Book Review: Knit the City Building Blocks

Jake Henzler first designed knit blocks that look like buildings to commemorate his travels to Copenhagen; over time he added other cities and developed still more city blocks for the book Knit the City Building Blocks.

The book includes designs inspired by Copenhagen, Amsterdam, New York, Paris, Sydney, London and Prague.

The book has the blocks for each city together, and they generally increase in difficulty as the book goes on. The beginning of each section includes design notes that include gauge, block measurements and the ratio of different amounts of yarn needed for each block.

Patterns are charted and there are additional elements you can mix and match to make your own blocks with the help of an included blank grid. Sketches of different block ideas are included to give you more options you can use or build on to make your own designs. Suggestions for sizing are given for making a pillow cover, baby blanket and larger blanket but there are no actual patterns.

The squares call for fingering weight yarn, though of course you can use heavier yarn and make bigger blocks if you like. The blocks are worked flat with stranded knitting, and the author advises not working more than three stitches before you trap a float (the book also talks about leaving long floats on the back and trapping them on the purl row if you need to go more than three stitches).

Having never been to any of these cities, I can’t say how well the buildings represent their respective places, but they are cute. I do like that the London blocks had gray sky worked in ribbing, which represents the gloominess for which London is famous.

Even if you’re not from or haven’t visited one of these places, the idea of making a city block blanket or other project is appealing, and there are lots of variations you can use to make the designs your own or make them look similar to buildings where you live.

I might have liked to see the blocks used in a greater diversity of projects, even if there weren’t patterns included. Building blocks on a sweater or vest would be super cute, for example.

Knit the City inspires knitters to look at their communities or places they travel to in a new way, and to make knitting projects from those observations.

About the book: 128 pages, paperback. Published 2026 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99.

There’s something rather lovely about giving a present that doesn’t need batteries, a size exchange or a cleared space on the mantelpiece. A little stack of knitted dishcloths might sound humble, but choose beautiful cotton, add a ribbon and tuck in a wooden kitchen spoon, and suddenly you’ve got a thoughtful handmade Christmas gift.

They’re also a sensible option when your gift list is growing faster than your available knitting time. There are no sleeves to finish, no measurements to discreetly extract from relatives, and no enormous project bag taking over the sofa.

These dishcloth knitting patterns for Christmas gifts include festive motifs, candy-cane stripes and textured designs that can stay beside the sink all year. There’s a mix of free and paid patterns, with options for newer knitters and anyone ready to try a little colourwork or cabling.

Candy Cane C2C Dishcloth from Handy Little Me

The free Candy Cane C2C Dishcloth turns simple garter stitch into a cheerful Christmas present with alternating red and white stripes. It’s knitted corner to corner using increases and decreases, making it a useful next project for someone who has mastered the knit stitch. I like this one for a batch of matching gifts because the stripes provide the decoration without a separate picture chart to follow. Wrap a couple around a wooden spoon for a small kitchen present with plenty of festive charm.

Christmas Stocking Dishcloth from Daisy and Storm

The free Christmas Stocking Dishcloth creates its stocking motif with knit and purl stitches rather than multiple colours. That makes it appealing for knitters who enjoy a picture emerging row by row but would prefer to avoid managing extra yarn. Choose a solid colour so the texture gets its moment; busy variegated cotton could hide those details. The instructions are available on the website, with an optional paid PDF for anyone who prefers a printable copy.

Christmas Bell Mosaic Dishcloth by Melissa Mann

The paid Christmas Bell Mosaic Dishcloth has a festive bell design worked with knit and slipped stitches. You use one colour at a time, which makes it an inviting introduction to mosaic knitting for someone ready to move beyond plain cloths. Written and charted instructions are included, and the finished cloth measures approximately nine inches square. I’d choose two strongly contrasting cotton colours to keep that little bell looking crisp.

Make It Shine Dishcloths from DROPS Design

The free Make It Shine Dishcloths combine stripes and texture in a coordinated collection. The suggested red, off-white and dark beige palette feels Christmassy without needing a Santa motif on every square. At approximately 26cm square, these are a generous option for a kitchen gift bundle, particularly for a recipient who likes useful household presents. They would suit a knitter comfortable following stitch patterns and changing colours who wants several cloths that look good together.

