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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Once you get past the rush of the holidays, it’s time to focus on yourself and your home and what’s going to make you feel good for the rest of winter. For me, that’s having a homemade blanket in every room. I’m currently working on a granny stitch crochet blanket, but I wanted to share some cozy knit blanket patterns with you in case you’re on the lookout for something great to knit yourself or someone you love.

I have really been enjoying log cabin projects lately because they’re a great way to use stash and I love the connections between knitting and quilting. This log cabin scrap blanket pattern is free from Very Pink, and it includes a video tutorial if you haven’t done log cabin knitting before. It’s worked in garter stitch and has blocks that are connected by borders in a single color.

Speaking of scrap busting (since that’s on my mind all the time, but particularly when New Year’s resolution time rolls around), the Hue Shift Afghan by Kerin Dimeler-Laurence is worked in a huge array of colors in garter stitch mitered squares. The pattern has options for working with sport weight or worsted weight yarn, and the blanket is worked in quarters and then sewn together, but the individual squares in each section are worked off each other for minimal finishing. Get the pattern from Knit Picks.

If you’re looking for an easy pattern that has a lot of texture, this quilted knit throw from Mama in a Stitch is a great choice. It uses chunky yarn in a single color to make a simple knit and purl pattern that looks like diamonds. The designer notes that a lighter colored yarn is helpful for making the stitch pattern stand out, but you can try whatever color you like.

Or go even simpler with the Bella Vita blanket from Christaco Design. This one uses super bulky yarn (or make it a stash buster by holding two strands of worsted weight yarn together). The pattern has a seed stitch border and allover knit and purl pattern, and includes sizes from baby blanket to California king.

If instead you want a project that will challenge you and occupy your mind as well as your needles, try the Aran texture cable afghan knitting pattern from Pattern Professionals. This gorgeous design features panels of cables and other textured stitches, and the pattern is originally form the 1970s. It uses worsted weight yarn and each pattern strip is worked individually and sewn together (though you could combine them into one big panel if you’d rather).

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