I always know when summer is approaching, as I do more undercover projects to get out of the sun. It wasn't long before I put my new basket to work either, to hold my waffle dishcloth knitting. It was sprawled all over the table before and very messy. Now I can move it to the table (or from it) very quickly.
The waffle dishcloth must be the most done to death knitted cloth project around - and why not - it's a great design!
I found the original pattern on Deb's Homespun Living page didn't work with 4 ply cotton very well. I could only find 4 ply at my local Spotlight store, so I set to work experimenting with the original pattern.
I did a very minute change, which I will bold, but it just requires a few extra stitches and a change in needle sizes. Trying to do the original pattern with 4 ply and the 4.25 needles, gave my wrists terrible cramps. Save your wrists and use smaller needles if you're going to be using smaller than 8 ply cotton.
I loved the avocado coloured cotton and have other colours to experiment with also. These are my first two dishcloths which I hope to add to.
Waffle Knit Dishcloth
from Homespun Living
Materials: 1 ball 4ply cotton yarn; additional yarn for colored stripe, if desired.
Size 9 needles
Directions:
Cast on 44 stitches.
Knit 3 rows for border.
Row 1: (right side): Knit.
Row 2: K 3, purl to last 3 stitches, k 3.
Row 3: K 3, (P 2, k 1) 12 times, p 2, k 3.
Row 4: K 3, (K 2, p 1) 12 times, k 5.
Repeat these 4 rows, 6 times. If a colored center stripe is desired, change yarn now and work rows 1 – 4, 2 times in desired color.
Change back to main color and work the 4 row pattern, 6 times.
Knit last 4 rows.
Bind off and weave in ends
ha ha i know what you mean about that pattern but it is awesome & was my first time knitting something other than stocking stitch so its my fav. lov the green & orange cotton, the colours at my spotlight are all dull & boring.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit of pot-luck when scouting around for cotton yarn, isn't it? I'm tempted to go back to Spotlight to stock up, just in case the colours aren't there when I run out, LOL.
ReplyDeleteCan you order new colours on-line perhaps? I've heard you can order stuff from Spotlight on-line, but I've never done it myself.
And don't we all start with stocking stich, LOL, the waffle pattern is somewhat of a new venture for me also. :)
Lurv the dishcloths. I too have made my own. I was outside doing some hand sewing this afternoon, listening to the ducks and chooks:D
ReplyDeleteI too love this pattern and have used it alot.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find the 8ply either the other day, they must be either out or no longer stocking it! Yikes I hope they get it again - maybe lincraft might have it? (Spotlight is moving out to the old bunnings site so it will be even further away from us!)
I am about to start on a string bag out of the 4ply cotton. But I might squeeze a dish cloth in too.
Thanks for sharing your altered pattern I will give it a go.
Emily
Oh wow, I didn't know Spotlight will be moving out that way. The 18 years I've been familiar with the area, Spotlight has never been anywhere else!!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I must say, I do like to venture over to the new Bunnings store for a hardware fix; which isn't far from where it sounds Spotlight will be moving soon. A craft and hardware fix at the same time! Could this be heaven? ;)
It sounds like you're having a wonderful weekend, Lucky. All those little critters to watch between stitches. What are you sewing? I'd personally like to get into quilting one day. It looks very interesting.