Valley Yarns Magnolia Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Magnolia Facecloth

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Magnolia is a square facecloth designed by Julie Turjoman, measuring 10" x 10" when finished. This homeware accessory combines practical functionality with elegant design, making it suitable for daily skincare routines including morning cleansing and makeup removal. The facecloth features an optional I-Cord loop that can be worked into one corner, allowing for convenient hanging and storage in bathrooms or near washing areas.

Techniques Used

This beginner-level knitting project employs several fundamental techniques that make it accessible to newer knitters while still delivering visual interest. The facecloth is worked flat on straight needles, meaning it is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round. The construction follows a bottom-up approach, building the piece from the cast-on edge upward to the bind-off. Lace elements are incorporated through the use of yarn overs and decreases that create clean eyelets, adding delicate texture and breathability to the finished cloth. The optional I-Cord loop, worked on double pointed needles, provides a practical finishing touch using a traditional cord-making technique.

Stitches Used

The Magnolia facecloth utilizes two primary stitch patterns that work together to create its distinctive appearance:

• Seed Stitch: A foundational stitch pattern worked over a multiple of 2 stitches, alternating knit and purl stitches in each row. This creates a bumpy, textured fabric with excellent stitch definition and structural integrity.
• Texture Stitch: A more complex pattern worked over a multiple of 7 stitches and 4 rows, featuring the core lace elements of the design. This stitch combines knit through back loop stitches (k1 tbl), yarn overs (yo), and a centered double decrease (s2kp2—slip 2 stitches knitwise, knit 1, pass 2 stitches over) to create clean eyelets. The stitch guide indicates purl stitches frame the pattern at the beginning and end of rows, creating selvage edges.

Both stitch patterns are charted for visual reference, allowing knitters to follow either written instructions or the accompanying texture stitch chart.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Magnolia facecloth is designed to be knitted in Valley Yarns Leverett, a premium fiber blend composed of 70% Pima Cotton and 30% Linen. This 50-gram ball contains 109 yards of yarn, providing ample yardage for the complete 10" x 10" finished piece. The cotton-linen blend offers multiple practical advantages: crisp stitch definition that showcases the lace and texture patterns clearly, exceptional durability for frequent washing and use, and excellent breathability—qualities essential for a facecloth intended for daily skincare routines.

The recommended color is Lilac/Silver, which provides a soft, neutral aesthetic suitable for most bathroom décors.

Tools and Notions

To complete this project, knitters will need US size 4 (3.5 mm) straight needles for the main facecloth body, sized to achieve the specified gauge. An additional set of US size 4 (3.50 mm) double pointed needles is required for working the optional I-Cord loop. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and maintaining proper stitch counts, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and blocking the finished piece.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches when worked in the Texture Stitch and properly blocked. Achieving correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements of 10" x 10". The facecloth is designed in one size only, with blocking recommended to achieve crisp stitch definition and consistent dimensions.

Skill Level and Construction Notes

Rated as a beginner project, the Magnolia facecloth is accessible to knitters new to the craft while introducing valuable techniques including lace construction, stitch pattern reading, and finishing methods. The pattern notes indicate that stitch patterns should be continued as established throughout the piece, with specific attention to maintaining selvage stitches at the beginning and end of rows for clean edges. The optional I-Cord loop adds a professional finishing touch without being required for the basic project completion.