purlJam

# Sunflower-Inspired Garter Stitch Altar Cloth
### Beginner • Worsted Weight • Knit Flat

**Note:** This is a simple garter stitch pattern. For a true realized **Sunflower motif** (with petals, lace, or intarsia colorwork charts) and other complex stitch patterns, request an **intermediate or advanced difficulty** pattern for full stitch pattern support with charts and detailed instructions. The version below is a beginner-friendly, sunflower-*inspired* color-block cloth: a golden-yellow center field framed by a brown ("sunflower seed-head") border.

---

## Finished Measurements
- **Width:** approx. 24 in (61 cm)
- **Length:** approx. 24 in (61 cm)
- A balanced square is ideal for an altar cloth; adjust as needed (see Customizing).

## Materials
- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (#4) yarn
  - **Color A (Golden Yellow):** approx. 350–400 yds (320–366 m)
  - **Color B (Brown):** approx. 120–150 yds (110–137 m)
- **Needles:** US 8 / 5 mm straight or circular needles (24 in / 60 cm circular recommended to hold all stitches comfortably)
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, scissors

## Gauge
- **18 sts and 36 rows = 4 in (10 cm)** in garter stitch (knit every row), after blocking.
- *Take time to check your gauge.* Garter stitch row gauge matters here since the whole cloth is garter.

**Gauge math check:**
- Width: 24 in × (18 sts ÷ 4 in) = **108 sts** ✓
- Length: 24 in × (36 rows ÷ 4 in) = **216 rows** ✓

## Abbreviations (US)
- **k** = knit
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **RS / WS** = right side / wrong side

---

## Pattern Notes
- The entire cloth is worked in **garter stitch (knit every row)** — there is no purling.
- Because every row is knit, both sides look the same; there is no "wrong" side to hide.
- The border is created simply by changing to Color B for the first and last several rows, and by working the first and last few stitches of every row in Color B is **not** required in this beginner version — we keep it simple with a top/bottom border only. (For a full four-sided border, see the optional instructions below.)

---

## Instructions

### Bottom Border (Color B – Brown)
1. With **Color B**, cast on **108 sts**.
2. Knit every row for **9 rows** (approx. 1 in / 2.5 cm).
   - *Check: 9 rows ÷ (36 rows ÷ 4 in) = 1 in ✓*

### Center Field (Color A – Golden Yellow)
3. Change to **Color A**.
4. Knit every row until the piece measures approx. **23 in (58 cm)** from the cast-on edge — that is about **198 rows total** worked so far (9 border rows + 189 center rows).
   - *Check: 189 rows ÷ 9 (rows per inch ≈ 9) = 21 in of yellow; 1 in bottom border + 21 in center = 22 in, leaving 1 in for the top border below.*

### Top Border (Color B – Brown)
5. Change to **Color B**.
6. Knit every row for **9 rows** (approx. 1 in / 2.5 cm).
   - *Total rows: 9 + 198 + 9 = 216 rows = 24 in ✓*
7. **Bind off** loosely knitwise. Cut yarn, leaving a 6 in (15 cm) tail.

---

## Optional: Four-Sided Border (Side Borders in Color B)
If you would like the brown border to frame all four sides:
- During the **Center Field** rows, work the **first 5 sts and last 5 sts of every row in Color B**, and the middle **98 sts in Color A** (5 + 98 + 5 = 108 ✓).
- This requires carrying two colors along each row; it adds a little complexity but is still all-knit. If you prefer to stay simplest, keep the top/bottom border only.

---

## Customizing the Size
- **To make it wider:** Cast on in multiples to match your desired width. Cast-on sts = desired width (in) × 4.5 (since 18 sts ÷ 4 in = 4.5 sts/in). Example: 30 in × 4.5 = 135 sts.
- **To make it longer:** Knit more or fewer rows. Rows = desired length (in) × 9 (since 36 rows ÷ 4 in = 9 rows/in).

---

## Finishing
1. **Weave in all ends** with the tapestry needle, working tails into the garter ridges of their matching color.
2. **Block** the cloth: wet-block or steam-block to even out the stitches and square the corners. Pin to **24 × 24 in (61 × 61 cm)** and allow to dry fully. Blocking gives the cloth a flat, professional drape suitable for an altar.

---

## Quick Reference Summary
| Section | Color | Rows | Stitches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom border | B (Brown) | 9 | 108 |
| Center field | A (Yellow) | 198 | 108 |
| Top border | B (Brown) | 9 | 108 |
| **Total** | — | **216** | **108** |

**Final dimensions verified:** 108 sts ÷ 4.5 sts/in = 24 in wide; 216 rows ÷ 9 rows/in = 24 in long. ✓

Enjoy your beginner-friendly, sunflower-inspired altar cloth!