Happy Green Day

Many years ago, I took my kids to an Earth Day celebration here in town. We learned about saving the planet. To be honest, it was the first time I'd heard the term, Earth Day. The dignitaries of the day made it seem very important we all take the knowledge and put it to good use. They ended the day having everyone gather at the podium and a group picture was taken to hang in city hall to mark the day.

We started using canvas bags for grocery shopping. We limited the temperature on the water heater, we turned off lights we weren't using. Hey, I lived on a tight budget, so it wasn't hard pressed to incorporate these things, it was going to save us money, too. Down the road the city came out with recycling bins where we put all recycling materials into the 100 gallon bins and didn't have to sort things apart like back home.

I had a research paper in college on the topic of recycling. Triple packaging had to go! I said. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Combine multiple trips into one with the car. Don't throw it away..find a new use for it.

So, where does that lead us today? Well, in addition to the other things we've been doing, I have a timer on my heating for the house, I use those expensive light bulbs to save energy (it does save money on your electric bill!), we recycle everything possible, and this past month when my daughter decided we needed to 'spring clean' the garage...rather than throwing out old acrylic yarn...we've boxed it up into an old TV box ...and are donating it to the local senior center...

Oh, that picture from the Earth Day celebrations years ago? The one they made such a big deal over being so important? Not a single person from the city hall ever heard of the picture. Nice huh?

Therefore, since apparently I am more GREEN than the city I live in is, I bring you another dishcloth pattern. It's a 'reused' pattern. How so? So glad you asked. I have the 365 Knitting Stitches a Year Perpetual Calendar book of stitch patterns. And I love it. Last year, my oldest daughter was an attendant in many of her friends' (from high school and college) weddings. Some of these girls I've gotten to know well. One I called my 'extra daughter', one was my knitting prodigy. (want a fast learner to teach to knit? Teach a Math teacher!) Since they all know me as a knitter, it seemed logical to knit up some dishcloths for their new kitchens. Flipping through my 365 book, I found a pretty lace stitch to use. Since the first recipients were all brides, I named this pattern the Bridal Shower Lace Dishcloth. If you look at my flicker photos on the left side of the blog...you'll see several examples of this cloth in 2006 and 2007. Other than the obvious white cloth, I really like how this one shows the pattern in the purple. Sorry, I guess I should have one in green for today's posting.

Notes for this pattern:

*I would suggest using a solid color for this pattern. A multi color would detract from the pattern in my opinion.
*When making the P2 tog TBL, it means to Purl Two Stitches through the back loop. I found it helpful to insert your right needle into the 2 stitches on your left needle from the right hand side of the stitches and wiggle in some 'extra' room into the stitches, then pull out the right hand needle and continue with the stitches. It makes it easier to manipulate your stitches that way. You will have to twist your wrist to 'turn' the stitches as you are using two stitches at the same time when purling them from the back of the loop. But with the extra space in them, it makes it easier. It's one of those things, you have to have faith that it would work, and go with the directions. I makes a nice twist in the pattern when done correctly.

Bridal Shower Lace Cloth

© July 30, 2006 Cathy Waldie

Lion cotton, (US) 7, (4.5 mm) needles
Size preblocked: 8.5” x 8.5”

Sl 1 = Slip one stitch
Tog = together
Tbl= through back loop
PSSO= Pass Slipped Stitch Over
YO= Yarn Over
* * = repeat directions between *’s the number of times given

Cast on 36 stitches

Knit 4 rows for lower border

Begin pattern

1) Sl 1, K2, K3 *K2tog, YO, K5* 3 times; end last 9 sts: K2tog, YO, K4, K3

2) Sl 1, K2, P2, *P2tog tbl, YO, P1, YO, P2tog, P2 * 4 times; end last 3 sts: K3

3) Sl 1, K2, K1, *K2tog, YO, K3, YO, Sl 1, K1 PSSO, *4 times: end last 4 sts: K1, K3

4) Sl 1, K2, P30, K3

5) Sl 1, K2, K1, *YO, Sl 1, K1, PSSO, K5* 4 times; end last 4 sts: K1, K3

6) Sl 1, K2, *P1, YO, P2tog, P2, P2tog tbl, YO* 4 times; end last 5 sts: P2, K3

7) Sl 1, K2, *K3, YO, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K2tog, YO* 4 times; end last 5 sts: K2, K3

8) Sl 1, K2, P30, K3

Repeat Rows 1 – 8 for a total of 6 pattern repeats.

Top border: Knit 5 rows.

Bind off in Purl.

Based on April, 12, ‘Lattice Lace’, 365 Knitting Stitches a Year book.