Knit Washcloths for Spring Cleaning

I like knitting washcloths all the time, but I think there’s something extra fun about knitting washcloths as we get ready for spring cleaning. It just makes all the scrubbing a little more fun, whether you’re deep cleaning the kitchen counter or yourself.

I hope by now you know that washcloths don’t need to be boring, and there’s a special joy in using something pretty that you made for something totally mundane?

Like this pretty and easy floral design from Knitted Accent. The pattern is worked as purls on a stockinette stitch background, and the design reminds me a little of a quilt block. The pattern is written but also has a chart if you’d rather work from that.

Or how about this set of textured washcloth patterns from Knit On Designs. These are all knit and purl stitch combinations so they’re easy for beginners but the make really pretty dishcloths you’ll enjoy making.

The Tin Ceiling washcloth and hand towel set from Purl Soho use an easy knit and purl pattern to make a lovely textured diamond design all over the project. This pattern is both written and charted as well so you can follow whichever version you like.

Add a teeny bit of lace to a simple washcloth for a cute effect like in the It Had to be You dishcloth from the Kitchen Sink Shop (available as a free download on Ravelry). This one features little eyelets worked in a heart shape on a background of stockinette stitch.

But who says washcloths have to be a normal shape or a dainty design? Also on Ravelry you’ll find the Whale Tooth Dishcloth from Cassandra Bibler. It’s worked with short row shaping but the pattern includes various technique ideas you can use to make the project the way you want.

Or make your cleaning time a throwback with Kate Agner’s Cassette Tape washcloth (Ravelry). It’s worked in garter stitch using the intarsia technique and is stitched from a chart. Using garter stitch makes for a thick washcloth that could also be used as a pot holder.

A Bunch of Great Free Washcloth Knitting Patterns

I rarely understand why something becomes a trend in crafting. Gnomes and geese are both cute I guess, but I never thought we’d be making them for all seasons. (See, for example, this collection of gnome knitting patterns, or these knit geese.)

Another one I don’t totally understand is sardines or little fish more generally. Sure, they’re cute, and the shape is fun, but I had no idea when I was sharing this pattern for a fish-shaped pouch last year that it would become a hugely popular pattern that people are still searching for on the site. It is pretty cute, though, so if you weren’t around then or don’t remember you should got check it out.

Recently another fishy knitting pattern crossed my monitor: the little knit fish from Classical Songbird Designs.

Just as the name suggests, these fish are little, about 4.5 inches or 11 cm from end to end. They look like little sardines and take about 12 yards of sock yarn to make.

You can even make a two-tone fish and use just 6 yards of each color.

This sounds to me like just about the perfect use for the yarn that’s left over after knitting a pair of socks, or a mini skein or several that have been sitting around unused in your stash.

The fish are knit flat in one piece, which makes it easy to stitch on the eyes with more yarn or embroidery floss before stuffing, and you can stitch up the sides while you stuff (though it’s not a very big piece so you could probably stitch and then stuff, finishing with the end of the tail).

Because I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one wondering, I measured an Altoids box and as the pattern is written the fish are a little too big to fit in it (the box is about 4 inches/10 cm long). But you could make the fish a little smaller if you want to make a box of them. Or just make a fishy bag to put them in!

You can grab the free pattern for the little knit fish at Classical Songbird Designs.

[Photo: Classical Songbird Designs.]

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