Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Pinwheel Dishcloth – Free Knitting Pattern

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I’m a sucker for a good dishcloth or washcloth knitting pattern, and especially this time of year it’s fun to make cloths you can use in your spring cleaning.

The Pinwheel Dish Cloth from Craftown is really cute and it’s a great way to practice short rows if that’s something you need to learn.

What’s more, you could also make this a stash-busting project by working each wedge in a different color of leftover yarn. Either way it’s a fun project that is a little more interesting to knit than a square, but still has lots of cleaning power. And cuteness.

 

Pinwheel Dish Cloth (orginally printed at Craftown.com)
Materials: 1 ball worsted weight cotton yarn, size 4mm needles. I used Anchor Magic line

for this cloth, which gave it a lovely effect – it’s a self-striping yarn.

Instructions:
Cast on 18 stitches.
This cloth is made up of 8 wedges, all exactly the same. Then the edge is sewn together,
the threads are sewn in and the cloth is complete. 🙂

Every wedge:
Row 1 and all odd rows: K across to last 3 stitches, p3.
Row 2: K3, YO, K to last st, turn.
Row 4: K3, YO, K to last 2 sts, turn.
Row 6: K3, YO, K to last 3 sts, turn.
Row 8: Bind off 3 sts, K2, YO, K to last 4 sts, turn.
Row 10: K3, YO, K to last 5 sts, turn.
Row 12: K3, YO, K to last 6 sts, turn.
Row 14: Bind off 3 sts, K2, YO, K to last 7 sts, turn.
Row 16: K3, YO, K to last 8 sts, turn.
Row 18: K3, YO, K to last 9 sts, turn.
Row 20: Bind off 3 sts, K2, YO, K to last 10 sts, turn.
Row 22: K3, YO, K to last 11 sts, turn.
Row 24: K3, YO, K to last 12 sts, turn.
Row 26: Bind off 3 sts, K across row.

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 

Comments

  1. I know what you mean. Sewing in ends is the ugly side of knitting and cehocrt. The bit they don’t really tell you about in books… I hate it until you get to that last end. The last one I can cope with 🙂

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.