Rainbows & Butterflies Afgan – Malabrigo Rasta

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What is the weather like where you are, today?  I look out my window and there’s blue sky with puffy clouds but it’s only 40 Degrees F!  So although it may look like spring, it is not feeling like spring just yet.  That means I’m still knitting for cooler weather but yearning for springtime colors.
For those of you who follow along you’ve probably noticed that my all-time favorite super bulky yarn is Malabrigo Rasta.  The hand-dyed colors are simply stunning and the yarn is soft and a dream to work with.  Previously I’ve only knitted up some accessories that use 1 skein of this amazing yarn.  A couple of weeks ago, I ran across the most beautiful color way called:  Archo Iris, (spanish for rainbow).
(source)
Isn’t it simply stunning?  Malabrigo Rasta was on sale at Little Knits recently so I ordered 7 skeins to make an afghan. While waiting for my yummy yarn to arrive, I dreamed up a pattern.  Now a couple of things I needed to consider.
 
1.  These are hand dyed skeins so they will NOT match.  The colors will pool….I decided this would not be a problem and that this would just be an added design element.
 
2.  With there being so many different colors in each skein, I really wanted to showcase the beauty of this colorful yarn.  So, I decided on a very simple slip stitch pattern:  the butterfly stitch.
 
Are you ready to see my creation?  Here it is.
See, you can see the “bands” of colors from the different skeins but I think this adds dimension and character.
See how the background of stockinette stitch shows off the yarn along with the carried yarn (butterfly wings).
Here’s an even closer look at the stitches.
So what do you think?  Are you ready to knit one?  Trust me, it’s super simple and you can finish this beauty in no time!

Rainbows and Butterflies Afghan

(A Malabrigo Rasta Afghan)

Materials:
7 skeins of Malabrigo Rasta
32″ circular US 19 knitting needle (15.0 mm)

Gauge:
7 stitches and 10 rows = 4 inches in stockinette

Finished size:
36″ x 60″

Abbreviations:
K Knit
P Purl
wyif with yarn in front
BF (butterfly stitch)  ‐ slip right hand needle under 3 slipped strands from bottom, knit
next stitch pulling the loop under the strands.

Butterfly pattern:
Row 1:  K2, Purl until only 2 stitches remain, K2
Row 2:  Knit
Row 3:  K2, Purl until only 2 stitches remain, K2
Row 4:  K4, *wyif slip the next 5 stitches purlwise, K5, repeat from * with the last repeat ending with K4.
Row 5:  K2, Purl until only 2 stitches remain, K2
Row 6:  K4, *wyif slip the next 5 stitches purlwise, K5, repeat from * with the last repeat ending with K4.
Row 7:  K2, Purl until only 2 stitches remain, K2
Row 8:  K4, *wyif slip the next 5 stitches purlwise, K5, repeat from * with the last repeat ending with K4.

Row 9:  K2, Purl until only 2 stitches remain, K2
Row 10:  K6, *BF, K9, repeat from * with the last repeat ending with K6
Row 11:  K2, Purl until only 2 stitches remain, K2

Row 12:  Knit
Row 13:  K2, Purl until only 2 stitches remain, K2
Row 14:  K9,  *wyif slip the next 5 stitches purlwise, K5, repeat from * until 4 stitches remain, K4.
Row 15:  K2, Purl until only 2 stitches remain, K2

Row 16:  K9,  *wyif slip the next 5 stitches purlwise, K5, repeat from * until 4 stitches remain, K4.
Row 17:  K2, Purl until only 2 stitches remain, K2
Row 18:  K9,  *wyif slip the next 5 stitches purlwise, K5, repeat from * until 4 stitches remain, K4.
Row 19:  K2, Purl until only 2 stitches remain, K2
Row 20:  K11, *BF, K9, repeat from * with the last repeat ending with K11


Instructions:

  • Cast on 63 Stitches.
  • Knit 5 rows
  • Knit the 20 row butterfly pattern 7 times.
  • K2, Purl until only 2 stitches remain, K2
  • Knit
  •  K2, Purl until only 2 stitches remain, K2
  • Knit 5 rows
  • Loosely bind off knitwise
  • Weave in ends

If the butterfly stitch is confusing you, check out this video from Knit Purl Hunter.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  9. Gorgeous afghan! Would love to make one with Malabrigo worsted and I’m wondering if you would tell me what the multiples of stitches are for that pattern.
    Thanks so much!

    Reply

  10. Marilyn, this is absolutely gorgeous! I love the colours, the pattern, everything! I only ever crocheted afghans but you’ve got me thinking about knitting one. I came across all of my Mum’s knitting needles. Its prompted me to try and teach my daughter. I’m featuring this at tomorrow’s Thriving on Thursday party. Love your work!
    Anne xx

    Reply

  12. I have wach your videos and i love them, i learn very much, doing them along with the videos than you so much for teaching how to to do this beutiful work.

    Reply

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