When I think about knitting for the home, I usually think about things like blankets and pillows, but I also love knit washcloths, dishcloths and other items that I can use every day.
Potholders are a great thing to knit because, like washcloths, you can use all sorts of patterns and try new designs and techniques on them without having to devote yourself to a large project. They are great travel projects because they are pretty small, and if you knit them in cotton (which is really the best choice because it doesn’t melt or scorch in high heat) they’re even great summer knitting projects.
Lest you think that knitting potholders sounds boring, allow me to present Stina Tislius’ book 25+ Potholders to Knit: Classic, Playful, and Festive Pattern
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The book does have a lot of projects worked in Garter Stitch, but there is shaping or colorwork or something to make it more fun. The classic design, for instance, if just a Garter Stitch rectangle with crocheted edging (which is common in the book) to make places to hang the potholder from if you wish (in some cases the crochet also holds two layers of knitting together).
There’s a mitered square project and one worked on the bias. There are others with simple stitch patterns and colorwork. Some potholders are in fun shapes like a boat, a sheep, a ladybug, a troll (looks like an alien to me) and a monster. An oven mitt and projects shaped like hearts, Easter eggs and a ghost round out the collection.
Of course because these projects are worked in cotton you could use them as washcloths, too, which would be fun with the shaped ones. I also think they’d be great as appliques on another project, like the little boat stitched onto a baby blanket or pillow for a little boy’s room.
The book also includes basic knitting and crochet instructions for those who might need help with any of the steps involved. It’s a fun, pretty book with some great ideas that will fill your kitchen — and no doubt your friends’ kitchens as well — with knitting.
Book specifications: 116 pages, paperback with interior flaps, 29 patterns (by my count). Published September 2015, Trafalgar Square Books, suggested retail $19.95.
I know that my posts can be read at different times of year and in different years by different people, but as I write this we’re on teh cusp of summer. And I know a lot of people don’t knit as much, and certainly don’t wear a lot of knits in the summer, but I want to encourage you to make and to wear your makes no matter the temperature.