Thursday, February 22, 2007

Matching Cloth

Back in November when I started the mint colored Puffy Basketweave Baby Blanket, I found some mint Lion Cotton in my box and thought a matching wash cloth for the baby might be a nice little addition to the blanket. Looking at my Morning Glory Blue Lion Cotton got me thinking that this would be a nice addition to my kitchen. You can see after I steamed the cloths why I wouldn't block the blankets. I generally like the look of dishcloths blocked but it does flatten this pattern out.

I have a personal preference for the Lion Cotton when using 100% cotton worsted weight yarns. I think the fibers are a bit longer and when the cloths are all knitted up, there isn't as much splitting and piling as I've had with other brands. My own wish is that Lion Brand would make more colors like the other companies produce. I like a bigger variety to pick from. When knitting up for gifts, especially for kitchen sets, I try to match that person's kitchen, dish, or favorite colors. Or for a face/baby cloth, to the blanket or that person's favorite colors. When my kids went away to college, I did their initials in their school colors, my parents got their favorite colors, for bridal showers I tried to match the brides' dishes. Therefore, Lion Cotton is not always the brand I use. And I'm ok with that.



Puffy Basketweave Cloth
© Cathy Waldie, November 28, 2006


(US) 5 (3.75mm) and (US) 7 (4.5mm) needles
100% cotton yarn

With smaller needles, cast on 36 stitches and knit 4 rows for the bottom border, slipping the first stitch of all rows in cloth as if to knit.

Change to larger needles and begin the pattern.
1: K4, (K4, P4) 3 times, K8
2: K4, (P4, K4) 4 times
3: K4, (K4, P4) 3 times, K8
4: K4, (P4, K4) 4 times
5: Knit
6: K4, P28, K4
7: K4, (P4, K4) 4 times
8: K4, (K4, P4) 3 times, K8
9: K4, (P4, K4) 4 times
10: K4 (K4, P4) 3 times, K8
11: Knit
12: K4, P28, K4

Repeat rows (1-12) 2 more times for a total of 3 pattern repeats. Then repeat rows (1-10) once more.

Change back to smaller needles and knit 5 rows for the top border. Bind off in Purl. Weave ends.