Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Loop Stitch Washcloth Knitting Pattern

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Hello, again, and welcome to this month’s installment of the Knitted Kitchen Blog Hop!Knit a dishcloth in loop stitch with the Knitted Kitchen Blog Hop.

This week I’m bringing you a fun technique that makes a super scrubby (and stash busting) dishcloth or washcloth, but it’s a stitch pattern you might also want to use on other projects for a bit of funky texture.

Loop Stitch here is worked on a base of Garter Stitch, with the loops worked every fourth row. The only tricky part is figuring out how to make the loops; I made a little video I hope will help!

Materials

about 100 yards medium-weight cotton yarn (I used the Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Aqua that I had left over from the Cartridge Rib Dishcloth I made back in February)

one pair size 7 US/4.5 mm knitting needles

Gauge

Gauge is not critical — and really hard to measure — with this project, but I got about 4.5 stitches and 5 rows per inch/2.5 cm in Loop Stitch.

Size

This is a very stretchy washcloth; I was going for an 8-inch square but when relaxed it is closer to 9 inches/23 cm square.

How to Knit the Loop Stitch WashclothKnit a dishcloth in loop stitch with the Knitted Kitchen Blog Hop.

Cast on 40 stitches.

Knit 3 rows.

Knit 1, make loop stitch in each stitch to last stitch, knit 1.

Repeat these 4 rows until desired length; end with 3 knit rows.

Bind off.

Making the Loop StitchKnit a dishcloth in loop stitch with the Knitted Kitchen Blog Hop.

The video should help you understand how to make the Loop Stitch, but if you need it in words:

  1. Put the right-hand needle through the stitch as if to knit.
  2. Make a loop on the back of the work with the working yarn. I like to loop it around my index finger and measure down the width of my middle finger. Hold the loop in place with your other hand slip your fingers out of the loop.
  3. Grab the working yarn, keeping the loop secure, and take the yarn over the needle and continue to form the knit stitch by bringing the right-hand needle under the loop.
  4. Place the loop that’s now on the right-hand needle onto the left-hand needle and knit it together with the original stitch.

It sounds harder and looks more awkward than it is. Once you’ve done it for a row or two you will get into the rhythm, I promise.

Add this project to your Ravelry queue.

More Knitted Kitchen

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

You can find the full list of blog hop patterns as they become available on the main blog hop page, or join us on Facebook.

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Free Trauma Teddy Knitting Pattern – A Simple Comfort Bear To Knit And Donate

There is something incredibly touching about a handmade teddy bear, especially when it has been knitted with the purpose of bringing comfort to someone who needs it most. This free Trauma Teddy knitting pattern from CraftBits is one of those simple, practical knitting projects that reminds us handmade things can still make a very real difference.

The idea of a Trauma Teddy is closely connected with comfort, care, and kindness. The Australian Red Cross began hand-knitting Trauma Teddies back in 1990, and since then, these soft little bears have been given to children experiencing frightening, lonely, or overwhelming moments. They might be handed to a child in an ambulance, in hospital, after an emergency, during a disaster response, or when a little reassurance is needed.

That is what makes this basic knitted teddy bear pattern so special. It is not about creating a fancy collector’s bear or a toy with dozens of tiny details. It is about making something soft, safe, and comforting — the kind of bear a child can hold onto when everything feels a bit too big.

You can find the free pattern here: Free Trauma Teddy Knitting Pattern on CraftBits

This CraftBits Trauma Teddy pattern is a good choice for knitters who enjoy charity knitting, comfort knitting, or small stash-busting projects. The pattern uses basic supplies and includes yarn and needle suggestions, with a note that one skein can make several bears. That makes it a practical option if you are knitting for a donation drive, a community group, hospitals, emergency services, or simply making a few handmade teddy bears to keep on hand for comfort gifts.

What I like about this pattern is its simplicity. The bear has a classic, straightforward shape with a small scarf for personality. It is the kind of project you can knit without needing to buy half the yarn shop, which is always a bonus when the stash cupboard is already giving you side-eye. Leftover washable yarn from baby blankets, jumpers, scarves, or odd balls from past projects would work well here.

For a Trauma Teddy or any bear intended for donation, yarn choice matters. A soft, washable yarn is usually best, especially if the teddy may be handled often or given to a child. Acrylic yarn or washable wool blends are practical choices because they are easy to care for and durable. If you are planning to knit a batch, yarn packs from places like Mary Maxim or basic washable yarn from Amazon can be useful, along with good-quality toy stuffing and a blunt yarn needle for sewing up.

The face is another important detail. For donation bears, embroidered eyes, noses, and mouths are much safer than buttons, beads, or loose embellishments. Even though safety eyes are popular in toy making, many organisations prefer fully stitched features so the bear stays soft and child-safe. A few simple stitches are all you need to give your knitted teddy a gentle expression.

The scarf is a sweet finishing touch and a lovely way to use tiny scraps of yarn. You could make each scarf in a different colour, use bright cheerful shades, soft pastels, rainbow stripes, or even colours that match a local charity or community group. Just make sure the scarf is securely attached if the bear is being donated.

This free Trauma Teddy knitting pattern is best suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic knitting and sewing pieces together. Confident beginners could also give it a try, especially if they are patient with the finishing stage. As with most knitted toys, do not judge the bear too early. Before stuffing and sewing, toy pieces can look a little odd — sometimes more “lumpy potato” than beloved teddy bear — but it all comes together beautifully at the end.

If you enjoy meaningful knitting projects, this is a lovely one to add to your list. It is affordable, useful, and heartfelt, and it turns a small amount of yarn into something that may bring comfort at exactly the right moment.

You may also like our roundup of the best free teddy bear knitting patterns for more knitted bear ideas, or browse these knitting patterns to use your yarn odd balls if your stash is full of little leftover balls waiting for a purpose.

Pattern details

Pattern: Free Trauma Teddy Knitting Pattern
Project type: Knitted teddy bear
Best for: Charity knitting, comfort donations, handmade gifts, stash-busting
Skill level: Beginner to confident beginner
Supplies: Yarn, knitting needles, toy stuffing, yarn needle, embroidery thread or yarn for the face
Recommended yarn: Soft washable acrylic, washable wool blend, or smooth leftover yarn
Safety note: Use embroidered features for bears intended for children or donation

This is a simple little bear with a big purpose, and that is exactly why I love it.