Knitting

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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?

A Nostalgic Christmas Pudding Knitting Pattern for Your Handmade Decorations

There are some Christmas decorations I’ll always have a soft spot for, and a little knitted Christmas pudding is definitely on that list. Brown yarn, white icing and a cheerful red cherry—it’s a simple combination, but it brings back that lovely feeling of unpacking the handmade decorations each December.

This Christmas pudding knitting pattern from CraftBits is a small decorative project worked on straight needles. If you enjoy knitting Christmas ornaments but prefer to avoid working in the round, the flat construction makes this one worth a look.

A Small Project for Leftover Yarn

One of the appealing things about this project is its modest materials list. The pudding uses brown and white 8-ply yarn, with a little red yarn for the cherry and green felt for the holly leaves. You’ll also need 4 mm needles, stuffing and your usual sewing-up supplies.

It’s the sort of project that sends me straight to the leftover yarn basket. Those small balls that seem too useful to throw away finally have somewhere to go, and you can choose a rich chocolate brown or a softer, more muted shade depending on your Christmas colours.

The felt leaves are a practical finishing touch, too. They give the pudding its familiar festive appearance without adding another fiddly knitted component.

How the Knitted Pudding Comes Together

The pattern begins with 40 stitches and a brown stocking-stitch section. Colour changes introduce the white icing, followed by a white top that decreases towards the centre.

Once the knitting is finished, the piece is sewn together, stuffed and gathered at the bottom. A separately knitted cherry and the felt holly leaves complete the decoration.

I like projects where the finishing makes such a difference. A flat piece of knitting becomes a rounded little ornament, and those final details give it personality. It would look lovely tucked into a Christmas shelf display or sitting among greenery on a mantelpiece. You could also add a securely attached hanging loop for the tree.

A Pattern Detail to Check Before Starting

The design is charming, but the published instructions would benefit from a clearer technical edit. Some readers have reported difficulties with the colourwork rows, particularly the stated row endings.

I haven’t knitted a sample myself, so I wouldn’t describe this as a tested recommendation for a first colourwork project. Before starting, read through the pattern and check that each colourwork row accounts for all 40 stitches. Keep the carried yarn loose enough that the fabric can expand when stuffed.

A little more detail about the cast-on colour, finishing and finished measurements would also make the tutorial easier to follow.

A Lovely Idea for a Traditional Handmade Christmas

What appeals to me most is the pudding’s old-fashioned simplicity. It doesn’t need beads, elaborate embellishments or a perfectly coordinated decorating scheme. The knitted texture and little holly topper do the work.

For knitters comfortable checking a pattern and sewing up small projects, it’s a sweet source of festive inspiration. I’d be tempted to make a small collection in slightly different browns, keeping that lovely homemade character rather than trying to make every pudding identical.

Find the Christmas pudding knitting pattern at CraftBits and read through the instructions and reader comments before casting on.