Knitted Mitred Garter-Stitch Trivet

Instructions

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1. 1Preparation and cast onUse each colour double, either from two balls or from the centre and outside of one ball. With A, cast on 49 stitches using the long-tail method (49 sts). The 25th stitch is the centre stitch; attach the marker to it and move it up every few rows.
2. 2Row 1Row 1 (WS): With A, knit all (49 sts). Every wrong-side row is worked this way, knitted plain.
3. 3Decrease row patternRight-side rows (rows 2, 4, 6 ...): knit to the stitch before the centre stitch, CDD, knit to end (2 sts decreased on every RS row). For example, row 2: k23, CDD, k23 (47 sts). Row 4: k22, CDD, k22 (45 sts). One of the two slipped stitches in the CDD is the centre stitch, and because it stays on top the centre line runs straight up.
4. 4Colour stripesAlways change colour at the start of a right-side row so the stripes are clean on the right side: change to B on row 2, to A on row 6, to B on row 10, and so on every 4 rows (rows 2, 6, 10 ... 46). Carry the waiting colour up the edge without cutting it, catching it under the working yarn at each change. Row 46 is worked in A.
5. 5Towards the cornerContinue the decreases up to row 46; at the end of row 46, 3 sts remain (3 sts). Over 23 right-side rows 46 stitches have been decreased, and the two outer edges meet along the diagonal to form the square. Cut B leaving 15 cm.
6. 6Hanging loop (i-cord)Work an i-cord in A on the remaining 3 stitches: k3, don't turn, slide the stitches to the other end of the needle, pull the yarn across the back and k3 again. Repeat 16 times (about 6 cm). Then knit the 3 stitches together, cut the yarn leaving 20 cm and pull it through the last stitch. Fold the i-cord into a loop and sew its end firmly to the corner of the trivet.
7. 7Finishing and blockingWeave all ends into the edges within their own colours. Wet the trivet, squeeze out the water in a towel and dry it flat, pulling the corners square. Under very hot pots, placing a wooden board beneath the trivet protects your table better.