Pomp-a-Doodle and Loop-it – together – make the best bathmat!

I started out this series of posts with Loop-it yarn and put it through some paces: the finger knitting for which it was designed, adding knitting needles to help organize the loops and teach basic knitting principles and even using it full-on with broomstick needles. Then, I introduced you to Pomp-a-Doodle, an evenly-spaced pompom yarn that has numerous craft applications.

Both Loop-it and Pomp-a-Doodle are made of 100% polyester, which makes them great for projects that will be washed often.

In my last post, I combined the two yarns in a swatch with a view to making a bath mat. As I was finishing the mat (I chose to hem the ends), I discovered that this would be a fabulous lap rug for anyone in a wheelchair because the combination is warm! I used the rug for a lap robe one night while I watched television!

That same night I came up with a neat idea for a little girl’s bedroom. A bed scarf, like the ones they have in stylish hotels, but with pompoms, and a fluffy background that can be snuggled up around a chilly child at night. How girly!

Loop-it and Pomp-a-Doodle bathmat

materials

3 balls of Loop-it (Yarn A)
4 balls of Pomp-a-Doodle (Yarn B)
sock or baby yarn in a complementary color for anchoring ends and a hemmed edge (if desired)

Circular knitting needle size 11 [8mm]
Tapestry needle

gauge

6 sts to 4″ [10cm] over stockinette stitch, but gauge is not important

measurements

24 x 36″ [60 x 90cm] before hemming

special instruction – Slide

At times, the next yarn needed will be at the ‘wrong end’ of the knitting. When instructed to ‘slide,’ slide the knitting to the opposite end of the circular needle so work can continue with the correct yarn for the next row. Do not turn the work at the end of a slide instruction.

instructions

Count off 40 loops of Yarn A.

Row 1: K 36 loops, turn work. The 4 leftover loops are worked in on the next row.
Row 2: (K 1 loop from ball, k 1 leftover loop) 4 times, k to end of row.
Row 3: Join Yarn B, leaving a tail of 4 pompoms. (K1, k1 from tail) until the last pompom from the tail has been worked in, k to end of row. Slide work to the other end of the needle
Row 4: With A, p across. Turn work.
Continue in pattern, as follows:
Row 1: With B, p across. Slide.
Row 2: With A, k across. Turn.
Row 3: With B, k across. Slide.
Row 4: With A, p across. Turn.

Repeat these 4 rows until mat is 2″ [5cm] short of the desired length. Break B, leaving 4-5 pompoms, and work these into the next row of knitting.

If the last B row was a Row 1, k 4 rows with A.

If the last B row was a Row 3, p 3 rows with A.

Cast off.

finishing

With a length of like-colored sock or baby yarn, stitch the last few loops of Loop-it to the underside. Hem the ends of the Loop-it under, if desired.

As I was knitting this bath mat, my ‘laddie’ proclaimed that he has trouble finding a bathmat small enough to fit in his postage-stamp bathroom, which was an afterthought in his century-plus old home. I’ll need different colors, but I think I’ll make him one and a spare!

Bed Scarf

To make a bed scarf, count off 31 loops of Loop-it, and knit 27 loops. This should make a scarf 18″ [45cm] wide. The materials for the bath mat should make a scarf about 48″ [122cm] long, so you might want to add one ball of each yarn to make it long enough to drape off the sides of the bed. It would look so adorable in a ‘big girl’s’ bedroom!

As you can see, I have had a LOT of fun reviewing these two yarns this week. I really encourage you to get out and get some young people involved with these yarns, whether you teach them to finger knit or make a pompom-themed craft project!