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: Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit & Crochet Blankets

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four. 

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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