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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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Have you read?

Get Your Fruits by Knitting the Fruit Salad Vest

I guess I’ve decided it’s time to start knitting vests, and while I typically think of vests as being for fall, this one is decidedly summery. 

Vanessa Ewing’s Fruit Salad Fest is covered with all kinds of fruits. I see grapes, blueberries, strawberries, peaches and kiwi all stitched up in rows for a cute and colorful vest. 

This one is worked in sock yarn and comes in nine sizes. The actual finished chest measurement of the vest ranges from 29.5 to 59 inches, or 75 to 150 cm. It’s meant to be work with 2 to 4 inches/5-10 cm of positive ease. And while it’s called a vest it doesn’t look like it has any shaping, which gives it little cap sleeves when worn. 

There’s a bit of ribbing at the armholes and neckline, and the bottom has a split hem. It’s worked in the round from the bottom up and includes steeks. It’s not really a pattern for people new to colorwork thanks to all the charts and different colors used, but if you’re ready to take on a challenge this would be a fun one. 

Speaking of colors, there are 13 involved in this pattern, but a few of them aren’t needed in a huge quantity, so this could be a use for some mini skeins or leftovers from other projects if you have them in the right colors. This isn’t one where you can substitute colors that easily since they are meant to be true to real fruits, but you could use a different background color, make your grapes green or red, or change the blueberries to another fruit if you have different colors on hand. 

Any way you slice it, this looks like a super fun knit that is sure to bring a smile to your face whenever you wear it, and to others whenever they see it. 

Check it out and grab a copy on Ravelry. 

[Photo: Vanessa Ewing]