Back Here, Right Now. A Reboot

 The sudden activity on the blog can be traced directly to a single event. 

My MIL passed on an antique spinning wheel in need of lots of love to work again. The history of the wheel is unknown to me. All I have are what I can learn by looking at it. I notice there are no actual nails in the construction, but rather wooden pegs.  The flyer is missing. The tension screw is worn way down. The drive wheel crank is connected to the treadle with a bootlace. There were very dark and worn spots everywhere needing oil. It's a classic Saxony shape, with a 22" diameter drive wheel. and NO MAKERS MARK. This was someone(s) workhorse. There are scribe lines and lots of dents where spinners used to put forks when plying yarn together. 

I have been handed a puzzle that I can't wait to solve. I have learned a lot about wheel construction in the last few weeks while I research hoping to find answers. Now I know about wheelwrights, local and far away. 

And all this time thinking about how to get the wheel restored reminded me of how good it felt to do yarn crafts - to knit, play with dyes, spin fiber - to make stuff. 

The research led me back to Ravelry, the social media site for yarn crafters. I have only logged in a few times in the last several years. This time, I noticed that a few people had actually used some of my old washcloth patterns from when I was the knitting editor for BellaOnline.com in the early teens. five years ago someone commented on Ravelry that the pattern links needed to be updated, as my old articles had been written over. 

Sorry, it took me so long to get the message. I few people have some of these patterns in their cues. By today's standards, the photos are terrible by today's standards. That means knitting new samples and taking new photos. It might be awhile still for that to happen. 

Some of the pattern writing conventions have also
changed. 

I posted the old patterns as they were written a decade ago. I updated the links. I also finally started a Cunning Hat for my husband, which I had purchased yarn for so long ago I don't remember when it was. 

As I look at my old writing I see things that need to be updated. Things that were clearly written under a deadline. Some old articles have just lost relevance. 

But, I can work on this at my own pace and enjoy it. I can fix it as I grow my skills and learn more about yarn crafts and writing about yarn crafts. 

This sounds fun, and isn't that what it's all about anyway? 

So, welcome, or welcome back. 

Staggered Parallelogram Washcloth

 

The design of this washcloth is made entirely of knit and purl stitches. This simple pattern repeat just staggers the knits and purls to form the raised texture of the parallelograms. This is a great beginner project, that produces a very usable and practical washcloth or dishcloth when you are done. I was able to knit the sample for this pattern in one morning while tending to small children. A variegated ring yarn would especially show off the raised pattern. The knit and purl combination knits a flat fabric, so there is no need for a border. The pattern looks basically the same from both sides of the washcloth, only the knits and purls are reversed. The 100% cotton yard suggested will be gentle to your skin or non-stick cookware. If you need some extra scrubbing power and don’t mind a little scratch, you may want to try this in a worsted weight 100% hemp yarn.

Worsted weight cotton yarn is available at most large craft retailers and also at many smaller local yarn stores. Several colors and prints are available to help you coordinate to d้cor or personal taste.

Size: 10 inches square,

Materials: 2 ozs or more of 100% cotton worsted weight yarn . a 2 ozs ball of Sugar-n-Cream yarn was used for the example.

Recommended Needles: Size 5, or the size you need for the proper gauge.

Recommended Gauge: 4 stitches and 6 rows per inch in stockinette stitch

Abbreviations:
CO – the number of stitches to cast on and begin with.
K – Knit
p-purl
BO – bind off

Pattern Instructions
CO 40

Row 1 – *K5, P5*; repeat *for all of row
Row 2 – K4, *K5, P5*; repeat *, end P5, K1
Row 3 – P2, *K5, P5*; repeat * end K5, P3
Row 4 – K2, *K5, P5*; repeat *, end P5, K3
Row 5 – P4, *K5, P5*; repeat * end K5, P1
Row 6 - *P5, K5*; repeat *
Repeat Rows 1-6 9 more times, total of 10 pattern repeats.
BO last row. Weave in ends
This comes out pretty flat, but you can always block if desired.

Boxed Squares washcloth

 

The texture created by raised and lowered knitted and purl stitches are what provides the pattern in this washcloth. The simple pattern knits up quickly. After the first patterns repeat, it is possible to see where the design is going and you may not need to refer to the pattern for each row. The repeating squares give a strong graphic element to the design. The inner part of each square is a bit of a rectangle that forms a square with the border that is around it.

