Beethoven Potholder
By Lina Wolf http://www.ravelry.com/designers/lina-wolf
Ludwig van Beethoven - http://www.ravelry.com/designers/lina-wolf
About this pattern
You may knit this pattern as often as you want. If you choose to sell your items, please tell people it is after my pattern. You may use the pattern to teach courses if my name and link can be found (Chart by Lina Wolf http: //www.ravelry .com/designers/lina-wolf)
Instructions
If you want to use the potholder with hot pots afterwards only use 100% heat resistant cotton. Cast on 40 stitch pairs using a Double Knit Cast on like 1. If you prefer to have edge stitches Cast on42stitches. Start following the chart with a right side row. Every stitch is contained in the Chart. The arrows point in the direction of knitting. Front (Right) rows have an arrow pointing from right to left. Back rows (Wrong rows) have an arrow pointing from left to right. In front rows the white box represents a stitch pair with a light knit and a dark purl. A box with an arrow is represents a double stitch with a dark knit and a light purl. In back rows you need to switch the colors. Now an empty box is knit dark , purled light , an arrow box is knit light , purled dark . When you want no visible edge stitch, work a row safe the last stitch pair. Now slip the knit-stitch, having both yarns behind it. Then slip the purl-stitch, having both yarns in front. Turn the work piece. Make sure, that the two yarns cross over each other once. The stich pair you just slipped is now the first pair on the other side. Knit / purl it as usual. If you prefer a visible edge, purl the two stitches of the last stitch pair together, using both yarns. Turn the work piece and slip the first double stitch (made by knitting the stitch together using two yarns) To make counting easier every fifth stitch border in the chart is bold. I usually use a stitch marker every 5 or 10 stitch pairs. So that I never have to count beyond 10... Follow the chart. Then use one of the bind-off techniques for double knitting. This video shows my favorite bind-off technique: 2 Blocking, steaming an ironing evens out you stitches and improves you result.
Working with two yarns
Double knitting is done with two contrasting yarns at the same time. You can hold both yarns in one hand or one yarn in each hand. There are also some helping tools that can be bought. I prefere holding both yarns in the left hand, you can see how I do it in these pictures. One of the most important things in double knitting is to get the yarn-tension right. It is usally helpfull to use smaller needles then you usually would for the yarn weight.
