Bamboo Soap Sweaters

I made these using SWTC Bamboo in white. You hold 2 strands together so its nice and thick.
Knit in the round on DPNs, and closed with a snap. Or you could make a buttonhole to close if you prefer. This soap sweater could be used more than once which is why I made it to be able to open/close, but you could sew it up at both ends if you prefer to only use a soap sweater once.

Bamboo is soooooo nice and soft and absorbs heaps of water so these are great to shower with. Copyright Nicole Thorson 2009.

Materials:
SWTC bamboo in white (or any colour you lke)
4.00mm (US 6) DPNS
Snap and Snapsetter (or a button if you prefer to make a button hole). A Plastic snap is better than metal as the metal may rust.

Method:
Holding 2 strands together, Cast on 30 stitches and join in the round.
Distribute stitches as follows:

Either
Needle 1 - 7 sts, needle 2 - 15 sts, needle 3 - 8 sts.
or
Needle 1 - 8 sts, needle 2 - 14 sts, needle 3 - 8 sts

(Depending on if your pattern requires an odd or even number of stitches on needle 2)
Needle 2 is where you put your pattern. You can do whatever you like here.
Always knit needles 1 and 3.


Firstly, Knit one round. Then start your pattern:


Cable Soap Sweater: (needle 2 14 sts)
Round 1 - K3, P1, K6, P1,K3
Round 2 - As round 1
Round 3 - As round 1
Round 4 - K3, P1, CB6, P1, K3.

Basketweave Soap sweater: (needle 2 15 sts)
Round 1- k3, p3,k3,p3,k3
Round 2 - as round 1
Round 3 - as round 1
Round 4 - p3,k3,p3,k3,p3
Round 5 - as round 4
Round 6 - as round 4.

Moss Stitch Soap Sweater (needle 2 15 sts)
Round 1 - k1,p1, k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1
Round 2 - p1, k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1


Repeat the pattern until work measures as long as your soap. You can put the soap in to check.


Next round:
Needle 1 - knit
Needle 2 - cast off 14 (or 15) stitches
Needle 3 - knit.

Put remaining stitches onto one needle and continue working back and forth on these 16 (or15) stitches.

Work 4 rows stocking stitch

Next row -
Row one: SSK, knit to last 2 stitches, k2tog.
Row two - P2tog, purl to end, p2togtbl.

Repeat rows one and two until 4 (or 3) stitches remain, cast off or draw thread through stitches to bind.

Sew up the bottom, place a snap at the top to close.

Slip your soap in and go have a shower!


Alternatively:
Work a button hole in during the decreases., attatch a button to close instead of a snap.
Cast on using a provisional cast on and graft using kitchener stitch.
Stop before decreases and graft at the top if you don't want it to open and close.
Try other patterns on needle 2!


Enjoy!