Last year for Earth Day I released that I offered temporarily for free for three days and this year I will be continuing the tradition! I’ve designed two new hand towel patterns along with a new knit market tote, and I’m so excited to add these to my expanding collection of eco-friendly designs. Check out last year’s knit and crochet , and scroll down to find the new patterns for free until Wednesday, April 24th at 11:59pm EST, after which they will return to normal pricing and join my initiative whereby $1 from the sale of each pattern will be donated to .
Saving the world sounds like a hefty job, and one that most people aren’t willing to do. Whether it’s out of convenience or lack of education, so many of us are not doing our part to prevent the terrifying decline of our beautiful planet. I know I get completely overwhelmed myself with all that needs to be done, but simple changes in our daily lives can add up to a massive impact. I recently listed to all about how the health of our soil is the single most potent factor determining how healthy we are. It’s probably the most terrifying and yet inspiring thing I’ve ever listened to, and I highly recommend checking it out! My favorite thing about it is that it points out that even though it’s shocking and so scary to think of what seems like irreversible damage that’s been done to our planet, there is hope and there are actionable things we can do to fix it.
Carpooling or taking public transportation (or biking/walking if you can!), switching to energy-efficient appliances, buying organic, eating less meat, recycling, bringing your own bags/straws/cutlery/mug/bottle to reduce single use plastic, planting backyard/rooftop/indoor gardens – all of these things, if practiced by everyone, would start to reverse some of the horrific damage we have done. Although the statistics seem dismal and shocking, our Earth is very forgiving and these small shifts are so important to nurture this planet back to vibrancy.
I love that the slow fashion movement has opened our eyes to the destruction and waste caused by the fast fashion industry, and as knitters and crocheters we are able to make our own garments, accessories, and home decor items. Making something with your own two hands helps us to think more thoughtfully about our consumption and waste. It’s only a drip in the ocean, but it inspires me to continue designing and offering fashion-forward designs to motivate others to join the movement. It’s been unbelievably exciting to see so many of you whip up a crochet or knit for yourselves or loved ones to use instead of plastic bags, and the response to last year’s and was so wonderful that I wanted to give you some more options in that department.
I was lucky enough to team up with LoveKnitting this year to create the , which you can find as a (temporarily) free downloadable PDF on their site . This tote is durable and stretchy and the perfect companion to take to the market. Elegant and functional, you’ll never want to leave home without it!
In addition to the , I’ve also released two new towel patterns that you can find free below until until Wednesday, April 24th at 11:59pm EST. The crochet Barrow Hand Towel and the knit Waverly Hand Towel can be used in the bathroom or the kitchen, and they make a lovely addition to your own home or a wonderful gift for a loved one. The thermal-style fabric is the perfect combo of rustic and sophisticated and the finished piece is something you’ll want on display year round. Best of all, these are worked up in , which is a recycled cotton / poly blend that saves 1,400 liters of water per skein and costs only $1.99!
The Barrow Hand Towel is an easy level crochet pattern, and the techniques involved are double crochet, front post double crochet, and the slip stitch.
MATERIALS:
FINISHED SIZE:
Width: 14.5”/37cm
Length: 18”/46cm
GAUGE:
16 sts + 9 rows = 4”/10cm in waffle stitch
ABBREVIATIONS:
*All Two of Wands patterns are written in standard US terms
Ch – chain
Dc – double crochet
Fpdc – front post double crochet
Rep – repeat
RS – right side
Sl st – slip stitch
St(s) – stitch(es)
WS – wrong side
Note: Towel is worked in back and forth rows (turn at the end of each row). The ch 3 at the beginning of each row counts as a stitch.
Ch 62.
Row 1 (RS): Starting in 4th ch from hook, dc across row.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 3 (counts as a st here and throughout), fpdc 1, *dc 1, fpdc 2, rep from * to end of row, dc in turning ch of previous row.
Row 3: Ch 3, *dc 2, fpdc 1, rep from * to last 2 sts, dc 2 with last st going in turning ch of previous row.
Rep rows 2 and 3 until work measures 18”/46cm ending with a row 3. Do not cut yarn.
Hook loop:
Ch tightly for 4”/10cm. Sl st to base of ch to form a loop.
Secure and weave in all ends.
The Waverly Hand Towel is an easy level knitting pattern, and the techniques involved are the knit stitch, purl stitch, and slipping stitches.
MATERIALS:
FINISHED SIZE:
Width: 14.5”/37cm
Length: 18”/46cm
GAUGE:
18 sts + 28 rows = 4”/10cm in thermal stitch
ABBREVIATIONS:
*All Two of Wands patterns are written in standard US terms
CO – Cast on
K – Knit
P – Purl
Rep – Repeat
RS – Right side
Sl – Slip
St(s) – Stitch(es)
WS – Wrong side
Wyib – With yarn in back
Wyif – With yarn in front
Note: All sl sts are slipped purlwise
CO 65 sts.
Row 1 (RS): K.
Row 2 (WS): P.
Row 3: K 2, *sl 1 wyib, K 2, rep from * to end of row.
Row 4: K 2, *sl 1 wyif, K 2, rep from * to end of row.
Rep rows 1-4 until work measures 18”/46cm ending with a row 4.
Rep rows 1 and 2 once more.
Bind off. Do not cut yarn, and do not pull through last stitch of work.
Hook loop:
Finger chain for approx. 4”/10cm. To do this, hold the working yarn in your left hand and use the thumb and middle finger of your right hand to reach through the loop of the last stitch, grab the working yarn, pull a loop through the last stitch and pull it taught. Then reach through that loop, grab the working yarn, pull through another loop and pull it taught. Continue in this manner until the chains measure 4”/10cm.
Cut the yarn and draw the tail through the final loop/chain. Thread tail onto tapestry needle, and secure to base of chains to form a loop at the corner of the towel.
Secure and weave in all ends.
Looking for other ways to reduce waste in your daily routine? Check out the and patterns!
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Check out the #crewofwands community page .
The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Two of Wands. This pattern and design are subject to copyright, and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not distribute or sell this pattern or any items created using the directions in this pattern without consent. Please visit for more information.
