Waverly Hand Towel

Waverly Hand Towel by Two of Wands

Project Overview

The Waverly Hand Towel is a beginner-friendly knitted dishcloth and hand towel designed by Two of Wands. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a practical, textured towel measuring 14.5 inches wide by 18 inches long (37cm x 46cm). The project is ideal for knitters new to the craft who want to create a functional, everyday item with visual interest through simple stitch techniques.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a rectangular hand towel suitable for kitchen use as a dishcloth or for general hand drying. The finished piece features a decorative thermal stitch pattern that creates texture and visual appeal while maintaining the towel's practical absorbency. The design includes an optional finger chain loop for hanging, making it both functional and convenient for kitchen storage.

Materials Required

• Yarn: 2 skeins of Lion Brand Re-Up yarn in Ecru (color code 834-098), a worsted weight yarn
• Needles: Size US 8 (5mm) knitting needles
• Notions: Tapestry needle for finishing

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 18 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10cm) in the thermal stitch. The finished towel measures 14.5 inches in width and 18 inches in length (37cm x 46cm), making it an appropriately sized hand towel for everyday kitchen use.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Waverly Hand Towel employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners, creating a project that builds essential skills while producing a beautiful, textured result.

• Thermal Stitch: The primary stitch pattern used throughout the towel is the thermal stitch, which creates visual texture and dimension. This stitch is achieved through a repeating four-row pattern that combines knit and slipped stitches.
• Knit Stitch: Basic knit stitches form the foundation of the pattern, used in alternating rows and within the repeating stitch pattern.
• Purl Stitch: Purl stitches are incorporated in alternating rows to create the thermal effect and add textural variation.
• Slipped Stitches: Slipped stitches worked purlwise (the standard method for this pattern) are used with yarn held in back (wyib) and yarn held in front (wyif) to create the characteristic thermal stitch appearance. These stitches are slipped rather than worked, which contributes to the pattern's visual interest without adding complexity.
• Cast On: The pattern begins with casting on 65 stitches to establish the foundation for the 14.5-inch width.
• Bind Off: A standard bind-off secures the stitches at the completion of the towel body.
• Finger Chain: An optional decorative and functional finger chain loop, worked for approximately 4 inches, is created at the end for hanging the towel.

Pattern Structure

The Waverly Hand Towel follows a straightforward four-row repeat pattern that is repeated until the towel reaches its full length of 18 inches. The pattern begins with two rows of stockinette stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side) to establish a clean edge. The thermal stitch pattern then begins, with alternating rows of knit stitches and slipped stitches worked with yarn in different positions. This four-row sequence is repeated continuously until the desired length is achieved, after which two final rows of stockinette stitch create a finished top edge before binding off.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner project, the Waverly Hand Towel is accessible to knitters who have mastered basic knit and purl stitches and understand fundamental techniques like casting on and binding off. The thermal stitch pattern, while creating an impressive textured result, is simple to execute once the basic four-row repeat is established. The repetitive nature of the pattern makes it an excellent project for building consistency and rhythm in knitting.

Design Credit

This pattern is designed and published by Two of Wands, an independent designer. The pattern is written using standard US knitting terminology and is available as a downloadable PDF for immediate access.