Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Free Knitting Patterns – Intricate Dish Cloth Patterns

by

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.

Easy Knitted Dishcloths For Beginners – Dishcloth Knitting Patterns

 

Have you read?

Knit a Classic Aran Cardigan with this Free Knitting Pattern

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time. 

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring. 

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. 

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row. 

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves. 

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body. 

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy. 

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn. 

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]