"Don't give up. You will thank me later. Keep going, I am here to help you when you make a mistake. Give it to Grandma, I'll fix this mess."
These are some of the phrases I remember most about the days my grandma spent teaching me how to knit. I think I was 9 years old when she first shoved knitting needles into my hands and started teaching her left-handed grandchild how to knit the right way. Whenever I pick up knitting needles today, I remember her and wish I had learned more from her before she passed. The number of knitting projects that my Gran saved for me, I can't even remember. The two things I carry with me from the time I spent with Gran are the hours we spent knitting and cooking.
My Gran cultivated my passion for all the hands-on things I enjoy doing. She was a lady with a mission. She had her toolbox to fix stuff that broke in the big farmhouse and a fully kitted kitchen to host all who may enter through her front door. I should not forget her knitting and sewing room. I like to believe that she passed those qualities on to me.
Having grown up on the same farm as my grandparents in a small town meant that university and student life weren't something I could find on the back porch. Becoming a student meant I had to move to another town and live on my own.
Moving meant I had to furnish my place. It was fun and easy, especially remembering the big things such as my bed, couch, and coffee mug. But there were things that I forgot were necessary until I needed them. One of them was oven pads or oven mittens. Being a student, I didn't have the finances to go buy myself a set, and wanting to be independent made me too stubborn to ask my parents for money. Through all this, I came to the easiest, procrastinator-approved, alternative solution. I am going to follow my grandma's way of doing things and knit myself a pair. Nothing fancy but practical, easy to make, and not too bad looking.
This experience gave me the idea to share my oven pad pattern with you in a layout I had wished for when I made my first project alone.
Cappuccino rating
To know how long this project will take, please refer to my cappuccino rating and do not hesitate to read more about it on my cappuccino rating page.
I rate this project 3 cappuccinos for someone who has experience with knitting. For someone who has no experience with knitting, I suggest a mug of cappuccino. (Find out more)
I hope this rating helps.
What you will need
One set of number 6 knitting needles
1 knitting needle
Two bundles of wool in different colours. If other colours aren't available, you can use the same colour. Wool type - preferably cotton. Ask in-store for the correct size of wool to go with the knitting needle size. You can check the packaging yourself. Asking will be the safer option.
Scissors
Measuring tape
The Assembly
Knitting language
St - Stitches
Cst - Cast on (To put on stitches)
Knt - Knit (Standard knitting stitch)
Prl - Purl (Reverse standard knitting stitch)
Row - All the stitches in a row on a needle
Rpt - Repeat (Repeat what was mentioned before this)
Wrg - Wrong side (There will be a wrong and right side of your knitting pattern. The one that looks bumpier is the wrong side)
Cst off - Cast off (Casting of the number of stitches as indicated in the pattern.)
Pattern summarized
Cst on 30 st, double stringed, knt til 40cm long
Pattern: Knt 1-row, prl 1 row
Rpt till work measures 40 cm, end on wrg side.
Cst off all, leaving enough string behind for sewing together.
1. Cast 30st onto your knitting needle. You will be knitting double-stringed, remember to knit with both strands together. This is to create a closer and thicker knit. Knit the first row, then follow the knitting pattern as follows.
2. *Knt 1 row, Prl 1 row* Repeat from * to * until work measures 40cm.
Almost 40 cm. Keep pushing, you can do it. I know this is around about the time, you would want to give up. You are already past halfway. Don't give up. Finish this project with pride.
3. Cst off all the stitches on your needle. Keep enough yarn left over to sew your piece together.
4. You will now fold the knitted project in half and sew it together to create a thicker pad.
Let the side that you want to be on the outside face inward as you sow the wrong sides to each other.
5. Sewing
Start the sewing on the furthest open corner and then make your way around. Try to stay as consistent as possible with your stitches. Do not make your stitches big or far apart.
6. Sew around but do not completely sew it closed. When there is about this much left to sew, stop. You will now turn your project inside through this gap. Once you have done that you can now close up the remaining hole with your best needlework ever as you finish your project.
7. If you want you can take a damp cloth and place it over your oven pad and gently iron the edges to flatten them out slightly. Otherwise, your project is now complete.
Your project is now complete and you are ready to rock your kitchen with your DIY pot pad. I have been using mine a lot since making it and have never been so satisfied with the time I spent procrastinating on my University work. Although it has been fun sharing this with you, I think it would be a wise choice for me to head back to my studies now and for you to go and enjoy that last sip of your cappuccino mug.
Until procrastination hits again
Martenique Torlage
*All photos except those indicated were taken by Martenique Torlage
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