The internet says Tea towels tend to vary from widths of 16-20 inches (40-51 cm) and lengths of 25-30 inches (63-76 cm).
So the plan for this is to create something of these approximate dimensions with turned hem (hung hem) ends (hung hems to be done later off the machine).
Plan: 45cm x 71cm - Using 45 needles on the left and right of zero point. Open cast on with scrap maybe 10 rows. Add project yarn with the carriage on the right and a tuck punch card. Unlock the punch card by lowering the left switch and move the carriage to the left and right. Lock the card and begin the pattern with enough rows for the desired dimensions.
This project used a total of 90 needles worked in tuck carriage tension 7, mast tension 5 with a total of 450 rows. Open cast on and off. Scrap and another created next.
Finished dishcloth after steaming is 39cm x 67cm
LEARNING MOMENT: Leaving both ends with unfinished ends (tuck right to the edges) made finishing a challenge. I am NOT pleased with the ends of the project (that I made two of - perhaps I’ll use them myself and more more - better). :)
OPTION 1) A better plan might be a row of non-patterning (just knitting) as a hung hem finish - maybe 20 rows for this project.
2) Patterning then two plain knitted rows then back to patterning with the last row or two plain knitting.
Upgraded Tea Towel Version
Carriage tension 10, mast tension 1
Using 45 needles on the left and right of zero point (90 needles). Open cast on with scrap and load the punch card (Tuck No. 3) so that its ready when time to use it. With scrap work maybe 30 rows.
HUNG HEM: Add two strands of project yarn with the carriage on the right and work a Hung Hem by working 10 rows then hang the beginning row. TIP: Some people work a larger stitch size on the edge of the hung hem turn to allow it to better sit flat - I haven’t really found this necessary. As I hang each stitch and work from the left to the right where the carriage is (and the start yarn tail), I pause first and thread the yarn tail into the work where it will be hidden.
MAIN BODY OF THE PROJECT: Now we begin the main body of the towel by reading the tuck punch card by lowering the left switch and move the carriage to the left and right. Lock the card and begin the pattern with enough rows for the desired dimensions. This project has a total of 300 rows.
HUNG HEM: Turning off the punch card (lowering the side levers and changing the carriage dial from Tuck back to regular knitting, work the same number of rows as done for the first HUNG HEM. Add scrap and continue making more towels as needed. The final hung hem will be manually finished off the machine with a darning needle.
