Friday, October 22, 2010

FO Friday - A Quick Handtowel

From Knitting Kitties


This is what I made over the weekend after I finished the shawl.  I wanted something colorful for my dreadfully small, drab kitchen.  I had some Henry's Attic Alpine 2ply cotton yarn, that I had dyed to sell awhile back.  I think it used around 120 yards.

Size 5 US knitting needles for dk weight cotton or Size 7 US for worsted weight.
1 tapestry needle
1 12mm/1/2inch plastic ring for button.

Cast on: 59sts

Work 6 rows seed stitch.  K1 P1 then knit the purls and purl the knits on row back.

Row 1: K1, P1 for 6 sts then K to the last 6 sts, K1 P1 to the end.

Row 2:  Work seed stitch the first 6 sts, then purl to the last 6 sts, work seed stitch to the end.

Row 3: Work seed stitch for the first 6sts, then P2, K1 to the last 6 sts, work seed stitch to the end.

Row 4: Work seed stitch for the first 6sts, then K2, P1 to the last 6 sts, work seed stitch to the end.

Repeat these 4 rows until you have the length you want.  I made mine about 14 inches.

Work 6 rows in seed stitch.

Decrease row: K2tog, P2tog to the end, K the last stitch.  30 sts.

Work 3 more rows seed stitch.

Repeat Decrease row keeping in seed stitch pattern, there will not be an extra stitch at the end. 15 sts

Work 3 more rows seed stitch.

Repeat decrease row keeping in seed stitch pattern, then work the last stitch. 8 sts

Work the 8 sts in seed stitch until desired length.

Button hole row: work 2 sts, cast off 4sts, work last 2 sts in pattern.

Next row: work the 2 sts, cast on 4 sts, work the last 2 sts in pattern.

Work 2 more rows in seed stitch patern, then cast off.

For the button, I used one of those white plastic stitch markers from Susan Bates.  They are 12mm or 1/2 inch. I just attached the loop around the ring, chain 3, then double crochet around until I couldn't fit anymore stitches.  Sew to the front.

From Knitting Kitties

From Knitting Kitties

Please excuse my cabinet, it only has the one door attached. The other door we found stuck in a closet when we moved in. Are you surprised? No, I didn't think so.


On the dress I posted about yesterday, I could very easily recreate it from those pictures.  I'm the reason many designers won't post close up pictures. Very rarely do I ever follow a pattern, mostly because I can never find one that is exactly what I want with the yarn I want to use. Even when I do use a pattern, I end up tweaking the thing to death. The exception would be some of the lace shawls.

From Knitting Kitties

My butterfly friend is still alive.  I showed it to D last night and when I touched the wing it started fluttering inside the lid like crazy.  D had to grab a few cats as they were trying to dive bomb me to get at the thing.  He's still in the lid in my secretary and he still moves around a bit when I touch his wing.

From Knitting Kitties

I Googled native butterflies for Arizona.  It seems this one is a Giant Swallowtail.  I was trying to find out how long they live and if this one was going into hibernation. It says only the chrysalis goes into hibernation, especially in the desert.

I did do some baking last night during Private Practice, but I didn't get around to writing this post until this morning.  So far so good, my body isn't punishing me for that walk just yet.  I have a feeling it's waiting til tomorrow, since I threatened it with a long walk every 3rd day.  Tomorrow's post will be out the yummy thing I baked, with a recipe.  I have to have something to entice you to return.

For more Friday FO fun go to Tami's Amis blog, she has a Mr. Linky.

Thank you for visiting me at the mad house and I hope you have a great weekend.

10 comments:

Tami Klockau said...

I've been wanting to make dishtowels and yours has inspired me! I have some cotton I didn't know what to do with, so I think I'll make a few, as well as a market bag (I have a LOT of it).

The butterfly is so beautiful!

Amanda Steves said...

Pretty towel! The seed stitch looks great.

We had a butterfly just like that here in central Texas last week. It had landed flat-out like that and expired. Aw. But I think that's the end of the life cycle for them, so I'm sure it had fulfilled its biological imperative.

Saw a live one out the window yesterday.

Affiknitty said...

Nice handtowel, thanks for sharing the pattern. It will really come in handy as my kitchen doesn't have any towel bars, just drawer handles. I like the color too, nice dyeing job!

Anonymous said...

Oh I hope your butterfly is ok. Thank you so much for commenting on my blog!

Ruth
xx

turtlegirl76 said...

ooh! Love that handtowel. I need to make one in the worst way. My mom used to have some sorta like that and they were so handy.

Dina said...

Great hand towel! Can't wait to find out what you're cooking.

Madelyn said...

What a neat towel. Thanks for sharing.

Crochet with Raymond said...

I love the colours of your handtowel!
So a seven fingered cat! My sister has a 6 fingered cat who looks like she is wearing mittens! So cute! you should get a picture for us of those seven fingers!
XXX

Unknown said...

wonderful dishtowel! I need to make another one, it's been a while!

Julie said...

Great towel

Lovely close up pic of the butterfly, there haven't been so many around in the UK this summer