Valley Yarns Hollyhock Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Hollyhock Facecloth

What Is Being Made

The Hollyhock is a decorative facecloth designed by Julie Turjoman, measuring 11½" x 10¼" when finished. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a practical homeware item suitable for daily skincare routines, including morning face washing and makeup removal. An optional I-cord loop can be worked into one corner for convenient hanging storage.

Knitting Techniques

The Hollyhock employs several intermediate knitting techniques that make it an excellent learning project:

• Bottom-up construction: The facecloth is worked from the cast-on edge upward, allowing knitters to monitor finished measurements as they progress.
• Seamless, worked flat: The entire piece is completed on straight needles without seaming, creating a unified fabric from a single continuous knitting session.
• Lace elements: The design incorporates lace techniques through strategic yarn overs and decreases that create an openwork aesthetic.
• Optional I-cord loop: For those wishing to add a hanging feature, double-pointed needles are used to work an I-cord that integrates into the corner of the finished cloth.

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The primary stitch pattern is the Shell Stitch, which repeats over a multiple of 12 stitches and 12 rows. This allover texture creates the facecloth's distinctive shell-like appearance and provides gentle exfoliation properties ideal for skincare use.

The Shell Stitch guide includes the following abbreviations and techniques:

• Yarn overs (yo): Create the lace openings throughout the pattern.
• CDD-k (centered double decrease knit): Slip 2 stitches together knitwise, knit 1, pass the slipped stitches over, decreasing 2 stitches and centering the decrease.
• CDD-p (centered double decrease purl): Slip 2 stitches together purlwise through the back loop with yarn in front, purl 1, pass the slipped stitches over, decreasing 2 stitches on the wrong side.
• Purl through back loop (p tbl): Creates twisted stitches for textural variation.
• Knit through back loop (k tbl): Adds additional texture and stitch definition.

The pattern begins with 4 rows of garter stitch (purl rows) to establish a finished edge, then transitions into the 12-row Shell Stitch repeat that forms the body of the facecloth.

Materials and Specifications

The Hollyhock requires minimal yardage, using just 1 ball of Valley Yarns Leverett (50 g / 109 yards). This yarn is a premium blend of 70% Pima Cotton and 30% Linen, chosen specifically for its crisp stitch definition, durability, and breathability—essential qualities for a facecloth that will withstand regular washing and frequent use.

The recommended color is Lilac Burgundy, though the pattern can be worked in other Valley Yarns Leverett colorways.

Needles and Tools

• US size 4 (3.5 mm) straight needles: Used for the main facecloth construction.
• US size 4 (3.5 mm) double-pointed needles: Required only if knitting the optional I-cord loop.
• Stitch markers: Essential for tracking the Shell Stitch pattern repeats across rows.
• Tapestry needle: Used for weaving in yarn ends after binding off.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in Shell Stitch, blocked. Achieving proper gauge is important for obtaining the correct finished dimensions and ensuring the lace pattern displays as intended. Blocking the finished facecloth will enhance stitch definition and help the shell texture fully develop.

Skill Level

Rated as Intermediate, the Hollyhock is designed for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to expand their technical skills. The combination of