Here’s the latest edition to The Cotton Yarn Chronicles! This mat is so soft and comfy on the feet; it’s hard to believe it’s a bath mat! And since it’s made using absorbent cotton yarn, it’s perfect for the bathroom, but that doesn’t mean it’s only for the bathroom… modify the colors and it will work anywhere in the house where you can use a soft, absorbent mat or rug- a couple of ideas are the entryway or by the sink in the kitchen.
Cotton Bath Mat or Rug Knitting Pattern
Finished Size: Approximately 28″ x 38″ when flat.
Materials:
16 balls of Bernat Cotton Yarn and/or Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Yarn; 109 m/ 120 yds in purple, blue, green, teal, sage, and jewel.
1 Pair 9mm / size 13 – 80mm length circular knitting needles (I like bamboo circular knitting needles).
Gauge:
11 stitches = 6 inches and 10 rows = 3 inches. Gauge is not important for this pattern; I am providing this information for those who want to check their gauge.
Instructions:
Knit entire pattern holding 4 strands of yarn together. Cast on 53 stitches. *Knit the seed stitch- knit one, purl one for 52 stitches; end with a knit stitch. Turn.* Repeat directions between the * until mat measures 38″ or desired length. Bind off, tie off and weave in ends.
Notes:
This pattern can be knitted any size by adjusting how many stitches you cast on- just always cast on an odd number of stitches and start and end with a knit stitch in order to achieve the seed stitch. If you decide to make a bigger rug, you may have to use longer circular needles.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave a reply!
Enjoy! 
-Mi
Great idea. I will give it a try. Sugar and Cream is available at really great prices on cones at Walmart.
The cotton yarn comes in different size balls. What size did you use? You use 6 colors and call for 16 balls. 16 balls of each color?? Thanks! I can’t wait to make this.
Hi Susan!
The balls I used for this are the 109 m/ 120 yds size. I’ll make sure to update the pattern with that info- thanks for catching that! And it’s 16 balls total- I alternated the colors I used throughout. Of course, you don’t have to use 6 colors- I’d use at least 3 different colors if you want to get the multicolor effect, but you can use how many or how few different colors as you like.
Hope that helps!
Michelle
Thanks so much for the info!!!! 😀
What a great way to get the color combination you want!
Thanks Michele!
Great Idea!! Long time ago, I had bought 3 Lion Cotton yarn ( 236 yards) and I was wondering if I can use them. I don’t understand your pattern: *Knit the seed stitch- knit one, purl one for 52 stitches; end with a knit stitch. Turn.* Repeat directions between the * Do we just keep repeating this pattern until we get the size we want. Thanks.
Hi Rita!
You can use any yarn you want, as long as it
Hi Michelle,
I didn’t see your corrected response. Did I miss something? Michael’s has a sale on Sugar n Cream yarn 4 for $5. and I was going to buy them. Hope they work. Thanks.
Hi Rita,
Sorry about that- I corrected my original response to avoid confusion, but I caused more confusion instead. :/
The seed stich is basically knit one, purl one for every row, but have an odd number of stitches in the row so you have the bumps or
Great Idea!! I would LIKE to KNIT a DOORMAT and I was wondering if you can suggest some yarns for it? And, if this pattern would work for it also. I understand the Seed Stitch Pattern but where you say turn that confuses me. But, I will make me one. Thanks.
Hi Rita!
I’m glad you like it! For a doormat, I would either add a couple more strands of the cotton yarn and use a bigger hook, OR try some heavy rug yarn
.
When I say “turn” in the pattern, it simply means once you finish a row, you turn your work and start another row going in the opposite direction.
Hope that helps!
Hi Michelle,
Michaels has a sale on Sugar and Cream so I thought I would go buy some for this Bathroom Mat that I want to make.
I need some clarification: You use 6 colors and 16 balls. So if I wanted to make something like yours, I would need 16 balls total?
If they are 120 yards size ( you bought 16 of them). On sale these are 2.5 oz so I would need 16 of them?
Regarding “turn” in the pattern: If my stitches are on Left needle and I am finish knitting, so stitches are on the Right needle. So, I turn and knit on right needle? If this correct.
You said you used Size 13 ( 80 Length Circular), that’s a very Long needle. Could you use Straight 14 inch Long needles?
Thank you very much.
Rita
Hello again Rita!
Okay, I’ll answer your questions as you asked them:
Yes, you will need 16 balls of the Sugar ‘n Cream in the size you mentioned to make a rug the same size as mine.
I think you might be overthinking the term “turn.” Have you ever made something like this before, or something that works up in a similar fashion, like a scarf? It’s the same concept. As you work a row, the stitches get transferred from the left needle in your left hand to the right needle in your right hand. When you finish the row, all the stitches are on the right needle in your right hand. Then you “turn” so the needle with all the stitches are now in your left hand and the empty needle is now in your right hand. Then you begin a new row. Does that make sense?
Yes, you do need the 80cm needle… the rug is 28″ X 38″, and the 28″ part is the stitches that are on the needles. A 14″ needle will not work, even if you were to bunch up the stitches on the needle.
I hope all this helps!
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Michelle
Hello
I just want to. conferm that even though you used 6 colors the pattern is knit with only 4 stands throughout.
Hi Renae!
Yes, this is correct- while working the pattern, when I ran out of one color I would sometimes switch it with another color. You can use as many or few colors as you like, but it is always 4 strands being worked through the entire pattern.