• 0 items$0.00
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hands Occupied

Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

  • BLOG
    • Knitting
    • Crochet
    • Latch Hook
    • Macramé
    • Punch Needle
  • ABOUT
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • TikTok
    • YouTube

Traveling Afghans Knit Square 20 & Triangle Rib Tutorial

October 5, 2020 6 Comments

Traveling Afghans is brought to you by Two of Wands & Lion Brand Yarn.

Learn how to knit Square 20 of the Traveling Knit Afghan featuring the triangle rib stitch. Free pattern and video tutorial available!

In a year where we all feel more apart than ever, it feels really nice to be participating something called Traveling Afghans. A group of 49 knit and crochet designers, led by the wonderful Two of Wands, worked together to design a pair of patchwork afghans. Throughout 2020, each afghan has been on a journey from designer to designer. This week I’ve played host to the Traveling Knit Afghan as I added my square (Square 20) to the mix. Read on for all about Traveling Afghans, find the pattern, and also catch a tutorial on how to work Triangle Rib Stitch, which is featured in my square!

About Traveling Afghans

From the organizers: “In conjunction with Lion Brand’s “My Life in Yarn” 2020 campaign, the Traveling Afghans will be a collaborative effort amongst 49 knitwear designers and bloggers from seven different countries!

Starting in January, the Traveling Afghans will set sail from NYC and journey to a new designer every two weeks. Each designer will create a 10″x10″ square to add to either the knit or the crochet blanket before sending it off to the next person to add theirs. They will each publish their pattern for free online so YOU can follow along with us and create your own knit or crochet afghan! This year-long collaborative effort will feature stories from the designers about their paths as makers, and will give you the opportunity to learn new stitches and make new friends in the community along the way.”

Learn ALL about the Traveling Afghans project HERE. (There’s also a crochet one with whole ‘nother pattern too!)

Find a kit for the Traveling Knit Afghan HERE.

A world map featuring the Traveling Knit Afghan's journey in 2020.

Knit Designers List

#1 – 1/1-1/13 – New York City, USA – Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands
#2 – 1/15-1/28 – Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria – Sandra Gutierrez of Nomad Stitches
#3 – 1/29-2/11 – Dublin, Ireland – Katie Moore of The Queen Stitch
#4 – 2/12-2/25 – Nova Scotia, Canada – Kelly Brooks of Knitbrooks
#5 – 2/26-3/10 – Alberta, Canada – Stephanie Lau of All About Ami
#6 – 3/11-3/24 – Alberta, Canada – Chantal Miyagishima of Knitatude
#7 – 3/25-4/7 – BC, Canada – Christie Bodden of Christie Bodden Designs
#8 – 4/8-4/21 – Oregon, USA – Makenzie Alvarez of Hanks and Needles
#9 – 4/22-5/5 – California, USA – Phanessa Fong of Designs by Phanessa
#10 – 5/6-5/19 – California, USA – Angie Bivins of Whistle & Wool
#11 – 5/20-6/2 – California, USA – Jane Tsou of Gorilla Knits
#12 – 6/3-6/16 – Nevada, USA – Chenoa Wilcox of jellyKNITTING
#13 – 6/17-6/30 – Utah, USA – Rachel Misner of Evelyn & Peter
#14 – 7/1-7/14 – Colorado, USA – Jessica Potasz of Mama in a Stitch
#15 – 7/15-7/28 – Kansas, USA – Jerica Tompkins of Yarn Hook Needles
#16 – 7/29-8/11 – Kansas, USA – Mary Lee of Fifty Four Ten Studio
#17 – 8/12-8/25 – Minnesota, USA – Kaitlin Barthold of Originally Lovely
#18 – 8/26-9/8 – Minnesota, USA – Julia Anastasi of Northern Loop Knitwear
#19 – 9/9-9/22 – Winona, MN, USA – Trista Ziemendorf of While They Dream
#20 – 9/23-10/6 – Illinois, USA – Heidi Gustad of Hands Occupied
#21 – 10/7-10/20 – Illinois, USA – Jewell Washington of Northknits
#22 – 10/21-11/3 – Michigan, USA – Destiny Meyer of Knifty Knittings
#23 – 11/4-11/17 – Virginia, USA – Nathan Bryant of Loop N Threads
#24 – 11/18-12/1 – Rhode Island, USA – Jake Kenyon of Kenyarn
#25 – 12/2-12/16 – New Jersey, USA – Vanessa Coscarelli Black of Vanessa Knits

Traveling Knit Afghans 2020 Graphic

My Life in Yarn

As part of Traveling Afghans, we are encouraged to share our stories as makers, so for new friends, hi! I’m Heidi Gustad. I’ve recently written about my journey to Hands Occupied’s recent tenth birthday, but for new friends, here’s an overview. Like many, my grandmother taught me to knit as a child. At the time, I was beginning to learn to cope with what would become a lifelong companion: anxiety! (Many makers and yarn crafters in particular understand anxiety in my experience. ❤️ ) Fast forward twenty-five years, and I’m a full time craft book author, yarn crafts designer, and content creator based in my Chicago studio. Feel free to look around, I’m glad to have you!

