Free Pattern: Ally Square

Okay, folks.  I finally have the itch to offer something as a design.
It's a colorwork chart!  (What?! I know.)  There's lots of talk going on about the Olympics being held in Russia next month, what with their human-rights-violating legislation...  SO in support of the LGBTQ community worldwide (especially any brave LGBTQ athletes competing in Sochi this year -- some protests are about being visible):

ALLY ♥ SQUARE 

Intermediate colorwork chart from the straight ally flag

©2014 Big Knitting Trouble. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

MATERIALS 

• approx 65-100 yards of worsted weight plied yarn in the appropriate colors: black, white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple + additional color of choice for text
• US #8/5mm knitting needles (straight OR 16-inch circular)
• Tapestry needle (for weaving in all the ends!)

Gauge: 15 sts/22 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Recommended needle size and gauge suggestions are for achieving an 8” x 8” square; your mileage may vary.

Please note: the square, as knit according to the instructions below, will curl a LOT; please take this into consideration when planning its final destination (seaming it into a blanket with other squares, edged in garter stitch or single crochet border for a stand-alone thing, etc.). 

DIRECTIONS

Cast on 31 stitches using a long-tail cast on.  Follow 44-row colorwork chart. Bind off.

• The “ALLY ♥” text is loosely stranded using any contrasting color (aqua in the sample)
• The rainbow sections alternate with striped black and white, achieved through intarsia

click to embiggen

Approximate yardage for each color:

Red: 1-2 yards; Orange: 3-5 yards; Yellow: 5-8 yards; Green: 8-12 yards; Blue: 8-13 yards; Purple: 8-13 yards; White: 8-13 yards; Black: 21-30 yards; Text:  4-7 yards

FINISHING

Block gently.  Weave in all ends.