I'll Throw You a Bone...

The title of this post is really directed at Melanie, who says I am driving her crazy not posting pictures of my recent knitting.



Recently I shared a photo of one of my secret WIPs with Melanie; it was a flat piece knit from the center out (and that is all I will say about it at this point). She told me she had never knit anything in this fashion, and would like to try. So, I quickly typed up a basic pattern for a round dishcloth and sent it off to her.



Last night I was looking for a quick, last-minute addition to a gift I will be giving later today, and decided a washcloth with a nice bar of soap was the way to go. Since I was deeply involved with my latest non-knitting obsession (a woman I work with just loaned me 4 seasons worth of Stargate-SG1 DVDs) I didn't want to have to look at a pattern, so I decided to use the same design I had sent off to Melanie, with one exception, I changed the bind-off to look more like something I have been desperate to see lately... the sun!



So, here is the cloth:

I know the colours are not very sunny, but this was a cotton yarn I had been dying to see knit up, and I really like the colours.

Now for those of you who are accustomed to finding free patterns here, I will throw you a bone as well...

Here's the Pattern:



Painted Sun Washcloth



materials:

1 ball Peaches and Creme . I used colour #190, Painted Dessert
set of 4 DPNs, US7 (4.5mm)
G-6 (4.0mm) Crochet hook
stitch marker
tapestry needle


Directions:


Cast On 6 sts, and divide evenly among 3 needles. I used Emily Ocker's Circular Cast-On, and there is a wonderful pictorial demonstration here.


rnd 1) Place marker at beginning of round, K around
rnd 2) [K1, YO] 6x
rnd 3) K around
rnd 4) [K2, YO] 6x
rnd 5) K around
rnd 6) [K3, YO] 6x
rnd 7) K around
rnd 8) [K4, YO] 6x
rnd 9) K around
rnd 10) [K5, YO]6x


continue in this manner where every odd numbered row is knit, and every even numbered row has 6 YO increases placed 1 stitch further apart than they were in the last increase row, until you have 24 sts on each needle for a total of 72 sts.


You are now ready for the garter stitch edging. If you, like Melanie have not knit a flat piece from the center out before this edging will be great practice. It is a great way to end a circular shawl, tablecloth, or blanket, as it allows the edges to stretch much more than just casting off the edge would.

You should now be at the first stitch of your round, however if you choose to change yarns and knit your border in another colour you may start this anywhere.


Using the knitted cast on (I like these directions) CO 4 sts


row 1) K3, K2tog- this knits the last of your new stitches and the first stitch from the edge of the center of your cloth into 1
row 2) K4
row 3) Sl 1, K1, YO, K1, K2tog -again, you have just decreased one stitch from the center cloth edge you will do this on each odd numbered row
row 4) K5
row 5) Sl1, K1, YO, K2, K2tog
row 6) K6
row 7) Sl1, K1, YO, K3, K2tog
row 8) K7
row 9) bind off the first 3 sts (this will leave the 4th stitch knit and on your right needle), K2, K2tog


Repeat rows 2-9 until all of the original center edge stitches have been decreased into the edging. You should end on row 9. Bind off your last 4 sts, and sew Bind off edge to cast on edge.




Before I end for today, I have one last thing to share. Remember the BFL roving I got from Witchypoo? Well, I have spun up one of the braids, the blue-purple one, and I just love it! I bought this because so many hand spinners seem to make a fuss about the BFL wool, and now I know why. This hank is about 180 yard of a DK-ish yarn- I actually tried to go a bit more thick/thin with this than I usually do- and I do have some singles left on the bobbin, and a bit more to spin up.

I think it looks wonderful in the photo, but not nearly as great as it does in reality.