Dishcloth Knitting Patterns

Dishcloths and washcloths are fun and quick project that are great for travel, for trying out new stitches and for having on hand as gifts. Here are a few fun projects to try, which you can find on Etsy.

The Woven Waves Dish Towel from Nich Knits uses slipped stitches to make a fun textured pattern that looks more complicated than it is but can totally be worked by new knitters.

Oh La Lana Designs has a great set of dishcloth knitting patterns that uses only knits and purls, so it’s great for newer knitters who want to try out some new stitch patterns. The little diamonds in particular are a lot of fun and add scrubbing power.

The Ocean View Dishcloth from Goose Creek Knits alternates Garter Stitch and ribbing for a look that’s really interesting but still easy to knit. This one is worked on the bias so it adds a different skill but it’s still simple to knit.

The Lennox Washcloth from Cluck Cluck Boots has a fun ribbing pattern that’s great in a solid color, or try it in stripes for a different look.

Another fun thing to do with dishcloths is work a simple shape in a contrasting stitch pattern, such as this butterfly washcloth from EZCareKnits.

Increase the skill level by working a circle with the Fruit Dishcloth from StudioKnit. It’s worked in wedges and would be so cute to knit in a bunch of different colors (or to match the decor in your kitchen, bathroom, etc.).

Or try the Stars and Stripes Dishcloth from Faisdodos. This one is worked in the round from the outside in, using self-striping yarn to get the multicolored effect. So fun!

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Magical Woodland Knits by Clare Garland is a few years old as I write this, but it’s such a fun book I couldn’t resist sharing it. Step into a magical forest full of realistic woodland creatures including rabbit, deer and squirrel, birds and mice, to name a few.

In all there are 12 creatures, and though they are rather small (the wolf is the largest at 14.5 inches/37 cm tall and 18.5 inches/47 cm long), they are so detailed these are definitely not projects for new knitters.

One of the smaller projects, for example, is the robin, at 5/5 inches/14 cm long. It calls for nine different kinds of yarn. Sometimes some are held together, while others are worked with on their own. This pattern only includes three pages of instructions, but the print is rather small and in that time there are six different sets of short rows. None of this makes it too difficult for a knitter with experience reading detailed patterns, working short rows and working with multiple strands of yarn at once, but it’s worth knowing going in that even for small projects you’ll need a lot of supplies and time to work on them.

These are also not meant to be children’s toys, as they can include wires and other supports that could be a danger to little ones.

The process photos often look like taxidermy on a tiny scale, with little animal pelts stretched out and tons of stitch markers showing where and how things go together.

The finished animals are so pretty it’s certainly worth the effort to stitch up these creatures. You might be tempted to make all 12 and set up your own forest scene or use them to decorate your Christmas tree. You can check out all the patterns on Ravelry.

Along the way you’ll also find a little folklore about the animals, charming drawings and pretty photos of the finished animals, too. In the back you’ll find some helpful techniques like picking up stitches, making I-cord and working short rows.

About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 12 patterns. Published 2020 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99.

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