APPIAN
Octagonal Cotton Mat in Slip-Stitch Pattern in 3 Colors

This pattern contains charts as well as complete written instructions - i.e. you can work entirely from the written instructions without referring to the charts if you wish.

The Appian Mat makes a great accent piece for any room. It can even be used as a bath mat with its thick, absorbant texture created by the slip-stitch pattern. The Mat is worked in the round from the center out. Increases are made every 4 rounds at 8 set points across the round. All yarn overs are worked twisted on the following round in order to reduce the size of the holes. The mat is finished with an I Cord edging that is worked while binding off. This pattern also makes a good stash-buster if you have extra DK cotton around - even your odds and ends if you want to get creative and play with color and striping variations.

Yarn: Butterfly Super 10 DK Cotton (125 g = 230 m (250 yds)) OR other DK cotton

MC - Silver Grey - 270 m (295 yds)
CC1 - Charcoal - 135 m (145 yds)
CC2 - Green - 90 m (100 yds)

Note - If you wish to make the mat in just one color then 460 m (500 yds) of DK cotton will be sufficient.

Needles: 3.0 mm (2.5 US) double-pointed needles (DPNs) and circular needles (2 or 3 different lengths up to 100 cm (40 inches)). If you wish to work magic loop then only one long-cord circular needle will be required. If using pinhole (Emily Ocker’s) cast-on you will also need a crochet hook that is same size as (or close to) knitting needles.

Gauge: 27 sts / 44 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in slip-stitch pattern (exact gauge is not crucial, but a different gauge might alter the quantity of yarn required and the finished size of the mat). Please note that the pattern was designed to be worked tighter rather than looser and the needle size and gauge reflect this. Adjust needle size if necessary/desired.

Size: suggested diameter after blocking (including edging) is 22.5 inches (57 cm).

Skills/Techniques Used

pinhole cast-on (if desired - instructions included)

working in the round

knit; purl; knit 2 together through back loop; knit 3 together through back loop; slip stitch purlwise; yarn over; knit twisted (e.g. knit through back loop); I-Cord edging while binding off (instructions included); grafting (Kitchener stitch) beginning and end of 4 I-Cord sts (instructions included)

Note that all increases are paired (i.e. symmetrical). To achieve this the yarn overs and the knit twisteds are all directional (left/right) - complete instructions are included in pattern.