Original Watercolour by Mark Gittins
Sun and Sand – Beach and Boats – Red, White and Blue – Endless Days, endless Skies and fabulous Sunsets!
All of this means Summer and so far Summer has been very kind to us, with temperatures and an absence of rain not seen since 1976. Long may it last!
For fabulous endless skies and the most amazing long days ending in beautiful sunsets, there is no better place than Scandinavia, where we can also find an abundance of red, white and blue inspiration.
Having had a love of the Scandinavian Archipelago since childhood, I am so happy to share with you today three dishcloth designs inspired by clean and fresh lines and the simple pleasures of home.
Why not sit outside under a shady tree and enjoy the simple pleasure of knitting something pretty for your kitchen or bathroom. Trust me, these home made cloths are a trillion times nicer to use than bought ones and most definitely look heaps better too.
_______________________________________________
What you need
100% 4ply Cotton Yarn in three colours – I used Drops You 9 recycled cotton, 50g/125m
Colours 101/white – 108/red – 115/blue
3.25mm Knitting Needles (gauge is not important, but the knitted fabric should not be too loose)
Finished Measurements
25cm x 25cm
How To
Blue Dishcloth
Cast on 55sts
Row 1 (RS): K3, *k1, p1, k1, p2tog, yo, p1; rep. from * ending k4
Rows 2, 4 + 6: K3, p1, *k1, p1; rep. from * to last 3sts, k3
Rows 3+7: K3, *k1, p1; rep. from * ending k4
Row 5: K3, *k1, p1, yo, p2tog, k1, p1; rep. from * ending k4
Row 8: as row 2
Repeat rows 1-8 five times and then continue working stocking stitch (knit on RS – purl on WS) for 8cm.
Cast off knit wise on WS.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Red Dishcloth
Cast on 3sts
Row 1: K1tbl, k1, sl1p-wise wyif
Row 2: K1tbl, kf+b, k to last st, sl1p-wise wyif
Repeat row 2 until you have 70sts on your needle and then
Row 1: K1tbl, sl1, k1, psso, k to last st, sl1p-wise wyif
Repeat this row until there are 3sts left.
Cast off. Fasten off and weave in ends.
White Dishcloth with Stripes
Col A = White Col B = Blue Col C = Red
Dot Pattern:
Row 1 (RS): Knit
Row 2: K3, purl to last 3sts, k3
Row 3: K4, *p2, k6; rep. from * to last 3sts, k3
Row 4: K3, K the K sts and P the P sts
Row 5: K8, *p2, k6; rep. from * to last 7sts, p2, k5
Row 6: as row 4
With A cast on 55sts and knit 6 rows.
Work Dot Pattern once.
With Col B knit 4 rows.
With Col A work rows 1-4 of Dot Pattern.
With Col C knit 2 rows.
With Col A work rows 1 + 2 and then rows 5 + 6 of Dot Pattern.
With Col B knit 2 rows.
With Col A work complete Dot Pattern 4 times and then rows 1 + 2 once more.
With Col B knit 2 rows.
With Col A work rows 1 + 2 and then rows 5 + 6 of Dot Pattern.
With Col C knit 2 rows.
With Col A work rows 1-4 of Dot Pattern.
With Col B knit 4 rows.
With Col A work rows 1 + 2, then rows 5 + 6 and then rows 3 + 2 of Dot Pattern.
With Col A knit 5 rows.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Have fun making these, they will put a smile on your face and brighten up any sink.
There will be no posts for the next few weeks but I will continue to share photos with you on my Instagram and Facebook page. I will be back in September, refreshed and with lots of new ideas.
Enjoy your summer, wherever you may be!
XO. ☀
