Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Get Ready for a Kitchen Knitting Makealong

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In case you need another project for the summer, Modern Daily Knitting is hosting a makealong for kitchen towels and dishcloth-adjacent makes starting on July 15.

If you skipped over knitting washcloths or dishcloths when you learned how to knit, now’s a great time to discover the joy of this simple project genre. And if you already know you don’t need me to tell you.

Dishcloths are usually pretty fast to knit, they’re portable, they don’t take a lot of yarn. They’re a fun way to try out new stitch patterns and to use any little leftover bit of cotton yarn you might have lying around because who is going to complain about a dishcloth of many colors?

Bonus: everyone needs dishcloths. EVERYONE. Keep a stack on hand for when you need to pull together a last-minute housewarming or hostess gift (do people still host things?). Teacher appreciation? Back to school? Whatever the gifting occasion, a stack of cloths and some pretty soap is a great idea.

Even my slightly jaded almost 13-year-old prefers to wash her face with handmade cloths, AND my husband admits they are more absorbent and better for cleaning kitchen messes than the storebought cloths.

Finally, something we can all agree on.

Head to Modern Daily Knitting for all the details on the knitalong (crochet is welcome too!) and a great selection of patterns to get you started.

Do you knit washcloths or dishcloths? I’d love to hear why you love them.

[Photo: Modern Daily Knitting.]

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

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.