Easy Cleanup:
If you use a wet mop with disposable pads, you'll find that you go through a lot of those pads if you clean your floors very often. One solution is to knit yourself some mop covers, like this super-easy Garter Stitch Mop cover.
Inspired by the "Swifty" pattern in Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines, this one is even quicker and easier thanks to the Garter Stitch and I-cord ties.
Use up any little bits of cotton yarn you've got left from other projects, and in just a few hours you'll have a great utilitarian piece of knitting that you'll get a lot more use out of than that fancy sweater (not that there's anything wrong with fancy sweaters!).
Materials:
- about 55 yards assorted medium-weight cotton yarn
- one pair size 8 US (5mm) knitting needles
- two size 8 US (5mm) double-pointed knitting needles
- tape measure, scissors and yarn needle
Gauge:
16 stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches (4 stitches and 8 rows per inch) in Garter Stitch. Gauge is not that critical but finished project needs to be about the same size as the mop.
Size:
Finished cover is 5 inches wide and 10 inches long. To fit commercially available mops with disposable pads.
Instructions:
- Cast on 20 stitches.
- Work in Garter Stitch (knit every row) until piece measures 10 inches. Change colors as needed or desired throughout the project.
- Bind off. Cut yarn and weave in ends.
- Using a double-pointed needle, pick up and knit 3 stitches along the long edge of your knit piece, 2 inches from the corner. Work an I-cord for about 8 inches (that makes a tie long enough to tie in a bow, as shown; if you prefer just a knot you can make them shorter). Bind off.
- Make another cord in the same manner on the opposite side of the piece, and on each side of the piece 2 inches from the other corners.
- Weave in remaining ends.
