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Knit Dishcloths: A Great Choice for Summer

June 19, 2014 by Sarah White

knit the firefly dishcloth from knit picksIf you live somewhere where it gets hot in the summer and you still want to be able to knit comfortably (maybe even outside), knitting washcloths and dishcloths is a great way to spend some of your summer knitting time. These small, portable projects are really useful and make great housewarming or hostess gifts, and they’re a great way to play with patterns on a small scale.

It’s been a while since I checked in on Knit Picks’ 52 Weeks of Dishcloths, but if you’re keeping score it’s week 24, apparently. You can see all of the projects on their website; some are for crochet.

I really like the Firefly Dishcloth, which uses what in my head has always been butterfly stitch to make a fun textured pattern on the front.

Another fun one is the Quadrant, a great stash buster once you’ve knit a few other projects.

Do you knit washcloths or dishcloths? I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo via Knit Picks.]

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 

Next Pattern:

  • Review: Learn-a-Stitch Knit Dishcloths
  • Book Review - Dishcloths for Special Days
  • Book Review - More Than a Dozen Dishcloths
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»

Comments

  1. Amy McGlynn says

    June 19, 2014 at 11:59 am

    I knit them for my daughter to clean my grandson’s face and hands after eating. The soft but nubbly texture sweeps away the mess.

Have you read?

Book Review: Knitovation Stitch Dictionary

There’s always room for more stitch dictionaries on your shelf, but Andrea Rangel’s Knitovation Stitch Dictionary is unlike those stitch pattern books you might already own. That’s because this one is full of colorwork stitch patterns rather than textured stitches, lace or cables, so the designs are ripe for adding to hats, sweaters and other projects with a stockinette stitch background. 

The book starts with a quick introduction to knitting colorwork that’s also unlike what you’ve probably seen before, because it’s less about the colors themselves and more about the kinds of fibers you choose, how the yarn is prepared and the gauge you’re working at and how those things all change the look of a design. 

Most of the book is filled with motif designs and swatches. The motifs were designed and named by Andrea’s husband Sean, who is an artist and brings a bit of whimsy to the designs. 

You’ll find some classic looking leaves and flowers, mosaics and waves, but also rubber ducks, penguins, puzzle pieces, cherries and cows, snails and teapots, eyeballs and chess pieces, to name a few. Many of the designs also have funny names, like a fish named toilet bound, or cats in suits called corporate fat cat.

Of course you can use the designs in any way you want on any project you like, but there are also three patterns in the book — for a hat, a sweater and a pair of fingerless gloves — plus discussion of how the motifs were added, adjusting patterns for a different size or gauge, and adding your own motifs. 

If you like adding a bit of colorwork to otherwise plain projects that other people have designed, or you’re ready to start making your own designs with fun motifs, this book is a great place to start. The fun and funny motifs are sure to inspire you to want to pick up your needles and add a little more color to your projects. 

About the book: 160 pages, hardcover, 150+ motifs and three knitting patterns. Published 2023 by Interweave, suggested retail $28. 

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