Cotton. A sense of comfort and security pervades at the mention of it. The common sense, no-nonsense fibre behind the umpteen babies’ singlets, fresh bath towels and crisp cotton dresses we have loved forever. It doesn’t perform the non-shrink, non-iron tricks of it’s synthetic peers – and that is because it is real and it lived. Organic in fact.
So what a wonderful thread to create with and then pass onto others. And there is something quite rudimental about knitting with cotton. Both material and process, originating from the days of our early kin, have a timeless, almost esoteric feel when you spend an afternoon caught up with them. Knitting takes time and steadies a galloping mind. Cotton moves smoothly across bamboo and produces a firm, sensible fabric to be proud of. After an hour or two in the company of both, inner equilibrium is restored – a calibrated being with an accomplished piece.
The lovely ridged fabric you will produce here, makes an excellent face cloth. Gentle, yet nubbly enough to wipe away all traces of the most frantic of days. Set some time aside and make one for your face and for the face of another.
1 50g ball 8ply cotton
1 pair 3.50mm needles
Cast on 44 sts
Knit 10 rows garter stitch
Row 11 k5 *p1, k1* to the last 5 stitches, k5
Row 12 k5 *k1, p1* to the last 5 stitches, k5
Repeat rows 11 and 12 46 times.
Knit 10 rows garter stitch
Cast off (not too tightly)
Darn in your loose threads.
Postscript: And I have the perfect common sense, no-nonsense, firm and sensible person to gift this one to.
Plain and Simple 