Since it is entirely made of knit and purl stitches, this project is suitable for beginners. The solid fabric when knit in all cotton worsted weight yarn creates a gentle and soft cloth that would be especially suited to personal use, although it could certainly be used for household cleaning tasks as well.

Worsted weight cotton yarn is available at most large craft retailers and also at many smaller local yarn stores. Several colors and prints are available to help you coordinate to décor or personal taste.

Size: 10 inches square,

Materials: 2 ozs or more of 100% cotton worsted weight yarn . Lion Cotton yarn was used to create the sample

Recommended Needles: Size 5, or the size you need for the proper gauge.

Recommended Gauge: 4 stitches and 6 rows per inch

Abbreviations:
CO – the number of stitches to cast on and begin with.
K – Knit
P - Purl
BO – bind off
If you need to learn or refresh on any of these, please check the related links below.

Pattern Instructions
CO 46 stitches.
Rows 1- 3 K all stitches. This makes 3 rows of garter stitch
Row 4 P all stitches
Row 5 K 4, *P8, K2* repeat * 3 more times, total of 4 repeats, K2
Row 6 P 4 *K8, P2* repeat 3 more times, total of 4 repeats, P2
Row 7, 9, 11, 13 K4, *P2, K4, P2, K2* repeat 3 more times, total of 4 repeats, K2
Repeat Rows 8,10, 12,14 P4, *K2, P4, K2, P2* repeat 3 more times, total of 4 repeats, P2
Row 15 Repeat Row 5
Row 16 Repeat Row 6
Repeat Rows 3 -16 3 more times, total of 4 pattern repeats
Knit 2 rows of garter stitch
BO, weave in ends.

You can block the washcloth if you wish.

Diagonal Eyelet Washcloth Pattern

 This quick to knit washcloth features a diagonal eyelet lace design. The pattern is created by making a yarn over, and then knitting two stitches together. Staggering the yarn overs and decreases makes the diagonal pattern. The eyelet pattern gives the washcloth a great texture that lends to cleaning . The 100% cotton yarn will keep from damaging your non-stick cookware, and will not be too rough on your skin.

This is a very simple lace pattern. If you are new to knitting lace, this is a good starter project. More experienced knitters may find this to be a simple project to work on that doesn't require too much concentration.

The garter stitch border is knit right along with the main pattern. The diagonal lace could have a bit of bias, but the border will counteract that and make a flat fabric. This pattern is reversible, and looks nice from both sides.

Worsted weight cotton yarn is available at most large craft retailers and also at many smaller local yarn stores. Several colors and prints are available to help you coordinate to décor or personal taste.

Size: 10 inches square,

Materials: 2 ozs or more of 100% cotton worsted weight yarn . a 2 ozs ball of Sugar-n-Cream yarn was used for the example.

Recommended Needles: Size 5, or the size you need for the proper gauge.

Recommended Gauge: 4 stitches and 6 rows per inch

Abbreviations: CO – the number of stitches to cast on and begin with.
K – Knit
K2tog – knit 2 stitches together
YO – yarn over
BO – bind off
If you need to learn or refresh on any of these, please check the related links below.

Pattern Instructions
CO 40 stitches.
Rows 1- 4 K all stitches. This makes 4 rows of garter stitch
Row 5 K5, *YO, K2tog* repeat * until last 5 stitches of row, K5 last stitches, turn
Row 6 Knit
Row 7 K6 *YO, K2tog* repeat * until last 6 stitches of row, K6 last stitches, turn
Row 8 Knit
Repeat Rows 5-8 until piece measures 9 ¾ inches long.
Knit 4 rows of garter stitch
BO, weave in ends.

You can block the washcloth if you wish.

Basketweave Washcloth Pattern

 

This washcloth has a basketweave pattern with a seed stitch border. The patterning comes from using combinations of knit and purl stitches. This washcloth is nicely textured to help with cleaning , whether you are cleaning your kitchen counters or using the washcloth to wash your face in the morning. The 100% cotton yarn will keep from damaging your non-stick cookware, and will not be too rough on your skin.

