An Earth Day Tradition: Two (Temporarily) Free Towel Patterns
UPDATE: The towel patterns are no longer available for free but can be purchased here.
Happy Earth Day! For the 5th year in a row, I’m celebrating this special day with my favorite tradition - the release of two special towel patterns, free for three days only! I am thrilled to add these two patterns to my stack of eco-friendly designs and to be able to offer them to all of you for free for a limited time! Scroll down to find the new Cabin and Cottage Cloth patterns for free through Sunday, April 24th, 2022 at 11:59pm EST, after which they will return to normal pricing and join my Purposeful Patterns initiative whereby $1 from the sale of each pattern will be donated to Cool Earth.
Earth Day, of course, is a chance for us to celebrate all this beautiful planet provides to us and an opportunity to re-evaluate how we are giving back to her. Sustainability has become a key component of nearly every industry, and knitwear biz is no different. Recycled fibers, repurposed projects, and an emphasis on slow fashion have all gained momentum in recent years, both in the handmade sector and in the high fashion world as well.
The mission of saving the planet can seem overwhelming, but the small steps we can take each day to help protect the Earth do add up. Eating less meat, choosing to support sustainable clothing and furniture brands, shopping local, utilizing public transportation, selecting eco-friendly energy sources, among many other things all make an impact. While you may not be able to live a completely carbon neutral life, making as many eco-friendly choices as you can is always better than making none at all.
Even when it comes to making your own clothes, there are things to consider, such as your fiber choice. When it comes to the yarn industry, just like the fashion industry, there are a lot of discussions on sustainable and eco-friendly fibers. Acrylic often gets a bad rap for releasing microplastics into waterways, but there are other benefits to it such as accessibility, affordability, and the fact that it causes less allergies. Many “eco-friendly” yarns are actually problematic as well. Did you know, for instance, that it takes up to 2700 liters of water to produce one cotton shirt, or that wool production is linked to several harmful impacts on the planet? It’s a complicated and layered conversation, and it seems that most choices come at an expense.
I think it’s important to consider these things before we pass judgment on others for their choices. We do not see the full lifestyle of an individual through their social media personas, so there’s really no way to know what choices they are making behind the screen. Perhaps the person using only acrylic yarn is vegan. Perhaps the person buying organic cotton eats red meat every day. Each has a positive and negative impact. I try to remind myself of this while I try to make better choices where I can and when I can.
Committing to reusable bags is another small way to help reduce your footprint, and what better way than to knit or crochet those items too!? Here are a some of my favorite bags that are great for all kinds of shopping, grocery or otherwise:
You can find a free version of this pattern on the blog here.
+ DESCRIPTION
Head to the beach or the market in style with your own French market bag. Constructed from a large net square, this durable tote is lightweight and expandable to fit your goodies from the farmers' market, your beach essentials, or a few bushels of wildflowers.
This pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarn Company using their 24/7 Cotton yarn. To purchase a kit please visit their site here.
+ SKILLS
This is an intermediate level crochet pattern and the techniques involved are single crochet, single crocheting 2 and 3 stitches together, half double crochet, treble crochet, chaining and skipping stitches, working into chain spaces, and working in back and forth rows as well as in the round.
+ SIZING
Width: 16”/41cm
Length: 17”/43cm
Straps: 20”/51cm
*A link to download the pattern will be sent upon payment completion. This link will expire after 24 hrs.
All patterns are written in standard US terms.
The pattern and photographs of this garment are the property of Two of Wands. This pattern and design are subject to copyright, and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not distribute or sell this pattern or any items created using the directions in this pattern without consent. For more information, please visit the policies here.
A free version of this pattern can be found on my blog here.
Shop the yarn here.
Tote your computer and/or notebooks in style with the Folio Tote. This beginner friendly bag is simple and chic – the ultimate modern combination!
SIZES
One size
FINISHED DIMENSIONS
Width: 13”/33cm
Length: 16”/40.5cm
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Beginner
SKILLS
Knit stitch
Working in the round
All Two of Wands patterns are written in standard US terms.
SELLING FINISHED ITEMS
Small batch sales of finished pieces made from this pattern are permitted, but seller must use their own photographs and credit must be given to Two of Wands as the designer.
The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Two of Wands and are for personal, non-commercial use only. These files are protected by US copyright, and you may not distribute or sell them electronically or physically.
HELP
Join the Crew of Wands Facebook group to connect with other makers of Two of Wands patterns for help with techniques and pattern related questions.
You can find a free version of this pattern on the blog here.
+ DESCRIPTION
Go green (or mauve!) this spring and shop in style with the Thistle Market Bag. This knit tote is durable and stretchy and the perfect companion to take to the market. Elegant and functional, you’ll never want to leave home without it!
This pattern is part of a collaboration with LoveKnitting using their MillaMia Naturally Soft Cotton yarn. To purchase the yarn please visit their site here.
+ SKILLS
This is an intermediate level knitting pattern and the techniques involved are the knit and purl stitches, K2tog, SSK, and S2KP decreases, the yarn over increase, working flat and in the round, picking up and knitting stitches, and working an attached i-cord. For video tutorials of each technique visit the LoveKnitting site here
All patterns are written in standard US terms.
+ SIZING
Width: 13”/33cm
Length: 16”/41cm
Strap Length: 20”/51cm
*A link to download the pattern will be sent upon payment completion. This link will expire after 24 hrs.
The pattern and photographs of this garment are the property of Two of Wands. This pattern and design are subject to copyright, and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not distribute or sell this pattern or any items created using the directions in this pattern without consent. For more information, please visit the policies here.
You can find a free version of this pattern on the blog here.
+ DESCRIPTION
This mesh bag set is the ultimate duo in accessories! A roomy tote for market scores, beach day essentials, or picnic must-haves in addition to a chic bottle bag to ensure you are always hydrated make the perfect pair this season. These quick projects are stylish, quick, and functional – the best combo!
This pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarn Company using their 24/7 Cotton yarn. To purchase a kit please visit their site here.
+ SKILLS
This is an intermediate level crochet pattern and the techniques involved are single crochet, double crochet, slip stitch, and chaining and skipping stitches.
+ SIZING
Tote Bag:
A Width laying flat: 21”/53.5cm
B Length: 15”/38cm
C Depth: 7”/18cm
D Strap length: 15”/38cm
Bottle Bag:
A Circumference: 10”/25.5cm
B Length (adjustable): 7”/18cm
C Strap length: 50”/127cm
*A link to download the pattern will be sent upon payment completion. This link will expire after 24 hrs.
All patterns are written in standard US terms.
The patterns and photographs of items on this site are the property of Two of Wands and are for personal, non-commercial use only. These patterns files are protected by US copyright, and you may not distribute or sell them electronically or physically. Small batch sales of finished pieces made from these patterns are permitted, but seller must use their own photographs and credit must be given to Two of Wands as the designer.
Even though I am totally slammed working on my spring/summer collection, I couldn’t let Earth Day pass without designing the Cottage and Cabin Cloths. It’s something I look forward to each year, and I’m always jotting down sketches and ideas to a notebook where I keep all of my ideas for future towel patterns.
This year my inspiration came from the idea of a cozy seaside or mountaintop escape. Maybe it’s because I’ve been cooped up in the Catskills working on the new collection, or all of the British crime dramas set in the vast and mysterious countryside that I’ve been watching, but the mood is definitely rustic and functional.
Read about the inspo behind the previous four years' towels here:
2018: Alsace and Marseille Tea Towels
2019: Barrow and Waverly Hand Towels
2020: Brimfield and Berkshire Dishcloths
As per tradition, these patterns will be available for free here on the blog for three days from 4/22/22 through 4/24/22. Starting on 4/25/22, they will only be available for purchase as printer-friendly, ad-free PDFs. The PDFs are part of my "Purposeful Patterns" initiative, whereby $1 from the sale of each pattern will be donated to a worthy cause.
This year I chose to support Cool Earth, a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing climate change through the protection of rainforests, by giving control back to the people who live in them. According to their site,
“Indigenous peoples and local communities have lived in balance with rainforest for thousands of years and are the real rainforest experts. They are people who face extreme injustice whilst living on the front line of the climate crisis. We champion the relationship between people, rainforest and climate.
Cool Earth exists to give cash direct to rainforest communities, to fund projects that create choice, tackle the root causes of deforestation and protect vital carbon sinks. This is our mission. To back people, to protect the rainforest and fight the climate crisis.”
Giving back through my Purposeful Patterns initiative is another small way I aim to make a positive impact, and I love taking the time to learn about incredible organizations like Cool Earth.
Please enjoy the following patterns !
The Cabin Cloth
With a sophisticated rustic look, the Cabin Cloth feels both modern and classic. The simple stitches play back and forth to create a cozy, woodsy-chic textured fabric.
Purchase the printer-friendly, ad-free PDF here.
The Cottage Cloth
With its charming and classic appeal, the Cottage Cloth is ideal for any home. Simple repetitive stitches come together to form a sophisticated pattern with a countryside feel that’s both intriguing and comforting.
Purchase the printer-friendly, ad-free PDF here.
Don't forget to share your projects made using Two of Wands patterns on Instagram with the hashtag #crewofwands so your post will get featured on my site and you'll be in the running for monthly pattern giveaways!
Join the Crew of Wands Facebook group to connect with other makers of Two of Wands patterns for help with techniques and pattern related questions.
The patterns and photographs of items on this site are the property of Two of Wands and are for personal, non-commercial use only. These patterns files are protected by US copyright, and you may not distribute or sell them electronically or physically. Small batch sales of finished pieces made from these patterns are permitted, but seller must use their own photographs and credit must be given to Two of Wands as the designer.
