A Knit Turkey Dishcloth Might Make Cleanup More Fun This Thanksgiving

The worst thing to me about big holiday meals is cleaning up after. There are always more dishes than can possibly fit in the dishwasher (or you used the good china that can’t be washed in the machine), not to mention serving platters that are too big for the machine, all the pots and pans…

Maybe having a novelty dishcloth would make some of the cleaning a little more fun?

I don’t know. But the Turkey Day Dishcloth from One Crafty Mama might bring a little smile to your face while you’re elbows-deep in suds.

Dishcloths are generally quick and easy, finish in a weekend or a couple of evenings kinds of projects, and this one is even better because the textured design is simply worked in Garter Stitch on a field of Stockinette and the instructions are written out row by row, no chart-reading required.

This is a great choice for a newer knitter who wants to make something a little more involved but still perfectly easy, or for a knitter with more experience to whip up in a flash.

[Photo: One Crafty Mama.]

Why use dishcloths? Dishcloths are re-useable and save on kitchen waste. Most dishcloths are made using cotton yarn and can be thrown into the washing machine when dirty. This makes them very hygienic, especially when compared to kitchen sponges, which sit on the sinks for days if not weeks. Another great thing about dishcloths is when it comes to knitting the knit up quickly and are great for gift giving. Everyone needs a dishcloth. For gifting, It’s not something that has to be in fashion or a certain colour for the recipient to like it, though there are so many great dishcloth pattern designs out there.

Looking for Thanksgiving projects to knit? Check out these patterns we found on Etsy.

If your family is the sort to do a turkey trot for Thanksgiving, or even just to take family pictures, you’ll want to get started knitting up some Turkey Sack Hats with this pattern from Underground Crafter.

The pattern uses super bulky yarn and is rated easy. It’s knit flat but there are a few skills in here around the shaping of the eyes, which includes changing colors, working bobbles and doing a wicked purl 3 together decrease. Twice.

But that’s all in one row, and the rest of it is pretty simple. The beak is worked separately and sewn on, and the side of the hat is stitched up to make it into a hat.

What’s great about this one is that it comes in 10 sizes, ranging from newborn to adult large, so you really can make one for everyone in the family. And because it uses super bulky yarn you can knit a bunch pretty quickly if that’s a thing you’d like to do.

It’s also fun because you could use this base pattern to make different animals or for different holidays. Make it all in orange and stitch on a jack o’lantern face for Halloween, or make a white one that’s a snowman, for example.

In any style this would also be a fun gag gift for that person in your life who has everything or doesn’t want gifts, or if you do a secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange at work or elsewhere.

And make sure whether you’re making it a turkey or some other character that you include the pom poms at the top! They’re just so cure and a great way to add a bit more color to the project, and they’re easy to make. (See also: ways to make a pompom with yarn.)

You can grab the free pattern at the Underground Crafter website.

[Photo: Underground Crafter]

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