The border is knit right into the project, not something that is added afterwards. The seed stitch and basketweave pattern are naturally flat and square. You may not need to block this washcloth, unless you want it to look absolutely perfect for a gift presentation. The seed stitch used for the border you create by knitting into the purl stitches, and purling in the knit stitches, from whichever side you are viewing at any point. This creates a flat border with some texture.

The basketweave pattern is created by knitting for four stitches, then purling for four stitches. The pattern reverses every five rows.
Worsted weight cotton yarn is available at most large craft retailers and also at many smaller local yarn stores. Several colors and prints are available to help you coordinate to décor or personal taste.

Size: 10 inches square,

Materials: 1 2 ozs ball of Sugar-n-Cream yarn. A solid cotton worsted weight yarn could be used as a substitute.

Recommended Needles: Size 5, or the size you need for the proper gauge.

Recommended Gauge: 4 stitches and 6 rows per inch

Abbreviations: CO – the number of stitches to cast on and begin with.
K – Knit
P-Purl
BO – bind off
If you need to learn or refresh on any of these, please check the related links below..

Pattern Instructions
CO 40 stitches.
Rows 1 &3 *K1, P1* repeat between * for all of row .
Rows 2&4 *P1,K1* repeat between * for all of row.
Rows 1-4 establish the seed stitch border. You will continue the seed stitch for the first four and last four stitches of each row.
Row 5 -9 seed stitch 4 stitches, *K4,P4* repeat between *4 times, seed stitch 4 stitches
Rows 10-14 seed stitch 4 stitches, *P4,K4* repeat between *4 times, seed stitch 4 stitches
Rows 15-19 repeat as for rows 5-9
Rows 20-24 repeat as for rows 10-14
Rows 25-29 repeat as for rows 5-9
Rows 30-34 repeat as for rows 10-14
Rows 35-39 repeat as for rows 5-9
Rows 40-44 repeat as for rows 10-14
Rows 45-49 repeat as for rows 5-9
Rows 50-53 do entire row(s) in continued seed stitch pattern. BO, weave in ends.

Shell Lace Washcloth Knitting Pattern

 

This washcloth pattern has a shell lace design that offers a little bit of a challenge, while being a small enough project to keep from being overwhelming. The shells are formed by slipping two stitches, then purling three stitches together and passing the slipped stitches back over the decrease. The lace pattern provides texture for cleaning, while the cotton yarn keeps the washcloth gentle enough for your skin or your non-stick cookware

The garter stitch border is knit right along with the main pattern. The pattern is actually knit wrong side facing front, although both sides are attractive.

Worsted weight cotton yarn is available at most large craft retailers and also at many smaller local yarn stores. Several colors and prints are available to help you coordinate to décor or personal taste.

Size: 10 inches square,

Materials: 2 ozs or more of 100% cotton worsted weight yarn . a 2 ozs ball of Sugar-n-Cream yarn was used for the example.

Recommended Needles: Size 5, or the size you need for the proper gauge.

Recommended Gauge: 4 stitches and 6 rows per inch in stockinette stitc

Abbreviations: CO – the number of stitches to cast on and begin with.
K – Knit
yo – yarn over
sl 2 wyif –slip two stitches holding yarn in front
p3tog – purl 3 stitches together
p2sso – pass the 2 slipped stitches back over
p-purl
BO – bind off

Pattern Instructions
CO 42
Knit each row , 4 rows

Row 5: K3,*(yo) twice, sl 2 wyif, p3tog, p2sso, (yo) twice, p1; rep from *. Repeat five more times, total of 6 pattern repeats. K3 remaining stitches, turn

Row 6 K4 * (k1, p1) into double yo, k1, (p1, K1) into the next double yo, k1*: repeat asterisks 5 more times, total of 6 times, k2 turn

Row 7 K
Row 8 K

Row 9 K2, P3tog, *(yo) twice, p1 (yo) twice, sl 2 wyif, p3 tog, p2sso* rep from * 4 more times, end (yo) twice, p1, (yo) twice, p3tog, k3 turn

Row 10 k4 * (p1, k1) into double yo, K1, (k1,p1) into next double yo, k1; repeat * 5more times, total 6 times, K3

Row 11 K

Row 12 K

Repeat rows 5-12 4 more times, total of 5 pattern repeats.

Repeat rows 5-9

K4 more rows, garter stitch, BO. Weave in ends, block if desired.