Colorwork and Cables Combine in the Twill Pot Holder

When I saw pictures of the Twill Pot Holder from Purl Soho online, I knew I wanted to share it with you. As I read more about it, I knew I needed to share it with you because it uses such an interesting technique.

I expected it to be done with slip stitches, and it is, but there’s also a little cable in there that provides even more of a woven look. The pattern is a simple four-round repeat.

Designed by Hiromi Glover, this pretty potholder is quick to stitch and a handy thing to have in your kitchen for grabbing hot things. It’s worked in cotton yarn so it won’t scorch or melt, and it’s a double thickness to make it extra durable.

The project calls for two colors of sport weight cotton yarn. Their particular choice, Cotton Pure, is an organic cotton, which adds to the luxury of this project, but whatever cotton you like to use is fine, too. I like that this is a non-mercerized cotton, which means its not shiny so the project has a classic, almost well-worn look right off the needles.

The stitch pattern is a multiple of three plus one stitches, so you can also alter the design to use heavier weight yarn if that’s what you have on hand. Working with fewer stitches on a larger yarn will get you closer to the original size, or just make an extra-large potholder or trivet using DK or worsted weight yarn.

This pattern also gives you a chance to use a provisional cast on, and the little loop on the corner for hanging is made with I-cord.

Make this project for your kitchen or make a few to keep on hand for hostess gifts, housewarming presents or to start your stockpile of gifts for holiday gifting. You know it’s coming up faster than you think!

Grab the free pattern from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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