My Knitted “Feather & Fan” Afghans

My mother taught me to knit when I was around six years old. My first project was a narrow strip sewn at the ends to make a simple headband. My second project was a wider strip folded and rolled to make a pin cushion. Next I made what was called a “fairy scarf”… more straight knitting with stitches dropped and unraveled to create a lacy effect. These first projects were done in simple garter stitch, but soon I had learned how to purl and how to read and understand knitting directions, and I remember making a lot of two-needle mittens. After a while I moved on to four needles and socks and the intriguing process of “turning the heels.”

More recently I have been knitting afghans for gifts. I like to knit in the evenings, usually while we watch a movie or something on television. And I like simple patterns that I can remember after a few rows and mostly knit without having to constantly look at what I am knitting… like this “feather and fan,” which has only four rows that are repeated over and over again.

I don’t have an actual pattern for this afghan… I just use a multiple of the feather and fan pattern stitches to make the size afghan I want. I start with six rows of garter stitch for the top border and end with six rows of garter stitch for the bottom border.

  • Row 1: Knit (this will be the right side of the afghan).
  • Row 2: Purl all the way across row.
  • Row 3: * (Knit 2 together) 3 times, (yarn over, knit 1) 6 times, (knit 2 together) 3 times, repeat from * across row.
  • Row 4: Knit all the way across row.

Repeat rows 1 through 4 until the afghan measures desired length, ending with row 2 of the pattern stitch.

This pattern is often made in three or more panels that are sewn together, but I prefer to make this afghan as a solid piece, repeating the pattern sequence to make the afghan as wide as I want it to be. Using size 10 1/2 or size 11 circular needles and worsted weight yarn, the “feather and fan” pattern makes up quickly, even in the out-sized afghans I like to make. This pattern automatically makes a rippled edge on both ends of the afghan.

My favorite of these three is the off-white super-soft wool yarn that has several shades of brown flecks woven into it…

But the afghans that were the most fun to knit were the ones made with the ombre yarns… I love watching the different color patterns that develop as I knit.

Another time I will show some of the other afghans I have knitted in other patterns… an all-over basket weave, a double cable, and a “mock cable” that actually requires more “thinking” than a regular cable does. I just finished putting a thick fringe on an afghan made in a cable stitch and with my same favorite off-white super-soft wool. That makes sixteen afghans I have knitted over the past few years. I think it is time for me to start knitting something else!

Written by Shirley | Filed Under My Creative Pursuits, Personal

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Comments

Comment by Beth-Anne:

Wow! These are seriously beautiful. I would so love to be able to make something like this.

Comment by Peter:

Very very nice. You are a talented lady.

Comment by debby:

beautiful! you make me want to pull out my knitting needles again.

Comment by Pam:

I just wanted to ask do you sell any of your work? it looked amazing here I can only imagine in person and just thought what a perfect marriage so to speak of doing what you love and then getting financial gain from it.No intent to offend I just know I would be interested in purchasing and thought I would ask.Thank you for the beautiful pictures, enjoyed reading also how your knitting came about.

Comment by Diane:

Those are soo pretty! I wish I could knit, but alas I know not how:( I’d really love to be able to make sweaters, especially using some of the lovely vintage patterns I have seen out there. Thanks so much for sharing☺

Comment by Ria:

I’ve always loved the feather and fan pattern. Lace patterns are my obsession in knitting, and I love to experiment with them, but when I want both lacy and simple, I always return to that one. It’s simple and elegant at the same time.

Comment by Karen:

I just learned to knit a couple years ago and I like doing the fun stuff like entrelac and LOVE knitting socks. Your afghans are beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

Comment by Shirley:

Thanks everyone for the compliments!

Pam, I have not tried to sell any of my work, but thank you for the interest.

Comment by Kathleen:

I have been looking for a feather and fan pattern to make a prayer shawl for my cousin who has been fighting non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for years. At this time, she is scheduled to have a bone marrow transplant. Thank you Shirley for sharing your beautiful pattern. God Bless.

Comment by Judi:

Shirley,

Thank you for sharing the fan and feather pattern. I enjoyed seeing how they made up in the different color yarns. I am on break for the holidays and learning this stitch is my goal for the New Year. I do lots of knitting for church and the community and am anxious to add this to my patterns.

Comment by MAU:

Beautiful, clear, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much!!:o)))

Comment by Lynne:

I adapted this for a wrap, casting on 54 stitches (18 x 3). To help keep track of the stitch sequence in the third row, I placed a marker every 18 stitches. That way, I won’t get off track and have to rip out (not my favorite thing at all!).

Please leave a comment!