Hi Joyce, I used to live in Midland many years ago while my husband installed a computer at Dow Chemical. I use cotton yarn and knit two styles after trying many patterns that stretched out and got misshapen. My favorite is started at one corner with 3 stitches. Next row knit 2sts, yarn over, knit last st. Next row, knit 2 sts, yo and continue on this way till you have 60 sts on your needle, then start decreasing this way. Knit 1 st, knit 2 tog, yo, knit 2 tog. Keep doing this till you have 5 sts left. Then knit 1, slip 1, knit 2 tog, pass the slipped st over the stitch you just knit tog, knit last st. Now you have 3 sts. Knit them once, then knit all 3 together and you're done. It takes me about 4 hours to knit one.

I have made about 40 so far. I give them as gifts. My kids love them. Even my single son took one. Whenever we have a family get-together I take a basketful and let people help themselves.

Thank you Grann,
That is a pattern I can adapt to a knitting machine.
I usually use what is called a tuck stitch on the machine.
These are also great face-cloths as well as dish cloths.
Do you crochet or knit toppers for hand towels?

Hey Joyce. I used to knit them on the knitting machine too. My daughter loved them, but started having trouble finding cotton yarn for the knitting machine, mine is mid gauge and hand knitting yarn makes them too stiff. I do them while watching TV, especially during my NASCAR races. No, I don't do the towel toppers. I do make big ones to use as dish towels. I keep one on my counter to set my dishes on after washing them. I love them for babies faces too. I put my knitting machine away, because it was taking away from sewing. And all I seemed to be doing was making swatches. I will get it back out in the winter, maybe.

I can assure you - you are not alone. As soon as I get home with new fabric, I wash, starch, press & fold it. Then sometimes I just sit, admire & pet it for a while. I used to think my sister was crazy when she talked about "fondling her fabric".
Now I understand!

Do you think fabric can get "worn out" from touching it too much?

I apologise! It just hit me that I hi-jacked this thread.
I'm so sorry.

I really am a quilter, but I'm beginning to think that I just collect fabric. Love adding to my stash

Hi I just bought one last month & I have a circle maker so my circles are perfect and it is easy to use . Making the yo-yo are easy & fast. happy going around in circles.. Shirley

Yea,, I guess we all love our fabric, ood or new.