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Stash-Busting, Frilly Circular Washcloth Knitting Pattern

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I have had a lot of fun developing patterns for the Knitted Kitchen Blog Hop, but now that we’re six months in I’m honestly a little bored with squares. So I thought it would be fun to do a circular washcloth this month, and to use it as a way to use some of my leftovers from other projects.Knit a frilly circle dishcloth with Knitted Kitchen.

This knit circle dishcloth is super easy to knit, and you can use the exact same method and rate of increases to make circles of all sizes, from washcloths to placemats to giant circular shawls.

I used two colors because mine was a stash-busting project, but you can use the same color throughout if you like. I feel like I need to warn you that the picot bind off takes forever (it really felt like it took as long as knitting the whole rest of the dishcloth) and uses a huge amount of yarn. And it makes the edge more frilly than circular, but I like it. You can just do a normal bind off if you prefer.

Materials

about 72 yards total of medium weight cotton yarn (I used Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton in Cayenne and Blueberry; the leftovers from the Two-Color Moss Stitch Dishcloth)

set of 4 size 8 US/5 mm double-pointed needles (you might also want a short circular toward the end)

stitch marker (optional)

Gauge

Gauge is not critical but I got about 5 stitches and 7 rows per inch/2.5 cm in Stockinette Stitch in the round.

Size

My dishcloth is about 9 inches across but you can make any size you like by continuing to increase or stopping earlier if you want a smaller one.Knit a frilly circle dishcloth with Knitted Kitchen.

Knitting the Frilly Circular Washcloth

Using main color, cast on 6.

Divide onto 2 DPNs, join in round and knit 1 round.

*K1, yo. Repeat from * around. 12 stitches.

Knit 2 rounds. Divide onto 3 DPNs whenever you want.

*K1, yo. Repeat from * around. 24 stitches.

Knit 3 rounds.

*K1, yo. Repeat from * around. 48 stitches.

Knit 4 rounds.

*K1, yo. Repeat from * around. 96 stitches. At this point you may want to switch to a circular needle and add a stitch marker to note the end of the round.

Knit 5 rounds.Knit a frilly circle dishcloth with Knitted Kitchen.

*K1, yo. Repeat from * around. 192 stitches.

Knit 2 rounds and switch to second color, if desired.

Knit 2 rounds.

To do the picot bind off, *cast on 2 stitches (I used cable cast on, but you can do whatever you like). Bind off 4. Slip stitch from right-hand needle back to left-hand needle and repeat from * around.

Cut yarn and weave in ends.

Add this project to your Ravelry queue.

More Knitted Kitchen

Check out my other patterns from the series: Loop Stitch Washcloth | 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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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.