Linen Dishcloth from Studio Knit

The Linen Dishcloth has a woven-looking texture that makes a practical little cloth feel quite special. It’s worked flat on straight needles, with free instructions on the website and an optional paid printable pattern. This is a lovely choice for knitters wanting to explore slip-stitch texture, and for recipients whose kitchen colours don’t involve Christmas red. I’d make a coordinated set in cream, sage and a soft neutral so it feels right at home long after the decorations come down.

Christmas Tree Dishcloth by Melissa Mann

The paid Christmas Tree Dishcloth offers two chart options: a tree with a living-room scene and a version with a plain background. Its mosaic construction uses knit and slipped stitches with one colour worked at a time, so the picture looks more involved than the colour handling actually is. Written instructions accompany the charts, which is handy if you like having both formats available. Choose this one for the friend who starts planning their Christmas decorating before anyone else has put away Halloween.

Cotton Diamond Dishcloth from Crucci

The free Cotton Diamond Dishcloth is a good option when you want the gift to feel handmade without being overtly seasonal. The design features diamond detailing and uses one ball of Crucci Pure Cotton 8ply with 4mm needles, producing a cloth approximately 23cm square. It’s worth considering for knitters who prefer a single-colour project with decorative texture. The digital pattern is listed as a free product that you add to your cart, so allow for that download step before settling into your knitting chair.

Nordic Dishcloth from Knit Picks

The free Nordic Dishcloth by Allison Griffith brings cables into the Christmas gift basket. The cable design incorporates both knit and purl stitches, creating texture on both sides rather than leaving one side as an afterthought. This is the one I’d suggest for a knitter who wants some cable practice in a manageable project. A rich green or creamy cotton would give it a cosy winter look while keeping it useful throughout the year.

It’s the Season to Relax Cloths from DROPS Design

The free It’s the Season to Relax Cloths offer textured designs in a soothing palette of blues and greens. Each cloth measures approximately 24cm square and is worked in DROPS Paris cotton using 4.5mm needles. They’re a good choice for knitters comfortable following a texture pattern who want a Christmas present with a quieter colour scheme. Make a small coordinated stack for someone who appreciates handmade kitchen accessories but doesn’t necessarily want holly and reindeer beside the washing-up bowl.

Grandma’s Dishcloth from PepperKnits

The free Grandma’s Dishcloth is a familiar corner-to-corner garter-stitch design with basic increases and decreases. It’s beginner-friendly and uses approximately 60 yards of worsted-weight cotton for an eight-inch cloth, making it a useful option for small gift sets. The page also includes an optional printable gift tag featuring a traditional religious poem, which may suit someone on your Christmas list. For a recipient who loves simple, old-fashioned handmade things, this is a lovely place to start.

Choosing Yarn for Your Christmas Dishcloths

For a cloth intended for washing dishes, I’d start with a washable cotton yarn in the weight specified by the designer. Check the ball band for care instructions, especially when combining colours, and remember that different patterns use different amounts of yarn.

Solid shades are particularly helpful for knitted pictures, diamonds and cables because they let the stitch detail show. Save the colour changes for striped or mosaic designs where they’re part of the pattern.

If you’re making several gifts, finish one cloth before buying yarn for the whole batch. You’ll get a much better feel for the finished size, the fabric and whether you actually enjoy knitting that repeat. A pattern can be beautiful and still be something you only want to knit once.

Making a Little Stack Feel Like a Proper Present

Two or three coordinating dishcloths make a lovely small gift. Fold them neatly, tie them with cotton ribbon or string, and add a handwritten tag with the yarn’s washing instructions.

For someone who enjoys baking, tuck the cloths into a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon and a favourite handwritten recipe. For a neighbour or Christmas host, pair them with a tea towel in a complementary colour. You don’t need to add much; the knitting is already the thoughtful part.

And do tell the recipient to use them. Handmade dishcloths have a habit of being declared “too nice” and disappearing into a drawer. These are little gifts made for everyday life—even the bit involving the washing-up.

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