Old Shale & Stripey Kitchen Towel & Potholder in Juniper Moon Neve

Old Shale & Stripey Kitchen Towel & Potholder in Juniper Moon Neve

Kitchen Towel Overview

This knitted kitchen towel combines functional design with retro aesthetic appeal. The towel features a simple lace pattern that not only adds vintage style but also promotes quick drying—an essential feature for everyday kitchen use. The finished towel measures 10½ inches wide at the bottom and approximately 15 inches in length from the bottom hem to the top of the buttoned tab, making it a practical size for drying dishes and hands.

Kitchen Towel Construction & Techniques

The towel is constructed using Old Shale lace pattern, a classic openwork design that creates the characteristic drainage properties while maintaining structural integrity. The pattern is worked on US 7 (4.5 mm) needles, with a gauge of 20 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches in the Old Shale lace pattern. The top edge features a ribbed finish created with US 6 (4 mm) needles (one size smaller than the main needles), which provides a neat, finished appearance and helps the fabric hold its shape.

Kitchen Towel Stitches & Techniques

• Old Shale lace pattern — the primary stitch pattern creating openwork and visual interest
• Ribbing — used for the finished edge and tab area
• Cast on and bind off techniques — standard construction methods
• Buttonhole — integrated into the top tab for functional closure

Kitchen Towel Yarn & Materials

The towel is crafted from Juniper Moon Farm Neve, a premium yarn available in multiple colorways. The design uses four coordinating colors:

• Main Color (MC): 1 hank in color #05 Aruba
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1): 1 hank in color #07 Morning Glory
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2): 1 hank in color #01 Sandbox
• Contrast Color 3 (CC3): 1 hank in color #08 Tree Frog

Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, waste yarn for provisional cast-on techniques, and one ¾-inch button for the tab closure.

Potholder Overview

Designed to coordinate with the kitchen towel, this 7½-inch square potholder provides practical heat protection for handling hot cookware. The potholder features garter stitch stripes that serve both aesthetic and functional purposes—the textured garter stitch creates visual interest while the multiple fabric layers inherent in striped construction offer additional insulation from heat.

Potholder Construction & Techniques

The potholder is worked in stockinette stitch and garter stitch on US 6 (4 mm) needles. Two distinct gauges are specified for this project: 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, and 22 stitches and 44 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch. The difference in row gauge between these stitches is important for achieving proper finished dimensions. The potholder incorporates a 1-inch plastic ring (a standard notions item available at craft and sewing stores) for hanging convenience.

Potholder Stitches & Techniques

• Stockinette stitch — smooth, classic knit stitch creating the main fabric
• Garter stitch — horizontal ridged texture created by knitting every row, used for striped sections
• Color work — stripes created by alternating between main color and contrast colors
• Crochet finishing — a US size G (4 mm) crochet hook is used for edge finishing or ring attachment