Knit a Washcloth Inspired by Waffles

Every month The Kitchen Sink Shop releases a dishcloth knitting pattern, and they seem to mostly have a food theme. This one, for example, is said to be inspired by the designs on waffle makers, thus the Belgian Waffle Dishcloth.

As an aside, I wasn’t sure I knew the difference between Belgian waffles and non-Belgian waffles, but they say the Belgian variety is denser, made with yeast and has a caramelized sugar coating. So maybe a little more like funnel cakes than waffles? Maybe I need to go to Belgium and find out!

Anyway, about the dishcloth. The pattern calls for a worsted weight cotton yarn, which makes a thick and durable washcloth. (This would be a great one for a yarn like Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, because the yarn is mercerized, giving it a little shine that’s fun for a dishcloth.)

It has an easy lace pattern that looks like diamonds, or waffle iron prints if you will. The edges are worked in garter stitch and are just a little wavy. It looks like it would be pretty quick and easy to knit and a nice low pressure introduction to lace knitting if that’s something you haven’t done before.

This and all the future dishcloths of the month are available on Ravelry.

And speaking of using dishcloths and washcloths as a way to learn new skills, many years ago now I published some easy washcloth patterns here that you might want to try using two-color bias knitting, moss stitch in two colors (on of my favorites!), loop stitch, and working a circle from the center out.

Washcloths and dishcloths are ideal learning patterns because they’re small and they’re useful. We still use those washcloths (some in the kitchen, and some my daughter uses). They’re a fun way to play with stitches no matter your skill level.

[Photo: The Kitchen Sink Shop]

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Not too long ago my daughter and I had a discussion about what a chestnut really looks like. The nut itself is small and brown, of course, but on the tree they’re covered with this weird kind of spiky, kind of fuzzy shell. It’s a wonder anyone ever figured out they were edible.

If you didn’t know that, you might wonder why this project is call Chestnut balaclava, but now you know.

This fun design from Yevheniia Pyroh is covered with spikes just like a chestnut shell, and is even the same color, though of course you can make yours whatever color you like. It uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held together (which it says is fingering weight but you could try a light/DK yarn and see if you get gauge with it if you’d rather).

There are two different design options in the pattern. One is a more fitted balaclava style hat (it doesn’t cover the face but does go around the neck) and a looser fit hood.

It’s worked primarily in garter stitch, with shaping done by knitting and purling in the same stitch and through various decreases (including a knit 3 together).

The pattern is charted but also explained in words. It’s worked flat to the size you want, and then joined into a hood shape with ribbing at the neck. The opening for the face is finished with I-cord.

This hood/balaclava would definitely be a conversation starter and in different colors it might read more dinosaur than chestnut, which could also be fun. The sizing is totally custom so you can make it fit whatever head you’re stitching for.

If you want to try it for yourself (and I’d love to hear about it if you do!) you can download the free pattern from Ravelry.

[Photo: Yevheniia Pyroh]

Balaclava Knitting Patterns

Colorwork Balaclava Knitting Pattern [Knitting]

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