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Knitted Kitchen Blog Hop: Cartridge Rib Dishcloth

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cartridge rib dishcloth knitting patternIt’s time for another installment of the Knitted Kitchen Blog Hop. If you missed it last month, a group of knitting bloggers are getting together to share a new dishcloth/washcloth pattern every week this year (well, except for in December). It’s a great way to learn new knitting skills and techniques on a small scale and start using more reusable dishcloths and washcloths in your home.

My pattern this month was inspired by a scarf pattern from Purl Soho that I shared earlier this month. It uses Cartridge Rib, an easy stitch pattern that makes a rib-like fabric with no purling at all. I had never tried this stitch before — and frankly was a little skeptical that it would take as long to work as regular ribbing because of the slipped stitches — so I thought this was the perfect reason to give it a go.

It’s really fun and easy and I do think it’s a little faster than conventional ribbing, though you do have to move the yarn around a bit to make it work. Still, it’s a cool technique and one of those things it’s fun to show off to your knitting friends.

Cartridge Rib Dishclothcartridge rib dishcloth knitting pattern

Materials:

  • one skein Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (I used about 75 yards total to make a small washcloth); mine is color 102, Aqua
  • pair of size 7 US/4.5 mm knitting needles

Gauge:

Gauge is not critical but I got about 7 stitches and 8 rows per inch in pattern stitch

Size:

Washcloth shown is about 8 inches square. Instructions are give for 8-inch and 10-inch squares, with the larger size instructions in parentheses.

To make a different size, ensure that the number of stitches is a multiple of 4 plus 3 for the pattern to work.

Instructions:

Cast on 55 (71) stitches.

Row 1: Knit 3, *slip 1 with yarn in front, knit 3. Repeat from * to end.

Row 2: Knit 1, *slip 1 with yarn in front, knit 3. Repeat from * to last 2 stitches, slip 1 with yarn in front, knit 1.

Repeat these two rows until piece is square, ending with row 2. Bind off and weave in ends.

More Dishcloth Patterns

Check out my other patterns from the series: Vine Lace Dishcloth | Ridged Ribbon Eyelet | Two-Color Moss Stitch Dishcloth

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 

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Practice Colorwork on a Cute Knit Bunny

Sometimes I feel like knitters get intimidated to try new things because they think they need to start with a big project. Your first time working in the round doesn’t need to be a sock, and your first colorwork doesn’t need to be a sweater, for example. You can find little projects that use the skills you want to learn to build your confidence before you move on to something that requires more time commitment.

This adorable knit bunny, for example.

The colorwork bunny from Knit Picks was designed by Amy Munson and is a kind of bowling pin shaped bunny complete with a knit hat, contrasting inner ears and a little stranded colorwork on its body. Note that the ears are attached the the hat not the bunny, but you could stitch them to the bunny if you’d rather.

It’s worked from the bottom up and also has a tiny pompom tail you can’t see in the picture but it’s a really cute touch. There are a variety of little fair isle patterns to choose from to make the best bunny for you.

The bunny comes out about 8 inches tall (or just over 20 cm) and use several colors to complete the colorwork, depending on the design you choose.

You can purchase the pattern by itself from Knit Picks, or make a kit that includes sport weight yarn in all the colors you need for your creation. There are gray and brown options for the main body of the bunny, but of course if you’re using your own yarn you can make it whatever color you like.

Once you’ve tried colorwork (maybe also working in the round and shaping if those are skills you haven’t used before) in a little project like this you’ll be ready to take on something bigger in no time.

Check out the pattern on Knit Picks.

[Photo: Knit Picks]