Easy Washcloth Knitting Patterns

There are so many washcloth knitting patterns (and dishcloth knitting patterns, though we’ll get to those separately) out there, and with good reason. These little projects are relatively fast and easy to knit, they’re a great way to learn new stitches, they’re useful and they make a fun handmade addition to a housewarming gift, teacher appreciation or really any time.

You can search this site and find lots of washcloth knitting patterns (including a handful I designed several years ago), but I thought it was time for a roundup. Can you delay spring cleaning because you need to knit a washcloth to clean with? Maybe.

The Spa Day Facecloth by Anne Mancine (free pattern on Ravelry) was meant by its name to be for your body, not your chores, but the textured stitch pattern would be great for washing dishes as well as your face. This one uses DK weight yarn, though you could make it in more standard worsted if you want (know that it will come out bigger than the pattern calls for).

If you’re a new knitter looking to move beyond knit and purl, the Exposed Brick Dishcloth from Perfectly Knotted is a great choice. It’s worked mostly in stockinette stitch with some texture added by strategically swapping purls and knits.

Oh La Lana has a huge collection of washcloth/blanket block knitting patterns, many of which just use knits and purls. I wanted to share this hourglass one because I think it’s really fun and their patterns are written out or they have a chart so you can work whichever way you want (or use the written instructions to help you learn to read the chart).

The fun thing about washcloths is that you can add just about any simple design you want to the center, still using knit and purl stitches. This heart (which could also be an afghan square) from Daisy and Storm is a great example of that.

If you’re looking for a bunch of basic washcloth knitting patterns, check out this collection from Knit On Designs. It includes five basic knit and purl washcloth designs so you can make a set as a gift or for yourself.

Knit a Washcloth Inspired by Waffles

Knit a Cute Washcloth for Spring

Book Review – Baby Washcloths and Afghan Squares

We’re a big Studio Ghibli household, and while they are sometimes very protective of their copyrights (as evidenced by the number of patterns on Ravelry that were removed from the service when it received a takedown notice back in 2021), there are still a fair number of Totoro knitting patterns (as well as other designs I’m sure we’ll get to someday). Let’s check them out!

Yaya Labs has a cute plush Totoro that looks like it might stand up on its own. The pattern is available on LoveCrafts, and it calls for DK or light worsted weight yarn in four colors. The pattern is considered advanced but it does include a photo tutorial. It stands 10.6 inches or 27 cm tall.

A similar pattern can be found a Shino Craft, which doesn’t have the leaf hat but does include little hands, and the legs aren’t as separate from the body. This one calls for sport weight yarn and is knit flat on two needles.

All Made Here has a Totoro pouch that is super cute and looks pretty easy to knit. It measures 14 by 18 cm and is rated for advanced beginners. You can get the pattern when you subscribe to updates or follow the designer on Instagram.

Stitch Totoro on a sweater with the Totorogenseren sweater from Anna-Sofia Vintersol. This free download on Ravelry uses worsted/aran weight yarn in two or three colors. The pattern comes in nine sizes, with a chest measurement ranging from 77 to 149 cm.

The Forest Spirit Fair Isle Jumper from Kraft with Kindrex features a row of Totoros on the circular yoke, along with other little colorwork designs. The design includes three sizes, with chest measurements ranging from 91 to 101 cm. It calls for 4 ply (that’s fingering/sock weight in other parts of the world).

Or you can stitch Totoro as part of a project with more Ghibli characters, as on the Magical Anime Knit Sweater (a longtime bucket list item for me) from The Bearded Sewist. This on has a circular yoke and rows of different characters including Totoro, Ponyo, soot sprites, Calcifer and more. The pattern comes in four sizes and is rated intermediate/advanced. It calls for DK weight yarn and you can grab a copy on Ravelry.

Or try Katharina Kuntz’s Anime Scarf, also on Ravelry. This one is a double knit scarf worked in fingering weight yarn in two colors, with allover designs from Studio Ghibli movies. She started by knitting the movies in chronological order but gave that up after she realized all her favorites would be in the middle and therefore not visible when worn. You can probably rearrange the motifs further somewhat if you want to showcase your favorites.

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