Bathmat pattern

Crunchy Bathmat.

This is a design which uses a simple technique to create 5 stitch pleats by carrying the yarn behind the work.

Therefore, 2 balls of yarn are needed to create the pattern.

This technique creates a nice thick fabric, suitable for walking on.


Materials:
2 balls of Wendy Supreme 100g Luxury Cotton DK
3.75mm needles.

Tension:
Unimportant, but the mat above came out at 19” x 13 ½”

Method:
The original was made in one colour, but still using 2 balls of yarn – called A and B for explanation purposes.

Using ball A, cast on 152 stitches, and knit 2 rows.

Row 3: K1, join ball B. *K5 B, K5A, rep from * to last st, k1B

NB - Do not weave the yarn when knitting, simply drop it behind the work until needed. This leaves a looped pattern at the back of the work, and creates the pleats in the fabric.

Back of work.

Row 4: K1B, *K5A leave yarn on wrong side, K5B leave yarn on wrong side, rep from * to last st, K1A.


To follow the pattern exactly, got to http://lesthechick.googlepages.com/bathmatchart.pdf
and print the chart to show the stocking stitch/garter stitch pattern.
(nb – it looks awful on screen when the pdf opens, but the print is clearer to read. White squares = K on right side, P on wrong side, Grey squares = K on wrong side)

Rows 111-2: Knit
Cast Off.

Variations:
As this stitch pattern is traditionally worked in garter stitch using two balls of yarn, it lends itself well to stripes, checks and shadow knitting patterns.