Facecloths
have been a hot topic on the Knit List lately, but I hadn't really caught
the bug until I tried a couple recently. Talk about a way to achieve a
FO [finished object] in a hurry! It's also a good way to try out some of
those pattern stitches you've been looking at (you may also find, as I
did, that you don't enjoy working some of them ). When you're done, you
can put a couple in a nice basket with some fancy soap and have a thoughtful
handmade gift.
Pattern Notes
Work all slipped stitches as follows: with yarn in front, sl 1 purlwise,
take yarn to back between tips of needles. This forms an openwork band
between sections. If you prefer somewhat smaller holes, work first row
of section as above; on rem rows of section, *k to 1 st before last turn,
sl next st purlwise, bring yarn to front between tips of needles, replace
slipped st on left needle, turn and k back, rep from * until all sts have
been worked. Next row, k across all sts and begin next section.
For smaller cloth, repeat Rows 11-40; for larger cloth, repeat Rows 1-40.There
are 3 repeats of the lace edging for each section of the smaller cloth,
and 4 repeats for each section of the larger one.
Yo's in lace edging may be worked as either single or double yo's (I prefer
the smaller holes, so I work single yo's) then work [k1, p1] in each on
the following row. [# indicates marker between edging and body of cloth]
Finished Size
Approximately 12(15)" in diameter (The larger sample took a whole ball,
with about 48" left after joining beginning and end)
Gauge
16 sts = 4"/10cm in garter stitch
Materials
Worsted weight 100% cotton yarn (70.9 grams/2.5 oz per ball): 1 ball
Size 7 (4.5mm) needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker
Yarn needle
Cast on 20(25) sts. Beg with Row 11(1), place marker (#) 5 sts from
end of first row.
Row 1: Sl 1, k to 5 sts from end, # [yo, k2tog]
twice, k1.
Row 2: K2, [k1, p1] in yo, k1, [k1, p1] in
yo#, k19, turn.
Row 3: Sl 1, k to marker, #k2, [yo, k2tog]
twice, k1.
Row 40: Bind off 8 sts, k4 (5 edging sts rem)#,
k across all sts, turn.
Work Rows 11-40(1-40) until there are 6 sections. End last section with
BO 8 (Row 40). Sew or weave [in garter stitch] first and last sections
together. With tail from cast on, close up hole in center. Weave in ends.
Block if desired.