2014 Geek-A-Long: Mario

Welcome to week 21 of the 2014 Geek-A-Long, a mystery blanket knit-along (or crochet-along for you rebels out there)! If you’re new to the GAL craziness, check out the Geek-A-Long FAQ page for more details and information. Then, meet us back here when you’re ready. For the seasoned pros, let’s talk about Nintendo’s Mario.

Mario has appeared in over 200 video games since his birth in 1981.  He made his debut in Donkey Kong before I was even born! Breaking the mold of the handsome and fit hero this short, chubby stereotypical Italian plumber has saved Princess Peach over and over again.  He lives with his brother in the Mushroom Kingdom, and eats magical mushrooms to gain temporary powers…a thing I suspect his college age fans might be able to relate to. ;)

In addition to being one of the most prolific video game franchises on the market with countless spinoffs, he has also caused a great deal of controversy within my marriage.  Mr. Llama and I have been together for nearly seven years now, and for our second date he invited me over to have dinner and play Mario Kart at his house.  But he called it “Mary-Oh” Kart.  I corrected him saying “do you mean “Mah-Rio” Kart?  This sparked a debate that has continued to this day.  It’s nearly as heated as our ongoing battle of wether it is ok to call all non-spaghetti pastas “macaronis”.  Spoilers: it’s not.  Macaronis are a SPECIFIC TYPE OF PASTA KEVIN!….Ahem…

I really like this square.  I played with several idea’s for the Mario square and another front runner was the Blue Shell of Death.  Ultimately though, I wanted something super recognizable. Plus, the Mario mushroom is super cute.  Sound off in the comments and tell us how you think Mario is pronounced.  Maybe we can put this debate to bed once and for all.

Mario

© Megan-Anne of Lattes & Llamas, 2014

Needles: Size US6

Yarn: Cascade 220 in 2 sharply contrasting colors.

Gauge: 10 sts over 13 rows = 2″ x 2″ square. Final square is 45 sts by 57 rows.  Please note that in the written pattern I instruct you to knit the rows above and below the active color chart.  These rows are shown on the chart as solid color rows above and below the design.

Download PDF of the color chart Mario Mushroom*. Cast on 45 sts for each side of knitting (with two strands held together CO 45, for a total of 90 sts on needle).

Work 2 rows of double-sided knitting (knit the facing sts and purl the back sts across).  You may choose to work the opposite color for the first stitch of each row (I do this), which will keep the edges closed. Alternately, you may choose to knit them without doing this and seam the sides when putting the blanket together. There is no “right” way to do this. It is really just what you are more comfortable with.

Follow color chart over next 53 rows in double-sided knitting.

Work 2 rows of double-sided knitting. BO.

*Directions for double sided knitting AND tapestry crochet are listed in the PDF.

Don’t forget to post links to your finished squares, so we can all oooh and ah together. We even have a fancy new GAL Participation Button you can put on your blog or your Geek-A-Long posts. You can grab the html out of the side bar or find it here.

If you’re having trouble with double-sided knitting, we have a how-to video here and you can find moral support in the Geek-A-Long group on Ravelry here. We’re even raffling off some sweet prizes for our members at the end of the year! You can learn more about it in the group or on the GAL Benefactors page.

~ Megan-Anne
“Mamma mia! The cruel meatball of war has a-rolled onto our laps, and a-ruined our white pants of peace.”

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