Getting Back to the Basics

 

I was recently invited to participate in a gathering of aspiring knitters and crocheters.  The idea was that experienced knitters and crocheters would share their skills and knowledge with people wanting to learn.  I was immediately hooked (pun intended) and started cooking up a couple of basic projects for first time knitters.

Given that Christmas is closer than we think, I considered a couple of simple projects using garter stitch rectangles that could become holiday gifts.  I pulled out some worsted weight cotton yarn from my stash and got working on the possibilities.  The two simple patterns below are the results.  They are an evening's knitting for more experienced knitters and will provide quick results to those giving knitting a try for the first time.  

Garter Stitch Bath Mitten

For years, I used one of those awful plastic poufs in the shower.  As it started to look ratty after many years of use, I decided to make myself a bath mitten.  It was fairly plain and humble, but it was a serious upgrade from what I was using before.  I did my own using circular knitting so I decided to rethink it using a basic rectangle shape and this is what emerged.

I used a series of yarn overs and k2tog along one edge to give the plain garter stitch a small upgrade, but this is a flat knitted project.  

Materials: worsted weight cotton yarn (at least 60 m)

Tools: scissors,  blunt end large-eye needle, 4 mm knitting needles. (3.5mm crochet hook if making the optional decorative hanging cord.)

Gauge: 17 sts and 36 rows equals 4 inches (4.25 sts and 9 rows equal 1 inch). I encourage everyone to make a gauge swatch. If you have too many stitches, increase your needle size and try again. If you have too few stitches, decrease your needle size and try again. Once you know how many stitches per inch you are making, you can take your hand measurement and ensure you are casting on the right number of stitches.

Size: To fit a palm of approximately 8 inches in circumference, I will need: 8 inches x 4.25 stitches per inch = about 34 stitches.  The mitten will stretch when wet, so we want it to be a little smaller to ensure a good fit. To do this we will reduce the stitch count by 2-3 stitches.  Since we will lose a little width sewing the mitten together, we will go with a reduction of two stitches.

Pattern

Cast on 32 stitches.

Knit 6 rows (3 garter stitch ridges).

Next row: (RS) k2, *(yo, k2tog, k1 ), rep from * to EOR. 

Next row: knit

Continue in garter stitch for 6 more rows.  Place markers at the beginning and end of the row. The knitting below these will be the wrist section. Everything you knit from this point will be the body of the bath mitt.

Continue knitting every row until the body of the mitt just reaches the tip of your longest finger.  Cast off, leaving about 24 inches of yarn for sewing.

Finishing: Fold the rectangle lengthwise. Sew across the top catching the cast off edge stitches, then sew back across the top again ending where the stitching began. Next you will sew down the long side to just above your thumb joint. You can use a decorative stitch or a plain whip stitch. Do not break the yarn. Make several whip stitches to reinforce the top of the thumb hole. Weave the yarn through the edge of the gap needed for the thumb hole. Where the thumb hole ends, make several whip stitches to reinforce,  then continue your stitching to the bottom.  Secure all remaining yarn ends.

Optional: Using a 3.5 mm crochet hook, chain 80. Thread the resulting cord through the eyelets near the bottom edge of the bath mitt. Knot the ends together to create a loop to hang the mitt. Alternatively,  you could thread cotton cording, braided yarn strands, or other decorative rope through the eyelets.

Garter Stitch Washcloth

As basic a project as a washcloth is, it is a one-size-fits-all gift. Wrap it up with a lovely bar of soap and you have the perfect gift for a teacher, work colleague or stocking stuffer for a family member.

Materials: worsted weight cotton yarn (around  60 m)

Tools: scissors,  blunt end large-eye needle, 4 mm knitting needles, (3.5 mm crochet hook if making the optional loop for hanging.)

Gauge: 17 sts and 36 rows equals 4 inches (4.25 sts and 9 rows equal 1 inch) using 4mm needles. 

Pattern

1. Cast on 35 stitches for a washcloth about 8 inches wide. (4.25 sts x 8 inches = 34 and I added one more for pattern symmetry.)

2. Knit six rows of garter stitch (3 ridges) - that is, knit six rows.

3. Next row: k3, * (yo, k2tog)* repeat from * to * until 2 sts remain,  k2.

4. Knit 58 more rows ( or 7 rows less than your desired length).

5. Next row: k2, * (yo, k2tog), repeat until 2 sts remain,  k2.

6. Knit 7 more rows. (72 rows completed from cast on.)

7. Cast off.

Optional - make a hanging loop: Cast off all stitches until only one remains.  Slip this stitch onto a 3.5 mm crochet hook.  Chain 24 stitches.  Loop the chain back to the beginning and slip stitch into the corner of the cloth.

Abbreviations:

CO - cast on/cast off

k - knit

k3 - knit the next three stitches

k2tog - knit the next two stitches on your left hand needles together

yo - bring your working yarn in front of the right hand needle, and pull it back over.

sts - stitches