-Heidi ☺️

Learn how to knit Square 20 of the Traveling Knit Afghan featuring the triangle rib stitch. Free pattern and video tutorial available!
Real life reality check ^

TRAVELING KNIT AFGHAN – SQUARE 20 PATTERN

Skill level: easy

Supplies
Lion Brand Yarn Wool Ease (Worsted) in Fisherman
US size 8 (5 mm) knitting needles
scissors
tapestry needle

Abbreviations & Terms
CO – cast on
sts – stitches
k – knit
WS – wrong side
sl – slip
p – purl
rep – repeat
RS – right side
BO – bind off

Gauge & Dimensions: 17 sts & 25 rows over 4″ (10 cm), knit in triangle rib stitch. Finished square measures 10″ x 10″ after wet blocking.

The Pattern

CO 42 sts
1. k 42.
2-3. k 42.
4. (WS) sl1, *k1, p4; rep from * to last st, k1. 
5. (RS) sl1, *k3, p2; rep from * to last st, k1. 
6. Rep row 5.
7. Rep row 4.
8-61. Rep rows 2-7.
62. k 42.
BO all sts and wet block to finish before joining to afghan.

Learn how to knit Square 20 of the Traveling Knit Afghan featuring the triangle rib stitch. Free pattern and video tutorial available!

Triangle Rib Stitch Video Tutorial

The first stitch tutorial posted to the new Hands Occupied YouTube Channel features the subtle, reversible and beginner-friendly Triangle Rib Stitch. If you’d like to learn this stitch from a video, here you go!

Please note: There are minor differences between the stitch pattern featured in the video and the afghan square pattern.

Heidi from Hands Occupied walks you through how to knit the triangle rib stitch in a beginner-friendly knitting video tutorial.

Traveling Afghans is brought to you by Two of Wands & Lion Brand Yarn.

Filed Under: Knitting Tagged With: lion brand yarn, traveling afghans, traveling knit afghan, triangle rib stitch, two of wants, video tutorial

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

Previous Post: « The New Hands Occupied YouTube Channel is Live!
Next Post: Latch Hook Book Unboxing & Project Preview Video! »

Reader Interactions

DID YOU LIKE THIS POST?
Visit similar articles...

  • Magic Loop for Knitting in the Round with a Long, Circular Needle (with Video)Magic Loop for Knitting in the Round with a Long, Circular Needle (with Video)
  • How to Knit a One-Row ButtonholeHow to Knit a One-Row Buttonhole
  • Garter Kitchener Stitch / How to graft garter stitch knitting + VideoGarter Kitchener Stitch / How to graft garter stitch knitting + Video
  • Norwegian Purling for Continental Style Knitters + VideoNorwegian Purling for Continental Style Knitters + Video

Comments

  1. Bobbi McGowan

    October 5, 2020 at 12:07 pm

    This looks like a great pattern. Question, on the Sl1, is it knitwise or purlwise?

    Reply
    • Heidi

      October 8, 2020 at 1:32 pm

      Either works, but slipping purlwise achieves a cleaner edge without introducing an additional twist. Cheers!

      Reply
  2. Valeta

    November 5, 2020 at 9:08 am

    I loved knitting this square! I liked the definition to it. Just wondering if there is link to this pattern in Ravelry. If so, I am not finding it, can you point me in the right direction? thank

    Reply
    • Heidi

      November 22, 2020 at 9:31 am

      Here you go! https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/traveling-afghan-square-20

      Reply
  3. Margaret

    June 7, 2021 at 5:54 am

    hello! starting with your square for the 2020 Traveling Afghans. In your video you do not mention slipping that 1st stitch, which is listed in the pattern, https://www.handsoccupied.com/traveling-afghans-20/ please advise if that is correct,

    Also when I completed row 4 , there were 2 stitches remaining, instead of one, checked my work, so question is should I be VO 41, instead of 42? Am I making an error? Thank you for your help.

    thanks!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      July 15, 2021 at 12:00 pm

      The video is for how to work just the Triangle Rib Stitch.

      The afghan square is comprised of a combination of the Triangle Rib Stitch and a slipped stitch edge.

      Row 4 is correct as written. Every row starts and ends with 42 sts in this afghan square. 2 sts are on each edge for the slipped stitch edge, and 8 sets of 5 sts comprise the Triangle Rib Stitch.

      Here’s the math:
      8×5 = 40sts
      + 2 sts for the edge
      = 42 sts per row

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

learn more / work with me

Find Me on Social Media

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
Latch Hook by Heidi Gustad

Footer

INSTAGRAM

Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
.
Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
.
Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
.
#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
.
During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
.
Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
.
These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
.
I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
.
#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
.
In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
.
Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
.
You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
.
#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
.
Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
.
Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
.
Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
.
Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
.
Image descriptions available in alt text. 
.
#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
.
P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
.
Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
.
#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2025 / Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework / Branding by Ink + Mortar
All Site & Shop Policies / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy