purlJam

# Nespresso Vertuo Pod Dishcloth
**Difficulty Level**: Intermediate  
**Machine**: Bulky (9mm) or Mid-gauge (6.5mm)  
**Yarn**: Worsted weight (100% Cotton)  
- Color A: Pod Color (Brown, Bronze, or Red) - approx. 60 yards  
- Color B: Rim Color (Silver or Light Grey) - approx. 15 yards

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### **Specifications & Setup**
- **Tension Dial**: Main Tension (MT) 8 for Color A; MT 7 for Color B (to keep the rim crisp).
- **Needle Setup**: 14 needles in Work (L14 to R0).
- **Carriage Settings**: 
  - Ensure **Holding Cam/Russell Levers** are set to 'H' or 'II' (needles in D/E position will not knit).
- **Required Tools**: 
  - 1x3 Transfer tool
  - Latch tool (for bind off)
  - Waste yarn and Ravel cord
  - Claw weights (crucial for short rows)

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### **Step 1: Cast On**
1. Bring 14 needles (L14 to R0) to Working Position (B).
2. Cast on with **Waste Yarn** using an e-wrap or weaving method. 
3. Knit 6 rows. **RC 000**. **COL**.
4. Knit 1 row with **Ravel Cord**. **COR**.
5. Change to **Color B (Rim Color)**.

### **Step 2: The Wedge Construction**
*The circle is made of 10 identical wedges. Each wedge uses short-rowing to create the taper.*

#### **Wedge 1**
1. **RC 000, COR**. With **Color B**, knit 1 row to **COL**.
2. **COL**: Set Carriage to **Hold**.
3. **COL**: Bring needles **L14 to L4** (11 needles) out to **Holding Position (E/D)**. Only the 3 needles closest to the carriage (L3, L2, L1) and the center needle (R0) are in work.
   - *Note: We are knitting the rim/outer edge first to establish the color.*
4. Change to **Color A (Pod Color)**. 
5. Follow the short-row sequence below:
   - **Row 1 (COL)**: Knit across the 3 stitches of the rim and the center. (Only 4 needles knit).
   - **Row 2 (COR)**: Wrap the first needle in hold (L4). Knit back to **COL**.
   - **Row 3 (COL)**: Push 1 needle from hold (L4) back into Working Position (B). Knit across.
   - **Row 4 (COR)**: Wrap the next needle in hold (L5). Knit back to **COL**.
   - **Repeat**: Continue pushing 1 needle back into work every **COL** row until all 14 needles are in work. 
6. **RC 022 (approx), COR**. 
7. Change to **Color B (Rim Color)**. 
8. Knit 2 rows across all 14 needles. **RC 024**.

#### **Wedges 2 through 10**
1. Repeat the Wedge 1 sequence 9 more times.
2. Ensure you move your **Claw Weights** up every 10 rows to ensure the short-rowed "inner" stitches don't bunch or drop.
3. **RC Checkpoint**: Final row should be approx. **RC 240**.

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### **Step 3: Finishing & Assembly**
1. **COL**: After the 10th wedge is complete, knit 1 row with Color B.
2. **Ravel Cord**: Knit 1 row across all needles with ravel cord.
3. **Waste Yarn**: Knit 6 rows with waste yarn.
4. **Remove from machine**: Cut yarn and remove work.

#### **Joining the Seam (Kitchener Stitch)**
1. The dishcloth is now a flat circle with a "slit" from the center to the edge.
2. Lay the piece flat. The waste yarn sections are at the beginning and end.
3. Use a tapestry needle and **Color A/B** (matching the sections) to graft the live stitches together using **Kitchener Stitch**. 
   - *Math Validation: 14 stitches at the start + 14 stitches at the end = 28 stitches grafted.*
4. Alternatively, use a **Latch Tool Bind Off**: Rehang the first row of live stitches (from the ravel cord) onto the needles, then hang the last row of live stitches on top. Pull one through the other and bind off.

#### **Center Closure**
1. There will be a small hole in the center (R0 position).
2. Thread a tapestry needle with a tail of **Color A**. 
3. Weave the needle through the 10 "turning" loops at the center.
4. Pull tight like a drawstring bag and knot securely on the WS (Wrong Side).

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### **Final Technical Notes**
- **Blocking**: Cotton yarn will shrink. Steam block the dishcloth to a diameter of 8" (20.3 cm). Avoid "killing" the acrylic if you used a blend; for 100% cotton, a heavy steam will set the circular shape.
- **Vertical Alignment**: Because the Vertuo pod has a flat top, the purl side (Machine Side) actually looks more like the matte finish of a coffee pod. Consider using the **Purl Side as the Right Side**.