I wated to practice using two strands together, so I knit this up out of my favorite washcloth pattern. It's very easy! I, personally, don't like to use verrigated yarn on patterned cloths because it's just too busy, but you can go with whatever you like.
Here's what you'll need:
A circular size 10.5
1 cone of 100% cotton - divided in half, to form two seperate balls of yarn
I used a cone of white and one of light brown Peaches & Cream because that's what I had and I was too lazy to make 2 balls.
If you'd like, you could use skeins of a solid color, in which case, you wont have to make a ball. I'd estimate you'd use about 600 yds total, but it depends on your pattern
Your favorite wash cloth pattern
1. Set up your pattern:
Print/write your pattern out on paper and cross off the edging on the sides. The edges should be a consistant and even number knits on each side. Sometimes, if a boarder touches the garter part, the begining or ending number could be different, so beware of that. You're basically removing the garter stitches completely from the pattern.
ex. "Row 1: k3, P33, k3" would simply be "Row 1: P33"
"Row 2: p3, k29 p6" would be "Row 2: k33"
2. Casting on:
Divide your pattern's cast on number by 2 and set that number aside (Cast1). Now multiply your newly adjusted pattern's cast-on by 2 (Cast2).
Nobody explained using two strands together to me, so I'll explain for you. You simply treat every two stitches as on. Once you've done a row or two, it gets much easier.
Cast on the number of stitches that you figured in Cast2, placing a marker at the Cast1 number of stitches from the begining and from the end.
ex. CO 30 would now be cast on 45, with the 15 on each side. You'd k15, pm, k30, pm, k15
CO 19 would now be 29, with the 10 on each side. You'd k5, pm, k19, pm, k5
3. Following your pattern:
Now that you have a sufficient cast on and your place markers in the right spot, you can follow the pattern for your washcloth line by line, counting stitches as soon as you get to the marker. You may like to keep a garter stitch boarder of 3 or 5 stitches to prevent curling, but you'll want to keep most of your stitches before the marker in st-st (k 1 row, p 1 row), else your pattern will be boxed inside, which you may like to have.
4. Casting Off/Binding Off:
Remember to treat your two threads as one stitch. Just knit the first two stitches and pass the first stitch over. Knit the next stitch and pass the one before that over and so on.
You may like to put a fringe of threads on the edges or threaded tassles, if you'd like. When your mat is dirty, just wash it with towels and throw it on the deck to dry, "Look ma, I'm blocking" haha. If you use my outline, I'd love to see your finished pattern. You can use it, sell it, give it away...I don't mind as long as you mention me somewhere. Just keep in mind that you could be borrowing someone else's chart in your pattern, in which case, you should note them and need to ask before selling their hard work.
Enjoy!
