitches x 66 rows with a border of 5 stitches and 7 rows for a total of 1" on each side, using US size 8 (5.0 mm) needles 42.41 grams and 74.96 yards of yarn.


2022-05-11 23:00:38 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #3 uses the "Yo-yo" pattern from page 251 of my pattern book. This pattern is a representation of the rune Laguz from the Elder Futhark rune chart, which stands for "sea, lake, flow," as that made me think of how a yo-yo moves. I used Heartland yarn color Congaree, a very pretty pale blue-green. The square is 10¼” x 10¼” and 45 stitches x 66 rows with a border of 5 stitches and 7 rows for a total of 1" on each side, using US size 8 (5.0 mm) needles and 41.36 grams and 73.11 yards of yarn.


2022-05-07 10:49:03 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #2 uses the "Ears of Corn" pattern from page 43 of my pattern book. I chose this pattern as a representation of the Jera from the Elder Futhark rune chart, as that rune stands for "harvest, prices, gain, and growth." I used Heartland color Canyonlands, which is a lovely golden color that I thought was perfect for the "corn. The square is 10½” x 10¼” and 46 stitches by 65 rows with a border of 5 stitches and 7 rows for a total of 1" on each side, and used US size 8 (5.0 mm) needles and 38.9 grams and 68.76 yards of yarn.


2022-05-02 09:34:27 UTC

Journal entries support Markdown formatting.

Square #1 uses the "Folk Lace" pattern from page 249 of my pattern book. It is a pattern of lace and stockinette diamonds which I chose because it reminded me of the Othala rune from the Elder Futhark rune chart. I used the Heartland color, Redwood. It is 10.5"x10.5" and is 41 stitches by 65 rows with a border of 5 stitches and 7 rows, which comes to 1" on each side, and used US size 8 (5.0 mm) needles and 35.78 grams and 63.25 yards of yarn.