Help Mom Relax with These Knitted Spa Patterns

I don’t know a mom who couldn’t use a little pampering, and there are lots of ways we can make that happen with the help of knitting. Why not whip up a scrubber or a soap sack and throw in some great soap, lotion and bubble bath? That’s a present I could get behind for sure (as well as the time to actually use them uninterrupted).

Here are some projects to make mom’s (or anyone’s) day a little more relaxing.

The Spa Scrubby and Soap Packet from Lion Brand Yarn are a great pair, and one of the best uses of bobbles I’ve ever seen. The Seamless Spa Mitt from Shelby Knits is another cute one that’s really useful, too.

Mary Anne’s Back Scrubber is the perfect thing for someone who can’t quite reach their own back, and the spa bath mat by Black Cat Designs is a great combination of yarn and pattern.

Alice Dillon has a great Spa Turban that’s perfect for wearing while in the tub or any other time you want your hair out of your way. Dot on the Run’s Spa Socks are a great way to try two-at-a-time socks, and they also have a fun textured pattern that will keep you interested. And speaking of socks, a pair of pedicure socks is always a great idea for a mom who likes that activity; this one is from Yarnspirations.

If you want to add some soap to your gift, a soap sweater like this one by Cynthia Hall is a great choice that can be embellished a ton of different ways. There’s also my soap sack, which is easy and reusable because the top opens.

A pretty washcloth can be a fun addition to a spa gift, too. Check out Kat Mcab’s Shell Spa Washcloth, Cindy Taylor’s Knitted Flower Washcloth, the adorably named Tribble (which I guess is acutally more of a scrubbie) from Abigail 1870pearl and the fun Rose Spa Cloth, which combines knitting and crochet and is also scrubby like since it’s shaped like a rose (it comes from Knitting Heaven on Earth).

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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