Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Dishcloth Knitting Patterns

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Because we’re talking about potholders, dishcloths and other kitchen knitting this week I thought I’d head to Ravelry and take a look at some dishcloth knitting patterns.

Of course when you search for free knit dishcloth patterns you get more than 4,000, so I couldn’t possibly share them all, but I picked out a few that are interesting and fun and I hope you’ll check them out!

Dishcloths are a great way to try new-to-you knitting stitch patterns on a small project, so there are lots of different patterns available, including:

Really those top two sites have a ton of different designs with basic stitch patterns, I just didn’t want to fill up the post with them, especially considering the sites are no longer published.

You can also find patterns with all sorts of shapes on them, such as:

The Mason-Dixon Knitters offer the Linoleum Dishcloth and the classic Ball-Band Dishcloth.

Yarnspirations has a doily-shaped cloth, while Leisure Arts has one with a stitch pattern reminiscent of crocus. And there’s a great one shaped like a star, from Frugal Knitting Haus.

J.G. Miller has a ton (OK, like 52) of different mosaic patterns worked in dishcloths; here is one.

Need even more options? Knit Picks is now on its second year of free dishcloth patterns, though some of them are crocheted. You can find more than 50 linked at All Free Crafts, and more than you can count at Knitting Pattern Central.

That should keep you in stitches for a while!

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 to knit more dishcloth patterns ? Check out these dishcloth patterns on Etsy 

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Have you read?

Book Review: Magical Woodland Knits

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.