If you’ve read my article in the summer 2016 issue of Creative Knitting Magazine, An Unexpected Yarn, you’ll see that the some new doors were opened for ways you can combine fabric and yarn in the same project.
In the article, I show you how to create your own yarn from cut strips of fabric by using my simple “zigzag method.” You can learn more about how to do that by visiting CreativeMagazine.com to purchase a copy.
In this blog post, I take things a step further and show you how to make the Coaster shown below.
Example of a coaster with a 4-inch x 4-inch cut piece of fabric, enclosed by knitted Flaps that are tacked down by working a running Stitch around the entire square. Blanket stitch is used as an optional decorative edge. Finished coaster measures 4 1/2 inches x 4 1/2 inches. (Click image to view larger)
In this tutorial, you’ll see that I changed up the yarn and fabric because I thought it would be fun and so you can see how easy it is to mix and match any yarn and fabric to make these! The fabric shown above is a light-weight quilting fabric. In the tutorial below, I used an upholstery-weight fabric for added durability.
Quick Tip: wind up a bunch of tiny yarn balls to create, “mood boards” by pairing up the balls with a variety of fabrics. You can totally geek out on your stash yarns for this project! I suggest upholstery fabrics that you can easily repurpose from old tablecloths, or why not take a trip to your local thrift store to buy some funky vintage fabrics this weekend!
Follow these 5 steps to make your coaster:
Step #1: Make base: With a worsted-weight yarn and size #7 U.S. straight needles, cast on 16 sts with MC. Knit every row until square measures 4 inches long. Bind off. Place a safety on one side of base. (This will be the bottom of the coaster)
After your base measures 4 inches x 4 inches, bind off. You are now you ready to begin making the 4 flaps…
Step #2: Make flaps: *Hold base with safety pin facing you. and with MC, pick up 16 sts along one edge. Knit one row, purl one row. Bind off. Rep from * along each side of coaster. (4 sides)
Use a crochet hook to easily pick up your stitches and then transfer them to a knitting needle.
Quick Tip: Use a crochet hook to pick up stitches along the edge, then transfer them to your knitting needle. This makes picking up stitches so much easier!
Base with all 4 flaps finished.
Tip – block flaps in toward center before sewing.
Step #3: Cut a 3 1/2-inch x 3 1/2-inch piece of fabric and place on base with flaps facing you.
Remove safety pin, and place cut piece of fabric in center of base, pin flaps, then sew closed. with Running Stitch.
Step #4: Fold down each flap and tack down with a running stitch in a contrast color yarn. Work this way around the entire coaster.
Step #5: (Optional) Using a contrast color, work slip stitch or blanket stitch around coaster.
Finished coaster with slip stitch outer-edge, worked with a crochet hook.
This post first appeared on Splendid Sticks, Creative Knitting Editor's, please read the originial post: here
